In Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books, and Questions that Grew Me Up by Remica Bingham-Risher, the poet and essayist, reflects on her life and the influences of the Black poetry community, as framed by interviews with 10 influential mentors. An Affrilachian Poet, Cave Canem fellow, and winner of the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award as […]
In Soul Culture: Black Poets, Books, and Questions that Grew Me Up by Remica Bingham-Risher, the poet and essayist, reflects on her life and the influences of the Black poetry community, as framed by interviews with 10 influential mentors. An Affrilachian Poet, Cave Canem fellow, and winner of the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award as […]
Though Sarah Lawson lives far from the coast in Nelson County, they have been keeping tabs on the climate crisis for some time now, following it internationally in the news, and even mapping the movement of a particular iceberg in Antarctica. At home, Lawson (a contributor to C-VILLE) has been monitoring the changes occurring in […]
Infinity Pool is the third feature by writer and director Brandon Cronenberg, and comparisons to his extraordinary father, Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, are inevitable. With Infinity Pool, Brandon explores dark, grotesque territory similar to what his dad’s work has charted, but only superficially. The younger Cronenberg has a long way to go as a director […]
Gospel musician Jonathan McReynolds isn’t a fan of church clichés and “Christian-ese.” According to the Grammy Award winner, his albums “are about being authentic and genuine, pure and transparent.” His latest full-length, Make Room, is an exciting addition to the genre with powerful vocals and candid songwriting. McReynolds is joined by fellow musician and collaborator […]
Billy Strings’ live shows are guitar shred-filled fever dreams that feature all the improv aspects of bluegrass while totally rocking out. His 2021 release, Renewal, is an ambitious 16-song collection that infuses acoustic bluegrass with elements of heavy metal, jam bands, psychedelia, and classic rock. On Me/And/Dad, Strings leans into tradition for a collaboration with, […]
Nobody’s doing it like NNAMDÏ. Mere months after releasing his genre-fusing LP Brat, the Chicago-based do-it-yourselfer released Krazy Karl, a brain-tingling tribute to Looney Tunes composer Carl Stalling. NNAMDÏ pays homage to Stalling’s iconic style on songs like “Coochie Cannon,” “The Lord is My Glock, I Shall Not Want,” and “Milkshake made my tummy hurt! […]
John Kelly is a writer. Sometimes, he’s a songwriter. And with “Three Bright Stars,” he proves he’s a pretty damn good one. Best known for his work as the Virginia Film Festival’s PR pointman, Kelly has been writing for decades—penning reams of corporate communications along with songs. Before moving to Charlottesville in 2001, Kelly started […]
For artist Janet Bruce, the forced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity to turn inward, to seek solace in nature and delve into a deep exploration of color. Directing her attention to the color theories of Goethe and Eugène Chevreul, as well as modern and contemporary colorists, Bruce produced over 360 color studies. […]
Jazz duo Allison Miller & Carmen Staaf used pandemic distancing as an opportunity to heighten the intimacy in their music. The result is Nearness, an electrifying full-length album of original compositions with a few standards. Drummer and composer Miller’s pop-like original “Dan Dan” opens the record, followed by pianist Staaf’s wistful and moving “Blue Thrush.” […]
Cozy up to your Valentine at Winter Songs & Stories, an intimate evening of music from the British Isles and America. Early Access Music Project artists Brian Kay, David McCormick, Peter Walker, and Sarah Walker spin tales and tunes featuring baroque violin, robust bagpipe, and bewitching vocals. The musicians draw from many inspirations, including music […]