Thurston Moore keeps thrashing in his latest project, Chelsea Light Moving

Wasted on the young Art rock legends Sonic Youth tentatively called it quits in 2011, but the band’s key members have remained characteristically busy with the usual slew of side projects and collaborations. Guitarist/singer Thurston Moore’s newest group, Chelsea Light Moving, is backed by a band of his protégés and collaborators, including Keith Wood of […]

ARTS Preview: Horsefang

Saturday night’s line-up at the Tea Bazaar is an unusual but promising mix. After several years of dormancy, Horsefang have returned, and their dusty, instrumental doom-metal riffs seem as vital as ever. They’re joined by Mike Gangloff, whose career oscillates between two unlikely poles: the rural twang of Appalachian traditionalism and the mind-expanding drones of […]

ARTS Preview: Weird Mob

Friday night is the live debut of Weird Mob, but the bands’ members may look familiar to Charlottesville concert-goers; the towns’ most adorable power-pop power-couple, Dave Gibson and Renee Reighart, previously played together in the now-defunct Hilarious Posters, and have also helped fill out the line-up of Adam Brock’s Borrowed Beams of Light project, all […]

ARTS Pick: Notes on High

Faith lift Get on board the soul elevator with Kiss FM’s Chucky Hayes of “Total Praise with Chucky Hayes” fame as he hosts Notes on High, a Gospel Showcase. This night of inspirational music features four local choirs sending up a variety of praiseworthy tunes as they carry the torch of gospel tradition forward. The […]

Interview: Black Francis

Enigmatic Boston musician “Black Francis” played a leading role in the ’80s alternative rock scene. Art, darkness and angst defined Francis’ career with The Pixies and the solo years as Frank Black (and Frank Black and the Catholics) as did his unique, ranting howl vocals.

ARTS Pick: Anti-Valentine’s Day Party

The evening after In an age where we strive to make sure no one feels left out, it’s important to remember the cynical, love-hating, ne’er-do-wells among us and make sure they get their party as well. The Southern’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party—an evening dedicated to countering the cloying schmaltz of lovers in love—features local masters of […]

Peaks and valleys: Mountains’ Koen Holtkamp discusses the duo’s dramatic songcraft

Hearing Mountains live can be a revelation, a chance to dissect the discrete elements that make up its dense wall of sound. Though the volume can be overwhelming, there’s very little on stage movement or communication; Holtkamp and Anderegg seemingly share a psychic bond that lets them know where they’re headed next, based on careful listening and years of working together.

ARTS Pick: Anna Vogelzang

Powerful yet coy vocals and astute songwriting are the definitive traits in folk balladeer Anna Vogelzang’s music. And as for evidence of her industry cred, she works with some of current music’s kick ass players.

Beyond bluegrass: Punch Brothers defy genres through collaboration

“We’re always trying to strike a balance,” said Punch Brothers banjo player Noam Pikelny by phone. “We have a reputation for working up covers that surprise people. We love playing our versions of other people’s material and certain songs have become part of the band’s identity. But original music is still the driving force behind this band.”