I am impressed by Mannequin Pussy. The band makes contemporary indie rock that excels without posturing or abducting the riffs of pre-internet college radio’s heyday. MP writes melodies that sound as if no other option would make as much sense or satisfy the notes. This forgone conclusion of artistry is especially true on the choruses. The […]
I am impressed by Mannequin Pussy. The band makes contemporary indie rock that excels without posturing or abducting the riffs of pre-internet college radio’s heyday. MP writes melodies that sound as if no other option would make as much sense or satisfy the notes. This forgone conclusion of artistry is especially true on the choruses. The […]
North Carolina roots stalwarts Chatham County Line, known for its blend of bluegrass, folk, country, and rock ‘n’ roll, is riding high off the release of its 10th studio album last year. Singer/guitarist Dave Wilson and bandmates John Teer (fiddle/mandolin) and Greg Readling (bass/pedal steel) bring evocative tales of love and heartbreak, joy and sorrow, […]
Birmingham, Alabama’s Mountain Grass Unit is growing a following with fresh cuts blending traditional bluegrass with country, jazz, funk, rock, and metal influences. Featuring Drury Anderson (mandolin, vocals), Luke Black (guitar, vocals), Josiah Nelson (fiddle, vocals), and Sam Wilson (bass, vocals), the quartet chugs through foot-stomping sets that bring old-time Americana sounds to new heights […]
Singer-songwriter Valerie McQueen treks in from the Shenandoah Valley for an evening of Americana at Offbeat Roadhouse. Drawing influence from genre standouts like Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss, McQueen’s strong voice drives a sound that brings folk to the front, with touches of country and rock inflections. Her songs tease out narratives drawn from everyday […]
The lyrics may be seriously connected to societal concerns, but the bluesy, high-energy funk from Gordon Sterling and The People tells you that this Washington, D.C., sextet comes to town to get down. It’s easy to get caught up in the hip-swingin’ freedom of the group’s groovy dance numbers—and Sterling’s charismatic leadership takes you there, […]
If you don’t have anything nice to say, word on the street is you’re not supposed to say anything. This Soul Meets Body / Shagwüf / Ladada show is an event worth looking into. Soul Meets Body’s record release party comes with a caveat, though. While I have no idea what SMB cooked up for […]
Digital wizard Todd Rundgren was making electronic music way before it was cool, and so naming his current tour Still Me (Still We) indicates we can expect him to bring out his rock radio classics—“Hello It’s Me” and “Bang the Drum All Day”—while plugging into some of the longplay prog and experimental suites of his […]
Long before he stepped onto a stage, Jim Waive was putting on a show. “Our household was filled with music,” recalls Patti Rightmier, one of Jim’s three older sisters. “My mom loved music. My mom listened to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass…” “Tom Jones, the 5th Dimension—a variety,” adds Judy Crist, another sister. “And Jim—as […]
Hailing from Washington, D.C., Oh He Dead brings funky rock with poppy vibes to every stage it graces. The five-piece outfit fronted by CJ Bowlin’ Johnson and her powerful voice are known for high-energy shows featuring incredible instrumentation and soulful sounds that only a close-knit crew can conjure. Local cultural pollinator Lua Project also performs, […]
Richmond’s No BS! Brass has established itself at the forefront of live acts hailing from the commonwealth’s capital. Combining elements of James Brown, John Coltrane, Michael Jackson, and Led Zeppelin with the spirit of New Orleans into an original modern-funk sound, the energetic 12-piece outfit keeps audiences moving all night long. Bolstering its bona fides, […]