For many musicians, entering the music industry is like going to war. It’s a do or die field that’s filled with unpredictable circumstances and survival rates. Creativity requires constant combat and prosperity that comes through popularity, with legions of fans dictating the victories. It’s not far-fetched to say that Austin, Texas-based Shakey Graves is triumphing […]
For many musicians, entering the music industry is like going to war. It’s a do or die field that’s filled with unpredictable circumstances and survival rates. Creativity requires constant combat and prosperity that comes through popularity, with legions of fans dictating the victories. It’s not far-fetched to say that Austin, Texas-based Shakey Graves is triumphing […]
Few musicians have been as profound in touching the lives of multiple generations and cultures in the way that Stevie Wonder has. Signed to Motown at age 11, Wonder has been prolific in penning masterful tunes by way of the piano for more than 50 years, and holds multiple credits for harmonica playing on his […]
The namesake of a colonial route that once spanned much of Central Virginia, Three Notch’d Road: The Charlottesville Baroque Ensemble was founded in 2011 by local period instrumentalists. The group performs Bach Comes to America: Virginia’s Baroque Heritage featuring guest artists Jessica Petrus (soprano) and Peter Walker (bagpiper and bassist) as part of the Music […]
When trumpet genius John D’earth isn’t playing his weekly gig at Miller’s (Thursdays) or monthly set at Fellini’s (first Saturdays), he’s performing with The Free Bridge Quintet, UVA’s official faculty jazz outfit. This week he’s doing it all—and in conjunction with the Virginia Film Festival, Free Bridge will play D’earth’s original score to accompany the […]
A night of local hip-hop starts off with Spititout Inc., a quartet of hardcore rap artists that has been producing since 2012. In old-school style, the collective strives for social justice and activism to be present in its music. The evening of storytelling-driven rap continues with Ben FM, DistantStarr and Brian Moon. Friday 11/6. $8, 8pm. […]
Papadosio’s fourth album, Extras in a Movie, combines orchestral, electronic, acoustic and celestial sounds. The inspiration behind some of its songs comes from archaic cave paintings, and when song titles don’t easily appear, the group invents its own words, as in “Obove.” Papadosio even has a clear mission: to create music that gives people a […]
The term early music mostly refers to Medieval and Renaissance compositions, and it’s easy to imagine it as haunting choral melodies echoing off the vaulted ceilings of a stone cathedral in the 15th century. Other-worldly? Yes. Imposing? Pretty much. But this week, one of Charlottesville’s early-music ensembles, Mira, is taking a different approach to the […]
A frighteningly talented lineup of local groups recreate the songs and styles of five legendary bands at the Mock Stars Ball. This version of the annual Halloween tradition finds Erin & the Wildfire performing as No Doubt, The Secret Storm rocking out as Guns N’ Roses and Lord Nelson slaying the audience with tunes from […]
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A local singer-songwriter with a country twang and indie-rock edge is gaining momentum. She’s playing progressively larger venues, moving up from the Blue Moon Diner to The Southern Café and Music Hall to the Jefferson Theater to the Pavilion. Now she’s looking to step onto the national—or at […]
Bára Kratochvílová and Jan Kratochvíl make up DVA (meaning two in Czech), a worldly duo that’s carved out its own sophisticated version of neo-pop. Employing a unique performance style—at times singing in an imaginary language—the pair charms its audience with an aural collage self-described as “pop for non-existing radios.” Modern folk specter Diane Cluck and […]