ARTS Pick: Justin Moore

It’s no surprise that the die-hard fans of classic country crave the music of Justin Moore. He gives them exactly what they want—a heavy dose of guitar twangin’, buckle shinin’, boot hitchin’ good ol’ boy culture. By refusing to water down his sound, Moore holds steadfast to tradition, focusing his lyrics on the themes and […]

ARTS Pick: Karen Jonas

Though Oklahoma Lottery is Karen Jonas’ debut recording, the album has been touted by critics as refined, polished, and sophisticated—a rare combination for an artist’s freshman effort. Jones is a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, but her tone and approach are straight out of Nashville, Tennessee with stylistic nods to country greats like Willie Nelson and […]

ARTS Pick: Tina and Her Pony

The wonderful tunes of Tina and Her Pony prove that not everything needs to be modernized in the 21st century. The Ohio duo sticks to the basics, producing amazing folk music from simple guitars, banjos, and cellos. Each song tells the story of a true experience and explores the themes and emotions found in the […]

New Downtown venue aims to fill the music scene genre gap 

Jeyon Falsini didn’t mean to stick up for C’ville’s music scene underdogs. It just kind of happened. The longtime concert promoter and booking agent started working with the Main Street Arena in July 2012. Management wanted to bring in someone to turn its small overflow space on Water Street from a clothing retailer into a […]

ARTS Pick: Jolie Holland

The intimate energy and raw emotion of Jolie Holland’s experimental live sets have recently garnered the attention of musical purists, the press, and even artists like Tom Waits and Sage Francis. Her permutation of folk, country, rock, jazz, and blues is meticulously blended and though her sound is distinctly original, a close listen will find […]

ARTS Pick: Bella Morte

From the first note, Bella Morte is an all-out assault on the senses, with gothic metal as its weapon of choice. With a nod to Evanescence and Linkin Park, the local-born rockers continue the tradition of combining explosive sounds with brooding rhythms. An original mix of powerful guitars laced with electric synth that vacillates from […]

ARTS Pick: Kishi Bashi

There’s no metaphor or comparison that can illuminate the splendor of Kishi Bashi’s music. It’s beautiful and there’s no better way to describe it. Brandishing his violin, the Norfolk-based musician creates lush melodies that are soft and dream-like, accentuated by Asian undertones and complemented by upbeat electric riffs, melancholy bass chords and thoughtful lyrics. His […]

ARTS Pick: Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes

If there’s one thing that Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes prove, it’s that music always benefits from a little attitude. Their sound captures a swanky sense of fun from the blues era, delivering a healthy kick that wakes the soul to an experience beyond clichés and catchy hooks. Supported by a classic trio of […]

ARTS Pick: Pat Metheny

Legendary guitarist and composer Pat Metheny has been on the scene since 1976’s Bright Size Life (his seminal debut with bassist Jaco Pastorious and drummer Bob Moses) and has toured continuously for decades. His is a rich, fluid, and conceptually ambitious tone, colored by influences as wide-ranging as the swing of Wes Montgomery or the […]

ARTS Pick: Project Pat

Rap lovers know that the best beats come from hard-hitting rhythms coupled with solid flows of raw lyrics. That’s why Project Pat remains a standout of the genre. The brother of Three 6 Mafia member Juicy J, Pat gives fans exactly what they want; a steady roll of unabashed rap glory. Characterized by a pulsing […]