The numbers on Spotify don’t lie: Cannons is popular and it’s clear why. The group presents completely problem-free tracks that ooze a too-smooth style of stifled glam disco. You would be wrong to call it this decade’s version of easy listening, though—it’s bubbly pop music built for areas where they’ve had success: TV show placement. […]
The numbers on Spotify don’t lie: Cannons is popular and it’s clear why. The group presents completely problem-free tracks that ooze a too-smooth style of stifled glam disco. You would be wrong to call it this decade’s version of easy listening, though—it’s bubbly pop music built for areas where they’ve had success: TV show placement. […]
Preservation haul: New Orleans jazz ensemble Tuba Skinny fulfilled a lifelong dream this year with the release of Magnolia Stroll, its first album of original music. The group formed in 2009 as a loose collection of street musicians that combines cornet, clarinet, trombone, tuba, tenor banjo, guitar, frottoir, and vocals. Influenced by a wide range […]
In solidarity: Punk rock band Gogol Bordello has cultivated a unique sound that’s reflective of its members’ diverse origins. Formed in America by immigrants from Ukraine, Russia, Ecuador, and Ethiopia, the group fuses underground rock with Eastern European Romani music. Lead vocalist Eugene Hütz calls it a sound that “unites people against oppression of any […]
Domino effect: After months of nonstop touring, Americana folk act Shovels & Rope was ready to slow things down on its latest album, Manticore. Then COVID-19 stalled the music industry, and the husband-and-wife duo decided to revisit and expand the songs that were originally intended to include nothing but acoustic guitar and piano. The result […]
Return to rock: Americana quintet Railroad Earth has been performing bluegrass with rock ‘n’ roll spirit for over 20 years. The band’s upcoming album, All For The Song, marks both the end of an era and the start of a new chapter—it’s the group’s first full-length studio record since losing founding member Andy Goessling to […]
Jazz helping hands: The Albemarle High School Jazz Ensemble returns to The Jefferson Theater for its fifth annual Swing Into Spring benefit concert. The award-winning 35-piece ensemble, led by Director Andrew LaPrade, comes out to play in support of The Haven’s mission to end homelessness in the greater Charlottesville community. The evening features appearances from […]
Shreddin’ it forward: Growing up in Agadez, a desert village in rural Niger, Mdou Moctar built himself a guitar after seeing YouTube videos of Eddie Van Halen performing. Moctar combined Van Halen’s six-string techniques with traditional Taureg melodies to create a modern Saharan-rock sound, full of rhythmic drums, epic guitar shreds, and plenty of noise. […]
Into the unknown: Indie-folk band Wild Rivers’ new release is a coming-of-age album that captures all the uncertainties, longings, and struggles that young adulthood has to offer. The Canadian trio of Khalid Yassein, Devan Glover, and Andrew Oliver artfully blend pop, rock, indie, and folk on Sidelines, the 10-track record. “I got this friend I […]
Wong does it right: Cory Wong is a Grammy-nominated musical maestro who’s always got something fun up his sleeve. Whether it’s shredding guitar in full hockey gear on a skating rink, or hosting his podcast Wong Notes, his creativity and upbeat presence shine through. Recently, Wong got the chance to flex his acting chops with […]
Into the groove: Anderson East is known for his careful blend of R&B, soul, and roots rock. East’s powerful vocals and soulful rasp helped him climb the charts and win awards for his 2018 breakthrough album Encore, which includes the Grammy-nominated “All On My Mind.” The Alabama born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter mixes things up on his […]