Noah Gundersen considers the distress of modern times

Noah Gundersen recently saw the world’s largest easel. He says that the roadside attraction, located in Goodland, Kansas, is a whopping 80 feet tall with one of Vincent van Gogh’s sunflower paintings stretched across it. That stop, like many, is just one of the perks of having a good tour manager, he says. There’s little […]

ARTS Pick: The Crüxshadows embrace their dark side

Formed in 1992, The Crüxshadows have been a longtime staple of dark wave culture. The Florida-based group’s gothic rock blend of synth- and dream-pop has been perfected while logging an impressive 1,000-plus performances, including one of the first gigs by a Western act in Romania and Serbia following the Cold War. The group’s addictive dance […]

ARTS Pick: Ruth B. creates a safe haven for listeners

When Ruth B. posted her first Vine in 2013, it’s a safe bet she had no idea where it would take her. Her following grew quickly and as she became recognized as “the Vine chick” on the street, record labels began to rubberneck. Her debut EP, The Intro, made a splash on the pop scene, […]

ARTS Pick: Jason Burke blends classic country with rock ‘n’ roll

Blending the classic boot-tapping rhythm of country with the guitar tones of rock ‘n’ roll from the ’60s and ’70s, Jason Burke has become a musical staple in central Virginia and a huge supporter of the local scene. Following his 2015 release, Burning Daylight, Burke has enriched his live sound by adding his wife, Caroline, […]

ARTS Pick: Caamp

Childhood friends Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall had been playing music together for years when they decided to form the duo Caamp in 2015. Combining folk guitar with rhythmic banjo picking raised up by seamless harmonies, the act quickly became known for its authentic live performances. The fast rise in popularity also produced a wildly […]

ARTS Picks: Elvis & Bowie Birthday Bash

“Elvis is a major hero of mine,” said David Bowie in 1996, according to The Ziggy Stardust Companion website. “I was probably stupid enough to believe that having the same birthday as him actually meant something.” And rumor has it that Elvis Presley was impressed by Bowie as well. Country star Dwight Yoakam claims that […]

ARTS Pick: Country Christmas Show

Sarah White and her friends are back to deck the Southern Café and Music Hall with boughs of holly, twinkly lights, giant plastic peppermint sticks, Christmas cookies, Santas galore and so much more at the annual Country Christmas Show. The (All New) Acorn Sisters, Ian Gilliam, Charlie Bell, Ned Oldham and others strike the harp—er, […]

ARTS Pick: Second Draw

Charlottesville’s Second Draw has declared a new style of acoustic rock it calls “bluejam.” Founded in a raw, energetic style, somewhere between country and jam rock, the group’s self-proclaimed genre blends driving guitar with bluegrass instruments including mandolin, banjo and accordion. The desire to break new ground is evident on SD’s debut album, White Dog, […]

Ned Oldham’s lyrics illuminate Dark Mountain

In the 20-odd years of Ned Oldham’s musical life, he’s been a pendulum, swinging back and forth between writing his own words and using those of others. “I get tired of the sound of my own lyrical voice,” says Oldham. And so since releasing the 7-inch record Hello My/The Free Web with The Anomoanon in […]

ARTS Pick: Chamomile & Whiskey

Cementing a friendship that began in childhood, Koda Kerl and Marie Borgman formed the eclectic folk act Chamomile & Whiskey over a cup of hot tea with Evan Williams bourbon poured in. But the band’s name also speaks to a love of the traditional Irish tunes and bluegrass folk that gave the group traction shortly […]