Stories from the Richmond, Virginia Music Scene is a collection of personal essays of my time covering the Richmond music scene from 2006 to 2016. Highlights include me calling six bands by the wrong name in an interview, being embarrassingly drunk at a growing pop icon’s live performance, and trying to figure out why live music shows never start on time. From the MashUp web series to Friday Cheers to the Ghost of Pop festival to the multiple RVA Playlist Anniversary Parties and more, this book is my love letter to the RVA music scene and I hope you enjoy reading it. Most of you local musicians are mentioned in this book. Some of you are heavily featured. Even a few of you non-music people are in here too!

It’s available now in both paperback and eBook.

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Chop Suey Books

I want to thank a number of people for making this book possible including PJ Sykes, who created the cover, Doug Nunnally and Davy Jones, who provided editorial and fact checking assistance, as well as Justin Laughter and Noah Scalin for all the advice on how to actually publish the thing.

And you best believe I made a playlist for this. It’s full of Richmond bands from this time period that are featured throughout the book.

Now’s the time when I go through all the stuff I’ve listened over the past year and try and come up with a list of my favorite albums – which is never an easy task. It’s usually a big ordeal for me to compile everything I’ve enjoyed over the year and narrow it down to a set list of releases because I always listen to so much stuff. Normally, I’m going off memory and then once I’ve finished the list, I end up remembering that there was a random album that I loved months back that I had forgotten about and have to start over again.

But thanks to this newsletter, I have an accurate record of what I’ve been listening to this year, which I thought would make things a lot easier. But you guys, this was still very hard to determine which ones were at the top of my list because so much good stuff came out this year.

I was debating making a separate list dedicated to Richmond releases this year but as I was putting this list together, many of the those albums were listened to and enjoyed more than ones on the “main list,” and I didn’t want it to look like they weren’t worthy of that, so they’re all together on the same list. But a good third of this list is from Richmond artists.

So here they are, presented in no particular order, RVA Playlist’s Favorite Albums of 2021!

Wild Pink – A Billion Little Lights
I discovered this record at the beginning of the year and it’s stayed with me the whole time. Every song on this record is like a wave of euphoric sounds crashing on me, like the soundtrack to a long car ride across the country. “Oversharers Anonymous” and “The Shining But Tropical” are definite standouts.

Quinn XCII – Change of Scenery II
“Hey, Goodbye” from Detroit singer Quinn XCII (that’s Quinn 92) was on repeat for the longest time because it’s so damn catchy. But every song on this record from “SOS” to “Feel Something” to “Stay Next to Me,” which ranged from hip hop, pop, reggae, electronic and soul all got stuck in my head.

PJ Sykes – Fuzz
Music photographer, musician, DJ, cat dad, political activist, and independent record label owner PJ Sykes is constantly busy working on one thing or another. Fuzz is his first solo album in more than 20 years and his first since his band Hoax Hunters went on indefinite hiatus. Fuzz is exactly what you want from a rock album. It’s heavy and knocks you out of your chair but makes you get right back up to hear more – just what I needed for 2021.

Mountainess – Soundtrack
The creation of songwriter Emily Goldstein, Soundtrack, came out of the blue and caught my attention this year with its songs that are widely cinematic and deeply lyrical. “Attention” starts the record off strong with an anthem of fully stepping into the spotlight and showing the world that you’re here, while “Soundtrack” laments the dangers of sharing music with future exes. As I have shared so many playlists and mixtapes in past failed relationships and former friends, the lyrics “With your box of compact discs / You drove off to our greatest hits / Peddling that playlist to some other fool,” stuck with me.

Jeff Waters – Place & Time
With his latest release, Jeff Waters takes a more ambient tone and it works really well here. The very catchy “Young Blood,” which focuses on moving on and making yourself better after a bad relationship, had been my favorite track, but “July Flame” and “Alien” quickly came in and made me love every song on here. Each of the songs on this record has a different feel but they all effortlessly go together when collected like this.

Pale Waves – Who Am I?
In contrast to its dark and melodic sound from earlier works, indie pop group Pale Waves took a brighter and optimistic turn on Who Am I?, and it absolutely works. The songs on here remind me a lot of that upbeat-but-still-angsty pop rock of the early 2000s. I recommend “She’s My Religion” and “You Don’t Own Me.”

Prabir Trio – Haanji
Prabir Mehta makes music that’s fun rock and roll mixed with notes from his Indian heritage. Haanji is a collection of songs written as Prabir explored the many lessons he’s had to learn through as an immigrant leaving India and settling down in Richmond, Virginia. On Haanji, Prabir is working with the incredible talents of Kelli Strawbridge, Russell Lacy and Kenneka Cook and together they just knock it out of the park. “Light Up in Name of Love” and “America” are some of the best songs I’ve ever heard from him. Plus, the limited-edition screen-printed vinyl is beautifully designed.

The Offspring – Let the Bad Times Roll
SoCal pop punk outfit the Offspring gave 16-year-old me just what I needed this year. I was obsessed with this band in high school and have been enjoying everything the band has released ever since. It’s one part radio friendly rock and another no frills punk reminiscent of the band’s early days. The band does what it does well and delivers on it. Plus, this piano orchestral version of their 1997 hit “Gone Away” is so soothing.

Dead Billionaires
Richmond rockers Dead Billionaires dominated my ears this year with an EP that’s straight up rambunctious rock and roll. It may only be three songs, but you are enjoying every minute of them. I can’t even count the number of times I listened to “Engines” this year.

Islands – Islomania
Five years after they went dormant, indie synth rock group Islands returned with a new record earlier this year and Islomania delivered with amazing songs like “(We Like To) Do It With The Lights On,” “Closed Captioning,” and “Set the Fairlight” that were on repeat all year.

Bright Light Bright Light – So Gay. So Dramatic.
Since discovering Welsh pop artist Bright Light Bright Light in 2018 with his Tough Love EP, his music has been on my rotation for years and I’ve been loving his unreleased tracks from his concerts, Instagram Live shows and demos. His “new” record So Gay. So Dramatic. features all the non-album tracks he’s created over his career (plus a brand new song). This isn’t just a collection of b-sides. It’s a thought out well-crafted album that can stand on its own and fits very well within his discography.

Lucy Dacus – Home Video
On her newest release Home Video, indie rock star Lucy Dacus’ autobiographical songs go through processing faith, young love, and nostalgia in such a way that’s upbeat and fun, yet poignant and somber when it has to be. “Hot & Heavy” is just a beautiful song and “Thumbs” is as wonderful and devastating as ever.

Big Fundamental – HYPERBEAM
Big Fundamental’s “Haze” came at me like a ton of bricks and I fell in love with the song’s heavy and raw rock energy. HYPERBEAM is not afraid to be heavy and loud out and the rest of the tracks on there are just as entertaining. Other standout songs include “Remnant” and “Where Do Cities Go When They Die?”

WKNDR – Rising
The new record from Richmond’s ‘alternafolkrock’ band invokes a fun, light tone with songs where everyone is having a good time. Rising features some brand new stuff that I’m digging and solid updates on some classics they’ve been playing for years. And who knew that mixing classical flute with modern folk rock and heavy guitar riffs could work so well? The title track is extremely catchy and would not get out of my head for weeks.

Jonathan Facka – The Tarmac
You’re going to go on a melancholic musical journey through The Tarmac, but you’re going to come out the other side better because of it. Jonathan Facka’s songs go from angsty and powerful  with “Back With a Vengeance/Academy Award” to somber and beautiful with “The Terminal.”

Passenger – Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted
Look, anyone who knows me well also knows about my love for British singer/songwriter Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger, who I’ve been following for more than a decade. So of course I was going to love his 13th release Songs for the Drunk and Broken Hearted upon pre-ordering it last year. Those who know me knew full well this album was going on this list, so you can all just shut up right now. Rosenberg continues his trend of simple, heartfelt songs wallowing in despair with their intricate lyrics that make you feel amazing and sad at the same time. Don’t mind me, I’m just listening to everything from “Suzanne” to “Remember to Forget” to every version of “Sword from the Stone” (the original, the Ed Sheeran-produced remix, and the BBC Orchestral version) for the hundredth time over here.

This week’s playlist: The Best of Times, The Blurst of Times (Favorites of 2021)

Sign up here for the RVA Playlist music email newsletter. I’ll be sharing some of the stuff I’m listening to, my random thoughts on music and, of course, giving love to local musicians. Plus, there will be a personally curated playlist in each email.

HAIM – Women in Music Pt III

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Aiden James – Isolation

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Alanis Morissette – Such Pretty Forks in the Road

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Ivan & Alyosha

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Jamie Cullum – The Pianoman at Christmas

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The Aces – Under My Influence

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Pinegrove – Marigold

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Nada Surf – Never Not Together

Sean McConnell – Secondhand Smoke

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Charly Bliss – Young Enough

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Bear’s Den – So That You Might Hear Me

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Martha – Love Keeps Kicking

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Jamie Cullum – Taller

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Sleepwalkers – Ages

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Jenny Lewis – On the Line

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Andrew Leahey & The Homestead – Airwaves

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The Black Keys – “Let’s Rock”

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Jade Bird

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Titus Andronicus – An Obelisk

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Karly Driftwood – Too Mean to Die

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Alex Lahey – The Best of Luck Club

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Fruit Bats – Gold Past Life

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Tyler Meacham – Property

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Ex Hex – It’s Real

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Ingrid Michaelson – Stranger Songs

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The Local Strangers – When We Were Honest

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Landon Elliott – Domino

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Hot Chip – A Bath Full of Ecstasy

So it’s pretty sad for me to hear that one of my favorite Richmond bands Vexine has decided to pack it up.

Lead vocalist Sarah Frances Gleason and drummer Jorge Santamaria have decided to move back to Jorge’s hometown of New Orleans. And while I’m ecstatic for them to be starting a new chapter in their lives, I’m also bummed they won’t be around to continue sharing their incredible music.

I first became aware of Vexine back in 2013 when the group released its self-titled debut. I was fully immersed in Richmond’s music scene by this point and Sarah was doing her due diligence of promoting the new record by sending me a copy and invited me out to see them perform at the band’s next show. What followed was at least a half-dozen attempts to see a show and failing for one reason or another, whether it was illness, car troubles, or travel. This led to Sarah jokingly asking me if I actually existed in real life. The term she used was “Cothern-icorn,” which I still treasure.

It wasn’t until mid-2014 that I was finally able to get to see Vexine perform live at an afternoon gig at Capital Ale House. It was there that I discovered not only how much I enjoyed their music, but also how much I loved their on stage presence. The guys in the band were dressed to the nines in their suits and Sarah in a stunning black dress. And from the first note, the seductive sounds filled the venue and the band held nothing back in terms of energy. Songs like “Rotten and No Good” and “Graceland” easily got stuck in my head and I quickly found myself singing along.

Ever since that show, I made it a point to catch the band live whenever I could. Over the years, I’ve seen them bring the house down at places like Poe’s Pub, Canal Club, Center of the Universe Brewing and even taking the stage at the RVA Playlist 4th Anniversary Show. Along with their clever original songs, Vexine also manages to pull out a few tricks including covers of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” the Nina Simone hit “Feelin’ Good,” and, my favorite, a mashup of Adele’s “Skyfall” and Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box.”

And out of those shows, I developed a friendship with Sarah, Jorge and the rest of the group including lead guitarist Paul Pearce and bassist Michael Skiffington, which turned into getting to know this group of people on a personal level through movie nights, vinyl listening get-togethers, ski resort concerts, limited edition beer releases, birthday parties, and Mardi Gras celebrations, among others.

It’s going to be sad not having these wonderful people around, and Richmond’s music scene will not be the same without them. But I wish them nothing but the best and will be first in line for tickets to a reunion concert.

Vexine will perform its final show (for now anyways) in Richmond at Poe’s Pub on Friday, Oct. 18 and I hope you all go out and give this band the sendoff it deserves.

DC power rock outfit Ex Hex recently released its second album “It’s Real,” and oh man, is is full fun, catchy head-banging tracks that just make you want to dance. It’s full of 70s-era garage rock hard riffs and seriously can’t put this record down. Listen to “Rainbow Shiner” and you’ll be instantly hooked. I quickly snatched this on vinyl the other day and it’s been on the turntable playing non-stop.

From the band:

On It’s Real, the group’s second album, Ex Hex’s commitment to larger-than-life riffs and unforgettable hooks remains intact, but the garage-y, post-punk approach that defined their debut album Rips has grown in scale and ambition. On first listen, you might think you’ve unearthed a long-lost LP carved from the space where crunch-minded art rock and glitter-covered hard rock converge, an event horizon at the intersection of towering choruses and swaggering guitars.

Ex Hex will kicking off the “It’s Real” tour at the Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House on April 2 with Moaning and Positive No.

I got to experience a music lover’s dream by heading down to Austin to experience the insanity that is South by Southwest.

Spacebomb was kind enough to invite me to work with them on the Spacebomb Records and Virginia is for Music Lovers presents: The Spacebomb Revue featuring the musical talents of Andy Jenkins, Angelica Garcia, Bedouine, Jackie Cohen, Lola Kirke, and Sleepwalkers, all backed by the Spacebomb House Band.

A non-stop crowd packed Antone’s Nightclub all night and the music of Virginia was well represented by Spacebomb. I talked with so many people who didn’t realize Richmond had such a rich music scene and decide to make trips down there to experience it. It always fills me with joy talking to people about my hometown’s music community and this trip allowed me to do that on a national scale.

A huge thank you to Spacebomb for letting me have this opportunity.

Some photos of the night’s activities are below.

His latest single “Here We Go” is a perfect track to listen to while starting your next adventure. “Rest My Head” is one hell of a banger. And just try holding back tears while listening to “Greetings From Niagara Falls.” (I failed)

Sean McConnell will be performing at the Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House on Saturday, March 9 with Caleb Elliot.

After a phenomenal 2018 record “The Future and the Past,” Richmond’s Natalie Prass is back with a performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.

She and her band (Eric Slick on drums; Alan Parker on guitar; Jacob Ungerleider on keys; Brandon Lane on bass) perform “Oh My,” “Short Court Style,” and “Hot For the Mountain.” – three of my favorite tracks from the record, so I am not surprisingly overexcited.

Prass also brings in Richmond artists Angelica Garcia and Kenneka Cook for vocal backups. These two are both incredible artists in their own right and getting to hear them and Prass sing on here is the perfect combination.

Natalie Prass is finishing up a tour with Kacey Musgraves and will be on the road with Becca Mancari throughout the spring – along with a show at the Ashland Theatre on April 20.