The Sounds of Richmond


Seven years we’ve been publishing the Music Issue. We’ve covered a lot of ground, hundreds of musicians, bands that have changed names and flavors of music that don’t even exist anymore. We’ve even written just about sounds minus the music. And yet, for all that, we’ve been limited to one sense.

Now, through the magic of technology, we’ve compiled our first CD of local music, Sounds of Richmond, in conjunction with our Seventh Annual Music Issue. Your long-neglected ears can be stained by sound while your fingers are stained with ink. It’s a whole glorious multi-sensory thing.

Each of the 14 bands on the following pages donated a song for our compilation, and we are grateful. The Gaskets, RPG, Duchess of York, Fight the Big Bull and Hot Chicken gave us previously unreleased music. Richmond Afrobeat Movement gave us a song from one of the rare times the 11-member band could even get together to record. It’s a wide sweep of what Richmond music has to offer and yet — and yet! — this is just the smallest morsel of what’s out there.

It’s a sensual time, man. This is only the beginning. Read about them, listen to them, go see them live. We have other plans in the works. Next year we’re shooting for scratch ‘n’ sniff hip-hop; the year after that, you may be tasting your favorite trombone player. — Brandon Reynolds

  • Special Ed and the Shortbus: What’s in a name?
  • Special Ed audio slideshow.
  • David Shultz and the Skyline: Personal fitting.
  • Hear a sample of David Shultz and the Skyline “Cant Can’t”
  • RPG: Music for the waist down.
  • RPG audio slideshow.
  • Josh Small & Liza Kate: Guts and kindness.
  • Hear a sample of Josh Small (with Liza Kate) “Move Your Hips”
  • Hot Chicken: A Secret Blend.
  • Hot Chicken audio slideshow.
  • Richmond Afrobeat Movement: Drink the Kool-Aid.
  • Hear a sample of Richmond Afrobeat Movement “GPS”
  • See Richmond Afrobeat Movement’s performance on Virginia This Morning.
  • Pennyshaker: A family affair.
  • Hear a sample of Pennyshaker “Jenny Jane”
  • The Gaskets: Long-distance relationship.
  • Hear a sample of The Gaskets “Trap Me Indoors”
  • Duchess of York: End of childhood.
  • Duchess of York audio slideshow.
  • Divine Profitz: Straight outta Lynchburg.
  • Hear a sample of Divine Profitz “Do It Thourough”
  • Fight the Big Bull: Event coordinators.
  • Hear a sample of Fight The Big Bull “Bandolier”
  • Tulsa Drone: Now with more trains.
  • Hear a sample of Tulsa Drone “Laurel Street”
  • The DJ Williams Projekt: One instrument at a time.
  • The DJ Williams Projekt audio slideshow.
  • Emily Easterly: Just a small-town girl.
  • Hear a sample of Emily Easterly “Shadows (Oh Honey)”
  • Click here for more Cover Stories
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