Doing 2 Much? Finding Ryen
The scene at The Camel on Tuesday, April 11, makes a statement; a wave of cameras fills the space in front of the stage as the crowd holds their breath, waiting for Virginia Commonwealth University Student and hyperpop/experimental R&B/rap artist Ryen Harris to make his first appearance after a months-long hiatus. “Find Ryen”, is a production– there’s a backing band playing along with Ryen’s produced tracks, and a team of videographers is there to capture the night in its entirety.
A Raven is Reborn: Kelela at the 9:30 Club
As Crimson red lights invaded the stage, Kelela appeared with the sound of her ambient lead single “Washed Away,” from her new album “Raven.” She performed the entire show without an on-stage dj nor band, simply her, the microphone and her mesmerizing vocals. Her lyrics echoed throughout the sold out venue.
The Trials of Growing Up and “Moving Out:” Phoneboy all Exclusive Interview at Richmond Music Hall
The busy, buzzing of Richmond streets on a typical Saturday night were blessed with the sounds of alternative/indie/pop band Phoneboy on their second night of their first headlining tour. Within the honks of traffic, if you listened closely to the sounds surrounding Main Street on March 25, 2023, you could hear the sweet sounds of lead singers and guitarists Ricky Dana and Wyn Barnum, alongside bassist James Fusco, Jordan Torres on keys, and Christian Nace on drums playing their new sophmore album “Moving Out.”
Curb Your Appetite for Witty Punk with Dead Billionaires’ Newest Single
It’s no secret that creating and keeping a band together can be a seemingly impossible task. Warren Campbell began making music in the Richmond area in 2016 and has been at the helm of many different projects, going by many names and including many members.
Creating Music as a Community, Words with Richmond Collective “OffKey”
Where there’s string lights, sangria and a soulful bassline, there’s “OffKey,” a Richmond-based bundle of bodacious creators that can remind us of what makes music so incredible.
Spin, Spin, Spin Around: A Night With Cowgirl Clue
INK staff member Sydney Folsom photographed the magical Cowgirl Clue while on her Spring 2023 tour at the Camel last Wednesday. Her performance, glowing in hot pink lighting, was an eclectic mix of playful lyrics and sugary beats that sent the audience to cloud nine. She sang her newest releases, Trailblaze and Picket Fence, iconic old songs, such as Cherry Jubilee, as well as unreleased bops (one mentioning swimming upstream like a trout). Buzzz out to the images Sydney captured of the faerie-genie that is Cowgirl Clue.
Wrong Worshippers Make a Strong Case for Punk sans Guitar
RVA based punk duo Wrong Worshippers sat down with Ink to talk music, social media, and the Richmond scene.
Angel Olsen, Big Time at The National on 2/10/23
Angel Olsen released “Big Time” in the summer of 2022, following her album “Whole New Mess,” which featured stripped back versions of songs from her 5th album “All Mirrors.” Olsen is truly a genre defying artist, as her discography includes sounds from rock, indie, folk, country and pop. On “Big Time,” Olsen’s country influences are front and center, singing about queer romance.
How to quit your addiction to labels
When Chuck Berry first strummed his guitar for the world to witness nearly eight decades ago, sounds of unfathomable colors danced off the strings. Flying through the air, they planted themselves in the soil, festering the seeds that would soon sprout into the likes of Elvis, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. A culture of unbridled creativity would grow amongst the youth of the time.
Life is a Jarty. Dress for it.
A few weeks ago, Richmond techno pop group Belly of the Heart hosted a “jarty” to celebrate the anniversary of their album Deep In Club. For those who don’t know, a jarty is a party where goers are intended to be clad head to toe in denim.
A Night of Luxury with Marilyn Pham and Local Talents
Marilyn Pham, a local Richmond musician, released her album, “Luxury,” on Sept. 23. The eight-track project contains a plethora of self-reflective ballads that are sure to get stuck in your brain. Following the album’s release, Pham hosted a night of lively performances filled with an infectious energy. Other local talents like Martial’s Law, Pinot and […]
Spellling at the Songbyrd in D.C. 10/13/22
Spellling fans gathered around the stage of the Songbyrd for the very first show of Spellling’s October tour. Washington D.C’s very own, AUTOLOLA, opened with his auto-tuned vocals and experimental production, hyping up the crowd in preparation for Spellling.