The Sound And Stories of Tentative Decisions
Listen to the audio extension of this article on Ink’s Soundcloud page: Left to Right: Amanda McVey, Jack Sample, and Bernadette Lothamer Since their formation, Tentative Decisions have made a name for themselves as Richmond’s rising post-punk darlings. Lead singer and guitarist Jack Sample, bassist Amanda McVey, and drummer Bernadette Lothamer have been dutifully gigging […]
Beneath the Ten Pound Shell: Ten Pound Snail and Their Spiraling Success
Ten Pound Snail sold out their recent show on Dec. 1, wrapping up their residency at The Camel. Photography by Kobi McCray. In the autumn of 2021, everyone has something to mourn and something to get back to. Quarantine is stuttering to as much of a close as it can. The sidewalks around the city […]
Ricky Montgomery’s ‘Rick’: A Reflection of the Past
On September 29th of this year, indie pop icon and Vine star Ricky Montgomery released his second full-length studio album, “Rick.” The album is a unique and intimate reexamination of Montgomery’s tumultuous childhood and teenage years. He explores themes of inadequacy, loss, and vulnerability, all through the lens of his formative life experiences. This album […]
The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We: Life and Love as an Asian American
This past September, Mitski released her seventh studio album titled “The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We.” With its heart-wrenching lyricism and intricate worldbuilding, this all encompassing project has quickly gained popularity. Mitski goes over life, love, and loss in a hauntingly intricate way. The Japanese-American indie pop singer has been praised for her […]
What Your Favorite Band Says About You
To say that optimism has infected music journalism is an understatement. The sickly, sticky-residue-on-a-countertop-sweetness that’s permeated the way we write about this artform has ruined too many great publications. Pitchfork used to be downright combative with artists, and now they praise the newest assembly line release as being “something fans will love.” Well sometimes, fans […]
A Western Night
Ethel Cain performs at The Warhol in Pittsburgh, PA for the museum’s Sound Series: Block Party. This show is the headliner to the Andy Warhol Museum’s third annual Block Party. The street behind the museum is entirely blocked off and filled with food trucks, merch stands with Ethel Cain’s gothic tees and a bar with […]
God Turn Me Into A Flower
Weyes Blood performed at The National in Richmond for her “In Holy Flux Tour”
On the Mosh Floor: A Weekend at Lurchfest
Reminiscing on Lurchfest 2023
In the Void
Melanie Martinez performed at The Anthem in Washington D.C. for her “Portals” album tour.
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.”