The Richmond music community is busy this fall with many new albums, EPs and single releases on the way. Here’s a (very) early, upcoming look at what to expect from the local music scene this fall. Note: all dates are subject to change.
Just on the cusp of fall, there are a number of late August recent releases to keep you entertained before the season hits, including “VS5,” the new EP from psychic rock outfit Miracle Time, Americana band Big Holler’s debut record “The Valley,” and the new album from jazz-funk outfit Weekend Plans called “After Hours.” Also, rock band George is back with a new record in early fall titled “Do You Want to Go…Swimming?” mixed by Kenneth Meehan, longtime collaborator with Daniel Romano.
September releases
Logan Sorese, under the name Logan, from the Internet, released his new record “Former Teenage Big Deal” on Sept. 11 that delves into hardcore and metal, a departure from his regular indie-folk sound.
“Where Are We Going and When Will We Get There?” is the new album from indie rockers Reverse Yr Curse, planned for release Sept. 19. The album was recorded with Alex De Jong at Spacebomb Studios.
Honky-tonk outfit Ramona and the Holy Smokes’ self-titled debut full-length album, recorded at Spacebomb Studios, will be out Sept. 26. Lead singer Ramona Martinez describes the record as dominated by themes of heartache and struggle, unhealthy situations, and balancing the need for love and companionship with the need for independence and creative freedom.
Singer-songwriter Paul Willson will be releasing his 10th album, “The Ears and the Music pt. 1,” on Sept. 27. This is the first release of a two-part project that Willson says lives in the world of rock music but visits many other genres as he explores finding purpose and beauty in life through melody, harmony and rhythm.
Rock band Madly Backwards continues its summer streak of new songs into the fall with a new track called “Lost Time,” out in late September. The band describes the single as a love song about the start of a new relationship with a “Dr. Dog-meets-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young”-vibes.
Following the release of Prabir Trio’s “Javant EP” in July, Prabir Mehta will put out a solo album in September called “Prabir from Yoga, Meditation, and the Rest of Life” covering his explorations of ancient Indian music. September also sees the release of singer-songwriter Anna Leonard’s debut record “Paint It Blue,” described as an ode towards points of struggle in her life.
Also in late September/early October, singer-songwriter Cole Sullivan, under the name Cave Soil, has his first new song in years titled “Thank You For Being My Friend,” recorded and mixed with Billy Bacci (Paint on It, Mackenzie Rourke and the Hot Pants). Sullivan says that medical challenges kept him from recording, but he was able to make it through the process thanks to help from his community and friends, which he sees as the “perfect song” for his first single in a long time.
October releases
Starting off October, we’ll see new albums from folk artist Tristan Dougherty (“A Flicker, A Flame,” Oct. 1) and synth-pop artist IONNA (“IONNAVERSE,” Oct. 3). On Oct. 18, indie rockers Danger Birds will release a live EP recorded from a show at The Camel as well as a second EP of six songs that were originally released as singles. Laura Ann Singh, lead singer of bolero band Miramar, will release her debut solo record “Mean Reds” on Oct. 24 on Out of Your Head Records.
Eric Godsey (Miracle Time, Painted World) is releasing a new song in October under his Halloween alter-ego Scare-Ick Godscream called “The Richmond RIP,” a ska-infused cover of “Monster Mash” about things that have died in Richmond.Also out in late October is a new nine-song record from rock supergroup Piranha Rama called “Phony Frontier” and a new EP from frenetic rock band Dead Billionaires. There will undoubtedly be many more things coming out from local musicians this fall, so keep your ears peeled. Other releases due out sometime this fall:
• A live EP of unreleased music from hip-hop producer Ant the Symbol.
• A new EP from art-rock band V.E. called “Get It Right.”
• “Nightfall47,” a seven-track project from R&B artist Moodyy.
• A collection of songs from jazz/funk artist Todd Herrington that he describes as an unpolished stream of consciousness written and recorded in real time.
• A 14-song LP from rock artist REIN under Shockoe Records coupled with a five-episode short film developed with conceptual artists Jada and David.
Another Music Writer’s Forecast
by Tim Abbondelo
McKinley Dixon’s Return
Chicago-by-way-of-Richmond rapper McKinley Dixon blows into town for their first homecoming gig since their latest album, “Magic Alive!” landed last June to mainstream acclaim. This brilliant and nimble local export is scheduled to play Saturday, Sept. 13 at Richmond Music Hall.
Iron Blossom Music Fest: Kate Bolinger, Sept. 20
Every calendar season seems to bring a mix of events at Richmond’s storied Midtown Green, whether football training camps or a flash flood of festivals. I don’t know what Iron Blossom music festival is all about, or if it’ll return to Allianz Amphitheater or the future revamped Brown’s Island. But the promoters nailed it with Butcher Brown and Palmyra for their pair of local Richmond selections — if they were limited to just one per day. My pick though, comes from down the road in Charlottesville. Kate Bollinger’s “Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind” was one of my favorite left-of-center pop albums of 2024, and it’ll be a thrill to check out her new material that promises to burn brighter and hotter still.
(Note: The Iron Blossom Music Fest takes place at Midtown Green on Sept 20-21 and also features artists including Vampire Weekend, Khruangbin, The Teskey Brothers, The Lumineers and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among others).
Lightning is likely to strike the same place twice with the second installment of Persistent Vision and Yr. Screaming Youth Records’ destination Richmond music festival, which celebrates the interconnected roots taking shape this century in underground punk communities around the world. They’ve outdone themselves with a slew of reunion appearances from seminal bands (Cherubs, Dazzling Killmen, Frail, Reversal of Man and legendary locals Sleepytime Trio and Ultra Dolphins) and momentous one-time performances of classic albums front to back (Uniform’s “American Standard” and City of Caterpillar’s self-titled album). Of course, it wouldn’t be punk rock if the next generation wasn’t in the mix (Habak, Terror Cell, and Quiet Fear). Look for it Sept. 26 – 28 throughout the city; and you can find more info and tickets on Persistent Vision Records’ website.
New band alerts: Camo Face, Canaries, Gleex, Gusher, Periphs and Visiting Hour
There’s a flood of talent in the River City of late, and this fall promises a new storm of song will descend upon our concert halls, restaurant-bars, and art spaces at a moment’s notice any day of the week. In a lab these groups might be classified as pop-punk, shoegaze, egg punk, riot grrrl, alt-country and emo, but in person, they’re still forming and remain unpredictable. Thankfully, these musical projects are holding audiences’ attention with a good chance of becoming your next favorite band, or somebody’s you know.
