They never meant to start a music venue, but some bells can’t be unrung.
Married couple Grant Mathews and Lauren Albee are founders of a monthly concert series hosted outside their home in Church Hill, out of what’s become known as the Bellwether Garage. “We could have not imagined what this has turned into,” Albee confesses.
Both grew up in Richmond and attended Virginia Commonwealth University as undergrads. Albee went on to study at the Brandcenter at VCU, while Mathews did his graduate study at the University of Virginia, exposing him to a Charlottesville neighborhood venue called The Garage. Seeing his childhood friend David Shultz play there left a strong impression: “I was like, ‘This is a wonderful way to experience music.’”
After the couple lived in Los Angeles for a handful of years, Albee was house hunting back in Richmond and sent Mathews — still in LA at the time — a uniquely compelling Zillow listing. “The house was not in great shape,” Mathews reports. “The yard was pretty rough. But the last picture was this four-car garage. I was like, ‘If that whole thing comes with the house, go get that house right now.’”
“Grant has always been into motorcycles, and we never had a space in LA to let him have a workshop,” Albee confirms. “The concert aspect didn’t come until a few years later.”
When the idea of hosting live music did arise, the ball started rolling quickly. “We’re both very creative people. One of us has an idea and the other sort of latches onto it,” Albee says. “I’m like, ‘I’m making you a poster. It’s happening.’”
It doesn’t hurt that Albee has worked in graphic design and marketing for more than a decade; she’s currently the creative director of Brand at CarMax. After his own stint in the corporate world, Mathews decided to pursue the more hands-on and community-rooted discipline of oyster farming, co-founding Waveland Oyster Co.
Around 50 people showed up for the inaugural Bellwether Session, which took place in 2023 and featured four bands. While the hosts originally encouraged attendees to set up their folding chairs on the sidewalk and leave room for cars, recent shows have averaged between 250 and 300 attendees, necessitating a temporary road closure. “Learning how to navigate the city’s special events process felt initially like a big curb to get over, but it rectified itself very quickly,” Mathews says.
An especially sizable crowd showed up for the 2024 session featuring Jonathan Russell of The Head and the Heart — memorable in part because of a special moment when Russell invited a young attendee up to play guitar. Singer-songwriter Bradley Rhodes’ 2025 performance was another indelible one. “He had the crowd singing with him,” Albee notes. “You’re just like, ‘Oh my God, am I in “Almost Famous” right now? We’re all having a sing-along.’ I just love moments like that.”
The series’ fourth season will start in the spring. All proceeds from the shows will continue to go directly to the artists, and while lineups are still in the works, the sense of community is sure to return. “It’s been a catalyst for us to meet so many people,” Albee says. “Not just neighbors, but the officer that patrols our neighborhood, incredible musicians, people at different venues around town — it’s been crazy.”
For information about future Bellwether Sessions, visit instagram.com/bellwether_garage.
