|
Under the radar and dreaming
Move over, Dave. Local experts are predicting these Charlottesville bands are the next big things!
SONS OF BILL
Charlie Pastorfield, Skip Castro Band: "I've heard a live recording of them, and it just knocked me out."
John
D'earth, Thompson-D'earth Band:" These folks are known to many around
here, but the world should and will hear of them beyond our garden
walls. Sam Wilson looks like a teenager and plays and writes like an
elder statesman, except that his band's music is so fresh, varied,
masterful in all traditions and free from cliché and dogma that it
could only be of the present moment."
Bruce Flohr, Red Light Management, ATO Records: "They remind me of everyone from Rust Never Sleeps-era Neil Young to Waylon Jennings to Wilco, and if they're given the right exposure, they'll be huge in this town and beyond."
HELEN HORAL
Boyd Tinsley, Dave Matthews Band: "She has a great voice and really seems to understand the craft of songwriting."
Andy
Waldeck, Earth to Andy: "She barely knows what chords she's playing on
the guitar, but she's absolutely in control of it all, especially with
her singing-- she's absolutely killing it. She's not just your average
chick with a guitar."
Bruce Flohr: She has an angelic voice, and
her guitar reminds me of Sarah McLaughlin, but most importantly, she's
doing all the hard grunt work to get her name out there.
TREES ON FIRE
Tinsley: "With such amazing harmonies and a killer drummer, this is a band to watch for sure, and I hope to work with them."
Flohr: "Sometimes they sound like Crosby, Stills and Nash, sometimes like Sublime, and they make it all work."
ELI COOK
Damani Harrison, Beetnix: "He emanates the true spirit of blues music in its most viciously raw form."
Jamie
Dyer, Hogwaller Ramblers: "When you're young and playing old-school
blues, it doesn't always work. But he's been fearless in following what
he wants to do as opposed to being a scenester. He actually gives a
good darn about the music he's playing. He's a student of the guitar,
he has the voice for what he does, and most importantly, he's a
self-realized musical entity, which is the hardest thing to do in
music."
Pastorfield: "He has an old soul and plays old blues, so he sounds authentic without being a copycat."
ACOUSTIC GROOVE TRIO
Harrison:
"Before these guys, there was no soul music in Charlottesville. While
you can hear they're influenced by D'Angelo, Lyfe Jennings, and
Musiqsoulchild, they strip it down to acoustic guitar, acoustic bass,
and percussion. All the modern soul music has been bastardized by the
hip-hop sound, but this is back to basics. It's the kind of music you'd
definitely want to make love to."
Waldeck: "They're definitely one
of the more intriguing and exciting things to come out of
Charlottesville at a time when a lot of people expect folk-centric,
white singer-songwriters from us."
Tinsley: "They're great songwriters who remind me of John Legend but with a guitar."
Venues
Baja
Bean Co. Restaurante Y
Cantina 1327 W. Main
St.
293-4507
Biltmore Grill
16 Elliewood Ave. 293-6700
Blue Moon Diner
512 W. Main St..
296-3294
Buddhist Biker Bar and Grill
20 Elliewood Ave. 971-9181
Buffalo
Wild Wing
1935 Arlington Blvd. 977-1882
Club Massive (Garden of Sheba)
609 E.Market. 977-7336
Coupe DeVille's Restaurant
9 Elliewood Ave. 977-3966
Dürty Nelly's Pub
2200 Jefferson Park Ave. 295-1278
El Girasol
946 Grady Ave.
245-9765
Escafé
Downtown Mall
295-8668
Firehouse Bar and Grill
946 Grady Ave. 293-3473
Fridays
After 5
Downtown Amphitheater
296-8548
Gravity
Lounge
103 S. First St.
977-5590
Jaberwoke
1517 University Ave. 984-4653
Live
Arts LAB Space 609 E. Market
St. 977-4177
High Street Steak & Grill
1522 E. High St.
977-5272
Mellow
Mushroom
1309 W. Main St.
972-9366
Michael's Bistro &
Taphouse
1427 University Ave.
977-3697
Miller's
Downtown Mall.
971-8511
Mudhouse
213 W. Main St.
984-6833
Old
Cabell Hall
University of Virginia
924-3984
Orbit Billiards & Café
102 14th St. NW
984-5707
Outback
Lodge
917 Preston Ave.
979-7211
Prism
Coffeehouse
214 Rugby Road
977-7476
R2
300 E. Main 295-9526
Rapture
300 E. Main 295-9526
Rapunzel's Coffee & Books
924 Front St. Lovingston in the Packing Shed
263-6660
South Street Brewery 106 W. South
St.
293-6550
Starr
Hill Music Hall
709 W. Main St.
977-0017
Tokyo
Rose
2171 Ivy Road
296-3366
Wild
Wing Café
820 W. Main St.
979-9464
HookTip
Not all the musical
history made in Charlottesville involves Dave Matthews Band. In fact,
legend has it that a young Bob Dylan used to hang out with Appalachian
folklorist Paul Clayton at the old, brick Wertanbaker House on Wertland
Street in
the early '60s. It is here that Clayton is said to have done some
uncredited collaboration with Dylan on the eventual classic "Don't
Think Twice, It's Alright." Today, you can find the Wertanbaker House
behind the Corner, dwarfed by multi-story apartment complexes.
|
A GUIDE TO CHARLOTTESVILLE'S VENUES
VENUES
Atomic
Burrito: No cover charge to see many local and regional rock bands and
wolf down plenty of exotic salsas, but practically no room to
breathe! That's okay, though-- they just open up the entire front
of the shop. 109 Second St. SE. 977-0117.
Live Arts: It's
one of the major hubs of the downtown arts scene; usually they'll end
up fiddling about with a play of some sort, but every once in a while a
good rock show will come along to flummox the theater geeks. 123 E.
Water St. 977-4177.
Mudhouse: Only rarely do they host
musicians-- maybe because the espresso machine is too loud. Downtown
Mall. 213 W. Main St. 245-0924.
Rapture: Rapturians usually
prefer DJs to live musicians, but if a band really means business,
they'll be able to work their way into the back room. Downtown Mall.
303 E. Main St. 293-9526.
Coupe DeVille's: This Corner
establishment is a clear student favorite, where locals will often cut
their teeth alongside bands on shoestring tours. 9 Elliewood Ave.
977-3966.
Satellite Ballroom: This place recently partnered
with big dog Coran Capshaw and his promotion company, Starr Hill
Presents, and will likely become the focal point of musical energy for
the time being-- at least, that is, until the renovations to the
Jefferson Theater (also owned by Capshaw) are complete. 1435 University
Ave. on the Corner. 293-7005.
John Paul Jones Arena: In
addition to being the toast of the sports world, UVA's new 16,000-seat
arena also brings the legends to town for sold out shows that draw fans
from all over. Budget at least an extra half hour to get out of
the building once the show's over. 295 Massie Road, near Barracks Road.
883-JPJ-TIXX.
Twisted Branch Tea Bazzar: Two years before
you heard about them, your favorite indie rock and experimental bands
probably performed in this cozy, hookah smoke-filled
establishment. 414 E. Main St. Downtown Mall. 293-9947.
Charlottesville
Pavilion: The biggest shows of the summer, without exception, are
always at the Charlottesville Pavilion, the large outdoor amphitheater
at the east end of the mall. Just follow the streams of people-- or, if
you're in Belmont, just open your window. Downtown Mall.
Saxx:
What started as a jazz and blues club has recently turned to booking
more eclectic local acts. Next to Belmont hotspot La Taza (which
occasionally hosts bands itself). 407-C Hinton Ave. 979-5277.
The
Paramount Theater: If you want to impress your parents next time they
visit, take them here to see The Beach Boys, Herbie Hancock, Peter
Frampton, or any number of other touring acts who stop in-- it's the
classiest game in town. 215 E. Main St. Downtown Mall. 979-1922.
Bashir's
Taverna: Another eatery that dips its toe into the venue game only
casually, but it's the place to go if you want to see any of the local
jazz guitar wizards take the spotlight-- or some exotic belly dancers
take the stage. 507 E. Main St. Downtown Mall. 923-0927.
Fellini's
#9: From the looks of it, you'd think this was a much more highbrow
joint than it actually is. The decor may be slick, but the schedule is
filled with bands of every shape and color, sometimes with three shows
on the same day. 201 W. Market St. 979-4279.
Old
Cabell Hall: As expected, UVA is the nexus of Charlottesville's
academic musicians. Frequency of attendance at concerts is roughly
commensurate with IQ. The Lawn. 924-3984.
Uncle Charlie's:
Folks at this Crozet joint have been heralding their
"Soon-to-be-World-Famous-for-Falling-Off-the-Bone-All-the-time-Smoked-Chicken-Wings"
on the website since they opened, but so far the only thing they're
famous for is being the town's musical oasis. Hey, it could be worse,
guys. 5793 The Square in Crozet. 823-9600.
Outback Lodge:
When Starr Hill Music Hall bit the dust, Outback became the oldest
Charlottesville rock club still ticking. Best known as home of rock,
heavy rock, really heavy rock, and reggae. 917 Preston Ave. 979-7211.
Gravity
Lounge: Let's see, shall we spend tonight on quirky rock or acoustic
folk? Split the difference at this funky little basement club that also
brings such stellar luminaries as Slaid Cleaves and Chris Smither! 103
First St. NE. Downtown Mall. 977-5590.
Miller's: The Dave
Matthews Band may have been launched from this downtown institution,
but these days the main attraction has been the jazz bands on Wednesday
and Thursday nights. 09 W. Main St. Downtown Mall. 971-8511.
|
When the Starr goes dim:
What's next for the local scene?
BY VIJITH ASSAR
TUNES@READTHEHOOK.COM The
recent closure of Starr Hill Music Hall has left many local
concertgoers wondering what lies ahead for the local club scene. For
any normal college town, the closure of a such a dandy venue-- for
up-and-coming local bands as well as such renowned and diverse artists
as Kenny Chesney, Richard Thompson, Method Man, and They Might Be
Giants (who wrote a song about the place!)-- would be devastating to
the local music scene. But Charlottesville is no normal college town,
and around here, the music scene has a way of working in cycles.
Case
in point: there's no doubt that local rock enthusiasts quaked in their
boots when Trax closed six years ago. But even though many folks
worried that the last slam of those worn and grungy doors meant the end
of Charlottesville as a destination for big-time acts, there wasn't a
soul around who was ready to write off our music scene as a result.
At
Miller's, Outback, and a small band of venues in between, the local
talent kept chugging along, seemingly oblivious to the change until
they were asked about it over a beer between sets.
Coming toward the end of
the
darkness of the teen pop age, Trax's metamorphosis into a glorified
dance club had been particularly ominous. But flashing forward a few
years reveals that the fears were misplaced: there's more music in
Charlottesville than ever, and many more places
to play and hear it.
But
perhaps most importantly, there are Rolodexes filled with musicians to
fill them all, and it's to those hardly little artists we owe the
continued survival of culture in this town. As long as they're here,
they'll find places to play.
So what does Starr Hill's closing mean?
In
the grand scheme of things, not much. Just as Starr Hill took up the
baton when Trax faltered, the torch has now been passed to the
Satellite Ballroom, which is now poised to make an even bigger impact
thanks to its lucrative Corner location and the endless supply of
youthful energy that is the University.
Shortly after opening a few
years
ago, Satellite quickly became the sort of place that can inspire a
devoted fan following in ways Starr Hill never could. And that
enthusiasm is what Charlottesville needs right now-- let's hope it will
serve us better than a glut of venues.
As tempting as it is to cap
this
survey with a eulogy for Starr Hill, the truth is that it's just
another page whose time has come to be turned. As last year's
retro-rock documentary Live From... The Hook
demonstrated, there was a vibrant music scene in Charlottesville
decades before the Dave Matthews Band, and barring any unforeseen
catastrophes, it will continue for a few more.
Just as Bob
Girard and Charlie Pastorfield waxed nostalgic about the Mineshaft on
the big screen, we'll eventually see the same memories flowing from
James Wilson and the Sons of Bill boys-- and every one of their fans--
when this generation greys. The next time you buy an overpriced beer as
your eardrums blow out in some seedy bar, instead of toasting Starr
Hill, raise your glass to the musicians who played there and made it
what it was; they're still around and able to interpret your toast as a
renewed call to arms.
And hey, Satellite, now it's your turn.
#
Not rockers
Ash
Lawn-Highland Summer
Festival
When the weather gets warm, it's time for opera and musical
theater at Ash Lawn-Highland, home of President James
Monroe. Kids events, too. 293-4500
Charlottesville
Chamber Music Festival
Annual series of five chamber music concerts featuring
musicians of international stature. September 11-25, 2005 at
the Jefferson Theater on the Downtown Mall.
cvillechambermusic.org or 295-5395. Tickets $6 (students),
$16, and $22.
Charlottesville
& University Symphony
Orchestra
Performs in Cabell Hall throughout the school year. Tickets
to individual concerts on sale, subject to availability, two
weeks before each concert at the Cabell Hall Box Office. All
seats are reserved. Tickets are $22, $15 general, $11
students. 924-6505
John
McCutcheon
This Grammy-nominated folkie lives here, but doesn't play
locally too often.
McIntire
Chamber Music Series
Chamber groups from the area and from farther afield perform
in Old Cabell Hall from October to April. Tickets are
available two weeks before each concert. 924-3502
The
Municipal Band of
Charlottesville
Doing everything from folk and opera to classical and big
band for over 80 years, it's the official band of
Charlottesville. Every summer, these guys and gals come out
of nowhere to make the Downtown Mall pulse with excitement.
They perform this September at Wintergreen and again right
before Christmas. 295-9850
Oratorio
Society of
Charlottesville-Albemarle
Performs three concerts this year: the Holiday Candlelight
Concert on December 18 in Cabell Hall, Bach's "The Passion
According to John" on March 12 also in Cabell Hall, and
Verdi's classic opera "La Traviata" at the Paramount Theater
on May 7. 996-3610
Skyline
Harmony Chapter of the Sweet
Adelines
A women's chorus that performs several times yearly. No word
on next scheduled performance.
info@skylineharmony.org
Tuesday
Evening Concert Series
Internationally renowned musicians give performances in Old
Cabell Hall. This year's seven acts include the pianist
Marc-Andree Hamelin, the St. Petersberg String Quartet, and
the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, among others. Tickets are
available two weeks before each concert. Shows begin at 8pm.
$5-25. 924-3984
The
Virginia Consort
A choral group that performs nearly year round at various
locations in the area. 244-8444
Zephyrus
Early music choral ensemble, performing from October to
April. 293-5339
|