In a unique interpretation of how I think this week will go, this week SOUND CHECK The theme is heavy space groups. Not one, but two space-themed bands are dominating Richmond this week, with Galactic Empire playing The Canal Club and a local band releasing their new tunes and gearing up for a new chapter. On the pop scene, Californians Trousdale come to The Broadberry with their powerful harmonies and catchy choruses, their weekly Tuesday Shockoe Sessions Live features local synth-pop artist IONNA, and later I’ll talk about Olivia Rodrigo’s new album GUTS.
Any new music or suggestions? Reach out Bones@rvamag.com
out of town to have a look
GALACTIC EMPIRE
Thursday 19 October, The Canal Club
Doors: 18:00.
Embark on what is sure to be both a confusing and epic time. If the idea of heavy metal covers of the iconic music of John Williams star Wars it doesn’t attract you… I understand. However, if this is what you like, let me introduce you to Galactic Empire. Is there a nuance? No. What you see is what you get, and you’ll see five dudes dressed as Darth Vader, Boba Fett and their accompanying stormtroopers playing all your favorite pieces from the entire game. star Wars a saga of overdriven guitars and double bass pedals. I really don’t know if I can sell it better. Come to this Thursday night show dressed as your favorite sci-fi character and bring the whole family because it’s a show for all ages.
TRUSDAHL
Tuesday 17 October, The Broadberry
Doors: 19:00.
I first saw Truesdale open for Corey Wong at The National earlier this year and was shocked by their incredible performance. Distinguished by their majestic harmonies and catchy choruses, this Californian trio is a budding powerhouse that is seemingly unstoppable. In the time since I last listened to them, they’ve released a studio album and it’s nothing short of an absolute triumph. Full of dynamic contrast, with huge and loud emotional highs, full of harmonies spanning multiple octaves like “Bad Blood”, to low and quiet romantic depths like “Movie Star” where, in a welcome rarity, all three women sing in unison, which gives the track naked nudity and vulnerability. The next big pop group may be sitting right under our noses, so catch them before they explode.
My favorite tracks from out of my mind
- “Feud”
- “If I’m Honest”
- “If it hurts you”
Local and State Laws You Should See
IONNA
Tuesday, October 17, live on Shockoe Sessions
Doors: 19:00.
IONNA is killing it. Synth-pop project of Soraya Silene. She has been producing singles since April 2022 and has released four tracks to date. A mixture of ambient trance melodies and dance numbers. IONNA has something for everyone who is a fan of synth pop. Her appearance this Tuesday on Shockoe Sessions Live is just another indication of her status as a key figure in the Richmond music scene, and I can only hope she gets around to a full album soon for a chance to experience what she can do. 30 minutes of music instead of three. You can go HERE to find the live stream and watch her singles in the meantime while you wait for a performance that could and should go anywhere.
Local and regional releases
SPACE PIRATES LEAGUE
“Robot Love Pilot” (Single)
I didn’t think I’d be discussing two different space-themed groups this week, but here I am. This new single “Robot Love Pilot” Space Pirates League – the perfect embodiment of their crazy stunt. Describing themselves as “a group of rock ‘n’ roll outlaws from the future” here to fight the evil Uber Corp and broadcast their tour along the way, they’re a performance that has to be seen to be believed. They’ll be on Shockoe Sessions live next Tuesday October 24th if you need proof of their awesome looks, but until then you can satisfy yourself by listening to their tunes on Spotify or watching the music video below. (PS Their Web site it’s really amazing and you should check it out.)
WHAT AM I LISTENING TO
OLIVIA RODRIGO
GUTS
Not that she needs my help, because Spotify has 62 million monthly listeners. Olivia Rodrigo is currently the 19th most popular artist on the platform and one of the most popular in the world. But honestly, this is the album I’ve been repeating this week. A unique entry in Olivia Rodrigo’s pop catalogue. GUTS determined by dichotomy. Opening track “all-american bitch,” perhaps the most interesting song on the record, starts off softly enough with a well-chosen intro and acoustic guitar verse before diving into pop-punk angst in the choruses, instantly transporting listeners back to the early 2000s. This track encapsulates the very essence of the record, as in the chorus, Rodrigo states, “I know my age and I act like it,” and does the same as she does. What is he doing GUTS Interesting – this is the same thing that upsets Rodrigo. At 19 years old at the time of the record’s recording, she’s insanely young for her level of fame, how quickly she’s achieved it, and she seems to have little idea of where her music is headed; just as a teenager may have little idea of the direction of his life. After the upbeat punk vibe that defines her first two tracks, Rodrigo dives into “Vampire,” a dark and harrowing piano-led journey through an unhealthy—and possibly unethical—romance. On this theme, the record stays in the pop sections, all the while interpolating these punk sentiments in songs like “The Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl”, which seems to be who Rodrigo really is, expressing that, perhaps there is simply a greater and deeper artist lurking. below the surface. Confusing? Yes, a truly great pop album? Yes, now that Rodrigo is only 20 years old, she has time to outgrow her producers and go down a path that could lead to a wonderful and healthy career making the music she wants.
My favorite tracks from GUTS
- “All-American bitch”
- “a vampire”
But you can call me Bones. I’m an associate editor for RVA Mag, a writer and musician, living in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a minor in Creative Writing, I began writing music for feature films and short films, released a book of poetry, an album of original music, and performed lead vocals with the band Pebbles Palace.