Taylor Thornberg
Spectrum Editor
The Richmond music scene doesn’t stop when students leave for winter break, but it certainly picks up when they return, which means a packed upcoming show at Gallery 5. On Jan. 31, the venue will host its first all-Richmond music show of 2015. Local bands Butcher Brown and Night Idea, as well as solo musician Lucy Dacus, will perform in what Gallery 5 calls, “a full spectrum affair of lovely music.”
Butcher Brown, described as “funky but not cheesy,” and “like a jam session in a cloud,” by Anthony Dean-Harris of NextBop, strives for a sound distinctly Richmond. Members include multi-instrumentalist Devonne Harris, bassist Andrew Rendazzo, guitarist Keith Askey and drummer Corey Fonville, all former Virginia Commonwealth University students. Their record label, Jellowstone Records, is an independent Richmond label that is part of the network of labels under Ropeadope Records, and also signed local bands such as No BS! Brass Band and Pace Cadets.
Butcher Brown released a full-length album on iTunes last October called “All Purpose Music,” which came after two EPs that are offered for free on their website. The band’s success is apparent in the interest gained from their California tour in 2014, as well as their upcoming appearance at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas this March. They currently have upward of 2000 likes on Facebook.
Night Idea will also take the stage at Gallery 5, and will have a special release of their 2013 album “Paths” on cassette tape. Described as “jazz-math-indie-progressive-rock” on the Gallery 5 website, Night Idea will release “Paths” through Hand to Mouth Tapes, a Richmond-based, tape-only record label that also released tapes for local band Basmati. Members Joey Anderson, Ethan Johnstone, Reid LaPierre and Carter Burton are currently working on a new album and have recently been added to Spotify.
Finally, Lucy Dacus will open the evening with “beautiful solo jams,” according to the Gallery 5 website. The show begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30. The cover charge is $5.
Leave a Reply