I pulled out an old Peter Case album just to refresh my memory.  Case is a fantastic songwriter who is highly respected in some circles, but remains virtually unknown in others.  I’ve got Flying Saucer Blues in the CD player right now.  If you’re so inclined, check out track 2:  “Cool Drink O’ Water”, track 4:  “Walking Home Late.”, and track 11:  “This Could Be The One”.  I’m sure you can find a preview somewhere on the interweb. 

Or you could check him out in person, as Peter Case stops by the Gravity Lounge tonight.  Case’s most recent album Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album.  The talented Nathan Moore from over in Staunton, VA opens.  Show time is 7:30pm.  Cost is $15. 

And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg… »Read More

Popularity: 30% [?]

When I saw The Handsome Furs at the Satellite Ballroom back in April one of the opening bands that totally caught my ear that night was The Cinnamon Band from over in the Shenandoah Valley. In case you’ve forgotten, you can find my review of that show here. 

The two-piece band featuring John Harouff (guitar, vocals) and Neal Cambell (drums, vocals) almost stole the show that night and I had hoped at the time that they’d start playing in C’ville more often.  Well guess what?  They’re back!  You can check these guys out for yourselves Monday, May 12 at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar as The Cinnamon Band joins Mas y Mas, and Loom for a show that kicks off at 8pm.  Cost is $4. 

Popularity: 23% [?]

There are a lot of new bands springing up everyday.  And some of them have the craziest names.  I recently came across this band which is actually going to be performing in Charlottesville on Monday at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar.  They’re called The Clarence Thomas Action-Adventure Unit.  It definitely grabs one’s attention or at least it grabbed mine.  I bet it also makes for an interesting merch table.  Try getting that band name on a button or cap.

What’s the craziest name for a band you’ve come across recently?  [Let’s keep ‘em clean too.  I can only imagine where this could possibly go]

Popularity: 25% [?]

Busy, busy, busy.  Here are a couple of things you might want to check out and add to your hump day activities:

• “Charlottesville’s Music Showcase” presents Lynchburg rockers Six Chasing Seven at Club R2 at Rapture.  Tim Be Told opens.  Wednesday.  9:30pm.  $5.  21+ age requirement.
• Monadnoc, from Chicago, Illinois performs at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar Wednesday.  Cakes of Light and local singer-songwriter Joe Pollock open.  9:30pm.  $6.
• “Mother Courage and Her Children” on stage at Live Arts.  It’s Wednesday, so as always it’s “pay-what-you-can”.  8pm
• And finally, for those fans of the Rolling Stones, the Martin Scorcese directed rockumentary “Shine a Light” which spans the Stones’ career, is currently in theaters at Charlottesville’s Downtown Regal Cinema.  Show times tonight at 7pm and 9:40pm.  $9.

Popularity: 43% [?]

Here are a few reminders for upcoming shows and the like to help you get through the already underway work week.  Five musical possibilites that you may want to add to your week’s to-do list:

»Read More

Popularity: 31% [?]