Thoughts of the Locals

It's pretty clear that Richmond's scene is always changing.  So, rather than rant about my own opinion on the local musical climate, I spoke to a few people who are more involved than I am.  The different roles that these people play for the community create different definitions of what the scene currently means.  I wanted to find out if people felt things were missing, or if we have too much of anything.  I wanted to gauge the local mentality by speaking to the kids who make the scene, and some of those musicians who aren't from Richmond.  Lastly, by speaking to the locals, I wanted to give them some attention - have them, themselves, explain how they view themselves.

I spoke with local musician Ryan Weaver first.  He's been in and out of the scene over the past year with his Grateful Dead cover band.  I thought he'd be a great place to start at because when I, personally, think of Richmond - I think punk/hardcore, I think Fist City.  Weaver's view isn't anything like mine at all, and it's GREAT.  He is upbeat and snappy like a little brother who just wants to go along.  At the same time, he's calm, assertive and very aware of the lack of cross-over; the cliques that comprise "fans".  From his experiences, the diversity of the Richmond is the best and worst part.  Richmond has room for acoustic jam bands and dirty-post-whatever-indie name you can think of bands.  And that's great.  The issue is that, on either end of the spectrum, there isn't always enough momentum to really get a large movement going.  With this in mind, Weaver is perfectly content where he is.  The lack of a large jam movement keeps him motivated and constantly working hard.  He plays music at least twice a month - and loves the local network.  He's not divided and decided. You'll see him at any bar enjoying any music, having a great time.  Musically, he's not in it for the attention, he's in it for the love of music.  You can find him at myspace.com/wakeofthefloodrva

Next I spoke with Josh Kreuzman, he's is the epitome of cross culture.  Better yet, he's only been in Richmond for 2 years - and he's not a college kid.  By speaking to Joshy, I wanted the outsider looking in, turned insider view.  I got it.  Upon arrival Joshy was experienced: the multi-talented guy who has been in a bunch bands from the midwest, and eventually broke into other genres with some success.  One of those bands was a Misfits cover band.  He played bass for me.  He is starting his own electro-indie project. He's been spinning vinyl for years.  He can speak to the local DJ'ing scene.  Admittedly, the area isn't the prime club spot, but there is a small string of venues that will let you DJ.  As a stranger, he found how easy it was to get spinning gigs.  Places like NY Deli, Cous Cous, and even Cafe Diem have all had him play on a regular basis.   "A chat, and a handshake" and he was in.  The venues want players (of any genre).  He speaks of the willingness that Richmond venues have to give the locals a stage to perform on; an optimistic view.  The most important point about the Richmond scene that Joshy makes is that the diversity of our scene is built on the diversity of VCU.  He says that Richmond reminds him of his old college town of Bloomington. JFKREUZ, or myspace.com/sprankle1sprankle

I wanted to speak to the gatekeepers that make Richmond's scene so easy going now.  For the sake of argument, I went on to discuss Richmond with Danny Ingram.  In the last two years, he's really given Richmond's acts a home.  There is not a single trace of pretentious elitism that some booking agents have in other towns.  Basically, if you want a show, Danny's your man.  And I know that ANY band from ANYWHERE will agree.  I've dealt with him for our last few shows, and every time you can just see the sincerity.  "It's not an honor for the band to play for you, it's an honor for you to able to have that band play," says the most recently sought out man in Richmond local booking (in my opinion).  After speaking to Danny, I feel that much of his attitude is based off his experiences and his willingness to change Richmond.  That will has helped to cultivate the diversity and made Richmond a more accessible town for traveling acts.  Danny's got a slew of shows lined up at both The Triple & the Plaza Bowl.  These two venues are becoming the go to spots for bands.  His pull ranges from Strike Anywhere to Bermuda Triangles (national & local).  You can find Danny through Community Chest Booking or through MySpace.com/TheTriple  or MySpace.com/PlazaBowlRVA Speaking of Bermuda Triangles...

Jason Hodges was kind enough to give some thoughts.  He definitely has a positive outlook for the Richmond forecast as well... deservedly so.  He's got his hands in EVERYTHING.  Danny Ingram calls him one of the hardest working people on the scene, and calls people like Jason "the backbone for what I [Danny] do".  Certainly another one who has been around and weathered the perpetual closings and re-openings, his tone was nonchalant.  Not nonchalant because he didn't care, nonchalant because he had a hand in the history of local music over the last few years, and it's natural - the real deal. From the interview, I gathered that his work over the years is shaping Richmond into a growing crossroad.  The number of shows he mentioned his upcoming involvement in, whether playing or booking, was incredible.  His appetite for music is realized and satisfied in being able to constantly play out, and develop now projects.  After 11 years here, he's in a position where he can make it happen.  CNPrecords.com as an example.  Strictly D.I.Y., not for the punk - for himself and his friends.  Through this label, they're able to push hardcopies of their music for the shows they play.  After speaking to Jason, the neverending work ethic is obvious.  CNPrecords.com.  Myspace.com/bermudatriangles

After speaking to the natives, I gathered that Richmond is a hard working town.  As a band, you will not survive if you're posing and only playing music for attention.  The fans and other bands will catch on to that and call you out.  The only way to survive in this town is to keep as many items on your plate as possible and go BIG every chance you get.  Everybody can appreciate the diversity, but the silent killer is the fans.  And it seems that they'll only co-sign to bands that are genuine D.I.Y. Certified.  The Richmond mentality is built around "The top of the South, bottom of the North" attitude - which is divided.