The first time I heard Aquafuture was entirely by accident. Seriously. I had gone to Emilio's to check out Silo Effect and Aqufuture was opening for them. In fact, the flyer is still hanging at my desk at work after so many months, the show was that good. All I knew about Aquafuture from that flyer was that they used to be called Robert von Rhombus. Which is kinda funny because at one point a few months ago I told someone I was going to an Aquafuture show, and they said,

"Ohhh you mean RVR?"

"No.  Aquafuture."

"RVR?"

And I guess the funny part about that is the fact that naming was a big theme when I talked to these guys before their show at City Dogs.  Identity.  What your name says about you, and why bands sometimes flip-flop names.

Don't let me mince words, though.  Evan (keys), Nathan (sax), Randy (percussion) and Adam (bass) supremely transcend the "let's change names" style of band.  In fact, I most definitely respect their reasoning behind the name change.  While talking to them at City Dogs, I asked,

"Why the change? Robert von Rhombus seems like a fine name."

Randy gave me the best answer.  The fact that having your name turned into a tossed-around acronym wasn't what he was searching for in terms of band identity.  The letters R-V-R didn't really mean anything as a whole to this dynamic group, and when you hear them play, it's more than obvious that a distinct identity is a big part of their culture.

And Magazine33 is all about culture.  We want the story of a band, what's really behind them, their honest identity.  Not just what venue they played last week, but how their music speaks to our audience.  And Aquafuture really exemplifies that attitude of accessibility.  I asked them the one thing they'd want their fans to know (my trademark question), and the first thing I heard was:

"All our music is available for download."

Which is a huge thing for me.  I love when bands allow their music to be accessible.  I'm so more likely to follow them and have faith in their creations if I can listen to them for more than a 30-second iTunes clip.  So Randy, Evan, Adam and Nathan have done a great job of waltzing into this writer's heart, even before they started playing.

What they discussed with me about their identity is so wonderfully reflected in the way they play as well.  Their set-up is unusually and originally perfect, and you guys know I'm a sucker for brass in a jam band.  Especially the sax.  Brass and such aside, this is a local band that's dedicated to developing a vibrant and thriving identity while supporting Richmond's extraordinary and colorful music scene.

I asked the group how they ended up together.  And Evan Howard did a great job of breaking it down for me.  Two bands.  Shared practice space.

Competitive and maybe friendly rivalry?

Catfights?

No.  RVR and soon to be Aquafuture.  Collaboration that really reinforces the community attitude that Evan, Adam, Nathan and Randy really seem to support through their effort of shared music and accessible shows.  And it fits.  They have a chemistry on stage rare in many bands.  I noticed it at Emilio's at the Silo Effect show and was fortunate enough to get a recap at City Dogs in March.

So let's talk about their music.  As the name Aquafuture implies, they have a jam-based, nearly futuristic, psychedelic aspect that could nearly let you float away and lose yourself.  And good lord, this is where I love the brass.  Nothing brings me back to earth in the best way than a well-played sax.  It's an amalgamation of soul and beautiful electronics.  It's the desire to lose yourself in the notes, and welcoming rush accompanied by the earthy blast of the sax.

As I said, identity and culture are important to Magazine33, as well as to Aquafuture.  We're asked to find a story behind a band.  To learn and discover their culture.  I don't always know if I succeed, but I do know that a band like the one created by Evan, Randy, Adam and Nathan is one that continues to develop a culture over time.  So their identity may change, but even if it does that's okay.  Because we, as their dedicated audience, know that they are dedicated to our enjoyment and our energy in front of them on stage, and our appreciation of their artistic endeavors is what really matters here.

Find them online at slammercentral.com/aquafuture.

By Author: Meredith Ripple

Meredith Ripple is a recent VCU graduate living in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom. She writes for a local marketing company during the week and frequents shows at local venues in the evenings and weekends (Cary St. Café and Emilio’s most often). Her dad introduced her to music from a very young age, ranging from the Beatles to David Benoit and she’s been hooked ever since. She’s lived in Detroit, eastern Pennsylvania and Williamsburg, VA before moving to Richmond four years ago. She’ll be covering Richmond’s active and energetic jam and folk scene for Magazine33, her first journalistic endeavor.

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