First of all, my apologies for not including this in the original showcase review for the February edition.  Due to a miscommunication between myself and our Director of Events, it was not included.  I hope you all understand that I did not intend to bypass this fun evening in my review!

Another snowy night in Richmond, and I began to think we should be calling these events "Magazine33 Snowcases".  Hotel X opened the evening with an unusual set of music that incorporated many world-themes and melodies.  By now, I hope you've all noticed that I'm a big fan of any kind of unconventional instrumentation, and this lively (and large) group did not disappoint.  I wish I could better describe them, but they're truly an act to be experienced rather than heard.  To get a better idea, pay a visit to their Myspace page: MySpace.com/HotelX.

Los Santamarias returned for another set of driving funk.  Though Magazine33 usually chooses to vary our artists, these three were encouraged to return when we rescheduled the showcase after the first Snowfall of 2009-2010.  Check out the January showcase review to see what I mean!  If you haven't heard of them though, they're a trio of brothers who are deceptively good and bring a phenomenal energy to the stage.  I'll bring back a quote from a fan back in January:

"If I had just seen this one song, just that one, it'd have been worth the drive from Fredricksburg."

Next up, and headlining the event, were reggae rockstars Unity Sound.  I love it when a reggae band closes up the night.  Everything wraps up with great music to move to and dance to.  And even if you're not on your feet, I hope you'll agree that it's a terrific way to close the evening!  They have such a good vibe and as a listener, you can tell they've been playing together for the better part of a decade.  Their music is sharp and rhythms are tight.  Check them (and their music) out online at UnitySoundReggaeBand.com.

Thanks for checking back! Again, Magazine33 and I apologize that this wasn't included in the original showcase review.  Blame my busy schedule and hectic life.  Thanks for your understanding!

 

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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