Scene Recap: Illiterate Light, Rebekah Rafferty and The Wakes, Love Tiger Connection

Countless great outlets, organizations, and individuals cover the music scene in Richmond, so many that it might be hard to keep up to date on all of them. We’ll try and collect some great articles, coverage, and news bits we’ve read each week here at The Auricular.

• Best thing I read all week was this Illiterate Light profile by Davy Jones over at Style Weekly. The band’s latest album Arches is out today so make sure to give it a spin, and while you’re enjoying the full volume mania, peruse this article to really understand the exhilarating rise of Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran. (Article link here..)

• Speaking of new releases, Terror Cell’s second album, All Quiet, is out today! It premiered yesterday over at IDIOTEQ so definitely pop over there to learn a bit more about the band and the record. Most importantly, give this thing a spin. Or two. Or three. It deserves it. Trust me. (Album link here.</a.)

• On the topic of new releases, we premiered False Nectar’s debut single earlier this week, and it’s officially out today. This track has all the markings of a daily staple, especially if you’re drawn to alt-rock that’s both intense and cerebral. The band dropped a music video for the single today as well so go check it out! (YouTube link here.)

• Here’s another fresh release for you: experimental ambient artist cybercrashersTV just dropped mononoke on the 29th. I’m overdue for an in-depth profile on this incredible musician, but let me just say—they’re an artist I eagerly check out with each new release. I have so much to say about this record that I can’t fit it all here, but know that track 3, “Yakul,” has been on repeat while I’ve been writing this. Don’t miss it—give it a listen! (Bandcamp link here.)

• One more new release. Landon Elliott’s latest record aftermath is out today. This album is going to dominate my weekend listening diet so why don’t you join me? Fair warning: you’re going to adore “waters of watauga.” (Spotify link here.)

• Rich Griset has a good read over at Style Weekly talking about the legacy of OSB in relation to the upcoming “No Input” series, a run of free experimental music performances at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. Check it out and make sure to save the date for some of these performances. (Might we suggest December 13th?) (Article link here..)

• Griffin Smalley interviewed Tim McIlrath from Rise Against over at RVA Magazine. I specifically loved the section about being burnt out in relation to being politically conscious. It’s something I think about on a daily basis, unfortunately. Give it a read! (Article link here.)

• Griffin Smalley’s column at RVA Magazine covered a lot of ground this week so make sure you check it out! (Article link here.)

• One more for Griffin Smalley: his excellent punk band Artschool just released their first two official singles, “Outlaw To Myself” and “It Takes A Toll.” We reviewed the latter this past weekend, but both songs are worth your time and if you haven’t caught the band live in concert yet, you’re doing yourself a big disservice. (Spotify link here.)

• No Bandcamp Friday today. We haven’t done our lists much this year, but will definitely be doing one for December since it’s the last of the year. Check back in with us on December 6th!

• This week’s Shockoe Sessions Live served up a delightfully eerie string performance from Pitch’n a Fit String Band, bringing the Halloween spirit to life with a bluegrass jam, witch costumes and all. If you’re in the mood for some playful, spirited bluegrass, this one’s for you. Up next at In Your Ear Studios on November 5th is Flora & The Fauna, a cherished favorite here at The Auricular. Most of our team will be there, tuning out the election day noise and soaking up the vibrant sounds of this amazing band. Why not join us? (YouTube link here..)

• Did you catch episode 103 of River City Sounds with Heartmeat? Frank Storey’s output over the last four years has been a joy to listen to, and I loved this episode so much, I listened twice! Fun preview of the episode: it was recorded back in the summer when something monumental happened. (Spotify link here.)

• Issue 3 of Zine Idles is officially out so make sure to get your copy. I need to order mine as soon as this column is published so no one spoil anything for me please! (Order link here.)

• Live music! So many concerts coming up in town that it’s hard to keep track. As always, I’ll point you to three places: RestlessRVA for full weekend listings of all the shows going on (Instagram link here), SoundtrackRVA for an overview of the week ahead (Instagram link here), and Marilyn Drew Necci’s weekly column that zeroes in on eight notable performances you should check out (article link here). Look through both and find something cool and local to see this weekend!

• Speaking of live music, big shout-out to Love Tiger Connection who is hosting their second annual LTF Fest on Saturday at The Canal Club with a DEEP line-up: Fleshwater, Drug Church, Modern Color, Anxious, Soul Blind, Keep, Pony, Milly, Praise, Dazy, Sign Language, Hollow Suns, HeavyHex, Wild Red, and Bellwether. Marilyn Drew’s column on Wednesday has a deeper look into the show (as well as Griffin’s column at RVA Magazine), but I will add that you definitely want to show up early and catch locals Bellweather and Keep, two shoegaze acts that get better by the day it seems. (Ticket link here.)

• Friendly reminder that we have a Patreon and there are going to be some videos posted there soon from a recent listening session. Don’t miss it! (Patreon link here.)

• Two more concerts to put on your calendar, and they are both free! This coming Wednesday, The Auricular is hosting Human Worm at Plan 9 Music for a special performance starting at 7 PM. This was supposed to be a few weeks ago, but COVID had other ideas. The trio released their debut single, “Mega Bitch,” back on October 23rd, which The Auricular covered in an article that somehow tied it into an F. Scott Fitzgerald essay. Don’t ask me. I just work here. Anyway, this performance is going to be really special and fun so make sure to show up. Like I said, it’s free. Later today, we’ll also be announcing another Plan 9 performance for November with Sravani Kameswari on the 20th. We covered her second single, “laundry pile,” recently as well, finding some shared anxiety in the stresses of a daily routine. Bookmark both dates and hopefully we see you at Plan 9. It’s going to be a great time! (Plan 9 Music link here.)

• I’m still trying to juggle everything well enough so I can bring back the weekly Richmond Music Roundups, but here is your reminder that HearRVA‘s Instagram is always on the ball with new releases every Friday. They’ve also been posting some really interesting “Now Playing” and “Globocal Spotlight” features that highlight deserving songs and musicians. Check them out. (Instagram link here.)

• We might be a bit late on the latest releases, but we’ve got you covered on music history, too. Head over to our “On This Day…” page to dive into significant Richmond records from years past. Join us in giving these classic albums the recognition they deserve! (Site link here.)

• Let’s close this column with a local track that deserves your attention. For the past two weeks, one Richmond song has been a constant companion, offering solace through turbulent political times. That song is “Exordium” by Rebekah Rafferty and The Wakes from their 2019 album Aging Up. The song has always been a favorite of mine–I included it in the compilation we put out last year and it’s one of the songs people ask questions about the most. What brings it into constant rotation recently though is the song’s patient mediation on compassion, warmth, and acceptance, something that is desperately needed right now. “Love is in the air, can you feel it,” Rafferty sings, a hopeful reminder that even in the face of anger and division, the power of love remains. With November 5th fast approaching, the song’s gentle optimism is a balm, a reminder to pause, breathe deeply, and feel grounded in hope. Today, Rafferty is part of Holy Roller, who released their fantastic album Good Religion back in May. Ross Wright of The Rakes has also kept busy, dropping an excellent synthpop album, I DON’T NEED A BRAND NEW DAY, in August, followed by Thursdays At Six just last month with his captivating collective, The Wayward Leaves. These releases, as well as Rebekah Rafferty and The Wakes’ full catalog, deserve a listen. But today, I encourage everyone reading to just take some time out today, put some headphones on, take a deep breath, and immerse yourself in the loving comfort of “Exordium.” Hopefully, it will lift your spirit enough to weather the coming days. Please vote.