Scene Recap: Paul Watson, Shockoe Records, Orthotonics

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.

• Slower week than I had planned for at The Auricular due to some pre-holiday germs. All is well now, but don’t be surprised if next week overcompensates. Hope your turkey day was fun and filled with music!

• The week began with sad news: the passing of Paul Watson. A remarkably versatile musician with an extensive catalog of recording credits, Watson is perhaps best known for his work with ’80s band Orthotonics, a pioneering group celebrated for their experimental take on rock and jazz. Beyond Orthotonics, Watson collaborated with local legends like Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse, The Rabbit), David Lowery (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven), and Bryan Harvey (House of Freaks), as well as national icons like Albert King, Charlie Byrd, and Vic Chesnutt. Style Weekly published a heartfelt tribute, featuring remembrances from George M. Lowe, Rebby Sharp, and Matt Linkous. I highly recommend giving it a read to learn more about someone who truly helped shape the collaborative spirit that Richmond’s music scene is known for. (Article link here.)

• Don Harrison previewed the latest Shockoe Records holiday compilation for Style Weekly, and it’s packed with an impressive lineup. While last year’s compilation from the IYE crew was stellar, this one is just as stacked with both familiar faces and some fresh talents from right here at The Auricular. If you scroll back through our archives, you’ll find features on Deau Eyes and Høly River, but you can also catch recent pieces on Jonathan Paige Brown Jr., REIN, Sweet Touch, and more. Be sure to check out the article, grab a CD, and consider heading to The Hippodrome on Tuesday for a special, larger-than-usual presentation of Shockoe Sessions Live! (Article link here.)

• That Hippodrome concert is one of seven shows chosen by Marilyn Drew Necci for this week’s show column. Be sure to check out the full article–it’s a must-read, especially for the two standout Saturday event picks! (Article link here.)

• Griffin Smalley also previewed some of the week’s upcoming concerts in his latest “Sound Check” column over at RVA Magazine, along with a look at two fantastic new local singles. I might be a little biased—that Bucko song is still a daily listen for me—but check it out for yourself! (Article link here.)

• Our favorite electronic texturists, Opin, dropped their new single “Bodywork” this week, and Style Weekly premiered it alongside an interview with staff writer Tim Abbondelo. Definitely give the article a read, but more importantly, take a listen to the track—it’s one you won’t want to miss! (Article link here.)

• Yesterday, we premiered the newest single from SameStory as well as its accompanying music video. Not for the faint of heart, but if you like heavy music with dark tones and even harsher themes, then check it out: “Commit Life” is a true noise banger. (Article link here.)

• In other release news, I’m still trying to sort through what was released the previous week versus this week, but other than the two previously mentioned songs, I’ve got another single as well as an album that you should make time for this weekend. Black metal band Plaguefever released their latest record Flail Of Pestilence yesterday, and the vinyl arrived in the mail the same day for me! Can’t wait to give this one a spin. Sravani Kameswari also dropped her newest single, “Leave Me Behind,” which has been stuck in my day for most of the day. Well, not the whole day. I’m not immune to Stephen Schwartz!

• On that note: I wonder which band in town is going to be the first to cover a song from Wicked in concert? If we’re taking bets, I think the odds favor someone from the Sockhead crew. Human Worm has three singers — maybe they’ll pull off “What Is This Feeling?”

• This week’s column is a bit light, so I’m introducing a new section. I post “On This Day in Richmond History” features daily on the site and Instagram, highlighting 10 notable records released on each day from years past. Every week, a few albums catch my attention–whether because they’ve become overlooked, have an intriguing backstory, or remain a mystery to me. I thought it might be fun to spotlight the most curious find each week. With 70 records to choose from each week, I don’t think I’ll have trouble finding something to write about a little more. This week, I was especially drawn to a local compilation from 2012, simply titled A Compilation Of Richmond Musical Acts, with the organization credited as simply “Support RVA Music.” The lineup features some of the standout acts from the early 2010s: New Turks, Way, Shape, Or Form, Houdan The Mystic, Close Talker, Cheyenne, Midair, and more. Take a listen–maybe it’ll fascinate you as much as it did me. (On This Day link here.)

• Later today we’ll announce our latest Plan 9 showcase taking place on Wednesday, December 11th. Ryan Irby is this month’s featured performer and it will be holiday themed so don’t miss it! (Plan 9 link here.)

• There’s a batch of articles dropping mid-week on another local publication that should give me plenty to react to in this column next week. Can’t wait!

• Speaking of this coming week, I ascribe to speaking things into existence so here’s a list of reviews I’m hoping to finish since medication prevented me from doing so this week: Shera Shi, The Wayward Leaves, Christina Ranffeld, Tennishu, and maybe Ty Sorrell if I’m lucky. Stay tuned!

• To wrap up this week’s column, I thought it fitting to revisit a song by Orthotonics in light of the recent news. Wake Up You Must Remember is the only Orthotonics record I own on vinyl, which naturally makes it the one I’ve listened to the most. (Shout-out to Luminous Bipeds–I ordered it years ago, but sadly, it arrived cracked. Got a full refund, though.) WUUMR is packed with great tracks like “Burnt Shoes” and “Arp,” but I’ve always had a soft spot for “Big Head.” The first bass notes immediately put a smile on my face and get my head bobbing, while the smoky horns add so much atmosphere, like a free-form relaxation from a particularly potent drink. Drifting above the music is Rebby Sharp with vocals that are instantly striking. The first time I heard the song, I was reminded of discovering “Gigantic” by the Pixies. That band always thrived on contrasts though, while Rebby’s voice here complements the chaos beneath, bringing a sense of calm control. Her delivery really shines when the song takes that unpredictable shift after she sings “shadow dance.” It’s at this point I switch the Pixies reference for a Talking Heads comparison–there’s a similar post-punk spirit driving the free-form jazz and rock, with Rebby guiding it all, almost like a long-lost sibling to the musical fearful quartet. Watson’s trumpet work is another highlight, of course, and it’s a big part of why this track resonates so much. Give it a listen yourself, and you’ll see why Orthotonics remains so highly regarded, both in town and around the world, generations later.