Scene Recap: Richmond Synth Collective, Bucko, Cross Bones

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.

• Last Sunday marked the end of Phase One for the GFMU—the Golden Fest Musical Universe. Lame joke, I know, but this initiative has become a genuine source of inspiration in the local scene, with over $13,000 raised through its shows so far. And it’s not slowing down; more events are on the horizon, not just in Richmond but also in Charlottesville and beyond. As Justin Golden heads to New York City to begin his treatment journey, he’s going to need continued support, something he touched on in his latest GoFundMe update. We’ll keep sharing updates as they come, but to stay fully in the loop, be sure to follow Freight Line Management and Vocal Rest Records on Instagram. In the meantime, plan to attend an upcoming show if you can… or if not, stream his music, buy some merch, and help keep the Justin Golden love train rolling strong.

• Voting for this year’s Newlin Music Prize ended this past Thursday, and the winner will be announced on Monday so stay tuned! The top prize is $2,500, but it’s worth noting that each of the other 19 nominees also receives $250. If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to dive into all 20 of these standout records and celebrate the depth of talent they represent.

• This past Tuesday, Bucko took over Studio A at In Your Ear for one of the most memorable Shockoe Sessions Live in recent history. Trust me, I was there up front as a guest host, but also hanging back as an eager fan, soaking in every moment. Ava Coles commanded the stage with undeniable presence, while Coco Dailey brought a rich layer of nuance with her cello. Meanwhile, Jacob Karona, Ezra Lapidus, and Ben Slone kept the energy high, driving the performance forward with dynamic guitars and infectious rhythms. And Ben Heath? His drumming was absolutely staggering. I got a front-row glimpse to his wild cowbell work on the chorus of “Derby,” which was a treat in itself. Bucko is quickly becoming not just one of Richmond’s best live acts, but also one of the most sonically compelling. Their latest singles, “Riding Mower” and “Gutter,” highlight a powerful contrast between raw, unfiltered release and poignant emotional depth. If you haven’t watched this week’s Shockoe Sessions Live yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. Up next for the series is IONNA, a synth-pop artist we’ve spotlighted here before. 2025 is shaping up to be a breakout year for her, and this performance promises to be a great glimpse at what’s ahead. In the meantime, catch up with Bucko’s episode–you won’t want to miss it. (YouTube link here.)

• Speaking of Shockoe Sessions and In Your Ear, the team behind it, Shockoe Records, put together a massive show this past Thursday at The Hippodrome, honoring the life and legacy of rock and roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. A bona fide hall of famer, Tharpe has little-known but significant ties to Richmond. The celebration featured a lineup of talented local performers, including singer Desiree Roots, whose father, Jimmy Roots, accompanied Tharpe during her career. Don Harrison wrote an excellent article about the event for Style Weekly, and I highly recommend giving it a read. It’s a story every Richmonder should know. (Article link here.)

• Peter McElhinney profiled the Kronos Quartet over at Style Weekly, just ahead of their performance at the Modlin Center this past Friday. We’ve talked quite a bit about Peni Candra Rini here over the years, but if the name isn’t ringing any bells, this article is a great introduction to her work and importance. (Article link here.)

• Peter McElhinney also profiled local composter Joe Jaxson who opened the recent Richmond Symphony concert at Dominion Energy. This wasn’t even on my radar so kudos to Style Weekly for telling the story. (Article link here.)

• Tim Abbondelo over at Style Weekly chatted with Nora Cheng from Horsegirl ahead of the band’s performance this Monday at the Warehouse. Worth a read if you’re a fan of mozzarella sticks and post-punk. (Article link here.)

• Griffin Smalley was back with another “Sound Check” column this week over at RVA Magazine. Read it to see what the Artschool frontman had to say about Weedeater, Bask, Book Of Wyrms (Auricular favorites), CS Cleaners, Chest Hair, Dumb Waiter (another Auricular favorite), Kill Lincoln, Half Part Two, and Omnigone. (Article link here.)

• The latest edition of Cross Bones by photojournalist Kellen Mitchell dropped recently and is available now at Vinyl Conflict. This new issue features an interview with Division Of Mind along with exclusive, striking photos capturing the raw energy of the underground scene. I haven’t made it over to VC yet myself, but grabbing a copy is definitely at the top of my to-do list this week. You should snag one too before they’re gone. (Instagram link here.)

• Speaking of Vinyl Conflict, they were featured on the latest edition of It’s Still Our City. Host Harrison Christy chatted with owner Bobby Eggers and if you’ve ever talked to Bobby for even a second, you know this is going to be a fun listen. Listen over on the Nodderly website or via the following web player link. (Podcast link here.)

• Also in local podcasts, hip-hop artist Naeedy stopped by The Crew804 talking it up with Aaron Rock about her career and approach to music. Huge fans of Naeedy over here (and just covered one of her many new videos from this year) so trust me when I say you should check this out. (Spotify link here.)

• Richmond beat collective The 80404 Club just dropped episode one of their new series The Crib Sessions on YouTube, showcasing an hour-long beat-making session featuring HernBean5150, Swellthy, CJ The Profit, King Kaiju, Glop, and Boobie Holiday. The crew links up every other Tuesday night at Hot For Pizza on Leigh Street for “Beats & Pizza,” delivering live performances that highlight their creative process. This video offers a slick glimpse into the talent and vibe they bring each time they gather–definitely worth checking out. (YouTube link here.)

• It was a fast-paced week here at The Auricular, with a steady stream of new music to spotlight. We premiered a pulsating digicore track from Lofties and a laid-back lo-fi guitar jam by Aidan Giuffre. On top of that, we debuted two new EPs out this week, one from experimental metal trio Pyramid Mass and another from hardcore powerhouse Heavy Is The Head. We also covered new music videos from Deathcat, Charles Owens Trio, Naeedy, WhoaKeelo, K-Win, and David Lee Baybee.. Glancing at the calendar, the end of March is shaping up to be just as eventful, so be sure to check back in for more of Richmond’s latest and greatest.

• If you don’t have time to check in with us daily or have been slowly retreating away from social media, don’t worry! The Auricular’s weekly newsletter comes out on Wednesdays and gives a great overview of all our coverage as well as some little extras. Subscribe now and don’t miss anything! (Newsletter link here.)

• Speaking of extras, keep an eye peeled for “This Day In Richmond Music,” returning very shortly. There may be a “Richmond Music Roundup” on the horizon as well!

• As always, Marilyn Drew Necci’s show column went up this past Wednesday, covering everything from brass bands and hardcore to experimental metal and avant-garde jazz. If you’re still in need of a concert recommendation for the next few days, this should be your first stop. (Article link here.)

• Of course, don’t just take our word for what concerts you should see. Every week, RestlessRVA and SoundtrackRVA provide a broad overview of all the shows happening in Richmond, either with a week-long schedule via Soundtrack or a day-by-day breakdown over the weekend from Restless. Make sure you’re following both so you can be as informed as possible.

• Let’s wrap things up with a local track. The last couple of weeks have ended on heavier notes–no doubt influenced by the turmoil of recent events–but I want to switch gears and highlight Richmond’s electronica scene. This past Tuesday night at In Your Ear, I had a great conversation about just that, particularly around the vital role Richmond Synth Collective plays in keeping the scene energized and evolving. Local electronica artists have always blown me away with their inventive approaches and undeniable skill, but I’ll be honest… I often feel late to the party, and that’s limited how much I’ve been able to cover on the site. That said, when it comes to features like “This Day In Richmond Music” (which I mentioned earlier), I’m constantly spotlighting electronica gems I’ve discovered, whether it’s ambient, chiptune, vaporwave, or something else entirely. Staying current with new releases, though, has been a challenge I’m actively working to fix. We recently premiered a track from digicore artist Lofties, and consider this an open call to all electronica artists in town: if you’ve got something new on the way, let me know. I’ll absolutely give it a listen, and I’ll carve out space for it in our ongoing coverage. With Reveler hosting weekend showcases and EMIXX expanding the reach with regional events, it feels like we’re on the verge of an electronica boom, and I’m all in on helping to accelerate that momentum.

Now, for this week’s featured song, I want to shine a light on the Demo Compilation released by Richmond Synth Collective at the end of 2024. This 27-track collection is packed with names I’m familiar with–Chroma Forma, Biggoron, Benjamin Mauch, Joe Vargo–as well as newer ones (to me, at least) like Null Static Void and H/M, who made for some exciting listens. The track I want to highlight here, though, is “River City” by DanielD. I’ve covered his work before under the name an0va, specifically his 2013 chiptune record Ego Depletion in a “This Day In Richmond Music” post. But “River City” is a shift from that sound, anchored in a house music framework that gives him room to explore, layering extended textures with fleeting, darting sounds that keep the track fluid and alive. You should check it out for the artistic merit alone, but also shout-out to DanielD for mastering that RSC Demo Compilation and sparking that electronica convo this week. It’s already inspiring me to be more proactive about featuring some of the hardest-working musicians in Richmond. At the very least, it means a lot more great music is coming my way, and I’m here for it. Give “River City” a spin below, follow both DanielD and Richmond Synth Collective on Instagram, and keep your eyes and ears open for more updates from Richmond’s vibrant electronica scene.