By Samantha Federico
The live music scene is better than it’s been in the last few years, and 2022 felt like a new era for music creators, with area artists being no exception. Fewer songs are being inspired by the pandemic, and it’s back to existential quests to wring something meaningful out of this world, and find love.
Once the pandemic pause lifted, a slew of albums were released, and live show calendars were packed, from The Garage to the Ting Pavilion, with many bills featuring local musicians. After years of interviewing music artists in our area, I’ve come to realize that some of our baristas, bug exterminators, delivery drivers, and keyboard tappers are also mega talented with an instrument in hand or a microphone in front of them.
Bands are filled with our friends and neighbors, and they need audience support. If you want to be a superhero, buy their albums, buy their koozies and T-shirts, and buy tickets to their shows. Here are some of the players who shared their talent with us in 2022.
- Animal Sun, Generation Waiting (pop punk)
- Butcher Brown, Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey featuring Tennishu and R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND (jazz, hip-hop, soul)
- Caroline Spence, True North (folk-Americana)
Chris Leggett & The Copper Line, From the Idle Mind (alt-country): Country punk music has arrived in the form of Chris Leggett & The Copper Line’s From the Idle Mind. Leggett’s performance is cheeky, and he treats the listener as a friend who is privy to his inside jokes. Leggett was born and raised in Richmond, and grew up listening to Dave Matthews and John Prine. After releasing EPs in 2017 and 2018, Leggett partnered with the guitarist who’d started their middle school garage band. Their pop-punk jam influences can be heard all throughout Idle Mind, turning the amalgamation of punk and country into something sweet. “Eight Weeks” is a perfect emo-country song about love. “Always Knew” is a rowdy tune of heartbreak, on this record from a 27-year-old guy with a story to tell, who’s ready to break out of the Richmond scene (April 2022).
- Chris Murphy, Tunnel Vision (indie)
- Darzo, Single Cell (soul, jazz)
- Deau Eyes, Legacies (indie)
- Drook, Life In Estates (indie pop)
- Dropping Julia, Stranger (retro soul pop)
Disco Risqué, Joke Squad (rock): It’s almost 50 minutes of unfettered rock. Joke Squad is a passion project that’s been in the works for Charlottesville’s Disco Risqué since 2018. The idea was to have an epic instrumental album, and over a number of years, Ryan Calonder, Charlie Murchie, Andrew Hollifield, Robert Prescott, and Sean Hodge wrote songs that fit the bill, including one song (“John Doe has the Upper Hand’’) from as early as 2015. The name of the album was inspired by a criticism made by former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who called his team a “joke squad.” The guys fell in love with the name for the album, but it hardly defines these bandmates who interact as best buddies and play music that flows as effortlessly. DR’s live shows are a high-energy, one-of-a-kind experience that calls you back for more (November 2022).
- Eloise Granville, Paradoxical Feelings (pop)
- Erin & The Wildfire, Touchy Feely (pop)
- Fair Verona, In Memoriam (indie pop)
- Films on Song, Fake Endings (post punk)
- Kate Bollinger, Look at it in the Light (dream-pop)
- Kendall Street Company, Untitled California Project (funky jams)
- Kingdom of Mustang, Into Beautiful Blue (soft rock)
- Lily Graciela, the light on fifth (indie pop)
- Lord Nelson, Transmission (country rock)
- Mariana Bell, Still Not Sleeping (pop, folk)
- Mike Burris, Goodbye Town (country rock)
- Nathan Colberg, Dream On, Kid (pop)
- Rebecca Porter, Prime Rainbow Conditions (country)
- Rebekah Rafferty and The Wakes, Two of Swords (indie pop)
- Schuyler Fisk, We Could Be Alright (folk)
- Stray Fossa, Closer Than We’ll Ever Know (indie)
Suz Slezak, Our Wings May Be Featherless (Americana): She’s best known as part of the indie folk duo David Wax Museum, but Slezak shines on her debut solo album. Our Wings May Be Featherless is produced by Anthony da Costa (Yola, Sarah Jarosz), and was recorded between Nashville and her basement in Charlottesville. At 33 minutes, the record can’t tell her entire life story, but it does give a window into Slezak’s experience. From a best friend’s suicide when she was growing up, which follows her to this day, to navigating bipolar disorder, Slezak doesn’t hold back in her haunting lullabies. The tracks on Featherless are nearly opposite from the joyous tunes she makes with her husband on David Wax Museum, and it’s exciting and empowering to hear Slezak voice her own story (March 2022).
- Tyler Meacham, Into the Fray (indie)
- The Octavias, The Octavias (rock)
- Various Artists, All The Best …From 6 Feet Away: A Charlottesville Tribute To John Prine (country-folk)
- Will Overman, Heart Pine (country)
- Work Wear, Charger (rock)
- Yard Sale, Yard Sale (emo rock)
Singles and what to look forward to in 2023
- Amy Martin, Good Morning Beautiful (country)
- Andrew Montana, Do They Call To You? (indie)
- Annabeth McNamara, Opening Up (folk pop)
- Cougar Beatrice, Neck Romancer (rock)
- Illiterate Light, Light Me Up with an upcoming album, Sunburned (out January 27, 2023) (alt-rock)
- Isabel Bailey Band, Favorite Color In The Summer (folk)
- Isabel March, Never All Alone (dreamy folk, indie pop)
- Jake Sawyer, Ghosts (folk)
- Lowland Hum, Feeling Like Myself Again (folk)
- Silas Frayser, Stay (alt-rock)
- Trout Baseline, So Can I (indie pop)
- Unheard Sirens Inc., Altered Egos (synth pop)
- Willie DE, Born to Act (folk)