Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe - “New Ammo”

Win a pair of tickets to this week’s Friday Cheers starring Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe (KDTU, 8 pm) and The Pimps of Joytime (6:30 pm).  E-mail soundsofrva@gmail.com (with something about Friday Cheers in the subject) by Thursday at noon, and a winner will be chosen randomly!  This is the second to last show of the series, so don’t miss out!  The show is $10 for those who don’t win.  Did you notice RVA’s own DJ Williams startin the song off with a little talk box action?  He’ll be representin RVA on the stage Friday!

The audio kind of craps out at some points, but this is the best sound, most recent, and best video I could find of the current lineup. 

The Pimps of Joytime - “San Francisco Bound”

The Pimps of Joytime will most definitely put on a great show and will get you ready for KDTU!  See you there!

Win Tickets to Friday Cheers this week starring Kishi Bashi and Lake Street Dive!

Kishi Bashi - 151a

You may have heard of K Ishibashi aka Kishi Bashi as a member of the touring bands of Regina Spektor and Of Montreal.  Perhaps you have seen the Windows 8 commercial and heard his song, “Bright Whites”  Bashi was also a founding member of Jupiter One. 

Kishi Bashi is from Norfolk where his parents were professors at ODU.  He creates sweeping, orchestral synth and string soundscapes and then croons with the adorableness of Paul McCartney.  He has a delicate voice in quieter moments, but his vox grows with intensity as the songs do. 

Win a pair of tickets to see Kishi Bashi at Friday Cheers this week! 
E-mail soundsofrva@gmail.com by Thursday at noon, and one person will be chosen randomly to win tix.  Just be sure to put some sort of “Friday Cheers giveaway” description in the subject.

Lake Street Dive will also be on the bill, and this band from Brooklyn is a four-piece with multi-part vocal harmonies and an eclectic mix of instruments.  Check out their cover of George Michael’s “Faith” on Sidewalk Sessions:

The Head and the Heart - “Cats and Dogs”

This week’s Friday Cheers bands are The Head and the Heart and RVA’s beloved Black Girls. While The Head and the Heart hail from Seattle, band members Tyler Williams and Johnathan Russell are from Virginia. THATH will hit the stage at 8:00; Black Girls start things off at 6:30. 

Win a pair of tickets to this week’s show by emailing soundsofrva@gmail.com by Thursday (5/30) at noon!

Black Girls - “So Sorry” (filmed/edited by Chris Bopst)

photo by Trevor Frost

photo by PJ Sykes

No BS Brass Band - “RVA All Day”

Win tickets to this week’s Friday Cheers at Brown’s Island -

RVA Music Night with No BS Brass Band, Former Champions, and Murphy’s Kids!

Enter by e-mailing soundsofrva@gmail.com by 12 noon on Thursday.  Winners will be announced that day.

Don’t miss a chance to see 3 awesome Richmond bands for free!

Check out the other two bands appearing:

photo by James E.F. Young, Richmondimage.net

Former Champions (opening for Lotus at The National, 3/16/13):

photo by Soul Phire Photography

Murphy’s Kids: 

The Lone Bellow - “Teach Me to Know”

Win a pair of tickets to see The Lone Bellow and Radical Face @ Friday Cheers this week!

E-mail me at soundsofrva at gmail dot com by Thursday at noon to enter!  Winner will be drawn randomly. 

The Lone Bellow (pictured below) is a three-piece Brooklyn string band which has taken the roots scene by storm.  The band’s stunning harmonies will suck you in.  Zach Williams is the lead singer and principal song writer. 

When we think of Radical Face, we tend to think about 2007, the year his album with single “Welcome Home” was released.  The lush string pop song had a really resonant refrain.  Jacksonville’s Ben Cooper is the name behind the project, and he will bring his latest lineup on Friday.

Radical Face, “Welcome Home”:

so pretty - photo by Nic Croucher

gettin’ it - photo by Brett Yanoski

Shovels & Rope - “Gasoline”

Win a pair of tickets to this week’s Friday Cheers with Shovels & Rope and Hayes Carll!  Simply e-mail soundsofrva at gmail.com by Thursday (5/2) at noon with “Friday Cheers tickets” in the subject line.  Winner will be chosen at random and will be notified that day. 

Charleston’s Shovels and Rope is a loud roots duo who takes an unusual approach to country tunes. Hayes Carll is a country crooner based in Austin who plays romantic Americana.

This is the opening week of Friday Cheers for 2013.  Shows last from 6:30 to 9:30, and this week’s is $5.  Takes place on Brown’s Island.  We’ll be giving away a pair of tickets to each show, so check back and enter!

photo by pheed.com/sycbus

Hayes Carll, “Hide Me”