ANNUAL MANUAL- Culture- Under the radar & dreaming
It's been more than 14 years since Charlottesville began its upward trajectory in the music world from sleepy college town to music industry hot spot. We asked six local experts with their ear to the ground to tell us what rumblings they're hearing on the horizon. Keep your ears and eyes open, folks. Otherwise, you just might miss them on their rise to the top.
The Hill and Wood
The Hill and Wood
FILE PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO
Will Anderson, Parachute: So good. I've only heard a few songs, but they had me from the first few seconds. They've been on repeat on my iPod.
Brad Savage, 106.1 The Corner: This Paul Simon-inspired, Rusted Root-esque jammy folkie band has built up quite a UVA following, and recently won the 2009 UVA Battle of The Bands. A very Charlottesville-appropriate band with their jam style. Plus any band that takes their name from a funeral home is A-OK with me!
Anne Williams, 91.9 WNRN: I saw them the night after they won the UVA Battle of the Bands. Well-crafted songs, good melodies, and an adoring crowd makes for an excellent concert experience.
James Wilson, Sons of Bill: Their frontman Sam Bush is a great songwriter and a great singer, and as their live show gets more polished I really think that people are gonna take notice of it in this town. His voice reminds me a lot of Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses, but it's much more approachable, and you can just tell he's a great guy even from the stage.
Trees on Fire
Trees on Fire
FILE PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO
Anderson: We've been spinning Organica Volume 1 obscene amounts in our van. The musicianship, the harmonies, the songs, it all adds up to some great, great tunes.
Terry Martin, Outback Lodge: Promising. They're also trying to do the whole poppy, jam band thing, and they do that pretty well.
Chick Tragic and the Roosters
Chick Tragic and the Roosters
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO
Savage: Their lead singer Carleigh Nesbit is going to be a superstar. Her original songs are so well-written they sound like covers that everyone should know. For the All-American girl who upon first glance seems like she'd be more poised for the popular crowd than an Americana-loving, Dylan-and-Richard-Thompson loving songwriter, I believe that in five to 10 years we will look back on Carleigh Nesbit and say, "I remember when..."
Williams: Individually, Carleigh Nesbit and Carl Anderson are great songwriters, but together supporting each others work, singing harmony, with Carleigh on rhythm guitar and Carl on lead, brings out the best in each others work. Carl won the songwriting contest that I judged at Rapunzel's.
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