Høly River
Høly River is founded by multi-instrumentalists Laney Sullivan and Jameson Price. Fusing together the pulse of drone pop, worldly instrumentation, this experimental music would best be described as a landscape, as a biome all its own. This musical phenomenon has come to be known as, Earth folk, a type of music inspired thematically by the natural environment: flora, fauna, soil, stars, and the human experience. From harmonium engulfed melodies to mouth-harp stomp grass, Høly River taps into an embodied celebration of internal and external worlds, attempting to bring them closer together with each beat. On record or in-person, a listener is entranced in the soaring vocal ballads and bathed in the moonlight of these dance beats and folk-inspired roots. The music of Høly River carries the message of humanity’s need for reconnection with the earth. Mystically political and wholeheartedly grassroots, this DIY band finds themselves playing on large festival stages as well as backyard fire pits of intentional communities around the world.
Los Hermanos Alacranes
Where have I heard that song before? If you answered a Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez movie, then you know the music of Shockoe Records recording artists, Los Hermanos Alacranes. the newest band in Richmond, Virginia featuring Paulo Franco on guitar and vocals, Paul Pearce on lead guitar and vocals, Rob Lytle on drums and vocals and the newest member of the band, Turtle Zwadlo on bass. Turtle joins the band and reunites with Paulo from their days together in Paulo's first band showcasing his original music, The Rateros. Together, these musicians have decades of experience playing in venues throughout Virginia and the United States.
Los Hermanos Alacranes features Paulo's original songs in English and Spanish. Paulo is a first generation American whose parents were raised in Medellín, Colombia. The band also includes covers in its repertoire by artists like The Mavericks, Los Lobos, Chingon, Cruzados, Tito and Tarantula, Alejandro Escovedo and more!! The songs are up tempo and designed to get you grooving!! You'll hear these songs with an authentic voice (Paulo speaks and sings fluent Spanish), filled with the passion and energy that they convey musically and story wise. In fact, the band takes its name from the song Alacrán y Pistolero, one of the tracks on Chingon's 2010 eponymous release. Alacrán is the Spanish word for Scorpion! You'll be transported to towns in Mexico, wind swept evenings in Havana, the mountains of Medellín and the deserts of Texas and the American Southwest. Stories of love both actual and unrequited, tragedy and adventure - in English and in Spanish. Are you ready to get stung? Because Los Alacranes de R.V.A. are ready to rock!! LLENO DE VENENO!!
REIN
From electrifying riffs to catchy top lines, REIN is reinventing what a modern guitar hero looks like. Named one of Richmond's top 5 guitarists, he has spent years touring consistently with a cover band, completing hundreds of sets playing the world's favorite songs. This wealth of experience influences his dynamic songwriting and guitar playing, creating a fresh yet classic take on contemporary music.
Already making waves in the industry, REIN has worked with pop creative director Aidan Cullen (Omar Apollo, Dominick Fike) and has been invited to play alongside rock legends like Rikki Rockett (Poison), Richard Fortus (Guns n' Roses), and at the legendary Whisky A-Go-Go in Hollywood. His music reflects the fusion of Pop and Rock sensibilities, further attesting to his rising status as a young guitar hero.
W. Weldon Hill
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Virginia Union University (Richmond) and Master of Music and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC). He completed post-graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in jazz studies and served as Pep Band Director. He was selected as one of 33 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellows in 1986; was awarded 1994 Plan for Social Excellence Post-Doctoral Fellowship to complete the Harvard University Management Development Program; and was selected as one of the 29 American Council on Education Fellows (class of 2000-01). Dr. Hill began his academic career as an adjunct faculty member in VUU Department of Music in 1984, eventually serving the institution as Department Head, Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Chief Operating Officer. He later served Virginia State University (VSU) as Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education and, later as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
A musicologist and pianist, Dr. Hill is active as a performer, composer, and writer, he has shared the stage with artists such as Jon Faddis, Joe Williams, Carmen Bradford, Byron Stripling, Steve Wilson, Marleana Shaw, Benny Carter, Donald Harrison, Earnie Andrews, Andrew White, Herb Jeffries, and, Kristin Chenoweth, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Jimmy Heath, among others. He is most recently active with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO), VSO Jazz Orchestra, the US Air Force Heritage of America Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble, Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood, the Jae Sinnett Trio, and his own East-West Trio/Quartet. He currently serves on the Economic Development Task Force, organized under the aegis of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and on the Boards of Directors of Shockoe Records, Coming Together Virginia, and CultureWorks [sic].
Ant The Symbol
Ant The Symbol is a Richmond, Va.-based music producer. He skillfully uses his roots in hip-hop and eclectic musical tastes to create musical experiences that transcend genre boundaries. In his 17-year career, Ant has worked with many artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, DJ Harrison, and Nickelus F. He has also released many albums and scored two short films. His modus operandi is to curate artistic projects that will excite and affect everyone they reach for decades to come.
Ms Jaylin Brown
“All the sweetness of Spring. An aficionado of affectionate sounds; Ms. Jaylin Brown will have you set you adrift on memory bliss.”
A singer songwriter & musician hailing Richmond, Va, Ms. Jaylin Brown aims to capture your heart with songs of love. The influence of neo-soul and jazz in combination with her classical training, allows her to carry you atop her melodies with ease. Find her online at msjaylinbrown.com and stream her newest EP, Take it Easy, on all platforms today.
