Atlas Sound, Woods, Diamond Center, Hamaganza, Jason Mraz, Susan Greenbaum,

If you are going to go out and see some music, this is the weekend to do it because after this weekend, things appear to dry up for at least the next month.  All our little rock n' roll friends go home to their families, wish for new guitars from Santa, play New Year's Eve shows everywhere but Richmond, and then settle in for a long winter's nap, emerging from hibernation sometime in the spring to play a few gigs to get their shit together before they play all the summer festivals.

We begin on Thursday night at The National with Atlas Sound, the solo project for Deerhunter front man, Bradford Cox.  Tix are just $15, doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 with openers Frank Broyles and then, Carnivores.  You'll probably dig Atlas Sound if you like spacey, experimental rock like Sigur Ros, Velvet Underground, Bjork, Brian Eno, Leonard Cohen, and Suicide.  Here's Atlas Sound with "Quick Canal":

On Friday night, the big show (and you know it's a big show because I'll be going, said the humble narrator) is Woods, MMoss, and The Diamond Center at Strange Matter.  It's $10 to get in, doors open at 9:30, show starts at 10 with The Diamond Center and make sure you get there in time to see them.  Woods has a good critical buzz and is low-fi indie folk-pop. Think Grateful Dead, Kinks, Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst). I would classify Mmoss & Diamond Center as heavier, psychedelic garage rock. Think electrified folk, early Dead, Airplane and Pink Floyd; Velvet Underground; Neko Case; Nick Cave; Sonic Youth.  Here's Woods, "To Clean":


and here's The Diamond Center, "20 Twin":



If you are in a giving mood on Friday, No BS! Brass Band will be having their 3rd Annual Food & Coat Drive at The Camel.  Bring 2 canned food items for a $2 discount on the cover charge which is $7.  Show starts at 9 PM.  Here's the band playing "I Ain't Even Gonna Call Ya" in Birmingham AL in 2010:

Also, Friday night the annual Hamaganza begins.  You'll find Hamaganza at Balliceaux for the Opening Night Show on Friday night (starts at 9 PM) and then the Main Event show will be at Capital Ale House downtown on Saturday (starts at 9 PM).  As always, the festivities are led by the Richmond's favorite large transvestite, Dirtwoman.  If you've never been to one of these, expect the unexpected.  You may see rock bands, jugglers, whistlers, city council members,  you just never know.  It's free admission if you bring a ham or you can give a suggested donation of $10 at the door.  Money and ham all go to the Central VA Food Bank.

Monday night, hometown boy Jason Mraz will perform a special acoustic show at the Carpenter Theater to benefit SPARC, the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, which I believe he was a member of when he was young.  Tickets run $35, $100 (VIP), and $150 (Gold Circle).  A little pricey but this is a benefit so the money is going to a good place.  Jason and Toca Rivera (who will perform with him on Monday) have been travelling the world, performing and filming the journey.  Here's a little glimpse of their visit to Manila, Phillipines where they helped out a charity that fights human exploitation and  human trafficking.  Keep up the good works, Jason!



Finally, Susan Greenbaum will be doing an acoustic show at Ashland Coffee & Tea on Wednesday night.  The Ashland Coffee & Tea site is not working as I write this so check it later or check Susan's Facebook page laer to see the time and cover charge.  I would guess 7 PM for the start and if that's too early, well, then have an extra coffee or tea while you wait.  Cover charge, I'll go $10 or less.  Don't hold me to that though.  Here's Susan at the Carpenter Center in November of this year:



I'm outta here.  See you at the Woods, MMoss, Diamond Center show on Friday night.  Let me know if you are going.

Tony Jordan