Sound Choices: Album

Determination, dream pop and uplifting angst

darzo

Single Cell (self-released) Adar Seligman-McComas is darzo. Over the past two years, the band had a name change and Seligman-McComas went solo, yet darzo held on to release its debut record. The eight-track, 30-minute Single Cell packs a powerful punch in a swell of horns and drums that complement Seligman-McComas’ vocals. It’s a mesmerizing whirlpool of jazz and soul, with a dash of disco-pop that’s especially notable on “To Begin,” the closing track.

Recorded at Montrose Recording in Richmond and produced by Grammy-nominated producer DJ Harrison (who also plays keys in RVA-based Butcher Brown), Single Cell weaves a tale of self-discovery and empowerment as told on “Metamorphosis” and the album’s title track. With Seligman-McComas now based on the West Coast, fingers are crossed that Charlottesville gets a homecoming so we can hear these tracks played live (released May 2022).

Stray Fossa

Closer Than We’ll Ever Know, Born Losers Records

Stray Fossa’s new album is like going thrifting and finding a longlost cassette from the ’80s. Is it simply undiscovered, or, better yet, a well-loved and worn relic of the past? Either way, we are lucky to find this talented band in Virginia.

Closer Than We’ll Ever Know is Stray Fossa’s second album— and it’s just as impressive as last year’s debut, With You Forever. Each track blends seamlessly into the next, guiding the record as a soundscape of modern time travel. With brothers Nick and Will Evans and best friend Zach Blount on different continents, Closer was created by collaborating online. “So Still,” the standout gift of a track about an impending breakup, is wrapped in dream pop indie happiness. From across time zones, Stray Fossa has set the bar higher for themselves, and Closer Than We’ll Ever Know is simply spectral (released June 2022).

Yard Sale

Yard Sale (self-released)

Garage band rock has a new rep in town with Yard Sale, a trio labeling itself “Emo from Charlottesville.” Yard Sale’s self-titled debut delivers a raw performance from Jakob Shifflett and brothers Caden and Mac Koslowski over 11 tracks that’ll take you from head bob to head bang. The album invokes smoke-filled garages, giggling, and telling secrets, while simply being present—like a scene from a teen movie in the ’90s. Yard Sale dives into angst on songs like “Broken Boy” and “Jakob’s Song,” and the final track, “Milo and Otis,’’ ends the album in instrumental harmony—a true showstopper that warrants eyes closed losing yourself to the music (released May 2022).—Samantha Federico

Wednesday 6/22

music

Berto and Matt. Brazilian and Latin guitar night. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com Cville Band Summer Concert #2. Performing at the 37th Annual Batteau Festival. Free, 7:30pm. Canal Basin Square, 249 Main St., Scottsville. cvilleband.org King Golden Banshee. Authentic Irish tunes. Free, 5:30pm. The Pub at Lake Monticello, 51 Bunker Blvd., Palmyra. lakemonticellogolf.org The Wavelength. A mid-week music boost. Free, 6:30pm. The Whiskey Jar, 227 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thewhiskeyjarcville.com

dance

Charleston Dance Lesson. SwingCville teaches this three-week lesson series for all levels of experience. Free, 7pm. The Front Porch, 221 E. Water St. frontporchcville.org

classes

Paint & Sip with Catelyn Kelsey Designs.

No experience necessary. $35, 5pm. Pro Re Nata, 6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke., Crozet. catelyn kelseydesigns.com

outside

Archaeology Plantation Walking Tour. Join archaeologists on a walking tour to hidden parts of the plantation and learn how archaeology informs our understanding of the lives of those who lived and worked at Monticello. Included with admission, 1:30pm. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. monticello.org Farmers in the Park. Local farmers with seasonal produce and meats, cut and potted flowers, baked goods, hot meals, value-added products, prepared food, and crafts. Free, 3pm. Farmers in the Park, 300 Meade Ave. charlottesville.gov Wind Down Wednesday. Acoustic music, food trucks, and a stunning Charlottesville sunset. $5, 6pm. Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trl. chilesfamilyorchards.com

etc.

Family Film Series. Featuring perennial favorites alongside modern classics. Free, 11am. Violet Crown Charlottesville, 200 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. violetcrown.com

Radio Relics: A WTJU History Exhibition.

A new micro-museum exhibition tracing WTJU’s storied history of broadcasting, featuring curated photos, artifacts, and tons of T-shirts. Free, 10am. WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net Tour The Paramount Theater. Dig into the historic theater’s history on a backstage tour. Free, 11am and 5:30pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. theparamount.net

Paulien Quartet

JACK LOONEY

Thursday 6/23

music

Beleza Duo. Samba soul. Free, 7pm. The Bebedero, 225 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. thebebedero.com

outside

Archaeology Plantation Walking Tour. See listing for Wednesday, June 22. Included with admission, 1:30pm. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. monticello.org Sunset Market. Explore local vendors’ fresh produce, grab dinner from a food truck, enjoy artisan goods, make art at the outdoor art room, relax with a craft cocktail in The Looking Glass, and more. Free, 4:30pm. Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org Tailgate Thursdays with Cleidsner. Enjoy a laid-back evening in the vineyard with live music, wine, freshly shucked oysters from Oyster Catcher Sea Farms, and BYO lawn games, picnic blankets, and food to grill. Free, 6pm. Stinson Vineyards, 4744 Sugar Hollow Rd. Crozet. stinsonvineyards.com Thursday Evening Sunset Series. Live music, food trucks, Carter Mountain Wine, Bold Rock Hard Cider, and a beautiful view of the sunset. $10, 6pm. Carter Mountain Orchard, 1435 Carters Mountain Trl. chilesfamilyorchards.com

etc.

Arts from Underground. Artmaking, drinks, and karaoke inside The Looking Glass. Free, 7pm. Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE. ixartpark.org

Make Your Own Impact Meet-Up. Discuss how to reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy appetizers. Free, 5pm. Firefly, 1304 E. Market St. theclimatecollaborative.org

Radio Relics: A WTJU History Exhibition.

See listing for Wednesday, June 22. Free, 10am. WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net Trivia and Thai Night. Let the games begin. Free, 6pm. Potters Craft Cider, 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd. potterscraftcider.com

Friday 6/24

music

Chickenhead. Performing blues on the patio. $5, 6pm. The Pub at Lake Monticello, 51 Bunker Blvd., Palmyra. lakemonticellogolf.org

Fridays After Five: Ken Farmer and The Authenticators with Studebaker Huck.

Live music outdoors. Free, 5:30pm. Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main St., Downtown Mall. tingpavilion.com Paulien Quartet. Sip on wine and enjoy live music from local musicians. Free, 6pm. Glass House Winery, 5898 Free Union Rd., Free Union. glasshousewinery.com SummerStage No.4: Chatham Rabbits. Roots music from the husband-and-wife duo. Free, 6pm. The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center, 301 Greenville Ave., Staunton. blackburn-inn.com

The Family Band at Offbeat Roadhouse.

Kathryn Caine and her children put on a special concert. Free, 8pm. The Stage at WTJU, 2244 Ivy Rd. wtju.net The Runawayz. Funky grooves. Free, 9:30pm. Rapture, 303 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. rapturerestaurant.com

stage

Bent Theatre Improv Night. Short improv scenes and games. Pay what you will, 8pm. The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, 209 Monticello Rd. benttheatre.weebly.com

words

Kate Daniels in conversation with Daniel

Becker. Author and poet Kate Daniels discusses her work, Slow Fuse of the Possible, with poet Daniel Becker. Free, 7pm. New Dominion Bookshop, 404 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. ndbookshop.com