Each week, Arts & Entertainment staff members compile a list of their current favorite tracks hoping to help readers find their new go-to jam. Look out for occasional themed playlists and solid tracks from a wide range of genres every week. This week centers on Charlottesville.
1. “Sonsick” by San Fermin
San Fermin visited The Southern this semester, and their lead single "Sonsick" is a deliciously infectious, choral-like fanfare. Listening to "Sonsick" creates a feeling of euphoria that stays with you with for weeks afterward.
—Camilla Siazon
2. “All Your Favorite Bands” by Dawes
Charlottesville gets a shoutout in one of the standout singles off Dawes' latest record: "...friends around the country / From Charlottesville to good ol' Santa Fe." You can also hear this bitter breakup song live at the Jefferson Dec. 8.
—Henry Harris
3. “Lie in Our Graves” by Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, who got their start in Charlottesville, released this song on their 1996 album "Crash." Despite the morbid title, “Lie in Our Graves" is an upbeat, catchy song that will motivate you to seize the day.
—Ellen Adams
4. “<3 (Heart)” by Cherub
Cherub has been a annual favorite at The Jefferson for the past two years, and the pop/electronic sounds of the duo is held at bay for this beautifully crafted, and uncharacteristically raw song. Quite different from their smash hit, "Doses and Mimosas", "<3 (Heart)" is far more subtle, and showcases Jordan Kelley's amazing voice.
—Vondrae McCoy
5. “Best I’ve Ever Been” by Erin and The Wildfire
Erin Lunsford's raspy yet precise vocals are strikingly powerful. This song showcases her talents. They are a pleasure to see live, and their performances full of soul and depth with unexpected song choices each time.
—Elizabeth McCauley
6. “Find My Way Back Home” by Sons of Bill
"Bill" was a theology and literature professor at the University. His three sons make up the core of this Charlottesville-based, folk-rock ensemble. At their best, listening to Sons of Bill is like being curled up in a warm blanket, looking out a rainy window. Their music can be melancholy while simultaneously being comforting, stirring but reassuring.
—Ben Hitchcock
7. “The Weight of Lies” by The Avett Brothers
There's an underlying sincerity behind all of The Avett Brothers' music that keeps it from becoming saccharine. When they hand out advice in their lyrics, it's akin to a grandfather sitting in his rocking chair, musing over his past experiences and consistently churning out meaningful adages for the youth. For anyone who missed their recent performance in Charlottesville, "The Weight of Lies" and all of the album “Emotionalism” is a perfect place to get your feet wet in their earlier brand of simplistic folk music. An acoustic guitar, a banjo, an upright bass and a carefully measured dose of southern charm rarely mean as much as what their early material had to offer.
—Michael Crawford
8. “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel
Last Spring, Neutral Milk Hotel visited Charlottesville as part of what may be their last tour. The title track of their magnum opus, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” is a simple, yet powerful song. The acoustic chord progression and Jeff Mangum’s vocals may not be immediately striking, but everything coalesces into a beautiful and melancholic tune that captures the haunted themes of the Anne Frank-centric album.
—Christian Hecht
Listen to the full playlist below or on the Arts & Entertainment section’s Spotify page at CavalierDailyAE. Tune in next Friday for our next installment.
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