Spotlight: 2015 Rockn’ to Lockn’ Winners
Ever since the inaugural Lockn’ Festival in 2013, the organizers made a point of acknowledging and featuring the festival’s home state of Virginia. Everything from food and craft vendors to local sponsors and businesses to the Virginia Green initiative pays homage to the commonwealth and the beautiful countryside surrounding Oak Ridge Farm. In 2014, the Rockn’ to Lockn’ competition was introduced, affording the opportunity for one local Virginia band to play on the big stage. The format consisted of four regional competitions, followed by a playoff between the four regional winners. That resulted in People’s Blues of Richmond getting the opportunity to strut their stuff at this megafestival. The response was overwhelming, and the turnout at the regional competitions was tremendous, so this year the organizers expanded the program (produced by Flat Five Productions) and made time in the schedule to accommodate all four regional winners. These bands, and their ardent fan base, will flock to Arrington, VA in less than a month to show fans from across the country just how broad and diverse the music scene is here in Virginia.
The four winners, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot, representing the Tidewater region, Moogatu, from northern Virginia, The Southern Belles RVA, from the capitol city of Richmond, and Lord Nelson, representing the rural west around the Shenandoah Valley, will wow the crowds with their unique styles and the passion that comes from having the opportunity of a lifetime. Let’s get everyone more familiar with what they’ll see and hear from these bands.
One of the most popular bands in the Tidewater region, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot blend southern rock, blues, soul and a dash of country to produce a sound that spawns multitudes of air guitarists and people dancing like nobody’s watching. Frontman Seth Stainback carries the vocal duties with a passionate, soulful timbre that perfectly complements his evocative lyrics. He splits guitar duties with Larry Berwald, whose lead and slide skills add more fire to the sound. The rhythm section of Jason Bruner on drums and Steven Yewcic on bass hold it all together, and the recent addition of multi-instrumentalist Stephan Lazar (keyboards, guitar, bass, saxophone, flute and who knows what else) has expanded the band’s range of sound and tone. They’d need a wheelbarrow to carry all the Veer Magazine local music awards they’ve won over the last two years. Their 2014 release, Fire and Steel, is selling well, and they just recently completed their second consecutive, two-set bill at FloydFest.
Moogatu began honing their unique form of heavy prog rock in 2010 in the northern Virginia suburbs just south of the nation’s capitol. The dual lead guitar interplay between Chris Lee and Brian Raubacher is amazingly tight. They seamlessly shift gears from melodic harmonies to mind-bending shredding to call-and-response jousting, painting sonic images that resonate with an ever-increasing fan base. Evan Lintz is an incredibly talented and expressive drummer, and his rhythm mate on bass, Brian Zupruk, is equally impressive. These road warriors are becoming ever more popular on the festival circuit and the club scene. And if they happen to be playing with saxophonist and D.C. legend Ron Holloway, it’s a show not to be missed. The band’s festival schedule this year includes Mad Tea Party Jam, Doah Fest, and Camp Barefoot, just to name a few. Their 2014 release Meat is very popular on both Spotify and SoundCloud.
Richmond’s favorite sons, The Southern Belles RVA, have been wowing audiences throughout the Mid-Atlantic since 2011. Blending rock, funk, and country with a dash of jazz sensibilities, their live performances take the listener on a sonic roller coaster ride. There’s something for everyone to like in their unique sound. Adrian Ciucci is an accomplished and versatile guitarist, and Tommy Booker’s keyboard work adds texture to the band’s sound. Raphael Katchinoff keeps a solid pocket on drums, whipping out solos and accent pieces at just the right time, while Andrew Carper holds down the bottom end with skill and finesse. And they all sing, wonderfully! Their first album, Sharp As a Knife, was released in 2013, and their latest title, Close to Sunrise, just came out in July of this year. If you’ve been to Mad Tea Party Jam, FloydFest, Hop Jam, Mantrabash or any number of other east coast festivals, you know what we’re talking about. If not, make it a point to catch them at Lockn’.
Rural rock from the Blue Ridge. That’s the genre Lord Nelson touts on their website and Facebook page. Guitars? Check. Bass? Check. Trombone playing lead? Now that will get your attention! Formed in 2012, the band started with Kai Crowe-Getty on guitar and his brother Bram Crowe-Getty on drums. Add Henry Jones on trombone (yes, that LEAD trombone), Trevor Pietsch on bass and Robert Word on lead guitar, and you’ve got an earthy rock band firmly rooted in the Blue Ridge foothills where they grew up. Kai and Henry handle the bulk of the vocal duties, but they have been known to show up with a couple of backup vocalists who add some soulful spice to their sound. Their track “Hard Livin'” might remind you of Drive-By Truckers (at least until the trombone kicks in), but make no mistake: these boys aren’t trying to be anyone other than themselves. Their first album is in the can, with a planned release in September. Perhaps in time for Lockn’?
So, there you have it. Four bands that represent some of the Commonwealth’s finest musical talent. Make sure you take the opportunity to come out and support these local musicians as they step onto the biggest stage of their careers. If you’d like to get a head start, check out our SoundCloud playlist!