Expatriate: Derek Shelton and the Richmond Music Scene

I truly enjoyed my time in Blacksburg. The DIY music scene, the unique downtown, the splendor of nature, and the people I met in and around bands were hard things to let go of. But alas, I felt my time was up, and new adventures were lurking not too far away. Hi. My name is Derek Shelton. You might remember me from such bands as The Trashbag Ponchos, Blacksburg’s former crew of punk/pop-punk jokesters. Last August I packed up my bags, transferred colleges, and moved my life to our capital city, Richmond, VA.

Upon arrival in RVA I noticed many scene similarities as I wondered to more and more shows. For one, Richmond is also a great underground punk and indie town. The uniqueness and DIY spirit of Blackburg’s scene is remnant at almost every show I go to. Donations are filling the gas tanks and you better have that split on 7inch. Bands are happy for whatever amount of money you can give them and are thankful just for the opportunity to play. This mentality and overall inviting feeling is part of the glue that sticks this scene together. Scene politics seem to be the last thing most of the bands think about.

One of the most unique aspects about the Richmond scene is the diversity and number of venues. Within a five minute bike ride of my house I know of over six places that encourage and house underground punk, metal, indie, and folk music. Our choice of venues ranges from houses, to a clothes store, to the basement of a sushi restaurant. The possibilities of seeing, playing, and setting up shows are endless. Most of these businesses shut down at night and allow us to set up and promote our own shows, similar to good old fashioned house shows in Blacksburg. The community involvement of shops, restaurants, and stores in Richmond is far superior than in Blacksburg. The scene in Blacksburg could greatly improve if businesses (not to mention Virginia Tech) would work with musicians, instead of against them. I know this is a problem that has plagued Blacksburg for years, and doesn’t offer an easy solution.

A major part of my life involves going to as many shows as I can every week. One of the best parts about living in Richmond is the fact that I can go out and see a good show practically every night of the week. Touring bands both small and large are constantly making stops in Richmond. DIY venues seem to be happy to house as many touring bands as they can manage. I do feel like the scene here is friendlier to touring bands, but with Blacksburg’s lack of venues, I can understand keeping things small. It is refreshing to see great bands I have never heard of weekly.

Just like many former Blacksburg residents I made the migration to the capital city in search of bigger and better things. In the short time that I have been here I have found a thriving music scene that promises not to stop. I will always look back at my time in Blacksburg nostalgically as when I figured out what being in a band was all about.

-Derek Shelton