People are always wondering what’s going to be the next big thing, the next trend. It’s a constant question in the fashion, food and music industries. There always has to be something new, bigger and better than last-year’s model.
Now, take that notion and flip it around. How about finding something that’s been done and is all but gone and then breathing new life into it. The Revival Tour, featuring Chuck Ragan and Richmond’s own Tim Barry, is looking to do just that -- to revive, the world of good, hard folk music.
The Revival Tour is coming to the Canal Club tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 24, and besides Ragan and Barry, the line-up includes Ben Nichols of Lucero and special guest Austin Lucas.
“The whole thing’s kind of like a big family reunion,” Ragan said in a phone interview with Richmond.com. The idea behind the tour is for all of these former punk and hardcore heavyweights to get back to their stripped down roots.
Ragan is the former frontman for the group Hot Water Music, but he's now fully embraced the realm of folk music and says that not much has changed.
“It really wasn’t a huge stretch for me, in terms of writing,” Ragan said. “It’s definitely different sounds in the playing and what not, but in terms of writing music it was a lot the same. The majority of the early Hot Water stuff was written all on acoustic.”
Ragan noted the major difference between playing in a full band and being by himself is a bit of stage fright.
“The biggest part about it to me, the difference, is standing up in front of people by yourself. When it’s just your voice and a wooden box there’s not a whole lot to hide behind,” Ragan said. “But then again, that’s a huge reason why I’m drawn to it.”
If you’re planning on going to the show, you’ll want to get there early. There’s no plan for solid set times; instead, the show is going to mostly be one big collaboration between everyone on the bill. Ragan and Lucas plan on performing tracks from their collaborative album "Bristle Ridge," which was recorded at, and named for, Lucas’ family home.
Ragan has a new album out, "Feast or Famine," on SideOneDummy records, so make sure to pick that up at the show (or before if you want to sing along) and Tim Barry will be releasing a new album, "Manchester," on November 4 (don’t forget to vote).
The Revival Tour w/ Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, Ben Nichols and Austin Lucas is at the Canal Club. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m.