Best Richmond Music of 2010

It's no secret that Richmond has plenty of talented musicians and this year some of them made big waves in the music community. Here are some of the biggest acts to come out of Richmond's music scene this year. This is by no means a complete list and are in no particular order.

SAFETY WORD ORANGE
The pop punk of Safety Word Orange made crowds move with fun and excitement at many Canal Club shows this year. Their release "On Your Mark, Get Set" contained some of the most well-produced pop rock heard in a long time. The guys were quick to go back in the studio this year as they recorded another EP and a full length in the works for next year.

JONATHAN VASSAR
Jonathan Vassar is a very busy man. Not only did he release a brand new full length album with his band the Speckled Bird, he also started a new group with fellow musician David Shultz called Ophelia and released an incredible album. He also helped with the resurrection of his old group Homemade Knives for a number of shows, the launching of eco-friendly printing company Triple Stamp Press and his continuing involvement with the Listening Room music series. Hopefully, the man will be able to take a breather in 2011.

PRABIR
Prabir and the Substitutes broke up late last year and by early 2010, Prabir Mehta already had a new group in the works. Joining his friends Matt and Treesa Gold from the Richmond Symphony, he started Prabir/Goldrush, which played a mix of rock and classical music. Not content with only playing in one band, Prabir, along with Treesa, also joined alt-rock group Long Arms and jam rock band Tequila Mockingbird, which made some of the best music heard in Richmond this year.

LONG ARMS
And speaking of Long Arms, this alt-rock group had been playing many hits before Prabir joined, but this year's release of "Long Arms To Hold You" cemented them as some of the best rockers Richmond has to offer. At the last show they played, people were crawling over others just to get a good view.

PHOTOSYNTHESIZERS
This seven-piece group of rockers meet beatboxers seemed to have come out of nowhere and by combining the music elements of electronic, hip hop and soul-school, delivered some of the most memorable songs and live shows of 2010.

NO BS BRASS BAND
The boys in No BS Brass never disappoint and this year was no exception. After numerous sell out shows around Richmond including an incredible performance at the Richmond Folk Festival, they also released their third full length album "No BS!!" to rave reviews.

FUZZY BABY
Described as a two member one man band, Fuzzy Baby brought Richmond a nice blend of upbeat soul and soothing vocals. The many musical talents of members Giustino Riccio and Molly Berg brought a new style of music to listener's ears. Plus, the comedic value of the banter between the two is unmatched.

AGAINST GRACE
The guys in punk rock group Against Grace were quite busy this year. They released their newest EP, "Shout It Out," earlier this year, followed by "Monday," a collaboration single with hip-hop act doethepaperboy. Both releases had huge CD release parties at the National to staggering crowds.

LYDIA OOGHE
This sweet songtress picked up her guitar and sang songs about love being like ice cream and wanting to drink piña coladas and not be bothered. She released her album, "Love That Glow," with her band Lux Vacancy and her soothing voice makes every single song she sang enjoyable.

FIGHT THE BIG BULL
Richmond loves jazz group Fight the Big Bull and now the rest of the country is finding out why. NPR named their latest album, "All is Gladness in the Kingdom" one of its Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2010 and "I Mean to Live Here Still," their collaboration with David Karsten Daniels is getting rave reviews all over the country. There is nothing from stopping these guys from making great music.

There are so many more names out there and I expect to see them and hopefully some new faces in the New Year. Let's see what 2011 brings to my ears.