Coming Up at CMA--Adia Victoria and More than Rhythm: A Black Musical Experience

It’s nice when successful artists come home. Sure, there are sometimes sour grapes in the back (what some like to call the anti-Hooties), but for the most part South Carolinians welcome their success stories back with pride and grace. That will be easy to do on Friday, August 26th when Columbia Museum of Art welcomes Adia Victoria to their Conversation and Concert titled More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series Featuring Adia Victoria.

Singer-songwriter and poet, Adia Victoria, was born in Spartanburg, SC and lived in the upstate until she left high school and moved from New York City to Atlanta and finally to Nashville where she resides today. She released her first album, Beyond the Bloodhounds, a reference to Harriet Jacob’s autobiography, Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl, in 2016, followed by Silences in 2019 and A Southern Gothic in 2021, which was written mostly in Paris.

Having toured internationally for the past few years and performing some gigs in the US with Jason Isbell and the 400 unit, Victoria is performing in Columbia as part of a multidisciplinary event that will include song, poetry, dance, and discourse. Dr. Mason Hickman, musician and civil engineer with a uniquely math and science approach to his guitar work, will be performing with Victoria and Dr. Birgitta Johnson, professor and ethnomusicologist at the University of SC will be performing host duties.

According to the CMA, the “More Than Rhythm series returns for its second season with a special performance from South Carolina native and globally recognized blues musician Adia Victoria. On break from her world tour, Victoria joins host and ethnomusicologist Dr. Birgitta Johnson to discuss her journey as an eclectic 21st-century blues artist before taking the stage with guitarist Mason Hickman. Their performance includes original poetry paired with dance interpretations by Columbia-based dancer Erin Bailey.”

The CMA galleries and bar will open at 6 pm with a Conversation at 7 pm, followed by an 8 pm concert. The event is free, but seats must be reserved by contacting the museum.

Superchunk Headlines Columbia’s Jam Room Music Festival

October 11 festival brings 12 bands to Main and Hampton

From amped-up, power pop and gospel to banjo metal and dirty guitar, the third annual Jam Room Music Festival is bringing 12 bands, two stages and an all-around street party to downtown Columbia on October 11.

The festival at Main and Hampton streets in Downtown Columbia, kicks off at noon on October 11. In addition to a diverse musical lineup, the festival features various food vendors, craft beer and a children’s area on Boyd Plaza in front of the Columbia Museum of Art.

The eclectic musical lineup is headlined by Superchunk. Since releasing their first 7-inch in 1989, the  Chapel Hill-based quartet Superchunk has run the gamut of milestone albums: early punk rock stompers, polished mid-career masterpieces, and lush, adventurous curveballs. After 10 albums, Pitchfork says, “Superchunk’s best songs have always been the spastic ones…[frontman Mac] McCaughan’s nasal yowl can’t help being anthemic.”

Other bands joining the lineup include:

•   Southern Culture on the Skids, best described by The Echo: “Long the bards of downward mobility, Southern Culture on the Skids have always embodied a sleazy, raucous, good-natured, good-time take on the culture of the South.” •  The Love Language, a small army of collaborators led by Stuart McLamb making music that is gorgeous and unashamedly fun. •  Rookie says, “Listening to Adia Victoria’s haunting Southern Gothic tales is like being dropped right into a Tennessee Williams play, but one that’s been updated for right now. “ While currently based in Nashville, Victoria is a native of Spartanburg, SC. •  Keath Mead, a local singer-songwriter of “pop slightly off kilter with a side of fuzzy and buzzy.” [Chunky Glasses] •  Shehehe, purveyors of  “new American jet rock” that Flagpole says inhabits “…the camp first established by The Ramones, The Stooges and The Runaways.” •  E.T. Anderson, a local singer-songwriter readying his first release. Other previously announced bands include: •  Nashville-based band, Leagues. Named in the 10 best acts of SXSW in 2013 by Paste Magazine, Leagues displays a penchant for memorable, anthemic lyrics and a mix of dirty guitar tones with catchy, indie-pop harmonies. •  The Defibulators will join the lineup showing off their eclectic mix of musical styles that push the boundaries of country music. •  The Whisky Gentry’s latest album Holly Grove, infuses elements of country, bluegrass, folk, rock, and punk with a mix of poppy and poignant lyrics, fiery vocals, honesty, edginess, and entertainment. •  Megan Jean and the KFB will bring their brand of washboard and banjo metal from 1927. •  The Reverend Matthew Mickens and the New Highway Travelers, a local high energy gospel group, will open the show.