PODCAST:

Americana bluegrass and hip hop group Gangstagrass is coming to Charlottesville Thursday the 26th for a 5pm concert at WTJU.

TRANSCRIPT:

Ben Larsen:

You’re listening to wtju Charlottesville, Americana bluegrass and hip hop group Gangstagrass is coming to Charlottesville Thursday the 26th for a 5pm concert at WTJU. For Arts This Week we spoke with the band.

R-Son:

I’m R-Son The Voice of Reason. I do rap things.

Rench:

I’m Rench. I do singing and guitars and beats.

Dolio:

I’m Dolio The Sleuth. I also do rap things and some singing things and such.

Joe Cleary:

My name is Joe Cleary, and I’m the fiddler and sing some high harmonies.

Ricky Mier:

My name is Ricky Mier. I play banjo.

Ben Larsen:

So what brings you to Charlottesville and WTJU for this Thursday’s show?

R-Son: Magic!

Joe Cleary:

That’s kind of a legendary radio station, right in central Virginia? I’m from Chesterfield County originally, so that we know it’s a good one.

Rench:

We actually started in California, and then flew out to North Carolina, where we’re doing a couple things, and then coming up north.

Ben Larsen:

And this isn’t the first time you all have performed at the stage. During that first show, what was your impression of the station and how did that concert happen?

R-Son:

That was dope the last time. It was a good time. How do we hook that up?

Rench:

I have no idea.

R-Son:

I wasn’t part of that. It was another tour that we were on. It was a good space to sort of get in, rock out, introduce ourselves to some folks and have a good time doing radio.

Ben Larsen:

You all have a DC show the following day. Anything you can tell us about that?

Rench:

Come on up to DC. We’re at the Pearl Street Warehouse. Friday evening, an early show. It’s going to be doors at five. We play at six.

Ben Larsen:

For those lucky enough to make either of those concerts in person. What sort of experience are they in for?

Rench:

Oh, man. I mean, it’s gonna it’s gonna exceed expectations, because nobody’s able to actually imagine what we do on stage. Because if you haven’t seen how bluegrass players and hip hop MCs can interact on stage, you’re not going to be ready for this. This time, we’ll try to not leak as many highly classified state secrets while we’re on air.

R-Son:

Not as many.

Ben Larsen:

The concert will take place at WTJU’s stage Thursday at 5pm. More information can be found at wtju.net. Arts This Week is supported by the UVA Arts Council and Piedmont Virginia Community College. PVCC Arts presents a rich array of dance music, theater and visual arts programming. Learn more at pvcc.edu for WTJU this is Ben Larsen.