Thank You and Good Night!

Come swing by and see me DJ with Cherry Bomb one last time while supporting a great event that helps to raise funds for both the MS Society and Hospice of VA. This isn't the end of our all girl DJ collective my any means, it just means I will be a less active member.

VIVA CHERRY BOMB!

xoxo
Tracy AKA Lightning's Girl

ROCKtober

Cherry Bomb will be at Cous Cous on Friday 10/22/10. free. 10:30 pm.

Let us know if you see any of our helpers around town.

Records, Art & You

Do you like records? Do you like art? Are you in Richmond, Virginia?
May I suggest heading over to the Anderson Gallery on VCU's academic campus.
South African / Richmond artist Siemon Allen has some stellar projects up there. One series is basically a telling of modern South African cultural history using Miriam Makeba records. There are some large scale pieces using other artist's records.

Saturday!

If you're in Richmond this weekend, lucky you! Tomorrow night there are two events that include members of Cherry Bomb:


Shake & Shout at Sprout!
9:30 PM
Featuring DJs Sara from Cherry Bomb, Greg Darden & Mallory Hansen
An evening filled with a special variety of '60s-laced garage/beat/psych/pop/international/rock 'n roll
plus half-priced drinks and appetizers for the ladies!
* * *
Then over at Cous Cous (just a quick walk away), it's the Four-Year Anniversary Party!

Tracy (Lightning's Girl) from Cherry Bomb will be DJing along with Spaceboy, Carlito, and Lord Thomas - sure to be an awesome mix of great sounds! Head over to celebrate four years of existence for the spot Cherry Bomb has been lucky enough to hold as our hometurf for dance nights, and where we cut our teeth as a group!

It's gonna be a great night all around!

8 Tracks mix: get in the civic

twelve tracks.
one dance party.
this is what i'm singing along to in the car.
all these tracks make me squee non-stop.

Looking for something to do this Saturday night?
Stop on by the New York Deli to catch a set with Sara before next Saturday's Cherry Bomb (more on this to follow)!

Paolo Nutini is from Paisley.

Paisley is in the west of Scotland, near Glasgow. This tune (and by tune, I mean choooon!) is sunny goodness, worthy of Jamaica. I like contemporary music that is highly derivative of earlier styles - I see it as relevant in a way the original cannot be. I like the originals too, but the contemporary lyrics usually have a perspective relating to our post modern lives. (I mean, we do live in the future.) Also, with the ability to choose different, appropriate production styles; it seems artists now have more control of production values. The actual sound of the song can be a reference point.

Girls At Our Best

A band I could kick myself for not knowing about sooner!

Sara's Pick of the Week

We haven't done one of these in awhile, so I figured it's time...
Happy Thursday from Sara, with Annie Philippe!

I LOVE this lady of yé-yé: Annie became a DJ herself when she was just 17 at Parisian club Twenty One before releasing four EPs on the Riviera label (later moving to Philips) in the mid-1960s.
So cool!

The two songs here include a CB favorite, On m'a toujours dit, with its catchy fuzz-laden riffs and handclaps, and the pop anthem C'est la mode.














(these and more amazing shots found here)

THANK YOU

A little over a year ago I shot out a desperate request on Facebook asking if any girl in Richmond wanted to learn how to DJ for free because while there are other girl DJs in Richmond, there weren't many. I won’t lie, it wasn’t an attempt to better the world we live in; it was a selfish request. My hope was that maybe one girl would answer my call and that maybe, just maybe, she would like DJing records enough to share a night with me somewhere. It isn’t that I mind DJing with guys but my thinking at the time was it would be really great to have at least one girl in the mix since the RVA DJ community is so male dominant.

Much to my amazement 5 women replied to my offer and shortly there after we met at my apartment where I offered a brief lesson in how to DJ vinyl. I think most people would be shocked at how easy it really is from a technical standpoint and truly the hardest part is having enough record to put together a quality set and having a fine tuned ear to know what a good set actually sounds like no less how to handle changing your set on the fly if your crowd isn’t loving the music you have selected. Anyhow, I think we maybe met one other time and incredibly, all the girls were naturals. Like any good story, this one has a touch of dumb luck. My boyfriend asked if I thought these talented ladies would be interested in DJing his birthday party at Cous Cous. Remarkably all 5 of them said yes.

That was really it. Cherry Bomb was born. We wanted a fun name that was both feminine as well as tough and Cherry Bomb was a perfect fit. We have the Runaways to thank for that or I guess Kim Fowley too but he gives me the creeps and I hate giving him credit for much of anything. There were never any Cherry Bomb tryouts. It was all a happy accident with an even happier result. The 5 girls who responded to my cry for help became the permanent CB line up and the only change that has occurred along the way was that one of us moved to DC back in the Winter so we have been down to just 5 of us since.

I knew these ladies had great taste in music and were on their way to becoming solid DJs but what I didn’t expect was how multi-talented everyone is. Yes, we DJ records but in order to pull off successful dance nights, you need a team of people who can work well together, who are creative, and who can follow through in an organized manner to promote your events. Each of us offers and brings to the table a different skill set so together we really do have a super group who can create our gorgeous fliers as well as work as a team to promote our events through as many channels as possible.

Over the past year we have DJed nearly every month somewhere in town, sometimes twice a month and last December we challenged ourselves with a new project. We wanted to find a way to work more closely with the community by pooling the talents of those around us while also raising money to give back to the community who have supported us. RVyAy is a rock and shop where local vendors can sell records, vintage wares, and art / crafts while Cherry Bomb DJs play music or bands perform. All of the money raised from the renting out the table space and small suggested donation at the door goes to different charities each time while at the same time a gifted group of vendors sell their goods! Each time we put together one of these events we learn a little more, improving along the way, and are endlessly reminded of how fantastic and talented our community is. It is our hope to continue with RVyAy twice a year and plan on our next one to take place early this December.

So here we are, a year later, celebrating it in style at Cous Cous this Saturday. Per the norm, it is free and just this one time only, there will be a poster given away to the first people through the door as well as some yummy treats to be eaten. (all FREE!) I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are still learning and improving all the time so we also thank you for your patience with us along the way. Incredibly over the past 12 months the 5 active members of Cherry Bomb also now each own their own set of turntables and a mixer which means we are also self reliant DJs now who have the capability and confidence to do events independently as well. We will also be welcoming a new member to the CB family shortly and there will be lots more on that subject to come!

That being said, there is a lot to celebrate about Cherry Bomb and I am really looking forward to tomorrow night. It means a lot to me on so many levels; not only as a salute to dumb luck, but to the inspiring friendships that have grown out of Cherry Bomb, the proof that a little hard work does pay off, and last but not least, a chance to play some of my favorite records for those who have showed us love from day one. Seriously, thank you. 

And thank you ladies of CB for being the highlight of my 10 plus years of spinning records.

We have a lot to celebrate, JOIN US! Saturday, June 19^th, 10PM, Cous Cous, FREE, 21+

XOXO,
Lightning's Girl

Cherry Bomb's One Year Anniversary

We have officially been DJing together for a year, so come out and celebrate with us!!!
We'll be giving out poster editions of this flyer (collaboratively drawn and designed by us!) to the first 30 people along with some other surprises, so make sure to come early and stay late!!

SATURDAY 6/19, 10:30pm
COUS COUS
FREE

Gay RVA 1 Year Anniversary Bash!

Come help us celebrate Gay RVA's 1st birthday next Thursday, June 10 at the New York Deli!

We will be spinning all night from 9:30 pm to close.

The event is also a benefit for the Fan Free Clinic, and they will be accepting $5 donations at the door.

Can't wait to see you there!

For more information: GayRVA

Check out some of the buzz on RVyAy!

here,


here,


and

here!


Come on out both Friday night and Saturday and see for yourself!!!

More Details for RVyAy!

Cherry Bomb presents a rock and shop charity event to benefit Books on Wheels and Gallery 5.

Friday, May 28th from 7PM - 11PM
At a mere cost of $8 dollars you get:

* Free food by Ellwood Thompson's and Cous Cous as well as drinks (while it lasts)
* First dibs on all the amazing goods our vendors are selling records: vintage goods, crafts, and art (list of vendors below)
* Spectacular Entertainment by: Gull w/ No BS Brass Band (7:30 to 8:15), Go Go Funk Yourself - fantastical retro go-go dancing (8:30 to 8:45), Ophelia (David Shultz + Jonathan Vassar) (9:00 - 9:45), Bon Bon Burlesque (10:00-10:30)
* Music in between sets DJ'ed by Cherry Bomb
* That good feeling you get when you support your community

Saturday, May 29th from 12PM to 6PM
For a tiny suggested donation of $2 you get:

* Access to two floors of regional vendors selling everything from art + crafts to records, vintage goods, clothes, jewelry, art.....and so much more!
* Music DJ'ed on both floors by Cherry Bomb
* Lamplighter Roasting Co. will be selling coffee and snacks out front until 3PM
* Inside not only will the BAR be open but we will be selling pizza by the slice!
* By attending not only are you giving to two great causes but you are also supporting your local creative community.

The Vendors:

Curiosity Handmades (homewares)
Sprouthead (paper goods and art)
Itty Bitty Press (paper goods)
Christine Lucas (magnets, jewelry)
Jimmy Blackford (records)
The Eggplant Garden (jewelry, accessories)
Pop Idiot (T-shirts)
DANG! That's Hot (hot sauce)
Imp Possible Creations (crafts made out of record covers)
House of Lukaya (clothing, jewelry)
Haus Frau Cakes (baked goods)
Richmond Soap Studio (handmade soap)
Julia Dent (jewelry)
The Gig Gallery (screen prints)
Nuna (jewelry and garden art)
Cutiebug Creations (accessories)
GOOSELICKER (embroidery)
Avenue Handmade (bags, jewelry)
Pop Culture Rehab (recycled crafts)
Dear Amalia (fabric pieces)
Andrew Felty (records)
Flux Rad (shirts)
Tracy Wilson (records)
Rorschach Records (records/comics)
Sew ono eco apparel (clothing)

W/ a few last minute additional vendors to come!

The Charities:

Books On Wheels: http://bookonwheels.com/wordpress/about/
Gallery 5: http://www.gallery5arts.org/Home/Home.html

* * * * * * * *

Be sure to bring cash as not all vendors can accept charge cards and we look forward to seeing you there...one or both days!

***********
Facebook calendar page here.

Cherry Bomb Presents: *RVyAy!* May 28-29, 2010

Cherry Bomb Presents: VACATION!

School's almost out and summer vacation is looming just around the corner! So this Friday night at Balliceaux, we'll be playing records to celebrate the shedding of Winter / Spring blaaaahs and entering into a season fun and sun.

VACATION, ALL I EVER WANTED! ! !

DJ Line Up: (with a slightly later-than-usual start time)

11:20 - Sara G
11:50 Tracy
12:20 - Sarah P
12:50 - Talia
1:20 - Willie

See you there!!

The Cherry Bombz

Sure I first got lured in by the name (their 12" was recently a gift to me) but helloo....a Loverboy cover? That almost  totally overshadows the whole ex-Hanoi Rock / Sham 69 member thing.

It's back...

Can't make it to Psych Fest in Austin this weekend? Neither can we! But never fear, THIS Friday night in Richmond come return to the COSMIC HUM with Sara and Greg!!!







We'll be doing more of our liquid light projections as a live visual backdrop to the music, so you don't want to miss it!!

Cherry Bomb Presents... RVyAy!

This spring, Cherry Bomb presents the first RVyAy, which in addition to standing for our fair city also stands for Records, Vintage, Arts and Crafts. This will be a 2-day long market, with all of the vendor table fees, and donations collected at the door going to benefit Books on Wheels and Gallery 5. The dates for this are Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28.

But, we can't do this alone. We need vendors! Are you interesting in selling your fabulous records, crafts, or upcycled items? If so, please fill out a vendor application, there are available on the Gallery 5 website (on the left side of the page) at:

http://gallery5arts.org/Call%20for%20Artists.html

Email your completed application to cherrybombrvyay@gmail.com.

Thanks so much, we are really excited and look forward to hearing from you!

More information on Books on Wheels

More information on Gallery 5

About us!

Follow the link to see / read all about the ladies of Cherry Bomb! Click HERE

Scored This Record Today!

i will never, ever get sick of this song:

La Fac de Lettres

My favorite Jacqueline Taieb song.

yes, yes and yes

these first two are examples of why i get WAY psyched about the uk charts.
yes the charts.
the top 40.


and this song and video combination just makes me giddy and want to join the synchronized dance party.

Mamy Rock

"Old people don't have to stay at home. If you want to do something, you really can."

Or at least so says Ruth Flowers, aka DJ Mamy Rock, a 69 year old British DJ who performs in clubs all over the world!

"It started really when my grandson had a birthday party ... they always have a little disco, don't they, after the party,"

"I went along quite late and the gentlemen at the door said, 'I don't think you want to go in there, Madame'. And I said, 'Well I rather think I do',"

"I went in and it was very noisy and the lights were flashing, but there was an awful lot of energy and joy."

Her grandson introduced her to a French producer who spent four years teaching her to spin and helping her to develop her own sound. What at first started as a joke evolved into a serious second career, complete with Flowers' own sense of style.

You can find out more about my new lady role model at her website: http://www.mamyrock.com

Open Mind / Magic Potion

Thanks to a sweet video that Leah directed me towards earlier today, I found this one!

Paragons / Abba

Another fun video for a great song.

Der Hund von Baskerville

This amazing video is courtesy Didi of Ultra Violet Vintage! Wow, what's not to love about a German cover of Black Sabbath's Paranoid and fashion from 1970? So awesome.

Feminism : Out of the University and into the Mosh Pit

Kathleen Hanna is still larger than life, oh wait, that might just be her glasses.

Aqua Nebula Oscillator

Serious pick of the week: for me right now, it doesn't get much cooler than an international psychedelic group made up of members from Brussels, Quebec and Paris, including one particularly rad French lady DJ named Shazzula!

For a little "About the Band," I'll leave it to their myspace page:

"Every concert of the band is a total trance Experience. Into his spaceship,David Os & his brothers crossed Europe from East to West. In 2003,the movie 'Van International' of Juan Trip recall this adventure.Since his 7 years old kid,the drummer of the band is projected inside an Hippie Community in the Pyrénées (France). The band changed 3 times members and now Vince,Simon and Shazzula joined the band definitively!"

It's Hawkwind meets the Silver Apples joined by a dose of Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes/2BIS on a 21st century cosmic plane, while a late-'60s Kenneth Anger projects occult-inspired visuals in flashes of color and light.








Also: head back to their myspace page to check out one I love in particular that has no video for me to post, "Celestial Dream". The French language layered over that sound is seriously golden to me. Pure love.

Thane Russal

Genius... but this very collectible single still remains out of my price range.

Security!

Leah's Pick of the Week

It's been a while for me, so we'll do a double whammy from the Koobas.

Cherry Bomb Tonight at Balliceaux!

I can't wait to play this record tonight!
xoxo
Lightning's Girl

Cherry Bomb at Balliceaux this Thursday!

Please join us this Thursday, February 11th at the very classy Balliceaux for Cherry Bomb's very own Sadie Hawkins Dance! This is just one of several events that Balliceaux is putting on throughout the week to celebrate Valentine's Day and we are very excited to spin there for the first time!

We'll be bringing jazz, girl groups, motown, and whatever else sounds awesome with us. The party's getting started at 9:00 and we hope to see you there! (No date required!)

Sadie Hawkins Dance: In the U.S., this concept was popularized by establishing dance events to which the woman invited a man of her choosing, instead of demurely waiting for a man to ask her. The first known such event was held on November 9, 1938. Within a year hundreds of similar events followed suit, and the tradition became a permanent fixture in some regional American cultures.

The Waitresses : I Know What Boys Like

I have had this song stuck in my head since I DJed it last night.

Sara's Pick of the Week

Cold Hard Times...

I guess this could pretty much be the anthem for us here in Richmond, Virginia right now. At least in the weather department.

Reminder - Cherry Bomb Saturday!!

This is just a friendly reminder that our next Cherry Bomb dance night is TOMORROW, Saturday the 30th!!

I know we're all getting excited (especially since we had to cancel the last one!), and we've made a pact to be there snow or no snow! So if those inches have accumulated, pull on those snow boots and come out - then warm yourself up with some amazing tunes on the dance floor!

THURSDAY night - The Cosmic Hum

Come out and join Sara from Cherry Bomb and Greg Darden for the Cosmic Hum THIS Thursday night, January 21st, at Cous Cous!

Fill up your ears with yesterday's sounds from near & far picked lovingly from our record collections: psyched-up, fuzzed-out, from the catchy old pop to the spacey and mellow, whatever we can think of and wherever we can go!

We'll even be trying out our own liquid light projections to add colorful visual effects to the music, so you don't want to miss it!




Can't wait to see you there!

Cherry Bomb at Cous Cous 1/30

We missed out on spinning last month at the Nile due to buckets of snow, but weather won't stop us from bringing the dance party next Saturday, January 30th to Cous Cous!

In addition to most of our regular Cherry Bomb girls, we will feature a special guest DJ - Richmond's Lauren Amiss of Vinyl Conflict and No Way Records! We are excited to welcome our first guest DJ and plan on inviting more ladies to join us throughout 2010!

See you next Saturday!

Leah's Pick of the Week

My first from DC! Enjoy. Broadcast meets Valerie & Her Week of Wonders. Thanks to Mallory for turning me on to this clip!

Leah's Pick of the Week

The Troyes, Battle Creek, MI, 1967

Sara's Pick of the Week

I think I must have watched this video ten times now (thanks for finding it, Greg!).

As if I needed a reason to love Stevie Nicks even more than I already did, this footage of her backstage singing along with a demo of her song Wild Heart (starts after 0:25, song at 1:10) while getting her makeup done seriously sealed the deal: she's amazing. Not to mention I like this stripped-down version of the song better than the one on the album!

Yes, love indeed.

Leah's Pick of the Week

A few of us Cherry Bombers are fans of Antoine & le Problèmes. As a bonafide germaphobe, there are very few things that could ever convince me to consider hanging out in a junkyard. This video is one of them.

Karaoke Queen

new years day ended by singing karaoke with some friends. i got really excited to do karaoke queen by catatonia, then realized this wasn't britain and this song would not be on the song list for karaoke at a country and western bar in virginia. i ended up doing kelly clarkson's since u been gone, taylor swift's love story and randy travis's forever and ever amen but got really psyched to hear some catatonia. i wish i could share like, 20 of their songs here, but this is a nice range including faster, slower and even a duet from the band space featuring the singer of catatonia, cerys metthews. here:

Leah's Pick of the Week