Richmond, a small city five hours southwest of New York, doesn't have the clamor of NYC. Its music scene wasn't exactly thriving either—you had to create things yourself and rely on mutual support. That was the environment until Butcher Brown emerged and breathed life back into the scene! Hailing from Virginia, they embody a culture where your opportunities and the path you walk are often pre-defined, yet it is exactly this "Richmond energy" that acts like glue, binding everyone together.

Richmond isn't a metropolis, and its jazz environment isn't particularly booming; most musicians there have to "fit in" with the prevailing American Bluegrass or Country music. This realization struck a chord with me—we aren't necessarily at a disadvantage in Taiwan. Every genre represents a different culture that needs to be embraced. These five guys from Butcher Brown simply love music. Guitarist Morgan brings a jazz-educated background but admits that just because they learned music that way, doesn't mean it's the only (or best) way to express it.

Despite being signed to Concord Records—a label steeped in jazz history with a roster including Stan Getz, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, and Chick Corea—Corey and the band don't seem overawed by the legacy. They aim to stay as open as possible, prioritizing the preservation of their collective energy above all else.

It’s worth noting that Concord Records also represents the new forces carrying the torch of music history, such as Nubya Garcia (London), Hiromi (Japan), Esperanza Spalding (NY), and London Brew (London). Has jazz finished being written? Or where will the next page of history be turned?

“We are not really here to fit into a box. That type of open-ended attitude is totally reflected in how we create music.” — Corey Fonville

Butcher Brown is often noted for having a significant Hip-Hop element. I think it’s because they are direct—they just want to make good music and perform on stage without excessive "packaging." This honesty allows them to be more receptive to various sounds, a trait very similar to the current London music scene.

Their collaboration below with West Coast artist Nappy Nina is, quite simply, incredibly cool. It’s the kind of "cool" that streaming numbers can’t fully quantify. If you’re a fan of BADBADNOTGOOD, don't miss out—this will be a rare and exhilarating experience.

On February 28th, Butcher Brown will perform an afternoon set at Billboard Live TAIPEI. Carrying the prestige of Concord Records, they’re bringing the fresh air of Richmond, USA, to Taipei. If you caught Kassa Overall's performance in Taiwan last time, or if you’re a fan of NPR Tiny Desk, you absolutely cannot miss this!