Despite having a smaller scene, live music is thriving in the Farmville area as evidenced by at least one band, Joel Worford & the Old Souls. Made up of frontman Joel Worford (guitar and vocals), Chip Hale (bass) and drummer David Pruitt (drums), the musical trio recently performed Saturday night at Uptown Coffee Cafe for two hours, filled with warm applauses.
Sitting in that coffee shop with no expectations for the music to come, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a wide-ranging band camouflage between genres so effortlessly and efficiently. Worford and band are true to form, conjuring up a warm vibe typically reserved for older bands.
During our interview afterwards Worford joked that the name comes from a mutual love for complaining, in which Hale clarified saying, “I think we enjoy live music and we get peeved by kids who come and see a music performance and they get lost in their cell phones.”
The band’s influences range anywhere from classic rock to neo-soul and Motown, with Wofford saying he’s particularly influenced by Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer, manifesting as a fusion of the two on stage.
The band of three years grew naturally, as the trio found themselves chatting at an open mic, bonding over similar music tastes that would lead to a jam session, then a band formation. With each member belonging to several bands in the community, most of which overlap, the Old Souls find plenty of time to develop a notable on-stage chemistry.
That chemistry was on full display Saturday night, as they harnessed a smooth command of the stage, enthralling casual customers and listeners alike. Worford, the youngest of the trio, is a bit soft-spoken for a frontman, but commands full attention when performing, showcasing a tremendous amount of talent as a guitar player and singer.
In particular, Worford’s riffs are enchanting, carrying entire sets with guitar in hand as Hale and Pruitt’s bass and drumming offered the perfect backdrop for Worfords extended solos. A capable vocalist, Worford sticks in his singing range as a compliment to the rest of his arsenal. I’d often find myself getting figuratively lost in the music, as the first time experience of live music in such close encounters felt like a breath of fresh of air.
During their two hour set, Worford and company had an array of song choices, covering classics, new-age material and their own music. According to Hale, the original music comes courtesy of Worford, saying “This is all Joel’s project in terms of writing and he kinds to comes to us with a little bit of music and we provide the soundscape.”
As Worford got his deserving applauses, he thanked and applauded his bandmates, two talents in their own right. With an impending solo-release in the fall from Worford, another performance at Uptown on May 20th and performances across the board at the Heart of Virginia Festival, Joel Worford & the Old Souls will remain a staple in the local music community.
That community has seen continued growth this decade and an opportunity for live music at least once a night, a testament to talents like Worford coming together with local businesses to provide Farmville with a niche-music community, one where a band like the Old Souls can be a treat for nights to come.
Joel Worford and the Old Souls played original songs and covers at Uptown Cafe on Saturday night, adding to the atmosphere of the shop.
Joel Worford and the Old Souls played original songs and covers at Uptown Cafe on Saturday night, adding to the atmosphere of the shop.
