Martinsville, Virginia

Blog

Yarn to Perform Saturday

It may be the most gratifying revelation for lead singer Blake Christiana since Yarn formed five years ago: Music fans from across the country, who share no tangible connection with his Brooklyn-based ensemble, often become immensely devoted followers.

In a different era, they might have been called groupies. But these days, with Yarn practically living on the road - they've played more than 200 shows in the past 12 months - Christiana calls them by a different name - friends.

"They're the people we call when we roll into town," he said of Yarn's most fanatical denizens, both male and female. "They're the people we have drinks with, and sometimes the people who own the couches and floors we sleep on. So to me, that's been the most amazing thing about being on the road: Realizing the generosity and love of the people out there across the country. They want to see you succeed, so they just help you out, because they want you to keep going. It's remarkable."

Yarn will come to the Rives Theatre this Saturday night for their second Martinsville performance in seven days. Last weekend, they played at a Chatmoss wedding that had all the energy and vibe of a small music festival.

"That was fun as hell," Christiana said. "There's just a bunch of good people in that town (Martinsville). We're lucky to be doing what we're doing."

Indeed, things have been looking up for the band, and they continue to draw very well in this part of the country. They were once again well received at Floydfest - playing four times over the course of the weekend, including a special Grateful Dead cover set - and drew very well at Bristol Rhythm and Roots. They've also been booked for a mainstage set at Shakori Hills, a popular early-October festival near Chapel Hill, N.C.

Yarn's fans come to see a unique blend of music that draws heavily from a number of genres, most notably rock.

"We're not reinventing the wheel here," said Christiana. "We're just having fun and trying to get our audience dancing. It's a mix of country, rock, bluegrass, southern roots. It's kind of just a mishmash of everything we grew up loving."

Doors to the theatre will open at 7 p.m. for this 8 p.m. concert. Tickets are $8 in advance from Woodall's Music & Sound and Studio 107, or $10 at the door on the night of the show. Since it's part of the Live at the Rives series, season passes will be accepted for this concert.