Last year was an exciting year for Richmond-based rock group Big Mama Shakes, including the release of a debut album, “As She Does,” and the chance to play alongside some big-name acts, like Passion Pit, Incubus and Nathaniel Rateliff.
They’re not slowing down in 2016. A new single, “Weight of a Heavy Heart,” drops tomorrow, followed by an EP in April.
It’s been quite a whirlwind for a band that calls Williamsburg home.
Big Mama Shakes formed among five locals in August 2013 – Brady Heck, Peter Cason, Chandler Matkins, Elijah Righter and Caleb Austin. As members of various local bands, they had played together before. And four of them knew each other from attending Warhill High School.
Together, they crafted a “soul rock” sound and energetic live show that friends and fans came to know and love.
The band soon transitioned to Richmond’s music scene, where they’ve since released an album, toured a portion of the East Coast and opened for national acts.
“You really don’t assume that you’re going to get those opportunities,” said Matkins, the band’s drummer. “We definitely don’t take it for granted.”
There’s been some change. Righter and Austin recently left the band and have since been replaced by Richmonders Bryce Doyle and Gabriel Taylor. And Big Mama Shakes’ sound is evolving – Matkins described it as Southern Americana.
“But we definitely haven’t let go of our roots,” Matkins said. “That original sound, you will always hear it, but we want people to see every side of the spectrum.”
Available Jan. 29 on iTunes and Spotify, “Weight of a Heavy Heart” explores that spectrum, including a horn section and female vocals.
“It’s very different from the things that we’ve done before, but it’s still very obviously Big Mama,” Matkins said.
A music video for the single will follow on March 4, with an EP to be released in April. The band’s next live show is Feb. 6 at Garden Grove Brewing, in Richmond, and Matkins said the band has plans for touring in 2016.
But with everything ahead, Big Mama Shakes still remembers what came before.
“Williamsburg is obviously not a small town, but it does have that small-town feel,” Matkins said. “All of us have had some of our happiest memories and happiest moments in Williamsburg.”
“We are trying to make home proud,” he said. “We think Williamsburg would be proud of what we’re doing.”
For more information, visit bigmamashakes.com. You can also find the band on Facebook and Twitter.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-275-4934.
