“Part Americana, part neo-'70s folk rock, the band draws inspiration from classic artists such as the Flying Burrito Brothers and Bob Dylan as well as more modern groups Wilco and Futurebirds.” – Style Weekly

“These songs are easy to love right away, and while catchiness plays a part, I think an even bigger factor is the clarity of Justin Paciocco’s songwriting. The pacing, the rhyming, the way narratives unfold — it all just feels right. Impeccable, but not fussed-over.”

- You Hear That

 

V I L L A G E S is what happens when a lifelong piano player has a midlife musical reckoning, teaches himself guitar, writes more than 70 songs in just over a year, and then recruits a circle of wildly talented friends to help bring them to life.

 

“It started as a bit of an experiment that got out of hand,” says frontman Justin Paciocco. “I was looking for a new hobby and wondered if I could teach myself guitar. I assumed it would last a few weeks before I moved on to something else. A year later, I was fronting a new band, playing shows, and recording an album. None of it was planned—but all of it’s been a blast.”

 

Paciocco first made his mark as a keyboardist in the popular Richmond jam band Farm Vegas. When the band wrapped in 2012, he stepped away from music, trading late nights and tour vans for a more traditional 9-to-5 life. Years later, catching the “guitar bug” reignited his creative spark and set the foundation for what would become

V I L L A G E S.

 

The project has grown into a rotating collaboration of some of Richmond’s most respected musicians, including Stephen Lecky (Farm Vegas), Chip Hale (Tyler Meacham), Rich Stine (Full Moon Fever), Patrick Dahlman, and Caroline Vain. Blending folk-rooted songwriting with infectious melodies and dynamic arrangements, the band released its debut EP in 2018, recorded with Zach Fichter (Turkuaz) and Jeremy Simmons at Elephant Ear Studio. Two singles followed in 2019, with their latest EP, X, slated for release in Spring 2026.

 

On stage, V I L L A G E S has built a reputation as a compelling live act, sharing bills with nationally touring artists such as Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Del McCoury Band, Dead Man Winter (Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles), Daniel Romano, ONA, The Vegabonds, Hackensaw Boys, and Larry Keel. The band has performed at many of Richmond’s premier venues, including The National, The Broadberry, The Camel, The Southern, and Strange Matter.