Skating and Music: two industries that are more similar than you’d think. Here is a very brief summary of the main takeaways for musicians from fellow BBer Ted Maider’s TED Talk. Exclusivity:  This is a question of balance between ubiquity and exclusivity. On the one hand, you want people to be familiar enough with your...Continue Reading

The artists formerly known as The Tropics are entering this summer’s festival circuit as HEARTWATCH.Continue Reading

Catch the Bay Area’s own Waterstrider tonight at Leo’s in Oakland as they fill your ears, eyes, and esophagus with sweet shaky grooves. I really can’t speak highly enough of Waterstrider’s debut album Nowhere Now; its textured and vibrant sounds jump around from song to song, with many moving parts including hypnotic drums, deeply textured synths, and the cruising-altitude vocals...Continue Reading

I have often come down on San Francisco for being too stiff and slow to get dancing, but this was never going to be an issue for Lyrics Born.Continue Reading

Fine As A Vine by Kendra McKinley Kendra McKinley is known to many for her mellow bossa nova inspired songs. Her debut album, Chestnut Street, features solo acoustic guitar and voice, sometimes trading guitar for vocal loops. It is an album for sitting at the window sill on a rainy day with a steaming cup...Continue Reading

If you weren't already convinced, Lila Rose's music defies conventions. And as evidenced by Stefan's review of her fantastic album release party at The Independent, Rose puts on a hell of a live show.Continue Reading

If I said, "Lila Rose killed it last night at the independent." I would be making the biggest understatement of the year.Continue Reading

Catch the indie/folk quartet Frinj live at Amnesia this Friday, May 1st as they premiere music from their brand new EP. Check out their (particularly goofy) Crowdfunding video, and watch as they traverse through many world languages with incredible ease.Continue Reading

Putting on a show is a ritual gathering. How can you make the experience you put on valuable, special and memorable? During Your Shows Make your show is multi-dimensional! Include spoken word, comedy, art displays, circus acts, a live petting zoo, and just something MORE. Remember to SAY your name at the show…multiple times. Or invest...Continue Reading

I ran into these two gentlemen first at my open Mic at the Riptide. Affable, funny, energetic, they caught my eye immediately. Once they got up to the mic, that’s when they exploded. These guys are younger in age but wiser in the brain. I’m excited to see their progression. True artists.   About Amplified &...Continue Reading

Diamond Heights released their debut EP City Charms early this month to a sold-out crowd in the downstairs bar at Neck Of The Woods. The band emitted a powerful modern twist on CBGBs era Pretenders/Blondie. Get to know them with this behind the scenes video I shot at Hyde Street Studios with Ted Maider of “Evergreen”. Follow it up by listening to the...Continue Reading

Here is a list of tips that you should consider for your next elevator pitch: GENERAL SUGGESTIONS Use adjectives and sensory-stimulating words to describe your band. Describe the world you’re creating with your music. Make sure not to state genres that are too broad. For example, the word “experimental” or “rock” is very broad. Give a band or two that might help people...Continue Reading