Ever since I first stumbled upon Tow’rs from a promotional sampler on Noisetrade, I DROPPED MY JAWS in disbelief. HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS BAND? Where are they hiding?! Well, turns out they are hiding in Flagstaff, a small town in Arizona that I (oddly enough) know quite well after spending a summer...Continue Reading

Penguin Prison, formerly recognized as a solo act by the Brooklyn-based DJ, producer and electronic artist, Chris Glover, had us all in shock when he graced stage the stage last Wednesday with a FULL ROCK BAND. In fact, I initially wasn’t even planning to go, as I typically don’t seek out electronic music (unless strictly...Continue Reading

Show Me the Way Compiled Feb 16, 2016 New playlist inspired by past SF shows (City & Colour, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats, Samantha Crain, Max Frost, Penguin Prison, Tow’rs) as well as new discoveries (Owl Paws, Meet Me in Orbit) from awesome opening performances. I especially tip my hat to Owl Paws (reminds me...Continue Reading

Julia Holter surely had many waiting with anticipation that night at the Chapel (SOLD OUT show) as she walked out on stage a few minutes late. She addressed the audience with a tangible upbeat energy that closely matched the upbeat tone of her newest album, Have You in my Wilderness (Domino records). This album is...Continue Reading

With the face of singer Doug Tieman alternately basked in sunlight and obscured in the shadow of the brim of his hat, the dapper gentlemen of Blood & Dust whipped with the sound and energy of a steam engine. The clanking rhythm of the tune could only have been further exemplified were it recorded live...Continue Reading

She may be a kid at face (check out her 2013 album, Kid Face) and kid at heart (loved her anecdotes and cute giggles), but surely is a goddess of soul-tinged folk. Samantha Crain‘s (Ramseur Record)  performance last night at Amnesia was simply stunning and was definitely the BEST TUESDAY NIGHT I’ve had in a...Continue Reading

Rebecca Roudman has played cello professionally in the Bay area for years. Equally at home as a renowned classical cello player or on the cutting edge of pop music, Rebecca Roudman is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most exciting crossover cellists. As a member of both the Oakland East-Bay Symphony and the Santa...Continue Reading

Indie prog rock band Lords of Sealand released their official music video Architect from their full-length album Found Fiction and are celebrating with a show at Brick & Mortar Wednesday, January 13th. The song tackles an internal struggle between ideology and who we are. I talked to guitarist Brent Curriden who wrote the song and lead singer...Continue Reading

Lady Lazarus cloaks lyrical reflections in impressionistic musical musings. From her debut album Mantic, recorded in 2011 at her home in San Jose, Melissa Sweat has shown a penchant for a home-grown sound. That first album, mailed to Pitchfork by her brother, received glowing reviews, praising her musical musings.  Since then, Lady Lazarus has risen, putting...Continue Reading

At the beginning of the night, the main floor of The Chapel, a converted mortuary on Valencia street is empty. The venue, with red-lit lamps and 40’ foot ceilings is stunning. Before Ms. Wells takes the stage, the dreamscape sounds of Emily Neveu open the night.. “The other Emily,” as Ms. Neveu refers to herself...Continue Reading

Music can often conjure emotions from the depths of the soul. It can make one feel powerful or it can strip a being to the core. It feels like the summer days on backcountry roads that I remember from my youth. It’s the familiar smell of mom’s cooking. It’s the warmth of a sunrise or...Continue Reading

After a particularly smashing weekend of local music Halloween madness, I was excited to have an evening of dastardly decompression at Brick and Mortar Music Hall with Hey Rosetta. And while I don’t typically showcase touring talent, I thought it fitting to make an exception for these accomplished Canucks, who I first saw locally at the...Continue Reading