Single of the Week: “Decoy” by Bree-on-uh

I’ll admit that the single of the week rarely finds itself on the darker end of the pop spectrum. But “Decoy” by the joyfully named Bree-on-uh is equal parts dark and warm and has been sticking to my soul for a full week now. This song definitely makes me feel bright, in all its minor key glory and is likely to do the same for you. 

“Decoy” can be enjoyed in all the usual places. I expect good things to come from her, so follow her on the socials, too! 

Single of the Week: “Strange World” by La Luz

If you didn’t know Bay Area psych mastermind Spacemoth. had joined La Luz already, you’d know within a few notes of “Strange World.” It really is a perfect union- La Luz’s dreamscapes getting punched up by Spacemoth.’s trademark warmth and danceability. It’s the strongest song in what’s a very, very strong combined catalog of the two acts, and I can’t wait to hear more of this very, very holy union. 

“Strange World” is the first single off News Of The Universe, coming May 24th. Preorders are happening now! The band will also be on the road for, well, what looks like ever! Dates can be found here

Single Of The Week: “Moving” by Torrey

Sometimes disparate elements can come together and make something more beautiful than you’d ever expect. “Moving” by Bay Area-based dream-popsters Torrey is equal parts dreamy and loud in all the right ways, making for a perfectly head swimmy 3:39 that will satisfy your need to disconnect from the horrors of reality while still helping you thrive within those horrors. 

Torrey’s self-titled full-length is out March 8th on Slumberland Records. Preordering can be done here. They are also playing the stacked Oakland Weekender at Thee Stork Club, happening June 6th – 8th, alongside twee legends #poundsign#, All Girl Summer Fun Band, Seablite, Kids On A Crime Spree, and many, many more. 

Single of the Week: “4316” by Isobel Campbell

Isobel Campbell’s first release since the passing of her longtime collaborator, Mark Lanegan, is really surprising. It’s an immensely bright and sunny single, and it just feels good to listen to. It might be the single most energetic release of Campbell’s career, and I am ALL IN. This is an exciting release, and I’m eager to hear the rest of this record. 

“4316” is the first single from Bow To Love, coming your way on May 17th. Preorders are happening here

Single of the Week: “Kudzu” by Brennan Wedl

OMG! This song is so heavy that I need extra creatine to listen to it. Brennan Wedl, a recent addition to the Kill Rock Stars roster, has brought “Kudzu,” named for the invasive vine that destroys native plants. And this song is so blistering, it’s almost dangerous. Lyrically, it’s a reflection on religion and what it’s like to be raised in something you don’t believe in, which is also infinitely relatable. 

I can’t wait to hear more from Wedl. This track can be found in all the usual places

SF Sketchfest Review: The Bechdel Cast at Club Fugazi, 2/1/24

I’m not a movie person. I have seen maybe five movies in the last five years. Yes, that included the two years or so of complete pandemic lockdown and not leaving the house. I like The Bechdel Cast because I’m a fan of Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante more than movies. But I haven’t spent much time listening to the podcast for that reason. However, with the two of them doing a tour to discuss Barbie, the 2023 monster hit film AND the only movie I’ve seen in theaters this decade, I was glad to have some connection to the movie the two were discussing.  Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: The Bechdel Cast at Club Fugazi, 2/1/24”

Single of the Week: “head” by claire rousay

The first few notes of “head” caused a difficult reaction. The extreme autotune over folksy guitars had me on edge- waiting for it to devolve into the worst of what we experienced in the 00’s. But I caught the lyrics, and that made me stay. And the song didn’t turn into what I expected it to. Instead, it’s something beautiful, anxious, and a little weird. The deeply processed vocals were balanced out with lush, acoustic guitar and strings washing the singing. Don’t understand what I mean? Just listen. This one is a masterpiece. 

“head” is the first single off rousay’s debut album “sentiment,” due out April 19th. Yes, the same day as the new Taylor Swift. Anyways, you can preorder it here from Bandcamp! Tour dates below, as I can’t begin to imagine how she pulls this off live: 

MOSSWOOD MELTDOWN 2024 LINE UP IS LIVE

It’s pouring rain here in Oakland, which is perfect for getting your hopes up about Summer! And by that, it’s time for us to start pouring over Summer festival lineups, and this morning, we were blessed with the Mosswood Meltdown artist list! Headlining is probably the biggest band to ever grace the stage at Mosswood Park, The B-52’s!!!! And, somehow, there’s another act with a top 40 hit on the bill- Gibby Haynes will be doing a set of Butthole Surfers songs backed by the Paul Green Rock Academy (!). Oh- if you are looking for acts that haven’t played in forever? We’ve got first-generation PA Punks Pure Hell, New York No Wave legends Bush Tetras (with Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley on drums), twee supergroup (and a part of my own live band bucket list) Go Sailor, and outsider art and synth legend The Space Lady. This whole lineup is bonkers. Hunx & His Punx, Big Freedia, Redd Kross, Egyptian Lover, Die Spitz, Pansy Division, Wifey, Sheastie Boys, Diesel Dudes, Trap Girl, Non Plus Temps, Gumby’s Junk, Baus, Hot Laundry, and more to come! Like every year, John Waters is hosting, and Peaches Christ will be presiding over a Drag Contest! 

Tickets are on sale NOW!! Prices will be going up, so buy fast! 

SF Sketchfest Review: Jena Friedman: Not Funny with Brittany Carney at The Gateway Theater, 1.26.24

I’ve spent a LOT of the pandemic digging around YouTube, looking for ANYTHING to push the serotonin levels up. That’s when I uncovered Jena Friedman’s YouTube channel. Insomnia + depression + anxiety are all great for political satire, and I really fell head over heels for what she was doing. Little did I know that she was a writer on The Daily Show, but it all kind of made sense after that. In another depressed fit, I ended up preordering her book Not Funny, and despite not feeling depressed when I read it, I still enjoyed it. So, of course, when SF Sketchfest presented me with the opportunity to see her live, I figured it was something I needed to do. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Jena Friedman: Not Funny with Brittany Carney at The Gateway Theater, 1.26.24”

How Did I Get Here? with Jamie Loftus

Jamie Loftus is a writer, actor, comic, cartoonist, podcaster, and probably has about 3500 other jobs that we never covered on this episode because, well, there is only so much time in the day. In this episode we discussed her early playwriting days, stand-up comedy, the difference between eating dog food and condensed cream of mushroom soup, and, since this is Spinning Platters, we even talked about music!

She’s taking her podcast, The Bechdel Cast, on the road! Tickets and tour dates are here, and it all kicks off with a visit to SF Sketchfest on February 1st at 7:30! You can also pick up Loftus’ amazing book, Raw Dog, here. And, of course, you can find all other things Loftus here! Oh, and this is where you can enjoy the CVS Bangerz playlist!