Noise Pop Review: The Album Leaf, Vákoum, Indy Nyles at Swedish American Hall, 2/23/18

All Photos by Natalia Perez

I’ll start by telling you that I have The Album Leaf’s emblem tattooed on the inside of my right wrist.  Let’s just say, my love for their music runs deep, and my respect for them as musicians is significant. I’ve been able to see them perform live several times over the years, each time special and important to me – and Friday night’s show was everything I wanted. From the opening acts until the last note of “Lights” at the end of the evening, it was intimate, emotionally powerful, and beautifully passionate.

Beginning the evening was Indy Nyles, with a compact-but-complex set up on a table in front of the stage. It was an interesting dynamic to be on the same level as the performer, with no barrier to audience members seeing every cord connected, each individual button and key selected.  I was impressed with his ability to capture the audience’s attention, forming a quiet energy while building and layering the arcs of his music.

Continue reading “Noise Pop Review: The Album Leaf, Vákoum, Indy Nyles at Swedish American Hall, 2/23/18”

Show Review: The Album Leaf at Great American Music Hall, 2/12/10

The Album Leaf performed to a sold-out crowd in San Francisco on Friday, February 12th.

There’s something unmistakably unique about the music created by San Diego-based multi-instrumentalist Jimmy LaValle. It penetrates your soul and lingers long after you’ve stopped listening to the electronically-tinged indie rock melodies that reel you in with inviting, ambient choruses. I got hooked after discovering “The Light” on The Hype Machine from their 2006 breakthrough masterpiece, Into the Blue, a year back. Continue reading “Show Review: The Album Leaf at Great American Music Hall, 2/12/10”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/10/10-2/16/10

Friday Night At The Uptown

Since this week gives us both Valentine’s Day and President’s Day, I am going to create a theme to all our recommended shows list: Every single show listed features a performer that has had an affair with a sitting president of a country. The person that guesses which member of which band band for each show listed gets a special surprise! Please leave your guesses under the comments section. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/10/10-2/16/10”

New Release Round Up 2/2/10 – 31 Instant Album Reviews

Read on to find out who these guys are.

Pouria said he wanted to take the week off because he’s burned out on new releases. And then he sits next to me and tells me about all the albums I’m missing. I think he’s actually burned out on being funny. Lucky for you, I’m not burned out on being funny; I’ve hardly begun being funny!  Read on, dear readers, for 31 album reviews await. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 2/2/10 — 31 Instant Album Reviews”