Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single of the Week: “Escape” by Ginger Winn

I’m a sucker for a good anxiety anthem. Maybe because I experience it to a nearly debilitating amount sometimes, and struggle with getting it under control properly. And, also, have you spent any time with the news lately? Dear God… A lot to be afraid of, and it doesn’t feel like we have a path out. That being said, this song feels right. And using a wolf to represent your anxiety? No animal has felt more right there. This song is gorgeous and feels like the warm hug that says, “I don’t know if we are gonna make it out of this, but we are in this together.”

“Escape” is off of Ginger Winn’s upcoming record, Freeze Frame, coming your way June 13th. You can find all things Ginger Winn here!

Label 51 Recording Presents: A Showcase at Great American Music Hall

I got wind of the most magical and random mini festival happening at Great American Music Hall on Sunday, May 4th! For the low price of $25, you get a set of hits from David J’s extensive catalog, including his work with Night Crickets, Love & Rockets, and Bauhaus headlining, with support from Jefferson Starship’s Prairie Prince, Industrial pioneers Snake River Conspiracy side project Mojave Phone Booth, Paisley Underground legends Rain Parade, Bay Area Riot Grrl groundbreakers Frightwig, and Bay Area punk forefathers Screaming Bloody Marys! 

Tickets are, once again, only $25. Don’t miss this gig!  

Single of the Week: “Gunslinger” by Natalie Bergman

Remember Wild Belle? The brother/sister duo that played a blissful blend of psych, ’60s girl groups, and reggae that released three outstanding records in the 2010s and just disappeared? Well, the group’s sister, Natalie Bergman, went solo, signed to Third Man Records, and is pushing the sonic envelope that her old band was already making with the blissful new track, “Gunslinger.”

“Gunslinger” is the first track off My Home Is Not In This World, in stores and on servers July 18th. You can prepare for this by preordering or presaving here!

Show Review: Beth Gibbons with Cass McCombs at The Warfield, 4/15/25

On October 21st, 2011, I impulsively bought a ticket to see Portishead at The Greek Theater that night. My familiarity with the band was effectively “I know the singles” and not much more, but I had lots of friends attending, and nothing else was going on. When I did show up, I couldn’t find my friends, and eventually found a friend that I hadn’t seen in years, and enjoyed reconnecting. Then the music started, and I was profoundly transfixed for nearly two hours. It was emotionally turbulent and a genuine catharsis. Nothing happened as planned, and it may have been all the better for it. 

Continue reading “Show Review: Beth Gibbons with Cass McCombs at The Warfield, 4/15/25”

Single of the Week: “The Mothership” by Alexandra Savior

So, I’ve been microdosing on Alexandra Savior since 2022, listening to bits and pieces of songs and keeping her on my radar. Mostly due to Courtney Love’s seal of approval. I’ve liked everything, but I kept getting pulled away by life and such. But then “The Mothership” arrived, and you can’t ignore that. Seriously, this song is so large and delicate and beautiful. It’s a cinematic gem of a song, and I’m now fully immersed in the world of Ms Savior. 

“The Mothership” comes on the heels of her full-length debut, Beneath The Lilypad, coming your way May 16th! And, of course, don’t miss her at Outside Lands this year! 

 

Single of the Week: “Spike Island” by Pulp

What do Pulp sound like, 25 years after their last full-length album, 12 years since their last release? Well, “Spike Island,” their first new music since 2013, may not be littered with double entendres like their 90s hitmaking era, but it does spotlight the *other* thing Jarvis Cocker is known for: his innate ability to find joy in life. It’s reflective without being sickeningly sweet. And, of course, anytime you gift me with a song about the joy of music, I’m all in—especially a song about the joys of making music. 

“Spike Island” is the first single off Pulp’s upcoming new record (did I really say that? A NEW PULP ALBUM?!?!), More, in stores and on the web on June 6th. I can’t wait to hear more! 

VIDEO PREMIERE: “Playing Records” by Lane Moore + It Was Romance at 9 PM PST/12 AM EST TONIGHT!

Remember a few weeks ago when I was glowing about “Playing Records” as the single of the week? Well, Ms Moore sent me the video to preview, and it’s, like, the most adorable thing in history. 

Final Girl can be streamed at your favorite DSP. I’m putting out into the world West Coast tour dates and a physical release as a wish, and if enough of you folks stream this excellent EP, maybe that will turn both into a reality. 

STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!

Stern Grove just announced its 2025 season, and it’s, well, totally bonkers, as usual. Including your editor-in-chief’s all time favorite band, Sleater-Kinney, East Bay Legends The Pointer Sisters with fellow East Bay Legend, Lyrics Born, Queer Country icon Orville Peck, and many more. OH! And closing out the season is one of the last great rock pioneers, MS DIANA ROSS!!!! 

They are also changing things up a bit to help ensure a fair ticket distribution and discourage third party resellers from hogging up the servers. I think it’s smart and opens up to multiple opportunities for fans to score free tickets: Continue reading “STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!”

Single of the Week: “Last Girls At The Party” by The Beaches

Howdy! It’s another week in hell in the United States, and I’m forever stuck on the story of the US citizen that was sent to a labor camp in El Salvador “accidentally,” and “Ooops! We can’t do anything about it!” and fuck. So, yeah, The Beaches from our friendly neighbors to the north have gifted us something purely fun. “Last Girls At The Party” is a bubbly little dance-rock number here to show us that Canada will probably win in all this nonsense. 

“Last Girls At The Party” is the first single off The Beaches upcoming record, No Hard Feelings. I can’t wait. But I’ll have to because it’s coming out August 29th! And if you presave, you can enjoy The Beaches on their DJ-set tour (Yup! I’m surprised too): 

April 16 – Los Angeles 

May 17 – London, UK

May 20 – Amsterdam

May 21 – Brussels

May 23 – Berlin

June 7 – NYC 

August 2 – Montréal 

WET LEG ARE BACK!!! “catch these fists” out now! New Album Out July 11th!!

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for new Wet Leg. It’s only been three years since their epic debut album became, well, MY most listened to record of 2022 AND 2023. But we finally have a new single, “catch these fists,” and you can find it here. The new album, moisturizer, is out July 11th and can be preordered here!  We’ve also got a Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon appearance on April 2nd, and so many EU tour dates that I’m worried they won’t have time to visit us in the ‘ol USA. (Please, please, please pay us a visit?)