Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single Of The Week: “Dreamt I Talk To Horses” by Katie Alice Greer

On my first listen to “Dreamt I Talk To Horses,” my initial impression was “this song is uncomfortable.” Upon further listens, the vocals- both intensly human and clearly manipulated by digital sources, move from uncomfortable to deeply warm and inviting. This is clearly a pop song, but coming from someone that knows her way around the Throbbing Gristle catalog. This song is the kinda track that forces relistens because there are so many layers and sounds sneaking up on you that you can’t take it in all at once. 

“Dreamt I Talk To Horses” is the second single from Barbarism, due out into the world digitally on June 24th and physically on October 1st. Preorders on her Bandcamp are ongoing! 

Single of the Week: “All Comes Crashing” by Metric

There are few songwriters that really understand how to convey the feelings of anxiety, desperation, and fear quite like Emily Haines. I’ve been waiting eagerly for the first pandemic-era release from Metric, because I was pretty sure we would get a track that would clearly validate the feelings of being stuck in a madness that’s out of our control. and they delivered tenfold. “All Comes Crashing” in a lot ways is classic Metric- pure, emotive vocals, post-punk guitars appearing out of nowhere beneath warm synths, and danceable beats to help ease the burden of the anxiety and provide just a little bit of optimism. 

“All Comes Crashing” is the first single off their upcoming release, Formentera, which is due to be in your hands and ears July 8th. Preorder details coming soon. Also, there are few nights more cathartic than a Metric concert, and their 2022 North American Tour goes on sale TODAY at 10am local time. Check tour dates out here! 

Thee Stork Club Hath Returned

One night, maybe about a decade ago, I found myself bar hopping with a group of friends and, somehow, my high school girlfriend. It was already a weird night, and we landed on The Stork Club. I had heard about this place for years, but, somehow never entered it’s hallowed halls. There was a real drunken haze to the night already, but I am pretty sure there was a burlesque show happening when we arrived at like 11pm. Then at midnight it turned into an 80’s goth dance party. Then at 1am, I’m pretty sure a jam band started setting up. It was a very weird night. But it brought me much joy, too… So I was gutted when they ended up shutting in 2020. 

Fast forward to 2022, and the folks behind Mosswood Meltdown, Eli’s Mile High Club, and Hemlock Tavern have gotten together to reopen the place. Only with an extra “e”, so it’s now Thee Stork Club! And there will be a retro cocktail bar, a live performance space, and what is especially vital in this day and age- THEY ARE OPENING UP IT’S BACK YARD!!! So you might actually be able to enjoy a drink with a limited threat of COVID! 

Opening night is July 1st, and it will be a special show with John Waters, Shannon Shaw, and Budget Rock’s DJ Chris Owen. Sadly tickets are sold out, but there will be plenty more fun where that came from!

Sing It Hasselhoff: Chris Jericho’s Band Fozzy

So, we haven’t posted a “Sing It Hasselhoff” in like a decade on this site. However, I’ve finally forced myself to sample legendary wrestler Chris Jericho’s band, Fozzy. Their latest record, Boombox, is out tomorrow, and it’s filled with giant, anthemic metal suitable for, well, kicking off a wrestling match? Check it out for yourself! And on Sunday Night they are bringing the “Save The World” Tour to Great American Music Hall, and, by golly, we really need it right now. Seriously, Mr. Jericho, please save us!

Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced

GOOD NEWS! We weren’t sure it was going to happen after the crappy thing that happened just before the last show of the 2021 season… But it looks like the Stern Grove Festival will be returning for it’s 85th year! Like last year, they will be doing reservations to ensure the safety and security of attendees. The Oakland-powered Tower Of Power & Too $hort show originally scheduled to close last year will be opening this year on June 12th! So be prepared to blow the whistle and get FREE tickets! The entire schedule, including Spinning Platters favorites Liz Phair, Cat Power, Amythyst Kiah, Monophonics and more!  Reservations will become available on staggered dates throughout the Spring and Summer right here! Continue reading “Stern Grove 2022 Season Has Been Announced”

Single of the Week: “Suite: Jonny” by Faye Webster

Faye Webster is only 23 years old, yet has unleashed her magnum opus upon us with the haunting “Suite: Jonny.” This is an extended journey of story through song that belongs alongside Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” or The Velvet Undergrounds’ “Sister Ray.” If you thought last year’s I Know I’m Funny, haha was a work of genius (and it is), it definitely didn’t prepare me at all for this stunner of a track. 

“Suite: Jonny” is the lead track off Car Therapy Sessions, an ep of mostly previously released tracks re-recorded and arranged for full orchestra. The record is out TODAY and you can grab it in either the physical or virtual world here. And don’t forget to catch Webster at Outside Lands 2022 on August 5th-7th! Tickets and details available here!

Single Of The Week: “Goodnight Moon” by Gabriella Marinaro

I kinda love a good, solid, melodramatic torch song. “Goodnight Moon” by Los Angeles’ Gabriella Marinaro may not be a torch song by strict definition, but in a concise 1:57 takes you on the same kind of emotional journey that the greats like Julie London or Amy Winehouse would take you through. 

“Goodnight Moon” is the first single off Marinaro’s EP, Inner Space, due out May 6th. Keep an eye out on her official page and her Bandcamp for more details on this release! 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2022 LINEUP!! OUTSIDE LANDS 2022 LINEUP!!!

If you are like me, you’ve been refreshing your inbox 2,235 times a day, waiting for ANY Outside Lands 2022 news. We’ve known the dates (August 5th-7th), we’ve purchased our Eager Beaver tickets. And now we have a lineup, and hopefully, I’m telling you first. Or maybe you’ve already read it, but, still! Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS 2022 LINEUP!! OUTSIDE LANDS 2022 LINEUP!!!”

Single Of The Week: “the dealer” by Nilüfer Yanya

I’ve DEFINITELY been sleeping on Nilüfer Yanya. “the dealer” is actually the 4th single off her second album, PAINLESS. It’s a frantic number that is so jittery it could be uncomfortable if the hook wasn’t so great. It’s a song that never “breathes,” the beat never drops, it just builds and then STOPS. It’s an emotional journey that she forces you on, whether you like it or not. And I like it. 

You can find PAINLESS in all the usual places! 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2022 EAGER BEAVER TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW AT 10AM!

I know you’ve been patient. We have been, too. It feels like every major festival until the end of the year had dropped their line ups last month. Well, everyone except Outside Lands. FEAR NOT! Eager Beaver tickets are going on sale Wednesday, April 13th at 10am. YES, TOMORROW!! Those tickets are going live at https://sfoutsidelands.com/tickets. 

You also know what that means? It’s time for Ranger Ruth and Ranger Dave to start dropping line up hints. And that’s happening on Tik Tok! It’s a fun game, and I’ll definitely be playing along. Hope you are, too! And see you in Golden Gate Park this August 5th-7th!