Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single of the Week: “Salad” by Blondshell

I usually don’t like picking multiple tracks from the same album as “Single Of The Week.” But each track off Blondshell’s self-titled debut record has been better than the last. “Salad” is a brilliant piece of work. Like, it’s positively chilling. This is the kind of storytelling in song that I thought was perfected by Nick Cave and Kristin Hersh. Vocalist Sabrina Teitelbaum sings with a haunting quiver, bending her voice around the vulnerable ferocity of her backing band. This song is simply amazing. 

You can find Blondshell’s debut everywhere TODAY! This record is fantastic. Do your ears and your heart a favor and pop it on today! 

Single of the Week: “Hand Grenade” by Be Your Own PET

When Be Your Own PET got back together last year to open a few shows for Jack White at his personal request, I thought those few shows were going to be it. They last graced our eardrums with new material in 2008, when the members of the band were still barely out of high school. Their frantic chaos still delighted me ever so much, and they stayed in my rotation for the last 15 years. BUT! Sometimes the future does hold something good, as Nashville’s finest (Suck it, Diahrrea Planet!) has gifted us with a brand new track, “Hand Grenade.” And, I know some of you might be disappointed, but the band has certainly matured over the years, living as civilians and not a bunch of punk kids riding around the country in a van. It’s a solid, heavy piece of rock n roll and I can’t wait for more. And a West Coast tour, please and thank you? 

BREAKING: Raphael Saadiq is touring with Tony Toni Toné!

I was walking down Grand Ave to get to my barber, and I looked up and saw a giant billboard with Raphael Saadiq, D’wayne Wiggins, and Timothy Riley and the words “Raphael Saadiq presents Tony Toni Toné” to the left and “Just Me & You Tour 23” to the right. This seems pretty obviously an old-school way to let the world know that 2023 is getting one of Oakland’s most important and influential bands back together. Digging deeper, there are no dates, nothing other than a cryptic “Text Raphael Saadiq at 310-861-2685.” 

This is one of the few bands left on my bucket list, and I’ve gotta say, I’m stoked and needed to share. Until we’ve got more info, here’s a sampling of their greatness from 1993: 

Single of the Week: “Come On Baby” by Alison Sudol

There is so much wrong with the state of abortion in the United States. The loss of Roe v Wade is causing widespread damage to the state of reproductive health, particularly in states where there is little support to begin with. One often missed issue here is that since caring for a miscarriage often requires the same procedure as performing an abortion, there are states where doctors are too scared of prosecution to do what is needed for both the physical health and emotional well-being of the mother. It’s heartbreaking. Especially since we are seeing some lawmakers BLAMING miscarriage on the mother. What does this have to do with our Single Of The Week? Well, Alison Sudol, the artist formerly known as A Fine Frenzy, has given us possibly the most potent, honest, and heartbreaking song about this, something we never talk about, yet happens to 10-20% of pregnancies. “Come On Baby” is a gut punch of a song that needs to be blasted in the halls of Congress and The Supreme Court. 

“Come On Baby” is off Sudol’s most recent record, Still Come The Night, which is out now in all the usual places, both virtual and physical. Also, if you know anyone looking for support in this regard, HAND of the Bay Area is an excellent organization that I highly recommend. 

Single of the Week: “Fuck Around Phase” by Housewife

Do you know what trend I LOVE? The return of the heavily overdriven guitar tone of the 90s. So many young songwriters, most of whom weren’t even alive yet when alternative radio was littered with the most glorious walls of noise, are incorporating this sound. “Fuck Around Phase” by Housewife is definitely in line with that. Spine-tingling guitars combined with honest, bold, well-crafted lyrics? Sheer Perfection. 

“Fuck Around Phase” is available in all the usual places. Housewife is, somehow, touring with Paolo Nutini? I bet this band is gonna scare a few people at those shows. 

Single Of The Week: “To be honest” by Christine & The Queens

Christine & The Queens is one of the most captivating live acts I’ve ever seen. He puts on a rich show full of emotional range. “To be honest” is, at first, a subtle synth ballad. By the time you reach the end of the track, you’ve been taken on a journey on par with his live act. This very well could be his first real hit single in the states. 

“To be honest” is the first single off PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE , coming to you June 9th. Also, don’t miss Chris when he brings his spectacular live show to The Regency in SF on April 13th. 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!

Christmas came really early this year! We’ve got the full lineup for Outside Lands 2023 six whole weeks earlier than last year!!!! And they did very well, as usual. Topping the bill is Kendrick Lamar, making his first trip to the bay since the amazing Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers came out, as well as the first Foo Fighters set since the passing of Taylor Hawkins and ODESZA, making them the first electronic act to close out Lands End. Other Spinning Platters favorites include Megan Thee Stallion (Yes. This is the act I’m most excited to see), Janelle Monae, The 1975, Maggie Rogers, Lil Yachty, Interpol, Father John Misty, Orville Peck, ALVVAYS, beabadoobee, Soccer Mommy, Shaquille O’Neal (!), and my favorite current Bay Area band, Fake Fruit! 

I’ve already started studying for our annual “Top 10 from the bottom half” of the poster, but don’t miss your shot to buy tickets! 3 DAY GA, GA+, VIP, and Golden Gate Club tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am. 

Outside Lands 2023 Lineup Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS 2023 LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!”

Single of the Week: “rabits” by madge (featuring ZAND)

A lot of people are going to listen to this song and make it 30 seconds and run away in digust. It’s bluntly vulgar, sonically as subtle as a hand grenade, and switches itself up so often that it’s highly uncomfortable. This song is not comfort food. And it’s not uncomfortable in that way where people who claim to like “uncomfortable” music like it- this isn’t Mr Bungle and it isn’t Peaches. Yet, somehow it’s both at the same time and it sounds like it has major label production, which somehow makes it even harder to listen to. 

But, for those that are willing to open their ears to this track, it’s pretty spectacular. It’s got a sense of humor and really doesn’t care if you like it or not. Madge has struck gold with this track, and I think you should give it a whirl or 70. “rabits” can be enjoyed in all the usual places, and I can’t wait for more, and I hope you can’t either. 

Outside Lands 15th Anniversary Eager Beaver Tickets On Sale 3.1.23 at 10am

I’m looking outside, watching the rain drench my block as my thermometer shows temperatures at depths that the Bay Area has never seen in my life. I’m eagerly awaiting Summer. To leave the house in a short sleeve shirt. To feel the sun on my skin outdoors (sunscreened, of course!), melting into the lawn while enjoying some live music. 

Our good friends at Outside Lands are well aware of our desperation, and they are giving us an opportunity to get excited about the sunny months by unleashing Eager Beager tickets for the 15th Anniversary of Outside Lands, Aug 11-13th. We’ve got GA tickets starting at $409+fees, the new GA+ ticket type complete with expedited entry, an exclusive GA+ lounge with access to flushable bathrooms, complimentary water & soft drinks, and a full-service bar and food for purchase. Those tickets are running $634 + Fees. You’ve also got the classic VIP for $929+fees and the Golden Gate Club for $4,669 + fees. OH! I forgot the best part- ALL EARLY BIRDERS GET FIRST ACCESS TO NIGHT SHOWS!!! Remember how pissed you were that you didn’t get to see Phoebe Bridgers solo acoustic at The Indy? Well, here’s your chance to correct that in 2023. 

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, March 1st. Tickets are available ONLY here. (Don’t get swindled by unauthorized sellers!) And for the most up-to-the-minute news that I don’t share, follow Outside Lands on TikTok and Discord! 

Single Of The Week: “Letter” by Morgan and the Organ Donors

SUPERGROUP ALERT!!! Morgan and the Organ Donors consists of Bikini Kill’s Tobi Vail, C.O.C.O’s Olivia Ness along with James Maeda and Sara Peté. “Letter” is their second single, and it’s reverb-heavy, power-pop meets country piece of hooky goodness. Maybe it’s the name of the song that forced me to think of Alex Chilton, but this track definitely is somewhere between Big Star and Best Coast, with just enough Southern Culture On The Skids to feel like you can smell the PBR and hairspray. Anyways, it’s a solid song and I’m excited to hear more from them.

…which you can if you preorder their debut album, M.O.D.s, coming your way on March 31st from the legendary K Records. And you can see them IN PERSON if you come out to Mosswood Meltdown July 1st & 2nd for the single most apeshit festival line up of you life. (Seriously- Bratmobile, Le Tigre, ESG, JJ Fad, Mika Miko, Avengers, GRAVY TRAIN!!!! and so much more!)