We were there for the first Bikini Kill reunion shows in 2019. They were a profound and moving experience. We didn’t know what COVID was yet, which upended this tour and, well, still upends everything. I’m grateful that they managed to find a way to get back on the road. Everything feels really hard and continues to feel hard, and this band has always been the thing that gives me the strength to persevere and find reasons to be hopeful in the face of hopelessness. Continue reading “Show Review: Bikini Kill with Frightwig at The Warfield, 8/19/24”
Author: Dakin Hardwick
Single of the Week: “As Above So Below” by Fievel is Glauque
Nice things can be happy, right? Nice things that take you on a sonic journey are still a joy by the time it’s over, only in a different place? SO GOOD!!! Fievel Is Glauque is a Stereolab-esque fusion of lounge, psych, and pop, with the bonus of live horns that are just plain perfect. “As Above So Below” is a fantastic pop number for a sunny, late Summer weekend.
“As Above So Below” is the first single from Rong Weicknes, due out on Fat Possum Records on October 25th. Prepare for it’s release accordingly.
Outside Lands 2024: 21 Instant Gig Reviews
I really love Outside Lands. It’s funny because my heart genuinely lies in the world of Punk, and something this big *shouldn’t* be my thing, but I love being able to disconnect from the outside world and just take in music with strangers and friends, and the best part- strangers that became friends that I only see at this event. And, yes, a fellow writer recently referred to Outside Lands attendees as “norms” (I saw what you did there, Alan!), but, man, I had such a wonderful, blissful time, dancing with strangers, eating amazing food, enjoying nearly perfect weather, and taking in some amazing music. I honestly can’t wait for next year, and hope I’m able to keep coming to the park for many years to come. Continue reading “Outside Lands 2024: 21 Instant Gig Reviews”
Single of the Week: “Bright Lights” by The Killers
I am currently in a bit of a frenzy, gathering my things for the day for Outside Lands and realizing that it’s been a whole 16 years since I last saw The Killers live. In that time, they’ve become the legacy act they’ve always aimed to be, bridging together generations and influencing a sea of young acts. I was getting ready for an evening of nostalgia-fueled hits, only to find… A new single? Do I dare listen? What if I hate it? And surprisingly, not only does it not sound like the band that created Hot Fuss, but it’s warm and big, and I kinda love it.
“Bright Lights” is available in all the usual places. Tonight, they are headlining Outside Lands before returning home to Vegas for a monthlong residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Interview: Yasuko Onuki & Ichiro Agata of Melt-Banana
Melt-Banana has always been my favorite band from Japan. For over 40 years, they’ve been releasing some of the fastest and most furious guitar-driven music and show no signs of slowing down. In tempo or workload. On August 23rd, they will be releasing their first record in 9 years, “3+5,” which is available to preorder here. Shortly after the release, they will be touring the UK, and hopefully, they will join us back in the States soon. We had the opportunity to chat it Yasuko Onuki and Ichiro Agata during their break between US and UK tours, and I believe I was able to tone down my fanboy instincts to have a coherent chat: Continue reading “Interview: Yasuko Onuki & Ichiro Agata of Melt-Banana”
Single Of The Week: “IDK WTD” by Human Touch
Oh, man! This was such a lovely surprise this morning to see that Natalia Rogovin’s Human Touch project is back! “IDK WTD” is such a blissful lofi synth gem that has dramatically lifted my spirits today. This song is just plain perfect- it’s warm, it’s catchy, and it moves in several different directions. Rogovin is singing in a different register than she did with her band Social Studies, allowing her to bring out a different emotional range. And I know you’ll hear it, but I’m a sucker for the perfect “crack” in a song, and her voice cracks in a way that simply sends my heart aflutter.
I’m hoping this is a sign of more to come. “IDK WTD” is available everywhere. Keep an eye out on Human Touch’s Instagram page for more (I hope).
Bikini Kill Tour Starts Next Month!
Kathleen Hanna is so busy these days that it’s hard to keep track of which project is doing what and when. Last year was a Le Tigre-heavy year, and so far, Hanna has been focusing on her excellent book, Rebel Girl. But Bikini Kill *just* made their network TV debut (after 34 years!) on The Late Show Wait Stephen Colbert, and they are crossing North America starting in LA at The Wiltern on August 15th-16th, coming to The Warfield (a venue that figures prominently in the aforementioned book) August 18th-19th, and wrapping up Baltimore on September 12th. And, as she hinted at her City Arts & Lectures appearance back in May, there are no future Bikini Kill plans currently, so it would be wise to hit up one of these.
Full Tour Dates Below: Continue reading “Bikini Kill Tour Starts Next Month!”
Single of the Week: “AYAYAY” by Noga Erez featuring Dillom
Some weeks the Single Of The Week can be a really easy decision. And other weeks, I’m digging through tracks, waiting for the thing that pulls me in. This week was actually a bit of the latter. Then I stumbled over a name that I’d seen a lot and ignored: Noga Erez. I guess it was finally my time because “AYAYAY” was the thing that I needed to re-energize my day. It’s a blend of Reggaeton, Cumbia, and Middle Eastern beats combined with Erez’s impressive mic Spanglish mic skills, with the Dillom cameo coming in tastefully, just adding some color to the song without overwhelming it. I get how she landed the Missy Elliott seal of approval.
“AYAYAY” is available in all the usual places. Her next album, The Vandalist, is ready to pick up your Fall doldrums on September 20th. Preorders and presaves are happening now!
Outside Lands 2024: Top 10 From The Bottom Half Of The Poster
The craziest thing about this year’s Outside Lands poster is that, when it was first printed, Shaboozey was on the 4th line from the bottom. Obviously, having a worldwide #1 hit means that he’s doing just fine; here are 10 MORE acts from the bottom half of the poster for you to watch out for.
The full lineup is here, the schedule is here so you can start plotting your weekend, and limited tickets are still available: Continue reading “Outside Lands 2024: Top 10 From The Bottom Half Of The Poster”
How Did I Get Here? with Victoria Bigelow
I didn’t know what to expect when I got on a call with Victoria Bigelow. All I knew about her was that I’d kinda fallen in love with her head-swimmy brand of reverb-drenched country and shoegaze. We ended up talking a LOT about music in general, the struggles with being a DIY artist in this modern era, and getting the seal of approval from Willie Nelson.
Her latest release, Songs For No One, Vol 2, is out now on Immortal Records, which was, in fact, Korn’s first record label. Her latest video, “Forever Now And Then,” is a stunning piece of filmmaking.
Enjoy!