Author: Dakin Hardwick

Single of the Week: “Like A Dog” by Jordana

Fun fact: my family had a 1-month old foster puppy earlier this week. It was lovely and insanely stressful. I highly recommend it if you have the time and space, no matter how much poop you are cleaning up. Either way, that might be why I have “Like A Dog” by Jordana on repeat. Or it might be because my shoulders bob uncontrollably to the bright and cheerful rhythms combined with some of the most vivid metaphors in lyrics that I’ve heard in a minute. Either way, I like the song. I hope you do, too. 

“Like A Dog” is off Jordana’s upcoming release, Lively Premonition, due October 18th. Also, it’s Bandcamp Friday today, so if you preorder here, all the money you spend goes to Jordana! (There’s even a Bandcamp exclusive variant!)

 

How Did Noga Erez Get Here?

Noga Erez is a brilliant MC who, after years generating buzz in the underground, is putting out her major label debut, The Vandalist on September 20th. We had a great discussion about influences, working with Missy Elliott, her epic KIDS livestream, and even managed to discuss the complexities of promoting a record while living in a politically volatile country.

Single of the Week: “Late to The Party” by Orla Gartland ft Declan McKenna

I am often SHOCKED when I catch an artist selling out an entire US tour without me knowing much about them. I feel like I’m “Late to The Party,” if you will. My day job is in event ticketing, and it seems that every club I work with was shocked by how quickly these Orla Gartland shows sold out, and I finally see why. This song rips? Gartland pulls from the classic 90’s Britpop in both warmth and humor and is also pretty ferocious. For those eagerly awaiting the second Wet Leg record, at minimum, Gartland can help tide you over until then. 

“Late To The Party” is the latest single off Orla Gartland’s sophomore record, Everybody Needs A Hero, in stores and streaming on October 5th. You may prepare for this record’s arrival however you please here. And sorry if you were hoping to see her this Fall, as all 13 North American shows are SOLD OUT. 

Show Review: Chaka Khan with Steel Pulse at Stern Grove, 8/25/24

Stern Grove is one of my favorite places, but I have never make it out there enough. It’s a sunny oasis in the middle of the foggiest reaches of San Francisco’s Sunset District, and every year, they commit to a Summer’s worth of amazing free shows. (Donate here to help keep these shows coming) I often feel intimidated by the commute, traveling from Oakland to the city’s furthest reaches across the bay. However, whenever I get here, I remember how magical this place is. And it doesn’t hurt that our show this afternoon features one of my bucket list artists, recently Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Chaka Khan. 

Continue reading “Show Review: Chaka Khan with Steel Pulse at Stern Grove, 8/25/24”

Single of the Week: “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter

I did not have “Becoming a Sabrina Carpenter Superfan” on my bingo card for 2024. Mostly because I didn’t know anything about her in 2023 and didn’t initially like “Espresso.” Then “Please Please Please” happened. Then Outside Lands happened. And now I’m smitten with her snarky blend of disco and country that feels so utterly timeless. “Taste” is, at its heart, a brilliant send-up of the “woman done wrong” country song. It would be “Jolene” if Jolene didn’t decide she was the victim. And the video is brilliant, too. 

“Taste” is the latest single from Sabrina’s 5th (Yes. 5th) record, Short n’ Sweet, in stores and streaming TODAY. You can experience the magic I felt at Outside Lands this fall on tour: Continue reading “Single of the Week: “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter”

Show Review: Bikini Kill with Frightwig at The Warfield, 8/19/24

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”

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”