Author: Dakin Hardwick

The Electronic Music Averse Guide To Portola Music Festival

For those who follow this site closely, I recently posted a podcast where I said, “I work all day on a laptop. I don’t want to dance to one at night, too.” It may seem a little odd to you, my loyal reader, that I am attending the Portola Music Festival this year. Not only am I attending, but I am deeply excited about this. Indeed, there is plenty of laptop action happening on this bill, and numerous websites are highlighting it. Tickets are available here. Full schedule here. See you September 20th-21st! 

This is who I’m excited about: Continue reading “The Electronic Music Averse Guide To Portola Music Festival”

Single of the Week: “Past It” by Lexa Gates

Is this site becoming a Lexa Gates fan site? MAYBE?!?! But, holy shit, this one is good. It’s like a classic Chi-Lites jump groove (is that a real term?) with Gates’ signature fierce and snarky delivery. And that video is BONKERS. Such a solid track. One of my favorite new rappers to come out in a long time. 

“Past It” can be enjoyed here. This is the first track from her upcoming sophomore full-length, but if this is the first taste, I can only imagine how gratifying the whole meal will be. 

Pulp announce 30th Anniversary Edition of Different Class

I recall as a wee 15-year-old, listening to the radio. Live 105, which, as a teenager in the Bay Area, was your source for a rock n roll education. This was shortly before I discovered KZSU and KALX, as well as similar stations, which really opened my ears. Anyway, I heard a song. It was the most deliciously naughty song I’ve ever heard at the time. It was a song called “Underwear.” I was OBSESSED. I found out that an older friend had a CD called Different Class. He dubbed it for me, and I listened to it nonstop. It was my opening to the genre known as “Britpop.” Later, of course, I’d delve into Blur, Elastica, Supergrass, and Kenickie. Eventually, this led me to spend my young college days at an 18+ nightclub called “Popscene.” Continue reading “Pulp announce 30th Anniversary Edition of Different Class”

How Did Ghostwoman Get Here?

 

Today’s episode of “How Did I Get Here?” features the amazing psych duo Ghostwoman. We talked at length about music, being in a band, and what to do when you find an excellent musical partner that happens to live on an entirely different continent!

Ghostwoman’s latest record, Welcome To The Civilized World, is out TODAY (September 5th!) on Full Time Hobby. You can either stream or order it delivered to your home FROM THIS VERY LINK!

Single of the Week: “México Suite” by Oruã

Today is a pretty bonkers new release day, with new records from Sabrina Carpenter, The Beaches, and The Hives that were all queued up for my eardrums. And then I landed on something completely different- this deliciously dark, prog-psych-free jazz brain swim of a track from Brazil’s Oruã. The song is “México Suite.” I love it. 

“México Suite” is off Oruã’s upcoming release, Slacker, coming out October 24th on the legendary K Records. 

Show Review: Carly Rae Jepsen: Emotion 10th Anniversary Show at Troubadour, 8/19/25

Photos by Gordon Elgart

E*MO*TION by Carly Rae Jepsen is an extremely rare record. It’s simply perfect. It landed at #2 on our list of greatest records of the 2010s, and if we re-evaluated that list, it likely would be #1 five years removed from the last decade. When Jepsen announced that she was going to do one show in 2025, and it would be playing that seminal record in full, I decided it was best to make sure I was there. 

Continue reading “Show Review: Carly Rae Jepsen: Emotion 10th Anniversary Show at Troubadour, 8/19/25”

Single of the Week: “Heartbreak” by Ivy

I *love* Ivy. The faux French Pop project from married couple Dominique Durand and the late, great Adam Schleisinger was almost certainly a thing of the past when COVID stole the life of one of America’s greatest songwriters in 2020. However, while working on remaster / reissues of Ivy’s fantastic catalog, Durand started listening to various demos from over the years, called up bandmate Andy Chase and, bam! We have a new Ivy album! And much like a ghost giving you a warm hug, these are all songs worked on by Schleisinger. Even though COVID is still frustrating our lives, its impact has reduced in the last year, and hopefully will continue to wane. That being said, “Heartbreak” sounds as fresh and inviting as anything off their classic record Apartment Life, and I’m eager for more music and to hopefully see them live again.

“Heartbreak” comes from Ivy’s upcoming record, Traces Of You, in stores and at your friendly neighborhood DSP on September 5th!  

Outside Lands 2025: 15 Instant Set Reviews

I’m no stranger to Outside Lands, having only missed two iterations of it since its debut in 2008 (2010 and 2021 for those keeping score). I’ve seen a lot of changes, and I admit that I miss a few things that have gone away, such as the Barbary tent and the craft vendors in the Polo Fields. But, in return, the addition of the Dolores’ stage, spotlighting SF’s rich legacy of LGBTQ culture and arts, as well as the gorgeous Duboce Triangle stage, has been a welcome addition. This year, in particular, felt like the “nicest” Outside Lands has ever been. People were kind and polite. Taller folks were letting shorter folks in. I lost my water bottle leaving a set, and a kind woman RAN AFTER ME TO GET IT BACK TO ME! I’ve never hugged more strangers, and it was all just so very lovely! Also, everywhere I went, I saw a young person with “Fuck Ice” written on their clothes, or a Palestinian flag, rainbows, “No Kings” attire, etc- For those believing the hype that Gen Z is all conservative and MAGA, that certainly wasn’t what was happening in the park this weekend. Truly, Outside Lands 2025 was a welcome respite from the real pain the world is feeling right now. 

Continue reading “Outside Lands 2025: 15 Instant Set Reviews”

Single of the Week: “With You” by Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith keeps knocking out banger after banger. “With You” is a bright and happy tune perfect for detaching from the stress of life, holding your loved ones, and enjoying the sun. It’s delicate and just housey enough that it’s got a sexy groove without being, well, annoying. 

Jorja Smith is playing Outside Lands on Sunday evening (6:50 / Twin Peaks Stage), and I can’t wait to hear this one in Golden Gate Park.