SIGRID IS BACK! Norway’s finest import has returned with a funky, infectious single, and it’s the thing that’s keeping me moving today. And that vocal fry?!?! “Fort Knox” is the second single from Sigrid’s third full-length record, There’s Always More That I Can Say, coming your way on October 3rd. Preorders and such here!
Author: Dakin Hardwick
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.
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.
Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands 2025 Poster
Outside Lands is THIS WEEKEND!!! This is always one of my favorite weekends, and it’s generally a great weekend for discovering your new favorites. And now it’s time for the 2025 edition of my “Top 10 from the Bottom Half” list, which I’ve spent actual months researching and listening, and these are my 10 favorites. And, in case you are keeping score, in 2022 Wet Leg and Faye Webster made my list. In 2019, I introduced you to The Marias. 2018 had Lizzo. 2017 had Khruangbin. 2016? Anderson .Paak. That’s not a bad track record… There is a LOT of good stuff happening this weekend, and the full schedule is out here. Limited tickets are available here, but don’t delay! The weather is gonna be the best of any festival in America, just like every year. Continue reading “Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands 2025 Poster”
How Did Angie Monroy of The McCharmly’s Get Here?
Last year, I had the opportunity to see The Sonics play at Great American Music Hall. It was a fantastic show, but I was particularly entranced by the Chicano Soul / Retro Garage band opening, The McCharmly’s. We had the opportunity to speak to lead singer Angie Monroy about her musical journey.
The McCharmlys are on the road with SadGirl and put on one helluva live show. Tour Dates here. You can also pick up records and download music from their Bandcamp page.
Single of the Week: “Bound” by Julia, Julia
I get scared when a member of a band I like mysteriously goes “solo.” I noticed that Julia Kugel Montoya of The Coathangers, a brilliant punk band, was releasing a solo album, I initially wouldn’t listen to the single. It took me two weeks, and I’m gutted I missed two weeks with “Bound.” First of all, it sounds NOTHING like The Coathangers. But this song is GORGEOUS!!! It’s a stunning, intense ballad. You can’t mosh to it, but you easily cry to it.
“Bound” is the first single off Julia, Julia’s Sugaring The Strawberry, which is out September 9th. Preorders are available here. Although full tour dates have yet to be announced, she will be playing a free festival, Happy Sundays, curated by Julia herself, in Long Beach on August 23rd & 24th.
Single of the Week: “SOME WOLVES” by torpedo
90 seconds of build-up. That’s it. 90 seconds is NOT the perfect song length. “SOME WOLVES,” however, is a perfect metaphor for the reality of life. It’s simply unresolved tension that hangs there with no resolution. Which is right where we are living- everything is tension upon tension, and the closest we can get to relief is a new tension.
So fucking good.
“SOME WOLVES” is the lead track off torpedo’s latest record, What the fucked do we all do now |- Lights, the perfect album title the fuckery of now, and happens to be out NOW on Broken Clover Records.
West Coast Tour Dates began, um, yesterday?
TORPEDO – LIVE 2025:
07/10 San Diego, CA – The Tower Bar
07/11 San Pedro, CA – The Sardine
07/12 Los Angeles, CA – The Redwood Bar
07/13 Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing
07/15 Visalia/Fresno – TBA
07/16 Santa Cruz, CA – The Crepe Place
07/17 Sacramento, CA – The Press Club
07/18 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
07/19 Chico, CA – Naked Lounge
07/20 Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
07/23 Portland, OR – High Water Mark
07/24 Yakima, WA – Bearded Monkey
07/25 Bremerton, WA – The Charleston
07/26 Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
07/27 Seattle, WA – Substation
How Did Molly Neuman Get Here?
Molly Neuman is a rock n roll legend. She is the drummer for Riot Grrl groundbreakers Bratmobile. She was also a member of The Peechees and The Frumpies. AND she helped run Lookout Records in the late 90s. AND managed The Donnas. AND was Vice President at early digital music distributor eMusic. This is only a small portion of her career.
She’s now President of CD Baby and hitting the road with Bratmobile this Summer: Continue reading “How Did Molly Neuman Get Here?”