Comes out and plays through the album that made her, that created a being separate from lineage, too mature for this crude southern land, the pedigree and the world wise chanteuse disorienting pop music. Self aware, the first line is an irrepressible fein to the Carpenter’s ‘Superstar’. The very first line claims a place: Long ago, and so very… Continue reading “Show Review: Martha Wainwright at Great American Music Hall, 4/2/25”
Single of the Week: “Spike Island” by Pulp
What do Pulp sound like, 25 years after their last full-length album, 12 years since their last release? Well, “Spike Island,” their first new music since 2013, may not be littered with double entendres like their 90s hitmaking era, but it does spotlight the *other* thing Jarvis Cocker is known for: his innate ability to find joy in life. It’s reflective without being sickeningly sweet. And, of course, anytime you gift me with a song about the joy of music, I’m all in—especially a song about the joys of making music.
“Spike Island” is the first single off Pulp’s upcoming new record (did I really say that? A NEW PULP ALBUM?!?!), More, in stores and on the web on June 6th. I can’t wait to hear more!
Film Review: “Sacramento”
New road trip movie goes nowhere
Bay Area viewers may wince when they hear a character refer to San Francisco as “San Fran” in the new movie Sacramento, but that head-shaking tidbit is the least of this odd indie film’s problems. The second feature film from writer, director, and actor Michael Angarano (Minx; This is Us), Sacramento is an uninspired and mostly forgettable picture, saved only by an excellent, layered performance from the always reliable Michael Cera.
Continue reading “Film Review: “Sacramento””
VIDEO PREMIERE: “Playing Records” by Lane Moore + It Was Romance at 9 PM PST/12 AM EST TONIGHT!
Remember a few weeks ago when I was glowing about “Playing Records” as the single of the week? Well, Ms Moore sent me the video to preview, and it’s, like, the most adorable thing in history.
Final Girl can be streamed at your favorite DSP. I’m putting out into the world West Coast tour dates and a physical release as a wish, and if enough of you folks stream this excellent EP, maybe that will turn both into a reality.
Film Review: “Warfare”
Warfare prioritizes a real-time sensory experience for maximum impact
Prepare for war. Warfare is a ninety-five minute adrenaline shot of real-time warfighting that asks the audience to experience an authentic depiction of grim combat and decide how to feel about it. Some viewers will chastise the filmmakers for not taking an explicit stance, the same complaint levied against 2024’s Civil War, yet that would be missing the point. Warfare isn’t interested in historical or political context, and unfolds almost entirely without a hint of moral grandstanding. Instead, Warfare is solely focused on the visceral hell unleashed when the bullets begin to fly. In a troubling hint at war’s futility, Warfare’s very existence seems to suggest that any shred of morality can only work backwards from the end, after it’s too late and the battle is over. Continue reading “Film Review: “Warfare””
Film Feature: 68th SFFILM Festival Preview #1
The 68th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) will take place April 17-April 27 with screenings at various theaters around San Francisco and the East Bay.
For a full view of special awards, spotlights, and centerpiece films, check out the complete festival guide. Tickets can be purchased here.
Below is a preview of the festival, featuring brief looks at six films:
1.) THE BOTANIST
(China, 2025. 96 min)
The soulful connection between humans and nature lies at the forefront of Jing Yi’s directorial debut, The Botanist, about a young boy, Arsin, in the remote northern province of Xinjiang during one summer. Arsin spends his time quietly in nature, pressing flowers, examining a faded family tree and contemplating the building blocks of life. The cast of non-actors are amazing, and the stunning real-world environment is beautifully captured in a manner that exhibits the environment as a critical character. When Arsin meets Meiyu, a young girl in the village, his perception of the relationship between nature and civilization becomes simultaneously complicated and ethereal, as the filmmakers employ subtle elements of magical realism to portray his evolving emotional and physical understanding of the world. Other world-building elements include a village radio continuously spouting news about oil taxes and burgeoning industry, Arsin’s aloof brother (“uncle”) calling his network of former lovers and friends in Shanghai, and high-angled shots of the village and surrounding landscape. All of these elements create a meditative and enchanting coming-of-age story about how a forgotten pastoral corner of the world still finds ways to embrace our kinship with the natural world.
Screenings (click here for tickets):
– Fri., April 18th, 6:00pm at the Presidio Theatre
– Sat., April 19th, 5:15pm at BAMPFA Continue reading “Film Feature: 68th SFFILM Festival Preview #1”
STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!
Stern Grove just announced its 2025 season, and it’s, well, totally bonkers, as usual. Including your editor-in-chief’s all time favorite band, Sleater-Kinney, East Bay Legends The Pointer Sisters with fellow East Bay Legend, Lyrics Born, Queer Country icon Orville Peck, and many more. OH! And closing out the season is one of the last great rock pioneers, MS DIANA ROSS!!!!
They are also changing things up a bit to help ensure a fair ticket distribution and discourage third party resellers from hogging up the servers. I think it’s smart and opens up to multiple opportunities for fans to score free tickets: Continue reading “STERN GROVE LINEUP!!! DIANA ROSS!!! SLEATER-KINNEY!!! ORVILLE PECK!!! WOAH!!!!”
Film Review: “Freaky Tales”
Oakland and Berkeley real stars of fantastical ’80s period piece
I’m not sure how well Freaky Tales will play in middle America, but for those of us who live or grew up in the Oakland area–especially in the late 1980s–the movie is like our own personal valentine. Weird, wild, and more than a little crazy, the Oakland and Berkeley-set film is a rousing ode to Mayor Lionel Wilson’s Oakland, with its attendant complex mix of charm, edge, creativity, and simmering racism and misogyny.
Continue reading “Film Review: “Freaky Tales””
Single of the Week: “Last Girls At The Party” by The Beaches
Howdy! It’s another week in hell in the United States, and I’m forever stuck on the story of the US citizen that was sent to a labor camp in El Salvador “accidentally,” and “Ooops! We can’t do anything about it!” and fuck. So, yeah, The Beaches from our friendly neighbors to the north have gifted us something purely fun. “Last Girls At The Party” is a bubbly little dance-rock number here to show us that Canada will probably win in all this nonsense.
“Last Girls At The Party” is the first single off The Beaches upcoming record, No Hard Feelings. I can’t wait. But I’ll have to because it’s coming out August 29th! And if you presave, you can enjoy The Beaches on their DJ-set tour (Yup! I’m surprised too):
April 16 – Los Angeles
May 17 – London, UK
May 20 – Amsterdam
May 21 – Brussels
May 23 – Berlin
June 7 – NYC
August 2 – Montréal
Film Review: “The Friend”
A somber dramedy for writers and dog lovers
Aspiring novelists and dog lovers, I have the perfect film for you! The Friend is a dramedy adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel. Though the book takes a unique approach by not giving the characters names except for the dog, Apollo, the film utilizes a traditional style and narrative structure. Despite its handful of plot contrivances, The Friend is a somber yet inspiring reminder of the power of strong friendships, where deep conversations come easily and unique personal connections are irreplaceable.