Does everyone else have artists they will see over and over forever, or is it just me? Sometimes, this is because I want to see what’s new in the artist’s/band’s set (as is the case with someone like Pink, who will change much of her songlist, set, costumes, etc, every time she hits the road). On the other hand, sometimes this is just because I’m such a fan of the artist’s voice, lyrics, and music that I’ll see them every single time I have an opportunity, regardless of whether or not things have much changed since the last time. Such was the case this week with John Mayer’s Solo tour, which arrived at Chase Center on Tuesday. Continue reading “Show Review: John Mayer with JP Saxe at Chase Center, 11/7/23”
Single of the Week: “Dominoes” by Mary Timony
It’s been 15 years since Mary Timony last graced our ears with a solo record. In that time, she’s been very busy, showing off her mad guitar skills in her own band, Ex Hex, as well as out-shining fellow guitar heroes Carrie Brownstein in Wild Flag and Mark Cisneros in Hammered Hulls. The fascinating thing about “Dominoes,” the lead single from her upcoming Untame The Tiger? It’s a tight, catchy, pop-rock song. There isn’t a blazing guitar solo. It’s warm and catchy and, dare I say, hit-worthy? It’s a great song.
Untame The Tiger is due to hit your eardrums on February 23rd. Preorders are available here! She also puts on an amazing show, and tour dates can be found here!
NOISE POP 2024 PHASE 1 LINEUP!!!
SOUND THE ALARM! It’s time to start planning your 2024 ALREADY!!! Noise Pop dropped their Phase 1 lineup, and it goes on sale TOMORROW! Highlights include two nights of Snail Mail at Great American Music Hall (including one night with The legendary Softies opening!), The Mountain Goats are doing a stripped-down, solo acoustic set (at Grace Cathedral, of all places!), Nine Inch Nails’ (and first ever Italian to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, in case you were wondering) Alessandro Cortini is playing Gray Area, and many other Spinning Platters favorites like Cherry Glazerr, chokecherry, Kendra Morris, Thee Sinseers, Roman Candle and more! Full lineup below! Tickets for single shows are on sale 11/10 at 10am here. A limited number of badges remain and you can grab those here!
Film Review: “The Holdovers”
The Holdovers is a comical, instantly rewatchable holiday treat
Filmmakers who take big swings deserve appreciation for taking the risk, even if the swing results in a miss. Director Alexander Payne (Nebraska) took such a swing six years ago with Downsizing, a polarizing if not much-maligned film. Thus, it was refreshing to hear the promising news that Payne was reuniting with his Sideways star, Paul Giamatti, for a new dramedy. The Holdovers is as sad, clever, and intelligent as the best of Payne’s work, but with a surprising lighthearted touch that places it firmly amidst some of the most classic holiday films, and amongst the filmmaker’s best work. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Holdovers””
Film Review: “What Happens Later”
When Meg imitated Nora: Ryan’s rom-com falls flat
Meg Ryan, star of such classic Nora Ephron-penned rom-coms as When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle, tries her hand at directing, co-writing, and starring in her own rom-com, and the results are disastrous. What this picture is is debatable, but one thing’s for sure: it’s neither rom nor com. The fact that Ryan dedicates the film to the late great Ephron only serves as a reminder of those halcyon days of far better Ephron-Ryan helmed vehicles.
Single of the Week: “Make It Up” by King Isis
My first thought, before I even took a chance with an artist called “King Isis,” was, “That’s an awfully brave name!” Digging deeper and learning that King Isis is named after the ancient Egyptian goddess and adding the gender play to that would definitely deeply offend that other organization that ruined the word. So, yeah, I’m already impressed. And the song? It’s a guitar-driven, slightly sludgy, yet incredibly catchy song that doesn’t remind me of anything, and it’s great. And the video is dark and weird and clearly filmed in Oakland, so it’s a bonafide win all around.
“Make It Up” is available in all the usual places. More to come, of course… And you can find all that out here!
Film Review: “Priscilla”
Coppola operates with tender precision in Priscilla
When considering last year’s Baz Luhrmann film Elvis (if you will humor me for a moment), it’s a challenge to identify a more tonal antithesis than Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla. Where Elvis is noisy and energetic, Priscilla is quiet and mellow. Where Elvis is over-the-top and wide-reaching, Priscilla is narrow and understated. They are two vastly different films focused on two vastly different characters. Priscilla, though, is the better film. The comparisons are inevitable, despite their distinct objectives. Priscilla represents a delicate portrayal of Priscilla Presley’s experience with Elvis, from meetup to breakup, almost exclusively from her point of view. Continue reading “Film Review: “Priscilla””
Show Review: Cavalera Conspiracy w/Exhumed, Incite, Thrown Into Exile, and SANGRE at The Wiltern, 10/18/2023
Cavalera: The REAL Sepultura
Show Review and Los Angeles Photos by: Oliver Brink
San Francisco Photos by: Alan Ralph @AlanHasPicks
This one was a bit special for me. Sepultura is a band that I fell deeply in love with in high school, and their music and the continued projects of Max Cavalera have been with me constantly as I navigate my way through life. I always find moments where I just need a song like “Refuse/Resist” or “Troops of Doom” to help me get through a moment of angry energy. So, of course, I had to jump at a chance to see Max and Iggor Cavalera, finally, and when that opportunity arrived, I jumped right the hell on it, even if it meant going to one of my least favorite venues to photograph. More on that later; bands first!
Film Review: “Five Nights at Freddy’s”
Grin and Fazbear it: Frightfully fun feature fares fine
If you’re looking to take the family out for a Halloween movie this week, you could do worse than Five Nights at Freddy’s. It’s rated PG-13, which already makes it more kid- friendly than most R-rated Halloween fare. The rating no doubt was purposeful, so as to allow legions of young fans access: the film is based on a hugely popular video game of the same name. I’ve never played the game, so I may not be the film’s target audience, but as a lightweight horror movie, it’s amusing enough for a mixed audience of game fans, non-fans, kids and adults. The scares are mostly fun, the gore level is mostly low, and the plot is mostly silly.
Show Review: BabyKlok Tour at The Youtube Theater, 10/12/23
“DEATH! DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!”
Sometimes, I get really tired of writing. It’s probably why these articles end up being late every damn time. Trying to think of good opening lines or hooks to pull you, the reader, in when I’m fairly confident you’re probably just here for the photos because how could you possibly relate to my subjective experience of these bands or live music in general? Yet, here I am, all self-deprecation aside, about to rattle on about why you should have been at one of the BabyKlok Tour shows regardless of which of these two juggernauts in their own rights is your favorite. Let’s get on with it, shall we?
Continue reading “Show Review: BabyKlok Tour at The Youtube Theater, 10/12/23”