Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
This past Thursday, I attended the fourth installment of Flux Summit – a free, single-evening event that unites up-and-coming electronic and hip hop artists with professionals for an open discussion on the evolving dynamics of the industry. Hosted at Pyramind Studios, the session featured three panelists doling out expert advice on how you can get your music licensed in television shows, video games, and film.
The Scorpions are too famous for their giant hit song, “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” and not well respected enough for their rest of their catalog. Filled with shiny gems of pop metal, the German legends have a huge list of hard-but-not-too-hard rock songs to choose from as they continue touring for the last time. They’ve said the tour will run through 2012 or 2013, so whether this is their last stop in the Bay Area or not is still a question. If it’s not, though, you’ll see me in the audience for the next one. These guys still have their stingers. Continue reading “Show Review: Scorpions with Cinderella at Concord Pavilion, 8/1/2010”
When I called The Henry Clay People for an interview, lead singer and lyricist Joey Siara was driving the band through Oregon, on their way to another gig with Silversun Pickups and Against Me. I did my day job proud and made sure Joey was wearing a headset before continuing with the interview, making this Joey’s first interview given while driving, dialing up the degree of difficulty a bit. While we later got into detail on the life of an opening band, I started where a lot of interviews start: with the name.
About the name of the band, named after 19th century politician Henry Clay. Of all the obscure 19th century politicians, why him?
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: The Henry Clay People”
Friday night at The Fox Theater in Oakland, the Bay Area had Wolf Parade back in town for the tour for their 3rd album, Expo 86 ,which came out last month. The guys in the band are made up from quite a few other successful bands such as The Handsome Furs, Sunset Rubdown, and Hot Hot Heat. There’s an Arcade Fire song under their belt, among others projects as well. That’s some major Canadian indie rock street cred. Continue reading “Show Review: Wolf Parade with Moools and Zola Jesus at The Fox Theater, 7/28/2010”
Kelli Scarr is a native of Folsom, CA. She has spent many years playing in different bands, before ending up as a collaborator on Moby’s 2009 release Wait For Me, as well as playing in his band on his corresponding world tour. She’s recently released her debut full-length solo record, Piece, which as an absolutely stunning piece of work. Spinning Platters had a chance to speak with her before playing the intimate confines of the Hotel Utah Saloon.
How did you end up hooking up with Moby?
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Kelli Scarr”
It has been a few weeks. Figuring out how to best use Rdio has been a bit of a trial. I think I’m getting there, so bear with me. Continue reading “New Release Round Up for July 2010 — 37 Instant Album Reviews”
As July transitions into August, The Mountain Winery continues to generally kick the ass of every other Bay Area concert venue this week—and it’s actually kind of an off-week for them. Nobody likes a showoff, Mountain Winery! Other highlights this week include Joanna Newsom, a free concert by Rickie Lee Jones, and the final performance by local favorites Make Me before they take an indefinite hiatus. All that and more, after the jump…
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/29/10-8/4/10”
Any sort of band that plays music that can be even remotely described as “downtempo” has, in some eyes, a serious disadvantage when it comes to their live performance. The energy and excitement and wildness that comes from a live gig is toned down, and re-formed into the fluid, organic compositions that make up the worlds of dub, trip-hop, and ambient performance. Often, an audience with great patience and love of such swell in a melody becomes the ultimate factor in a successful show, or act, that brings mostly slower, dreamier, and more wistful compositions to the live world of music. Tonight’s crowd at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco fit this bill perfectly, so to speak, so it was little surprise when Skye Edwards and the other Londoners of Morcheeba proclaimed the intimate venue to be one of their favorite places in the world to play. Continue reading “Show Review: Morcheeba with The Mumlers and Mariee Sioux at The Fillmore, 7/28/2010”
“Hip-hope” perhaps? Their music blends genres of rap, electronica, reggae, jazz and other sounds, invoking spiritualism and awareness on social issues. They have risen to the top of their class, working with such greats as De La Soul and Run D.M.C. As Oakland’s MC Zion (aka Zumbi) and DJ/producer Amp Live prepare for a hometown reunion of sorts, opening for the infamous Black Star collaboration at the Fox Theater on Saturday, July 31st before setting out on a nationwide tour, they had a few moments to share with us to discuss their craft. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Zion I”