Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center

Fever Ray

A friend of mine and I were having a discussion about what makes a show a “good” show, or a “great” show, and what makes for an “incredible” show. We came to the following consensus: a “good” or “great” show is one you go to because you know and love the band, and you will be there to sing every note of their songs until your throat is hoarse. An “incredible” show may include elements of a “great” show, but more often than not, it will be more than 50% surprise and unexpectedness; it’s even more incredible when it is able to knock even the casual listener off their feet.

So, to preface this review: Fever Ray gave an incredible performance. Continue reading “Show Review: Fever Ray at The Regency Center”

10 Quick Questions with Gregg Gordon of GIGART

Just one of many great prints Gregg has done
Just one of many great prints Gregg has done

This weekend brings the TRPS Festival of Rock Posters in Golden Gate Park.  To celebrate, I’ll be going as both a journalist and a customer, bringing back interviews with artists, photos of the proceedings, and more posters to add to my flat file.  To kick off our coverage, I caught up with local artist Gregg Gordon who goes professionally by GIGART.  I first met him at the Ledson Winery when he was walking around with his portfolio, showing off some of his earlier work, and I’ve been following his career ever since.  Thanks to Gregg for answering our questions.

Spinning Platters:  What was the first work of art you did for money? Continue reading “10 Quick Questions with Gregg Gordon of GIGART”

Review and Photo Gallery: LovEvolution 2009

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Who doesn’t love colorful outfits, pounding bass and 19 year old drunk girls? Yeah, that’s right I’m talking about LoveParade, I mean, LoveFest, no no I mean LovEvolution, It’s LovEvolution now, so don’t get confused! I enjoy this confusion, even. (I’ve been going to it since three names ago.) This is my fifth year going to this event, and in some respects it is my favorite of the year, and in others the least.

I live right downtown at the start of this shindig, granted I am ten floors up but the wattage supported by most of the floats simply laughs at the idea of traveling ten stories up. Right around 9:30 AM, the sound check for the floats stated. I had been playing with the idea of ditching work and going, but up until this point I was less then 100% sure about it; that is, until I heard the music. I don’t really know what it is or how it works, but there is something that i absolutely LOVE about electronic music: it simply summons me! As soon as I heard the music I was dressed and armed with my camera and ready to have a blast–I assumed–all my my lonesome. Continue reading “Review and Photo Gallery: LovEvolution 2009”

Album Review: Bad Lieutenant – Never Cry Another Tear

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If you’re my age and grew up in the UK then you are a New Order fan.  You may no longer like them or remember them that well,  but as soon as you hear their songs it takes you back.  If you want to be cool you claim to be a Joy Division fan; or knowledgeable. you’ll play the Electronic, or better still, Monaco card.  Over the years New Order matured and came back towards a pretty traditional but always entertaining pop music sound but sadly appear to have closed up shop for the last time due to disputes between Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook. I am huge fan of Bernard Sumner, especially his singing voice.  I recently saw him on the UK based Songbook show discussing his songs and revealing that he would soon be releasing an album with his new band, Bad Lieutenant, and after a long wait it’s here. Continue reading “Album Review: Bad Lieutenant — Never Cry Another Tear”

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Journal, 10/03/09

So, this is the kind of crowd you get to see a retired amusement park employee play banjo? San Franciscans are weird...
So, this is the kind of crowd you get to see a retired amusement park employee play banjo? San Franciscans are weird...

The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival is different than most music festivals in several ways. The best thing about it is that it’s free. That might also be it’s biggest downfall, as well. It attracts a lot of people that normally don’t go to shows. The crowd veers a bit older, and they tend to prefer to bring lawn chairs and stay in one place. If you really want to get up close and personal with a big act, you essesntially have to get there at the crack of dawn, stake a place, and hang out. If you go to the show thinking that you can jump stages and get a good spot for everyone, you are really out of luck. The best way to enjoy this festival is to drop most expectations of actually seeing the performer, and jump between stages freely, taking an the smorgasboard of music in little sample sizes. You will end up with a much more eclectic palate, and you will have a much better time. Continue reading “Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Journal, 10/03/09”

Week in Review: Top 5 Posts for Sept 25 – Oct 1

Kylie towered over the competition
Kylie towered over the competition

This week at Spinning Platters was the Kylie Minogue show.  In one day, she took over our #1 all-time most-read post as well as giving us the busiest day in our site’s history.   Cheers to Kylie!  I hope you enjoy your time in America as much as we are.  So who won the battle for second place? Continue reading “Week in Review: Top 5 Posts for Sept 25 — Oct 1”

Album Review: Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains

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I’ve been putting a lot of thought into how to approach this review. It’s not that Why There Are Mountains from Cymbals Eat Guitars is a particularly bad album; there are some real good things about it. But listening to it is like being in a bad relationship, let me explain. Continue reading “Album Review: Cymbals Eat Guitars — Why There Are Mountains”

Show Review: Kylie Minogue at The Fox Oakland, 10/01/09

Locomotion
Tonight was all about The Locomotion for me.

Kylie Minogue. The sound of her name conjures images of bubbly goodness. As my memory serves, I celebrated my 9th birthday at Round Table Pizza, and insisted that we put “The Locomotion” on the jukebox. It’s the song with the dance in the lyrics that I have always wanted to see performed. I kept waiting for her to play a concert. This was 1988.

In 1998, I decided to look up Kylie Minogue. Since I am an American, she hadn’t had a song on the radio in a decade. That’s when I learned that she plays stadiums in the rest of the world, and is a huge star still. I also learned that she was in “Bio-Dome”. So I watched it and pretended that I’m nine again. In 2002, she has some hits in America. I decide that I’m going to see Kylie when she comes around. Doesn’t happen. Rumors of American tours pop up on the Internet for the bulk of the decade. And finally, in 2009, it happens. I finally see Kylie Minogue. I buy a ticket right away, only not fast enough. I miss the first show in America. I bought a ticket for the second. Tonight, I finally learn how to do The Locomotion.

Continue reading “Show Review: Kylie Minogue at The Fox Oakland, 10/01/09”

Album Review: Music Go Music – Expressions

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Expressions by Music Go Music releases on Secretly Canadian on October 6, 2009

Music Go Music are a recent discovery of mine.  When I saw them open for Little Boots at The Independent a couple of weeks ago, I made remarks about how they’re well on their way to being my favorite band.  Since then, I’d been waiting to get my hands on their debut album, Expressions.  I finally did yesterday, and I’ve been spending all day long listening to it and finding out interesting facts about the band.  If I told you that I ordered the vinyl from Insound twenty minutes ago, would you think I might like the album? Continue reading “Album Review: Music Go Music — Expressions”

Show Review: Kylie Minogue at The Fox Oakland, 9/30/09

The stage was hardly big enough to contain Kylie's show.
The stage was hardly big enough to contain Kylie's show.

First off, a spoiler warning.  Although usually seen in movie reviews, I think one applies here.  If you don’t want to know what songs she played, how many costume changes there were, and how she reworked some of her classic songs, then read no further.  If, on the other hand, you want to know what’s coming soon, or you aren’t going to have a chance to see for yourself, jump on board, take a ride, yeah. Continue reading “Show Review: Kylie Minogue at The Fox Oakland, 9/30/09”