Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
Another week of shows to keep you occupied at nights, instead of spending it looking for a job or spending time with loved ones.
Another week of shows to keep you occupied at night, instead of spending it looking for a job or spending time with loved ones.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 7th-14th”
When last I was writing a diary, everything was going swimmingly as far as getting to the Glastonbury Festival on schedule. But then a funny thing happened while I was on the train. It turned out that accidents on the M3 and M4 had blocked up traffic throughout the region, and the buses were running a bit behind schedule. How much so? I was told to expect a 3 1/2 hour queue. And so, I’ll make “waiting in queues” the first of the Top Six Things That Define “The Glastonbury Experience.” Continue reading “Glastonbury Diary, Part Two: The Experience”
Sorry about last week… We at Spinningplatters.com hope you found something to do, and if not, hope that you aren’t blaming us for that. We know that you still need to write your aunt that thank you letter. You should do it now!
On with our Michael Jackson tribute! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: 6/30-7/6”
Wilco played the Greek Theater in Berkeley on June 27th, 2009. Somebody fainted. People wore tie-dye.
I’ve seen a lot of bands in my day. I’ve seen a lot of very famous people, and I have been very close to them. I often think that I am immune to the surprise of seeing someone in the flesh that I primarily know from pictures, but Jeff Tweedy is one of those frontpersons that has such a unique charisma, that I my heart skips a beat whenever I see him. Continue reading “Show Review: Wilco and Okkervil River at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, 6/27/09”
Elvis Costello debuted new songs from his record “Secret, Profane, and Sugarcane” at Amoeba Music on Haight Street in San Francisco.
I consider myself to be a music fan. I enjoy listening to music quite a bit. When I’m not listening to music, I am usually talking about music or reading about music. I consider myself to be pretty good at appreciating music… but I will never be as good at it as Elvis Costello. Continue reading “Elvis Costello at Amoeba Records SF”
I’m on my way from Heathrow to Reading, due to arrive at about 15:15. Then I have a 15:44 train to Castle Cary, arriving in a couple of hours from then. Finally, I get on an official Glastonbury Festival shuttle bus, which takes anywhere from 15-45 minutes according to various reports. Continue reading “Glastonbury Diary, Part One”
It’s been almost five years since PJ Harvey has graced San Francisco with her electric energy. Without a tour in the States for her previous release, “White Chalk,” the barest and probably quietest of all her records, she reemerged alongside old writing mate John Parish, with guns blazing and a fire simmering in the belly. Continue reading “PJ Harvey and John Parish at The Warfield, 6/19/09”
It’s pretty easy to see why this show was so sold out. Bjork and Radiohead endorsements aside, people always seem interested by an artist who opens up a portal into a construct they can deeply explore. Natasha Khan who is, Bat For Lashes, carries you into her songs in the same way an author submerges readers into the lush world of their own creation. Full of fairies, birds, ghosts and howling wolves, her thoughtful and refreshingly imaginative music invites you into a world you’re not sure she discovered, envisioned, or simply grew up in. Continue reading “Bat for Lashes at the Great American Music Hall, 6/13/09”
Cut Off Your Hands live sound like their record turned up to 11. While the record sounds clean and poppy, live they are like madmen, jumping about, playing intensely and not missing a single note (including the four part vocal harmonies). It is wonderful to watch a band who really cares about what they are doing and sees the value in putting on a good show. This was their fourth to last show of their four month American tour, which is where most bands would have phoned it in just thinking of home (they hail from New Zealand); but they played as passionately as they did four months ago at SXSW.
Continue reading “Cut Off Your Hands at Bottom of the Hill, 6/18/09”
After seeing We Be the Echo play this last Sunday, I caught up with drummer Ilk after the show and asked him if he’d do 10 Quick Questions with us. He and guitarist Graeme Nichols answered our questions. After reading, be sure to clear your schedule for this Friday night and catch the band at the Hemlock in San Francisco as they celebrate the release of the new album.
SP: Tell us a brief history of the band.
Graeme: We’ve been playing in this incarnation for 4-5 years, having emerged from a murky past of hardcore punk, post-rock improv and teenage metal.
Ilk: Our new album “MASKS” (coming out this Friday) is our second full-length, and we’ve also released two EPs. We’ve toured both coasts and the Midwest, and will be in Europe this summer to spread the mayhem worldwide.
SP: Where does the name come from? Continue reading “10 Quick Questions For We Be the Echo”