Spinning Platters – Page 71 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Film Feature: Carrie’s Top 10 Films of 2020

Thinking back on the year in movies, “unusual” and “complicated” might be 2020’s most fitting descriptors. Yes, we’ve had plenty of content to watch, thanks to streaming services, and plenty of time at home to view it all, but COVID-19 cancelled the multiplex experience. Watching movies at home, without the excitement of the big screen and a crowd of fellow film-lovers nearby, just wasn’t as satisfying, which is why the number of films I reviewed this year dwindled sharply. That said, I did watch enough to pull together my annual Top 10 Best Films of the Year. And a unique year requires a unique Top 10 list: hence my first ever Haiku Top 10! I hope each of these 17 syllable snippets (and their trailers!) will steer you toward checking out these films, each of which moved, inspired, and stuck with me this year. Here’s to a return to in-person cinema in 2021! (And if you’re curious about what was on my list last year, you can check that out here.)

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SF Sketchfest Presents: FESTPOCALYPSE!!!

Normally, right about now, we’d be carefully analyzing the 300 or so events that would make up the 20th Anniversary of SF Sketchfest in preparation for putting out our annual “Nerd’s Guide to SF Sketchfest.” Sadly, due to the COVID pandemic, the 20th Sketchfest is going to be delayed a bit, at least until it’s safe for us to congregate again. However, the festival organizers haven’t been resting on their laurels. Instead, they have put together a ridiculous line-up for a variety show that will be getting beamed to your computers on Saturday, January 30th at 5pm PST / 8PM EST, and it’s called: FESTPOCALYPSE!!!!

Headlining are The Kids In The Hall, The State, and Mr. Show’s David Cross & Bob Odenkirk. You know the three most important sketch shows ever after SNL, In Living Color, and SCTV. There will be appearances by all of your SF Sketchfest favorites, and pretty much anyone that has ever made another human laugh EVER, if you look at the poster above. And everyone is doing all-new performances just for this special event.

Tickets are $20 and all of the proceeds go towards helping the good folks at SF Sketchfest keep the lights on and can afford to put on the event that you expect them to when they are ready. The regular ticket lets you watch it all weekend long! And for $50 you can enjoy a “virtual VIP after party” where you can actually walk around and mingle via avatar. I don’t know how they are going to do it, but I’m curious enough to find out. There are also a BUNCH of other packages for those who can spend a little more to help keep these folks afloat! Tickets are available here!

Single of the Week: “Cold Christmas” by The Aislers Set

With all of the hell that 2020 has been and remains to be, the last thing I expected to get out of it was a new single from SF twee pop heroes The Aislers Set. For the unfamiliar, The Aislers Set were a supergroup of sorts featuring members of SF indie rock bands Henry’s Dress, #Poundsign and Track Star. The quietly drifted away in the late 00’s, only to reappear for a short run of shows in 2014. This morning, I opened my inbox to find a “new” track from them. Sadly, it’s just a song that went unreleased in 2010 only to appear today, which means we might not be hearing new music, but maybe we will? Or at least a few more shows when we can enjoy shows again? Either way, this song is classic, trumpet and reverb drenched bliss with surprisingly poignant lyrics for Christmas 2020, which is going to be cold and lonely for a lot of people. However, the summery music lends some optimism! Remember, it’s only a lonely holiday because if we aren’t alone this year, we are going to be alone for a LOT more years to come.

You can purchase the new track from The Aislers Set Bandcamp page. And all of you young people that missed the joy of seeing this band, may I reccomend spinning The Last Match, a record that DEFINITELY changed my life.

Single Of The Week: “It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” by Carly Rae Jepsen

I generally hate Christmas music. And 2020 has been an extra terrible year for Christmas music… All of the new songs of the season that have been coming out have been EXTRA 2020! So much about missing your loved ones and not being able to celebrate and whatnot. With all of the darkness this year has given us, I’m just sort of over get reminded how miserable everything and everyone is.

Which is why I say “Thank God for Carly Rae Jepsen!” I actually say that almost daily, but seriously, she is shaking up Christmas 2020 in all the right ways. “It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” is a legitimately funny and timeless song. It’s the spiritual sister to The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping”- a song that pokes fun of the holiday and its traditions, while still giving warm regard to it. This song will make you feel good, and maybe help remind you that telling your mother that Christmas might have to be celebrated via Zoom this year might not be so hard. (Also, celebrating via Zoom this year is the only way to guarantee you can celebrate with hugs next year)

“It’s Not Christmas Until Somebody Cries” can be found in all the usual places. May it bring you all the joy that it’s brought me!

Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” BONUS EPISODE with Tanya Donelly and Brian Sullivan of The Loyal Seas

Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” is available most everywhere you enjoy podcasts. You can find us and subscribe here!

Remember how I said a few weeks ago that I’m the 1st season of “How Did I Get Here?” was over? Well, I lied. I didn’t lie, but I had the opportunity to snag the very first interview with The Loyal Seas. Who are The Loyal Seas? They are a bit of a supergroup featuring Bay Area-based indie veteran and all-around really lovely person, Brian Sullivan, aka Dylan In The Movies and Tanya Donelly. Yes, the Grammy-nominated Tanya Donelly. Founding member of not one, but THREE of the most groundbreaking bands in rock history: Throwing Muses, The Breeders, and Belly. We got to talk about friendship, struggling to get your music heard, the logistics of having a transcontinental band, and a lot more. I even asked a very specific question about a moment that happened at a Belly concert in 1993, and, sadly, that moment is missing from the internet. You can literally watch the whole show except the part we talked about.

The Loyal Seas first 7″, Strange Mornings In The Garden, is coming out December 4th on American Laundromat. Pre-orders are happening NOW! A full-length is in the works, and we should be hearing that around Fall 2021. The best way to stay in the know there is to follow them on Instagram.

You can follow Tanya Donelly on Instagram and Bandcamp, and you can also pre-order the Belly rarities/b-sides compilation Bees, too!

Brian Sullivan can be found on Instagram and Dylan In The Movies can be found on Bandcamp. Keep an eye out at American Laundromat for more Dylan In The Movies news soon!

Single Of The Week: “i never wanna die” by Bea Miller

I don’t know why I’ve slept on Bea Miller… The name has been getting tossed around for a bit now, but it wasn’t until the NIVA Save Our Stages Fest Livestream that I really took notice. Her set, which is still up here, was amazing. “i never wanna die” is the latest single from her EP, elated!, which came out in late October, is a dark little rock number that gets stuck on your head for ages. I’m glad it’s a single, so I can finally give it the “Single Of The Week” honors!

elated! doesn’t have a physical release date as of yet, but you can enjoy it in all of the places you would normally listen to music in the virtual world.

Single Of The Week: “Water Baby” by Megan Diana

Funny. I opened up a press release while doing something else, and ended up clicking on the wrong link in the press release. So, Megan Diana released a new single this week called “Cabin Fever.” Don’t get me wrong, it’s a really great song, full of soulful vocals and gorgeous french horn. BUT! I found that out late because I clicked on the link to ANOTHER song by her called “Water Baby.” And HOLY SHITBALLS!! Diana is playing a mighty Wurlitzer organ alongside bass playing by the legendary Esperanza Spalding, and this song is just plain buttery magic. It’s always important to read the fine print, I guess? I’ve listened to this track 10 times today, and I’ll probably listen to it 10 more.

“Water Baby” can be streamed on Spotify & purchased on Bandcamp. While you are at it, “Cabin Fever” can be, too. Expect a full-length record to drop sometime in 2021.

Film Review: The Climb

Offbeat buddy picture champions long-haul friendships

Mike (Michael Angelo Covino, l.) drops some unsettling news on his longtime friend Kyle (Kyle Marvin) during an uphill bike ride.

Bay Area cinephiles were no doubt excited by the news that the Landmark Shattuck and Embarcadero theaters are re-opening today (at reduced capacity, and with strict health and safety protocols in place, of course). The chain has long been a showcase for indie film, and film fans can rejoice at returning to a venue for unique and quirky offerings. One of the theater’s grand re-opening films, The Climb, fits that description to a tee, and makes for a terrific first-time back viewing experience.

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Single Of The Week: “Shake” by Hot Laundry

It’s getting really cold outside. Life since the double shot of optimism last weekend with Biden getting declared President-Elect and news of a highly effective vaccine has since been shot down by a massive resurgence of the virus nationwide and the current President trying to do all he can to prevent his democratically elected successor from taking office. What is the best way to deal with both physical and psychological coldness? Well, I like to take a cue from my chihuahua and dive into a pile of hot laundry, fresh out of the dryer. Of course, sometimes real hot laundry isn’t at your disposal. Then, of course, you should play “Shake” by Hot Laundry super loud and dance around to get your serotonin flowing. It’s a sexy soul punk anthem that will surely help you “shake” off the negativity in this world, at least for a little while.

“Shake” can be streamed/purchased in all the usual places, and it’s the lead single off their upcoming full length, due out this Spring! The band also just created a YouTube page for you to subscribe to, so you can see their lovely faces while you are dancing. And if you need to get your live music fix that we all desperately need, lead singer Janette Lopez has been hosting regular live streams from The Complex SF, and you can catch all of that on Twitch, including live sets from The Black Angels, Whateverglades, and many more!