Single of the Week: “Cardinal Feather” by Julie Odell

For those of you following this column every week, you’ll notice that I find myself veering towards anxious music. “Cardinal Feather” by New Orlean’s Julie Odell drew me in immediately, but I didn’t pick up on the anxiety at first. Then I read her bio and she said, “Cardinal Feather was born out of a panic attack.” However, this song does not wallow in the anxiety. It’s really a song of optimism and finding your way through the anxiety. Sonically, Odell sounds like the record that Jenny Lewis never did with fellow Louisianans, Givers. 

“Cardinal Feather” can be enjoyed in all the usual places. It’s the second single off Odell’s debut album, Autumn Eve, due to your local DSP and/or turntable on September 30th, and can be reserved here. 

Old Crow Medicine Show with Molly Tuttle: A Definition of HOME

Photos and Review by: Emily Anderson – EmilyAnderson.me

When listening to Molly Tuttle and the Golden Highway, your entire person will elevate to a higher positivity.  The upbeat, quick rhythms with elated smiles between the band and the audience were contagious.  During a few short pauses of confession and conversation, she referenced San Francisco as her home.  Upon each return, she witnessed the changes and felt the nostalgia for the original San Francisco and California Dream.  This is the origin of the “San Francisco Blues.”  Of the entire set, my personal favorite was “Crooked Tree” with the stand-out lyrics “who am I to wish I wasn’t the way I am.”  All of the songs appeared to resonate with a strong positivity encouraging self-appreciation and acceptance. Safety of self and home. Continue reading “Old Crow Medicine Show with Molly Tuttle: A Definition of HOME”

Halloween Meltdown 2022 Line Up Announcement!

Good news! Halloween Meltdown is BACK for a second year! And it’s bigger than ever! John Waters and the $500 Costume Contest are back, but we will also get to see the historic Mosswood House turn into a Haunted Mansion!!! And the lineup? It’s pretty much magic. We see the triumphant return of Demolition Doll Rods. We have rare appearances from The Spits and Josie Cotton. Living legends Lydia Lunch and Kid Congo Powers will be there, too! Plus Amyl & The Sniffers, Shannon & The Clams, FUZZ, Sheer Mag, Body Double, NIIS, and more to come! VIP & GA tickets are on sale now, and you should buy them soon because I’m scared they will sell out. (Get it? Halloween? Scared?)

OUTSIDE LANDS NIGHT SHOW ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM!

As we slowly approach Outside Lands 2022, bigger and better things keep happening. FIRST- THEY ADDED THE LINDA LINDAS TO SATURDAY! This is really good, since the day Green Day are playing was pretty light on punk, so adding the best punk band to come out in a decade was a smart move. If you aren’t hip to them yet, it’s time to change that. They also added the great Rina Sawayama, Symba, and salem ilese, BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! The night shows were announced today, too! Highlights include a packed Thursday Night at The Independent with Pussy Riot, ILOVEMAKONNEN, REI AMI, and salem ilese, a rare acoustic set from Phoebe Bridgers, as well as sets from Spinning Platters’ faves Best Coast and MICHELLE. Tickets are on sale here at 10 am on Friday, July 15th to EVERYBODY! No presale. No special code that gives Outside Lands pass holders a leg up. Everyone has got an equal shot at this onsale. 

OUTSIDE LANDS 2021 NIGHT SHOWS LINEUP:

Continue reading “OUTSIDE LANDS NIGHT SHOW ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM!”

Show Review: Emo to Dance Rock – Cold War Kids and Geographer Wake Up the Sleepy West Side of San Francisco at Stern Grove Music Festival

Every show at the Stern Grove vibes differently…   Thus, I was unsure if there would be much of a crowd when my entry was quick, simple, and easy.  I was wrong.   The entire venue was fully populated with smiling faces and loaded party blankets from stage to hilltop.   The crowd had a harmonious, happy vibe completely prepped for an afternoon of indie ROCK.   Honoring the local musicians, Geographer and Cold War Kids returned to their San Francisco origin.   DJ Hgmny set the tone with chill moody blues as people settled in. Continue reading “Show Review: Emo to Dance Rock — Cold War Kids and Geographer Wake Up the Sleepy West Side of San Francisco at Stern Grove Music Festival”

Single of the Week: “Lizzie” by The Paranoyds

The Paranoyds were a “deep pandemic” find for me. I caught them in the middle of a deep “I’m never going to dance while immersed in a crowd again” depression, which, sadly still persists. Anyways, it looks like Jack White may have done the same thing, and now this band that feels like it will make for an exceptionally hot and sweaty show is signed to Third Man Records. The first single from this deal is “Lizzie,” a garage rock dance floor anthem that is as much The B-52s and Devo as it is Riot Grrl. 

The Paranoyd’s second full-length, Talk Talk Talk, is coming for you on September 9th. Preorder/presave details will be here shortly. You can play “Lizzie” loud enough to annoy the neighbors NOW in all the usual places! 

Show Review: Cavalera Conspiracy “Beneath / Arise”, Great American Music Hall, 06/17/2022

Photos and review by: Alan Ralph @ConcertGoingPro

It seems like every band these days is doing anniversary and album anniversary tours.  Maybe the band has been around 10, 25, 50 years?  Maybe their most popular album has been around long enough for their fans (or the music press in general) to consider it a classic record?  Most generally wait for a milestone year, 10 at least, before doing it, and it always seems to be on the 5- or 10- year increment.  

Max and Iggor Cavalera founded Sepultura in 1984. The 40th anniversary of that band is coming up in 2024, although both have not been in it since 1996 and 2006, respectively (only the bass player is a near-original member). The Cavalera’s may not be able to tour using the name Sepultura, but they can still celebrate the early albums that they took part in writing and recording.  Despite the odd number of years since they were released (33 and 31 years), Cavalera Conspiracy decided to go against the grain and tour exclusively on these two albums!

Single of the Week: “Princess Slit and the Raincoat Prince” by Tianna Esperanza

I try to avoid using the same artist for the Single of the Week too soon after the last time. But Tianna Esperanza, daughter of Palmolive of The Slits and The Raincoats fame, has granted us with a song that is so different from the last time she was given this prestigious award that it just makes sense. This no wave, post-punk groove is inspired by the music of her mother. It’s also an homage to the life and experiences of growing up in the punk rock world that allowed her to grow up and live on her own terms and embrace her queerness. It’s as much a pride anthem as it is a Mother’s Day song. 

This is the third single from Esperanza’s upcoming debut record. Yes, we are still waiting for a title and a release date. I’ll keep you posted with all the preorder/presave goodness. Until then, you can enjoy “Princess Slit and The Raincoat Prince” in all the usual places. 

Single of the Week: “Dope” by John Legend featuring JID

WHAT?!?! Someone your grandmother has heard of as our single of the week? Yup. It’s been a bit since John Legend has impressed me. But this track is equal parts perky and smooth. It could be dirty, but it could also get played at a wedding. And he’s got a verse from famous venue destroyer JID that’s pretty fantastic. 

“Dope” is out now at your favorite Digital Service Provider. There’s a full-length record coming in the future at a time yet to be determined. And, speaking of a place where time doesn’t exist- John Legend is doing the whole Vegas Residency thing, which should be fun. 

Single Of The Week: “Waves Came Crashing” by Spacemoth

It’s almost always magical when folks that have worked behind the scenes start releasing material on their own. Carole King’s Tapestry, NERD’s In Search of…, J Dilla’s Donuts just to name a few… These are people with music in their veins, and all three of those records are timeless pieces of work. Spacemoth is the alias of engineer and producer Maryam Qudus who has worked on records by local legends such as Thao Nguyen, Toro y Moi, tUnE-yArDs, and mxmtoon to name a few. This week she graces us with the latest single from her upcoming record, No Past No Future, “Waves Come Crashing.” This track is a big, layered piece of genius that is equal parts “I just want to lay in the grass with headphones and let my brain swim” and “I want to play this loud and dance frantically around my apartment.” 

“Waves Come Crashing” is available at all of your favorite places to listen to music. No Past No Future is coming your way on July 22nd and can be preordered here!