Sometimes, the cure for what ails you is simply a massive guttural scream. This week, “MIORATA” by dodola is the exact guttural scream that releases the tension. This track comes off of the dodola’s self-titled debut record recently released on Bandcamp. It’s a 10 track beast of a record that assaults the senses, while occasionally opening up for a breath. However, the peace is always balanced out by increased intensity. This has been a rough week for the world, and what better way to end it than with a dose of pure sonic catharsis.
Noise Pop week. It’s pretty much impossible, isn’t it? It’s the single best programmed week of live music the Bay Area gets all year! And this year marks the return on the Noise Pop Film Series! There is other fun stuff in store, like a photo exhibit at Hotel Biron, and some secret late shows at Cafe du Nord! So, yes, there is plenty do to that ISN’T seeing a band. Which is my life’s blood, and probably your’s, too, since you are reading this preview. Since there is a lot to do, this is not a comprehensive guide to the fest by any means. (That can be found here) This is one show per day that you should go to, plus a movie on some days. And if you don’t want to buy nine sets of tickets, pick up a badge that can get you into EVERYTHING! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2020”
This is no ordinary love: Neeson and Manville make cancer drama worth seeing
Husband Tom (Liam Neeson) supports wife Joan (Lesley Manville) as she undergoes breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“How do you say to someone ‘don’t die’?” a character asks in Ordinary Love, which pretty much sets the tone for this grim but well done film about a long married couple coping with the wife’s recent breast cancer diagnosis. The movie is startling realistic, so much so that anyone who has been through cancer (either as a patient, or as a supportive family member/friend) may want to avoid it for the unpleasant memories it may bring back. Consider that your upfront trigger warning. But Irish husband/wife directing team Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, working from a script by Irish playwright Owen McCafferty, have crafted a nuanced, raw, and well-acted picture that, despite the downer subject matter, is worth your time.
Calgary, Alberta experimental pop trio, Braids have been quiet for the last five years. Instead of resting on their laurels, they’ve been working hard at producing their 4th full length record. And, if the lead single, “Young Buck,” is any indication, this is going to be their most accessible record yet! However, they haven’t gone completely soft. This might be their most emotionally complex piece of lyric yet. The accompanying video is also a potent piece of film!
Shadow Offering, the latest full length LP from Braids hits all the usual places on April 24th. You can preorder online here!
Their North American tour kicks off June 3rd! Don’t miss one of the most intense live experiences of your life!
This week’s Single of the Week comes from Personal Trainer. This is the debut single from this power trio based out of both Philadelphia AND Brooklyn. (Odds are that there is some infighting about which town has the best pizza) This track starts out sounding deceptively simple, but builds into a delightful aural treat that spans an insane amount of emotions on 4:18. This song is a stunner, and I can’t wait to hear more from this band.
“Backyward” can be found on Soundcloud and Spotify. You can also follow the band on Instagram and Twitter to stay in the know when they put out more material.
The Donnas have been on hiatus since 2012. As quickly as they disbanded, their catalog seemed to disappear nearly entirely. Their CDs and records had all quietly fallen out of print, and their Lookout Records-era catalog, which amounted to the bulk of the band’s output, never made it to streaming. Interviews with band members have shown that they really don’t have any interest in looking back on this project, so I started to think this Palo Alto-based hard rock powerhouse was going to remain a memory for the folks that got to experience them during their tenure. Continue reading “Vinyl Reissue Spotlight: Spend The Night and Gold Medal by The Donnas”
Film critics Carrie and Chris on who will – and who should – win the 92nd Academy Awards
The 92nd Academy Awards air tomorrow, Sunday, February 9th, on ABC at 5:00 pm PST. Once again, Spinning Platters film critics Carrie Kahn and Chris Piper share their predictions — and hopes — for the major categories. A lot of the winners feel like locks, based on earlier award season wins, but, honestly, we’d rather have some upsets to make for an interesting show then have all our predictions come true. Fingers crossed for some liveliness!
Carly Rae Jepsen, Canada’s greatest export since Rush, has done it again. She’s released another single outside of the standard album cycle that is bound to outlast anything that appeared on the album that preceded it. Much like “Cut to the Feeling” has become one of her most beloved songs, her newest single “Let’s Be Friends” is poised to become another standout in her unimpeachable songbook.
Co-written and produced by CJ Baran, whose credits include “Let’s Get Lost” and “Emotion” from Carly Rae, “Let’s Be Friends” is a bouncy breakup song that examines the lie that couples will stay friends after they’re done being lovers. Full of playful vocals and clever turns of phrase, its catchy chorus is ready for singing along or for quirky short dance videos. The song even features a funny spoken-word breakdown, perfect for TikTok lipsyncing, that “coincidentally” lasts exactly 15 seconds.
We’re big, big fans of Carly Rae here at Spinning Platters, so much so that we’re on a first-name basis with her in our heads. So it’s exciting to note that at the same time this single was released, she also announced a show on April 12 at The Fox Theater in Oakland.
Winding down my time at this year’s SF Sketchfest, I wanted to make sure to catch one more stand up variety show. Everything’s Great!, hosted by Demi Adejuyigbe, Nick Kocher, and Addie Weyrich, has been on my list as a must-see in Los Angeles. Past guests on their line-up have included Sasheer Zamata, Joel Kim Booster, Kyle Kinane and Rachel Bloom, amongst other big talents. Plus the hosts themselves are ridiculously entertaining; each of them has their own extensive and cool list of projects in comedy. Catching their SF Sketchfest show was exactly how I wanted to wrap up this year’s festival.
