Andrew St James – Spinning Platters

The 2023 Stern Grove Fest Line Up is Ridiculous!!!!

We are so very lucky in San Francisco. The lineup for the Stern Grove festival was just released, and it feels unfair how good it is. We are already lucky enough to live in the greatest place on Earth, but to see this array of acts FOR FREE?!?!?! In an absolutely stunning outdoor amphitheater? The rest of the world is full of envy for us.

I kinda want to go to everything… I mean, it opens with jazz experimentalists Snarky Puppy on June 18th. Then a bill where NEKO CASE IS THE OPENER?!?! Of course, she’s opening for the legendary Indigo Girls on June 25th for a bill that’s way more than closer to fine. (Sorry!) Avant-Pop icon Santigold on July 2nd. Lyle Lovett with our dear friend Andrew St James on July 9th. Legendary singer Angelique Kidjo is gracing our presence on July 16th. Jammy Funksters Lettuce is playing with the SF Symphony, which is just, um, !!!!!!. On July 20th, we’ve got the house double bill of Bob Moses and Neil Frances. August 6th brings us the FINAL SF PERFORMANCE from Buddy Guy. Competing with Outside Lands on August 13th (Damn right, I’m angry) is Patti Smith, possibly the most captivating live performer I’ve ever seen, paired with former Husker Du and Sugar frontman Bob Mould. And closing the whole thing out? The Flaming Lips on August 20th.

As with the last two years, tickets are free but do require RSVP. RSVP Links are below, along with the day and time they go live. (Which appears to be the same date as the show in the prior month at 2pm) And, as usual, they are selling tables to The Big Picnic with The Flaming Lips on August 20th.

June 18 Snarky Puppy, Isaiah Sharkey (RSVP Opens May 18th at 2pm)

June 25 Indigo Girls (with Full Band), Neko Case (RSVP Opens May 25th at 2pm)

July 2 Santigold, Ogi (RSVP Opens June 2nd at 2pm)

July 9 Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Andrew St. James (RSVP Opens June 9th at 2pm)

July 16 Angelique Kidjo, Jupiter & Okwess (RSVP Opens June 16th at 2pm)

July 23 SF Symphony with Special Guest Lettuce (RSVP Opens June 23rd at 2pm)

July 30 Bob Moses, Neil Frances (RSVP Opens June 30th at 2pm)

August 6 Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour, Eric Gales (RSVP Opens July 6th at 2pm)

August 13 Patti Smith, Bob Mould (RSVP Opens July 20th at 2pm)

August 20 The Big Picnic Featuring The Flaming Lips, Alan Palomo (Neon Indian DJ Set) (RSVP Opens July 20th at 2pm)

Single Of The Week: “Golden State” by Andrew St James

I’ve read a LOT about Andrew St James over the past few years… He generated a bit of a following over the pandemic through his “delivery” shows, doing socially distanced, outdoor concerts in front of people’s homes, parks, and any place else he could. Now that life has returned, so has his semi-regular local music showcase/part, Fast Times. He’s also got a new record coming 11/12 called light after darkness. That record will be the home of our Single Of The Week, “Golden State.” It is a classic, Dylan-inspired country number. It’s the perfect accompaniment for a lazy weekend indoors during what will hopefully be a damp weekend in California. So fix yourself a hot toddy and watch the rain come down while streaming “Golden State” on whatever service you choose.

Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” Season 2, Episode 7 with Julie Schuchard

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

Julie Schuchard is the co-founder of Tricycle Records, (Download their latest free compilation here!) who has given us records by local acts such as The Hot Toddies, Everyone is Dirty, Andrew St James, Rich Girls, Geographer, and more. She also has done marketing for SF Sketchfest, Mezzanine, and about a dozen other local venues, has served on the board for the SF chapter of the Recording Academy, and can often be found around town DJing from her impressive vinyl catalog. We got to talk about her history with music, the struggles of running a label, and also her move from focusing on music and to the world of graphic design.

She also has a Nasty Woman tattoo on her wrist as a reminder that being a woman in this industry (and in this world in general) takes an extra level of nasty. Enjoy her Nasty Woman playlist below:

Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” Episode 8 with Ashley Graham

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

Ashley Graham is the marketing director for The Fillmore and The Masonic. She’s also the art director behind those amazing Fillmore posters. In her free time, she’s also the advisor to Andrew St James. We talked about her career, of course, and what it’s like to land a dream job where you actually get to work with Sammy Hagar. Yes, we talk about Sammy Hagar. We also talked about what it’s like when you have a promo cycle plotted out for an artist, only to have it upended due to COVID and you have to get creative.

You can follow Ashley on Instagram here. And Andrew St James can be found here. His Fast Times project can be found here, and his new band, Juan Wayne, can be found here.

If you have any feedback about this episode, feel free to email me at dakin@spinningplatters.com. If you like what you heard and want to help support this thing, feel free to Venmo me whatever tip you feel is adequate @Dakin-Hardwick. And, most importantly, please go to SaveOurStages.com to find out what you can do to help independent promoters and venues weather this COVID crisis so we have shows to go back to when this pandemic is over. Thanks for listening!

Single Of The Week: Tuesday Night by Fast Times

This week’s Single Of The Week, “Tuesday Night,” comes from Fast Times, a Bay Area rock supergroup comprised of leader Andrew St James, Duncan Nielsen of Doncat and Cody Rhodes of Geographer. It’s a fun, lofi number with a swing that’s reminiscent of The Strokes at their best, and is another Summer number perfect for helping keep the serotonin pumping while we remain stuck, not getting to see each other or commune together at a rock show. (Which I miss so much, I don’t care if the first version of the vaccine causes me to grow a third arm, I’m in as long as my attendance at a show doesn’t threaten anyone’s life)

Speaking of needing to get to a show, Fast Times were going to do a single release party at Rickshaw Stop, but instead will be doing a livestream benefitting both Rickshaw Stop and it’s employees displaced by COVID-19, but also local charity Hip Hop For Change. The livestream will be Wednesday, July 15th, and can be viewed on both Rickshaw Stop‘s and Fast Times‘ Instagram pages.

Show Review: Fast Times: Holy Spirit, Sandy’s, French Cassettes at The Chapel, 9/14/19

Maybe I don’t get out enough. When I think multiple local bands on a single bill, I think of Noise Pop Fest, or maybe Phono Del Sol. Certainly something of a local festival flavor, or maybe a tiny bar. That’s why I was excited to hear about Andrew St James pulling together some friends and fellow local musicians at The Chapel for an event billed as FAST TIMES. Continue reading “Show Review: Fast Times: Holy Spirit, Sandy’s, French Cassettes at The Chapel, 9/14/19”