Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
It’s a packed week with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park and Alternative Press Expo in San Jose.
Coming up we have concerts by old people, young old people, and very old people who don’t much age. Let’s preview! Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts: 10/1/15-10/7/15”
In sharp contrast to the last show I went to at Oakland’s beloved Fox Theater, the crowd was overwhelmingly mellow, especially considering this could be the last time Bright Eyes plays the Bay Area. Luckily this ended up being more telling about Bright Eyes’ fans maturity than their level of worship. Just like every other time I’ve seen Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and their team of talented musicians (this was number nine if anyone’s counting), the audience still fell into a hush while a sense of quiet worship filled the room as the band took the stage. And they held that stage for over two hours of intensity. Continue reading “Show Review: Bright Eyes with Farmer Dave Scher at The Fox Theater, 4/12/11”
This week kicks off week one of Fauxchella, the awesome assortment of bands that are also playing Coachella, only we get full length sets, with air conditioning and sound checks. Another reason the Bay Area is better than Southern California. Enjoy the shows!
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/7/11 – 4/13/11”
I needed a picks six x’s 2 to settle the warring factions in my South By Southwest Brain this year, new vs old. Who do I concentrate on? The tried and true or the exciting and fresh? This year, more than any other for me, is bringing out the artists that I grew up with; the ones that have helped shape my musical taste. The fangirl in me is excited to follow these people around for five days to continue my personal worship. The music journalist in me is excited to see some new acts that will hopefully blow my mind. Whichever side ends up winning I am sure to have a wonderful time. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six (x2): Indie and Pop Acts to Watch at SXSW”
On Thanksgiving, the holiday season begins with family, stuffing your face, and thinking of the things you can give thanks to. As a music nerd I would like to take time to thank the albums that have changed my life in one way or another. Some of them have brought me comfort through the years and others have helped to shape my musical taste and turned me in to the reviewer I am today. Some may surprise you and others should be extremely obvious to those who know me. To all of the artists involved I say a warm thank you and a happy holidays. To you, dear readers, hopefully one of these albums can bring you a little warmth on a cold winter day. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: Albums I Am Thankful For”
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this “supergroup” of modern indie/folk but it is not what I got. The album opens with a drum machine, some sort of harp imitation, and Jim James’ ethereal falsetto. My carpool-mate responded to this by saying, “What is this? The slow jam from a Backstreet Boys album!?!” Not what is expected from a group called Monsters of Folk. I don’t know about the folk part, but the members of the band: Jim James (My Morning Jacket), M. Ward, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes) are monsters of the indie scene. The question remains: when they come together, do you get something better than the sum of its parts? Continue reading “Album Review: Monsters of Folk — Monsters of Folk”
Episode 3 of the Spinning Platters podcast is now available below, and in iTunes. Dakin, Gordon and D.P. are joined on this episode by writer Raffi Yousouffian for a discussion of:
Click on to listen, or even better, subscribe to the Spinning Platters podcast on iTunes.
Continue reading “Spinning Platters Podcast: Episode 3 — The View”
So, Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit is October 24th-25th. For those that aren’t already aware, Neil and Pegi Young have a school for the developmentally disabled. Every year, they put together an acoustic show with a few friends in the business. In the past, these friends have included Tom Waits, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ministry, and, well, the list can go on for miles. Today, I am going to try to predict six of the bands playing. They usually announce the bill about six weeks in advance, so we have a bit more time, and as some acts get confirmed, I will revise the bill. Well, on with the show: Continue reading “Spinning Platters Picks Six: An Early Educated Guess At Bridge School”