Tag: Broken Social Scene

Single Of The Week: “Depressed Unicorn Christmas Song” by Kevin Drew

Remember how I said I hate Christmas music two weeks ago when I posted the Carly Rae Jepsen Christmas song? And now all of the December “Singles Of The Week” have been Christmas music? I still hate the holiday, but this surprise song by Uni The Unicorn (not to be confused with Uni The Unicorn of children’s literary fame), Stevie The Shark, Bobby The Bulldog, and, um, Broken Social Scenes’ Kevin Drew is cute and funny and a harsh reminder that YOU SHOULD ONLY SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD. Seriously. Don’t be the fucker that accidentally kills your mother. STAY HOME. There will be other Christmases. This will only be the last one for your family if you don’t protect them from COVID. And, seriously, there is no way to be 100% certain you aren’t carrying the virus. 

Anyways, I love this video. I hope it gives you the joy it gave me. 

Outside Lands 2018: 27 Instant Gig Reviews

Ate a lot of food. Got a lot of steps. But it was mostly Janet Jackson.

All photos by Dakin Hardwick unless otherwise noted

Outside Lands reached its 11th birthday this year. I’ve been to ten of those eleven installments. This year, the folks booking the festival decided it was time to take some risks… They added an extra stage for acoustic sets and magic, called “Cocktail Magic.” They added a whole pot awareness area (not that folks at a music festival need to be *more* aware of weed). Continue reading “Outside Lands 2018: 27 Instant Gig Reviews”

Show Review: Stars at The Masonic Lodge 11/29/17

A concert in a graveyard? Why not!

STARS-8

What exactly is it about Canada that produces such intriguing rock and roll acts? The great North is home to dozens of groups that broke through international barriers and still continue to impress to this day. Of course there are the obvious examples like Neil Young, Rush, The Guess Who, Arcade Fire, and NoMeansNo, but there is also that unique brand of indie/art with groups like Metric, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, The New Pornographers, and Broken Social Scene, the indie super band of which Amy Millan and Evan Cranley are members. Easily one of my favorites of all of them is Stars who take up a special place with their lush production and exploration of the various themes of love and heartbreak. In support of their recent double LP release, There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light, the band took over the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for three whole days of intimacy with their long-time fans and first timers alike.

Continue reading “Show Review: Stars at The Masonic Lodge 11/29/17”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/4/13-12/10/13

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Coming to The Fillmore, this Thursday Night!

Wednesday, December 4th

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 12/4/13-12/10/13”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/7/11 – 4/13/11

Sorry, Tsunami aren't getting back together to raise money to help earthquake victims. But opportunity to raise money & have fun doing it still exists. Just read on!

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”

Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival – Sunday 10/17/2010

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Monotonix did not get the memo on the San Francisco weather

I sent out an email to everyone from Spinning Platters that went to the Treasure Island Music Festival on Sunday. I asked them to send me back something about their favorite act from the day. From some people, I got nothing, but from nearly everyone who responded, I got the same news. Belle & Sebastian was their favorite act.  So you’re about to read mainly a Belle & Sebastian love-fest, and look at a whole lot of pictures of Monotonix. And other than the rainy, windy, cold conditions and some energetic sets from Surfer Blood, Superchunk and Rogue Wave, that’s my biggest takeaway, too. Continue reading “Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival — Sunday 10/17/2010”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/10-5/4/10

Hello, I'm opening up for Lupe Fiasco. How are you?

Thank, Jason LeRoy, for stepping in last week with the list. I hope you all were kept entertained. As for this week, well, here’s what I want you to do: Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 4/28/10-5/4/10”

Wanderlust Festival Diary: The Photos

Jenny Lewis as seen without a photo pass
Jenny Lewis as seen without a photo pass

I took quite a few photos at Wanderlust Festival: nearly 500 of them.  Since I didn’t have any sort of media credential, you’re not going to see any amazing closeups of performers’ nostrils, but my handy pocket camera does a pretty good job of it.  I’ve selected 19 of my favorites, showing every musical act I saw over the weekend and more.  If you were there, I hope these act as a nice reminder of a wonderful weekend; if you weren’t, I hope it will inspire you to go next year.  Feel free to share these photos around.  Please just tell everyone where you found them!  Now, on to the photo gallery. Continue reading “Wanderlust Festival Diary: The Photos”

Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Three

If you look right above that dome, you can see the lake.
If you look right above that dome, you can see the lake.

Sunday at the Wanderlust felt like one long, sad goodbye.  The whole drive home to Oakland was hanging over my head the whole day.  Can’t drink.  Can’t party too hard.  Must drink enough water so that I feel good enough to make the drive.  Have to leave early enough to get home for work.  All of these things can really bring a guy down as he heads up the funitel to another sun-soaked day of music.  How long could this feeling last? Continue reading “Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Three”

Festival Preview: Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley, 7/24/09-7/26/09

Girl Talk should be featured in the Wanderlust marketing
Girl Talk should be featured in the Wanderlust marketing

This summer, a new festival comes to the Lake Tahoe area called the Wanderlust Festival. I’m extremely excited about this festival, and have already reserved a hotel room and picked up tickets. Now, I’m simply holding my breath and hoping they sell enough tickets for it to happen. Their marketing is poor. They’re selling the festival like this: Continue reading “Festival Preview: Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley, 7/24/09-7/26/09”