Chvrches – Spinning Platters

BONUS SINGLE OF THE WEEK: “Are You Awake?” by Lauren Mayberry

My lucky, loyal readers… I’ve got a second single for you this week, mostly because I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! News of Lauren Mayberry putting out a solo album came about a month ago, around the same time CHVRCHES announced the 10th Anniversary editions of their smashing debut record, The Bones Of What You Believe. However, not a note of music has seen the light of day until now. And when it does? It’s a beautiful, heartbreaking break up song that’s primarily just Mayberry’s voice and piano. And two lines keep repeating in my head:

Hometown hero is a poisoned chalice choice
If they don’t love you you’re just destined to disappoint

I can’t help but speculate wildly. IS THIS SONG ABOUT THE BAND?!?! HAS THE WEIGHT OF BEING CHVRCHES IMPLIED A NEED FOR A BREAK?!?! And is Mayberry unhappy about it? I HAVE NO IDEA!!! But I will keep listening and studying this song until I know for sure. As you should, too! She’s also hitting the road, and I have no idea what to expect, but I’m sure it’s gonna be good.

BottleRock Napa Valley 2022 Festival Journal, Day 1

My favorite season (festival) has officially begun! BottleRock Napa Valley 2022 kicked off this past Friday (May 27) with a flurry of great artists. I look forward to this event every year since it brings such great bands right to my hometown, but this year, it’s different. I say that because I can’t believe it’s been three years since I was last here! 2020’s BottleRock was canceled due to COVID, and 2021 was pushed to September. Unfortunately, I had to miss last year due to concerns over the Delta variant, so suffice to say I had been anxiously awaiting a three-day music festival with gorgeous weather for days, at least. Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2022 Festival Journal, Day 1”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2022 Preview

In the 2+ years since the world changed forever, I’ve missed live music more than most things. Fortunately, I’ve finally been able to start attending live shows again, and I can’t believe how much good it does for my well-being! I always knew music played a huge role in my life (hell, even my last name is musical!)… but it wasn’t until I had to live without it that I came to realize just how much my mental health needs music, especially when experienced live.

It feels like it’s been eons since I was able to bask in the glory of a perfect-weather weekend right here in Napa with loads of amazing food, drinks, and live music. Thankfully, the wait is almost over – this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley starts two weeks from today!

This year’s lineup includes two artists I’ve been hoping I would eventually play this festival: P!nk and Twenty One Pilots. Additionally, Metallica rounds out the list of the biggest names this year, and I for one can’t wait to see each of them! I’m also really looking forward to seeing (in no particular order!) Chvrches, Spoon, Royal & the Serpent, Atlas Genius, The Black Crowes (who I still remember enjoying at the very first BRNV back in 2013), Silversun Pickups, Bleachers, Vance Joy, Amos Lee, The Happy Fits, Blu DeTiger, Mister Wives, The Alive (who have yet to let me down at this festival), Grandson, and Eliza & the Delusionals. I hope these next 14 days absolutely fly by so I can get down to the Expo to soak up all this good music and sunshine! Who are you most excited to see?

As I do each year, I made a new preview playlist to get hyped as I count down the days. Listen, share, enjoy, and I’ll see you in Napa in a few weeks!

Don’t have your tickets yet? Get them here!

Spinning Platters’ Top 20 Albums of 2021

By The Spinning Platters Staff

This was an intense year… It feels like we’ve lived 300 in the last 3 months, TBH. Anyways, here’s the Top 20 records of 2021 as voted by the staff at Spinning Platters. You may notice a couple of late 2020 releases here… Similar to the Grammy’s, we don’t do a typical calendar year. Instead, we do 11/20-11/19 as a year. Because, really, in those last six weeks of the year, can anyone develop an emotional connection to a record? Continue reading “Spinning Platters’ Top 20 Albums of 2021”

Single Of The Week: “How Not To Drown” by CHVRCHES featuring Robert Smith

When COVID hit, CHVRCHES were scattered all around the world. They were also due to play the biggest venues of their career, so not only were they not able to do a victory lap for Love Is Dead, but they weren’t able to even mourn the loss of the tour together. So what do they do? They write and record an album. And if the lead single, “How Not To Drown,” is any indication, these trials may have led to the best record of their career. This is a dark, moody track that is somehow also danceable. The band incorporates live bass and guitar, which is rare, and Lauren Mayberry’s voice blends with Robert Smith (yes, the guy from The Cure) in a beautiful way.

“How Not To Drown” is out now on all the usual platforms, and their fourth studio record, Screen Violence, is in stores on August 27th. Preorders are currently happening.

Spinning Platters’ Top 50 Records from our First Decade: 1-10!

The appropriate 10th anniversary gift is tin. So, um, here’s a pile of tin?

…And we’ve reached the finish line! Here are the top 10 records of the first decade of Spinning Platters, as voted on by our editorial team. Enjoy! Looking to see where we started? Here’s 31-50 and here’s 11-30 Continue reading “Spinning Platters’ Top 50 Records from our First Decade: 1-10!”

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”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts: 2016-04-15 – 2016-04-20

A Storm will be looming over San Francisco this week, bringing rainbows and songs.

Happy Tax Day! One of the two sure things. OK, so let’s turn in the paperwork and then let’s go to a concert.

Preview time, guys. This week in the Bay Area, we have natural events, nouns, piercings, and a tradition that Louis Pasteur likely might not have smiled upon. But you never know.

And so we preview. Preview time. Let’s preview. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts: 2016-04-15 — 2016-04-20”

Robert Plant, Grace Jones, and more make up the best of 2015 concert photos

Grace Jones at Fox Theatre Oakland — Grace Jones is an icon in her own right. Her sold out show in Oakland, this past September, exceeded my wildest expectations.

Like many people contributing to Spinning Platters, 2015 was a full and busy year to the point where I didn’t have the time to write and share as much as I would’ve liked. I didn’t go out often and chose to prioritize client work (and a burgeoning drone hobby) over excessive concert-going.

However, quality of the subjects trumped the quantity of shows I attended – especially compared to years past (apologies for the over-used analogy, my mind is on Holiday break). Legendary acts, big names, and a combination of both crossed my lens in the pit this year alongside some up-and-comers that should be on your radar if they’re not already.

Continue reading “Robert Plant, Grace Jones, and more make up the best of 2015 concert photos”

Spinning Platters Presents The Official List of the Top 10 Albums of 2013

Though this album is great (and my favorite of the year), it just wasn't good enough for this list. It came in at unlucky number 11. — Though this album is great (and my favorite of the year), it just wasn’t good enough for this list. It came in at unlucky number 11.

If there’s one thing Spinning Platters does differently, and especially nerd-ish, it is our Album of the Year list. All the contributors get to nominate their favorite albums of the year (there were 53 nominees this year) then a grueling listening/voting process starts until we have it narrowed down to the top ten. While not everyone may agree with the final list, it is democratic and popular opinion that must rule. So without further ado, here is our top ten!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Presents The Official List of the Top 10 Albums of 2013”