Show Review: Regina Spektor at The Fox Oakland, 10/30/2009

Sadly, the best picture I could get from the back of the room
Sadly, the best picture I could get from the back of the room

For some reason I always forget how good Regina Spektor is, but when the lights went down in The Fox Theater and the crowd went insane I felt a surge of pure joy and anticipation just like a die-hard fan.  Then when Regina, beaming at the crowd’s welcome, started into “The Calculation” I started to feel tears well up.  I may be over emotional this week, but still, it was one of those perfect moments that you just knew everything was going to be wonderful, at least for the next hour and a half. Continue reading “Show Review: Regina Spektor at The Fox Oakland, 10/30/2009”

Show Review: Noah and the Whale at Swedish American Music Hall, 10/22/2009

Should sell t-shirts that say sweater vests are sexy
Should sell t-shirts that say sweater vests are sexy

I decided to go to the Noah and the Whale show on a whim.  I have random hodge-podge of songs on my iPod, but I never listen to them.  But lately I had been hearing their name about, and English indie folk rock isn’t a risky genre for my entertainment.  So, I blew off my normal Thursday night choices (dinner with a friend and Project Runway) and headed out to the Castro for some music. Continue reading “Show Review: Noah and the Whale at Swedish American Music Hall, 10/22/2009”

Show Review: The Honey Brothers, Soko, and his Orchestra @ The Independent 9/12/09

Does the spotlight just shine for Adrian Grenier and The Honey Brothers?
Does the spotlight just shine for Adrian Grenier and The Honey Brothers?

I’ve been thinking about how every show review I write is positive, which makes sense since, if I’m going to a show, it is someone I like and listen to.  But tonight was a little different.  I’ve had the hots for Adrian Grenier since the movie Drive Me Crazy, and continue to love him on the HBO show Entourage, so when our Editor-In-Chief wanted a live edition of Sing it Hasselhoff I was happy to oblige.  I was even more excited when I found out Soko, who I was sad canceled her spot at SXSW 2009, was opening.  But I had no real idea what I was in for and thought this might be my first negative show review.  But when, during the second song from the opening band his Orchestra, two of the band members started running around the audience laughing and playing I knew that either this was going to be the best show ever or one giant letdown.

Continue reading “Show Review: The Honey Brothers, Soko, and his Orchestra @ The Independent 9/12/09”