Tag: SPELLLING

Festival Review: Through The Looking Glass at Children’s Fairyland, 9/16/23

Children’s Fairyland is a pretty magical, at times even mythical place. The place that may or may not have inspired Disneyland has certainly inspired the imaginations of many generations of children who have grown up in the Bay Area. Yet, aside from the annual open-bar fundraiser, there haven’t been many opportunities for adults without children to really experience the wonder of this place. Really, it would take a special type of person, an artist who understands what fairies mean to grown-ups, who can bridge the beauty of approaching the world with a childlike curiosity with an adult’s maturity. There are probably three local musicians who are capable of curating an event at Children’s Fairyland and doing it right. It would be either Les Claypool, Tom Waits, or SPELLLING. And, really, we all know SPELLLING is the only person who could really do it right. 

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SPELLLING Presents: Through The Looking Glass Festival

Another day, another festival announcement… But this one is special, mostly because it’s bound to be the loveliest and weirdest event of the Fall. Atlas Obscura, the only travel website that I ever use, has teamed up with Sacred Bones Records and Oakland’s very own SPELLLING to curate a very special evening in, of all places, Children’s Fairyland. 

There will be art; there will be amusements; there will be tarot readings; there will be SUN RA ARKESTRA, for crying out loud! And, of course, SPELLLING, and LA’s Sasami (possibly the most dynamic performer I’ve ever seen on a stage), and so much more! And did I mention it’s at Children’s Fairyland from 7 pm-11 pm on Saturday, September 16th? 

Tickets are $70 and available here. Only 1200 tickets for sale, so buy fast so you don’t miss out! 

Single of the Week: “Under The Sun” by SPELLLING

Oakland’s SPELLLING has released two of the most impressive dark-pop records I’ve ever heard, and the cries of “this generation’s Kate Bush” are all well deserving. She’s also been on the road for about two years straight with an AMAZING live band that has given these tracks a bigger, more organic energy. Instead of doing a live album, she’s brought that band into the studio to record “live” versions of these tracks, and this version of “Under The Sun” is a world away from the lofi synth of the original. 

SPELLLING & The Mystery School is coming to your eardrums on August 25th, and preperations for it’s arrival can be made here. SPELLLING is bringing her band and other friends as well as a myriad of other oddities and exciting things to Children’s Fairyland in Oakland on September 16th for a very, very special evening of… Well, it’s co-presented by Atlas Obscura, so your guess is as good as mine. Tickets for that are available here! 

Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews

My last Outside Lands was in 2019. I’ve gone nearly every year up until that point, only missing the third year. I had tickets for 2021. Lizzo, The Strokes, and Hinds are all on my “never miss” list, but by October, Delta was rearing its ugly head, and I just couldn’t do it. This year, I was still on the fence until the week beforehand. With BA.5, the virus has become more contagious, and outdoor transmission is more prevalent. However, with wastewater tracking showing a downward trend, toddler vaccines FINALLY seeing the light of day, and studies seem to indicate that N95s and a good breeze are still very effective at thwarting the virus, I decided to give it a go. I packed like ten masks, two packs of antibacterial wipes (which made me the most popular guy at the festival at times. One woman actually proposed marriage when I gave her the end of one of my packs!), an empty water bottle, and several layers of clothing, and decided to make a solid go of it.  Continue reading “Outside Lands 2022: 20 Instant Gig Reviews”

Top 10 from the Bottom Half of the Outside Lands Poster 2022

It’s as if the last Outside Lands was only 9 1/2 months ago… But it’s time for ANOTHER Top 10 from the bottom half of the Outside Lands poster. There is so much good stuff on here that you’ll be mad you slept in. Tickets are *somehow* still available here! 

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