Seeing Andrew McMahon for the first time last Saturday (UC Theatre Berkeley) had me come away with newfound respect for him as an artist, but most importantly, and as a HERO. I was not aware that Andrew had been diagnosed with leukemia 11 years ago and is alive today because of a successful stem cell transplant many are not fortunate enough to receive (“We are the fortunate ones” – Lottery Ticket). With a steadfast vision to give back, Andrew started a foundation called Dear Jack that supports young adult/adolescent patients in their battle against cancer. In fact, $0.50 of all ticket sales for his current ‘Zombies on Broadway’ tour go toward saving lives (literally) and helping patients find a stem cell match. Andrew’s new album was as means for him to find closure in the city (New York) where he was first diagnosed with cancer (on tour with Jack’s Mannequin). Cancer-free and ready to face those haunting curiosities, Andrew returned to NYC a decade later to record “Zombies on Broadway“:
“I wrote this album in the middle of a whirlwind, when the future was unclear. Isn’t it always? I found my way to the city, thinking I could settle a score with a ghost. You can’t, so I came home and rewrote the ending. I’m proud announce my new album, “Zombies on Broadway,” is coming on February 10th. I spent more than a year hoping to find new answers to old questions. What I found; I have always been two people; One in search of peace and the other in search of whatever makes my hair stand up and my heart beat faster. This record is mostly about the latter.”
He said that that name is inspired by the constant sea of tourists (“zombies”) that he had to wade through everyday in his recording studio on Broadway. He expressed a fondness for this “city that never sleeps,” but also an undeniable love/hate relationship reflecting the extremes it would take him to. This passion and angst can be felt in the track, ‘Brooklyn you’re killing me,’ which ironically was the only track on the album that was NOT recorded in Brooklyn (but instead at his home in Southern California). He had Keith Jeffrey of Atlas Genius join him on stage to belt out this beast. What a rush to be seeing along with the chorus! Nevertheless, Andrew redeems his love for NYC with his catchiest track on the album, Fire Escape: “There’s a million city lights but you’re number one.”
After being away on the road for 2 months, Andrew addressed his comfort in being “back in California,” the place that will always be “home.” He also mentioned having a special connection to UC Berkeley because Something Corporate (his first band) played for the UCB prom back in the day. In honor of that memory, Andrew treated us to a special Something Corporate throwback, ‘Woke up in car,’ and you better believe the whole crowd jumping up and down.
He also treated us to two Jacks Mannequin throwbacks, ‘Dark Blue‘ and ‘Swim.’ ‘Dark Blue‘ had tons of fan shrieking in hysteria, and I even caught a glimpse of a girl with tears running down her cheeks. For fans that have been with him since the very beginning, these old killers definitely slay. ‘Swim‘ was even more emotional, for Andrew said it was written about his friend who, like him, was “put through the ringer” with a battle against cancer:
“You’ve gotta swim Swim for your life Swim for the music That saves you When you’re not so sure you’ll survive”
This song proves that willpower to continue doing what you love is enough to fight all odds. For someone whose life could have been taken away from him 11 years ago, Andrew exemplifies what it means to be LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST and embracing every moment on earth DOING WHAT YOU LOVE. Making music is what he STAYED ALIVE FOR, and that could not be more apparent in the way he threw himself into his piano as if it was his lifeline. His endless energy, magnetic delivery, and expressive eyes (one that remind me of Ritzy from the Joy Formidable) is something you have to just see for yourself. Not only did he shoot like a cannon (glad he played Canyon Moon) into the crowd 3 times (once on a GIANT DUCK float and another on a GOLDEN DRAGON float), but he ran around stage several times, jumped off his piano like a kid on a playground. He also stomped on his piano keys, something I have never even seen the great Billy Joel(who Andrew actually played with on April 28th) do. It was obvious that there is NOWHERE ELSE Andrew would rather be, and he voiced this appreciation to his fans all night: “Thank you for choosing to spend your Saturday night with me.”
He followed up this appreciation with a glorious shout-out to music as the common denominator binding strangers together: “In a world of things that alot of people don’t agree on right now, is that we like to dance… and we like a little bit of music on our Saturday. You are standing probably shoulder-to-shoulder with a group of strangers.. we agree on one thing, we love music… I thought maybe be could have one of these perfect moments tonight under the parachute together.” A perfect moment indeed, a moment that we have when “We surrender to a night of music together… that’s the show… that’s the magic.” ❤
So much of this night did indeed felt like magic, and unexpected teasers like Andrew’s cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s ‘I’m on Fire‘ (with Matt of Night Riots) had us levitating off the ground. The song that then kept us there was the epic encore of ‘Cecilia And The Satellite‘:
“If I could fly, then I would know What life looks like from up above and down below I’d keep you safe, I’d keep you dry Don’t be afraid, Cecilia, I’m the satellite And you’re the sky .. For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.”
Despite having flown all over the globe for 16 years (>200 days a year) on world tours, Andrew’s continues to have his WINGS IN FLIGHT. Who knows where he will land next. 😀
p.s. I was a bit bummed that he didn’t play ‘Maps for the Getaway,’ as this is one of my favorites from the new album and such a PERFECT road trip songs:
“No cash in the bank, no paid holidays All we have, all we have is Gas in the tank, maps for the getaway All we have, all we have is time” (YAAAAAS)
BUT, hopefully at the Mountain Winery on July 1. Hope to catch him again there!
I knew after first discovering Night Riots at the Rickshaw Stop‘s Popscene presents back in October that it was only a matter of time before they would be rioting the stage with big acts. I recall mentioning this to their guitarist Matt (who would be playing an ‘I’m on Fire‘ cover with Andrew McMahon last night). Fast forward a few months and they be on tour with both Atlas Genius and Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness. They also recently played alongside two other bands who I love, Wild Cub and Unknown Mortal Orchestra . With a sound (especially lead vocals) reminiscent of The Killersand siiiick drum trick skits reminiscent of Nothing More, I was pretty freaking blown away. Their hit song ‘Contagious’ is, you guessed it- CONTAGIOUS, and their highly energetic, enthusiastic stage presence (Matt playing guitar behind his back and Travis jumping on top of the drum set) follows suit. Check them out at The Fillmore tonight! @blncdbrkfst @onestowatch @thebaybridged #nightriots #uctheatreberkeley #andrewmcmahoninthewilderness #musicforthemasses #bandontherise
CRAZY ODDS to think that I was huddled between brothers Keith and Mike Jeffery of Atlas Genius EXACTLY 4 years ago when I saw them on May 7 at Electrowerz in London. They were as just as kickass as I remember, pumping up the crowd with older (If So, Backseat, When it Was Now) and newer (Stone mill, Stockholm, Where I belong), as well as a super sick cover of ‘You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).’ A few if Mike’s guitar parts remind me a bit of Foals , which is ALWAYS a good thing (love that band). And if Mike’s climbing into the crowd didn’t already have the crowd jumping for joy, he made of it later when asking everyone to crouch down and jump up in unison. The peak participation was of course at the very end with their epic encore of Trojans, the track that sparked their global success. Now most people can get enough of those “Trojans in my head.” 😀 So glad to have caught them on tour with the INCREDIBLE Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness last night at UC Theatre In Berkeley! They play the @thefillmore tonight in SF – not to be missed! @blncdbrkfst @apeconcerts @wbr #atlasgenius #andrewmcmahoninthewilderness #wildernesstour #uctheaterberkeley #meetingtheband #musicforthemasses #nootherkindofhigh
A WAY OVERDUE playlist that I CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE. For anyone that needs a WAKE UP call, this ONE’S FOR YOU! The title track (‘Wake Up‘) features an LA-based band (Magic Bronson) that was one of my FAVORITE new discoveries at SXSW this year. They have such a unique, eclectic sound that I can’t seem to bin into a certain genre, and I LOVE THAT. Elements of electronic, rock, hip-hop come alive with their emotionally-charged lyrics and unpredictable beats and tempos. Their songs truly are roller coaster rides that have you jumping up and down with bulging carotids (at least mine were) at every shocking twist and turn. Other new discoveries at SXSW include Giungla (on tour with Foals), LANY, DYAN, Charlotte Cardin, and KOLARS. AND… after 2 years of waiting, I finally CAUGHT A GHOSTat SXSW and have been smiling ever since: “HOLD YOUR HANDS UP HIGH, MY LOVE I’LL SEE YOU BY AND BY.” Yaaaaas. Can’t wait their new album to drop in a few months! This playlist also features artists from recent shows (San Fermin, The XX, Milky Chance, Bastille, Low Roar, Laura Marling, Joe Purdy, Mondo Cozmo, ARIZONA, Tow’rs) and those with recent album/song releases (Sylvan Esso, Lewis Del Mar, Highasakite, Day Wave, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Vok, Sam Airey, Cobi, Passport to Stockholm, Father John Misty, Beats Antique). Having first discovered San Fermin last year at BottleRock Napa, I was eager to check them again at The Independent with Low Roar (who I was already a big fan of) and I’m SO GLAD I DID (in fact I went both nights in a row!). San Fermin’s previously dubbed “chamber pop” has now exploded into looser, livelier full-force operation of 8 incredibly talented musicians OWNING their instruments and having THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE doing so. It is rare to see a collection of keys, guitar, drums, trumpet, sax, base, violin, and vocals complementing each other so perfectly in deliriously infectious arrangement that keeps your head bopping all night long. SO STOKED to see them again at Outside Lands in August! Now check out this killer 50-song playlist!
(In order to access the playlist, you have to press the 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and select download. You can then cancel the download immediately and still have access to the playlist. If you are still having uses, let me know and I can send you a link to download the tracks!)
I was INSTANTLY HOOKED when coming across Magic Bronson at Icenhauer’s Get Lit showcase on Saturday at SXSW. They have such a unique, eclectic sound that I can’t seem to bin into a certain genre (and I LOVE THAT). Elements of electronic, rock, hip-hop come alive with their emotionally-charged lyrics and unpredictable beats and tempos. Their songs truly are roller coaster rides that have you jumping up and down with bulging carotids (at least mine were) at every shocking twist and turn. And since one show was not enough to fill me up, and I was ecstatic to hear they were playing a second one the next night. The fact that I already knew most of the lyrics a second time around means they got a hold of me good. My favorite songs are Fences, Electrify, Wake Up, Nervous(unreleased) and Night Owl (unreleased), but the recorded versions underestimate the live performance, and you must NOT MISS THEM on tour. The frontman (Michael) may be almost 7 feet tall, but he glides on stage like a cat and could easily win an academy award with his impersonations and theatrics. There’s a REASON “magic” is in their name! ❤
Not only do I enjoy Joe Purdy‘s music, but I enjoy his delivery. A true troubadour with a knack for telling stories that have his listeners seeing the world through his eyes (piercing blue, at that). I think he sums it up perfectly in the message to his mom on his newest album (such a freaking good one), ‘Who Will Be Next?:’ “I’d like to dedicate this album to my mother, who is the true embodiment of selflessness and kindness. Anything sweet in me, comes from you. Thank you for convincing me to rewrite this record without the anger, and showing me what the world looks like through compassionate eyes.”
A true “Sad Clown,’ Joe has a way of “playing with the tragedies, singing good time harmonies” that keep us laughing, no matter how sad the song. He writes with a heavy heart, but delivers with clever comedy. This style reminds me a bit of the great Nathaniel Rateliff I would actually to one day see those two share the stage together. “Power means nothing in a world without love.” Thanks for reminding us of that, Joe Purdy . 🙏🏻Slim’sAnother Planet EntertainmentFolkyeah PresentsSf Intercom#joepurdy#joepurdymusic#slimsf#musicalmedicine#truetroubadour#songthatslay#storiesforthesoul#compassionateeyes#whowillbenext#sadclown
It had been very long time since Ryan Karazija’s lovely “low roar” has been heard within his former stomping ground of San Francisco, and this SF Bay Area native had kept us longing for his return. We had all hoped that “once in a long long while” (ironically the name of his new album) he would be back, and that time came Mon/Tues night at The Independent . Just as I remembered, Ryan’s beautiful, mysterious melodies have a special way of seeping into the psyche and having you join him on very personal journey through perfect contradictions of fear/love and doubt/faith. His haunting howls will lather you in chills and make you feel the cold shock of his move from California to Iceland back in 2011 (one that sure takes immense strength). I was fortunate to have discovered Low Roar back in 2014 at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival (made me fall in love with Iceland even more), and was so hooked that I saw them a week later in London at The Lexington as part of their Ja Ja Ja Music festival. (I still have the free bag they gave and actually brought it along last night). I also brought with me a stage-layout paper that Ryan signed for me that night – can’t believe it held up through all my wanderlusting travels since then! It was surreal to be seeing Low Roaragain last night and having Ryan give me a big hug after the show. It’s times like these where I feel strong melancholy for London music scene and exposure to more international music from Europe and Scandinavia (especially Iceland!). Although Low Roar won’t be playing Secret Solstice Festival in June, I know I will see them again the next time our paths intersect. Old gems like ‘I’ll Keep Coming’ and ‘Easy Way Out’ are timeless tracks that I revisit again and again when “I wanna feel something again … memorable.” Can’t wait to dive into the new album. More timeless tracks to unearth. ❤#lowroar#sanfermintour#theindependentsf#icelandicmusicscene#onceinalonglongwhile#newalbumtour#longedforhisreturn👌🏻❤
Crazy odds that Gregory Alan Isakov happened to be touring through NorCal when my friend Jensyn Lynn Hallett (the one who first introduced me to him) was also visiting from Arkansas. Unreal! You BETTER BELIEVE we were both FRONT and (left) CENTER. Enjoying their beautiful tunes alongside a fellow music lover like Jen (we actually met at a Ra Ra Riot show 7 years ago) was much more memorable than when seeing them a 4 times before without her by my side. There are some people that just GET IT, and she is def one of them. I know that we’ll both continue to blast off to their “sad songs about space” (how Gregory describes his music to little old ladies in foreign countries) for years to come. Their set was stacked with many old favorites (The Universe, Stable Song, Second Chances, Big Black Car, Saint Valentine, Master and the Hound Astronaut), and I especially loved the epic encore of ‘All Shade of Blue‘ performed in a raw, rustic roots style with the band huddled together in front of the microphone (what Gregory calls the “nerdy part”). I could listen to those violin and banjo jams all night!.. And you better believe I told exactly THAT to the violinist and cellist when they sat next to our table at a bar later that night. Some things are just meant to be. #gregoryalanisakov#mystictheaterpetaluma#allshadesofblue#sadsongsaboutspace#somethingsaremeanttobeMystic TheatreFolkyeah PresentsFor Folk’s Sake
“I’m taking more risks now, (YES) I’m stepping out of line. I put up my fists now, Until I get what’s mine. Should have been you, Could have been anyone. You see I never missed my chance to run I would go anywhere with you” – ‘How Can I‘
SLAYED by this Laura Marling favorite alongside others at The Fillmore in SF last night. This woman is a GODDESS and wise wordsmith beyond her years. I am always impressed by her vivid vignettes and subtle, spitfire lyrics. There is a reason I have seen her more than half a dozen times now! Be sure to check out her new album, Semper Femina! I can’t believe its her 6th one and she’s not even 30 yet! Virgin Records @folkyeahevents @communionmusic @banjo_plucker @sfintercom #lauramarling#thefillmoresf#newalbumtour#videosonmyyoutube
Seeing The xx during their 3rd SOLD OUT show at SF’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium last night reminded me of the freaking PHENOMENAL TALENT that comes of the London music scene, and it made me even more grateful for having been able to soak up as much as I did when living there from 2013-2015. There’s just something so special about London’s super-saturation of collaborative artists experimenting across different genres and different ethnic backgrounds. I will never forget when I first discovered The XX at Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) 2010; Romy’s dreamy, hypnotic guitar pierced through crowded fields of shouting fans and HIT ME LIKE A BRICK WALL. Lured in quick, I drew closer only to discover a unique call-and-response of gorgeous male/female harmonies (perfect and seamless) alongside that dreamy guitar. I had never heard anything quite like it and was instantly hooked. I ended up listening to their debut album non-stop, with gems like Intro, Islands, VCR, and Heart Skipped Beat becoming instant theme songs that were synonymous with that festival and time in my life. A few years later, the release of their 2nd album, ‘Coexist,’ was synonymous with my excitement and anticipation for moving to London, and I remember listening to Fiction on repeat as I was packing up boxes. Their most recent album (‘I See You‘) comes to me when I’m settled back in Cali but starting to have strong melancholy for London. Like many incredible artists hailing from London, The XX had came from an “unexpected and unambitious place” (quoted Oliver last night), and Oliver was nearly in tears as he and Romy stood up straight, guitars in the air, taking in the intense energy and adoration of their screaming fans with eyes of disbelief. They blew us all away with their set, having combined old favorites (Intro, Islands, VCR, Crystalized, shelter, Fiction, Chained) with new gems: Dangerous (Jamie XX KILLS IT in this one!), Say Something Loving, Lips, I Dare You (MY FAVORITE), Brave You, On hold, & Angels, a perfect song for Romy to leave us with: “…Being as in love with you as I am.” She then followed with a departing message that will have us back to see them in a heartbeat: “We See You, and we Love You.” Ditto. ❤#thexx#iseeyoutourThe xx – I See You Tour: San Francisco, CAAnother Planet Entertainment
Having first discovered San Fermin last year at BottleRock Napa, I was eager to check them again at The Independent with Low Roar , who I was already a big fan (and whom they met at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in 2013). I learned that their tour circuits led to play alongside some of my favorite artists (courtney barnett, alt-J, Sylvan Esso, Lewis Del Mar), and their close ties with Alt-J could possibly explain the sax/trumpet in their new track, ‘In Cold Blood.’ On tour to promote their new album, Belong, San Fermin’s previously dubbed “chamber pop” has exploded into looser, livelier full-force operation of 8 incredibly talented musicians OWNING their instruments and having THE TIME OF THEIR LIFE doing so. It is rare to see a collection of keys, guitar, drums, trumpet, sax, base, violin, and vocals complementing each other so perfectly in deliriously infectious arrangement that keeps your head bopping all night long. San Fermin’s energy and charisma were simply magnetic, and you couldn’t help but notice the entire audience sharing the same music buzz. It was refreshing to see the comfort and chemistry of all 8 musicians together on stage (as if best friends playing in their living room), and the dueling duets of vocals (Charlene Kaye and Allen Tate) and brass (John Brandon and Stephen Chen) had you grinning ear-to-ear. Also, the swirling strings and expressive of violinist/vocalist Claire Wellin (former Broadway actress) had me in awe. Allen’s baritone voice simply SLAYS, and I can’t help but be reminded of The National‘s Matt Berninger in his cadence, pitch, and smooth stage presence. After the show I learned that Allen (from Philly as well!) writes his own music and recently joined Kyle Morton of Typhoon (big fan). I also learned that Ellis Ludwig-Leone (creator of San Fermin) got his start by composing various projects with Nico Muhly (Sufjan Stevens, Dirty Projectors). Makes perfect sense! From BottleRock to Outside Lands, I cannot WAIT to see this Brooklyn-based band again. I hope that John Brandon, who surprised SF with his first ever crowd surf while playing trumpet, will pull crazier stunts in August. NOT TO BE MISSED! There is a REASON I saw them TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW!! 😀
(In order to access the playlist, you have to press the 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and select download. You can then cancel the download immediately and still have access to the playlist. If you are still having uses, let me know and I can send you a link to download the tracks!)
The title of my first playlist of the new year is ‘I Want It All,’ (very fitting, I know) an AWESOME NEW TRACK that Mike Deni of Geographer first rolled out to us at The Rickshaw Stop a few weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQzUd9qJ2Zo. This playlist was inspired by past shows: Geographer, Bear’s Den, Lord Huron, Kyle Morton of Typhoon (who I had waited 6 years to see live),Mogwai, Anthony D’Amato, Valley Maker and upcoming shows: Tash Sultana (BEEN WAITING 6 MONTHS FOR THIS!), The Staves (have wanted to see these SISTER SIRENS in concert for YEARS!), and Bastille. It also includes awesome new tracks by Laura Marling (arguably one of the most impressive and vocally challenging gem in her collection — SLAYED when she shared it with California for the first time at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HufiX1j3X8), Geographer, Bear’s Den, Lord Huron, Amber Run, Asgeir (SO GLAD HE IS BACK – one of my FAVORITE ICELANDIC ARTISTS!), Tow’rs (excited for their third album!), Mogwai (the artistic arsenal of their new album, Atomic, detonates an explosion in our brains – a radioactive realization about the heinous impact of chemical warfare), Milky Chance, and Radical Face. Last by not least, it features new discoveries that I am glad to have pocketed: Cloves, Doncat (guitarist of Geographer), Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, LANY, Lewis Del Mar,Guthrie Brown, Ron Gallo, Branches, Lisa Hannigan, The Midwest Indies, and Andy Chew. Pleased to post this before a whole NEW SLEW of BANDS at NoisePop music fest in SF next week! CAN’T WAIT!
(In order to access the playlist, you have to press the 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and select download. You can then cancel the download immediately and still have access to the playlist. If you are still having uses, let me know and I can send you a link to download the tracks!)
I Want It All- Geographer
Berlin- Bear’s Den
Wild Fire- Laura Marling
Fool For Love- Lord Huron
Don’t Wanna Fight- Amber Run
Fire Escape- Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness
Pink Skies- LANY
Western- DonCat
My Little Darlin Knows My Nature- Kyle Morton
Lonesome Dreams- Lord Huron
Frail Love- Cloves
Painting (Masterpiece)- Lewis Del Mar
Love Like Ghosts- Lord Huron
Auld Lang Syne- Tow’rs
Cocoon- Milky Chance
If Youâre Gonna Build A Wall – Anthony D’Amato
Meet Me In The Woods- Lord Huron
Don’t Forget About Me- Cloves
Lottery Ticket- Andrew Mcmahon In The Wilderness
Moonn- Radical Face
The Night We Met- Lord Huron
Day To Day- Guthrie Brown
Driving Through A Dream- Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness
Ether- Mogwai
Good Grief- Bastille
Kill the Medicine Man- Ron Gallo
Maps For The Getaway- Andrew Mcmahon In The Wilderness
Outlaw- The Staves
Dark Fores- Andy Chew
Oh My Goodness – Anthony D’Amato
Stay Gold- Guthrie Brown
Survivalist Fantasy- Kyle Morton
Send Them Off!- Bastille
By My Side- Valley Maker
Canyon Moon – Andrew Mcmahon In The Wilderness
Authority (Live)- Tash Sultana
Sleeping In A Car- The Staves
Unbound- Asgeir
The “S” That Stood for Nothing- The Midwest Indies
Tomorrow- Branches
La Belle Fleur Sauvage- Lord Huron
Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me- Ron Gallo
Snow- Lisa Hannigan
“I sure hope that love will hammer on my heartstrings the same way that music has”
(Jan 3, 2016)
Written by Erica Andreozzi
“Falling in love” implies a humble weakness – it implies exposing yourself fully, letting down your guard, and throwing your inhibitions to the wind. Earnest Hemingway once said that a person’s “virtue” is also “what makes them more vulnerable” and “they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.” Vulnerability is what enables us to experience the deepest form of human connection, and if we choose to resist it, we also resist connection. Human connection is one that I experience often, not with a lover per se, but with fellow music junkies who are addicted to music in the same way that I am. I say “junkie” because music is a drug, and I am an addict. Just like love, music moves us in ways we never imagined, in ways that seem impossible to describe – music makes us feel giddy, enlightened, fulfilled, and victorious. Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without; it makes us stomp our feet, clap our hands, move our bodies, and sing out to another world – another world where time stands still and nothing else matters but the exuberant euphoria putting pep in our step and fire into our bellies. Music paralyzes before it invigorates, and one often leaves a concert feeling reborn, resurrected, and alive – FULLY ALIVE. Just like love, music can be a vessel that carries people through hardship; it can also be the medicine that numbs their pain and heals their wounds. Music reaches deep-seated networks in our brain, forming memories that last a lifetime and prevail against dementia. But music’s a funny thing because, in the words of William McCarthy (Augustine’s frontman), “you can’t fucking own it. It doesn’t exist. You can’t hold onto it… It’s a moment, it’s a feeling.” That’s one of the reasons I find music so fascinating. Just like love, music is a feeling – an emotion powered by raw instinct and unexplained attraction. As a scientist, I have been trained to use equations and formulas to study uncertainty and solve scientific mysteries. Music, however, is one puzzle that I don’t ever want to piece together. The yin to my science yang, music provides an outlet that frees my mind from chains of reason and logic. Unlike science, there are no “formulas” for creating the “perfect song” – while there are endless combinations of keys, chords, and rhythms, none of them are “right” or “wrong.” The same goes for love. With an endless variety of people to mingle with, we can’t seem to explain why one person may strike a chord in us while others don’t. Both music and love are formless phenomena that can only be measured by the heightened sensation they elicit. Some songs will resonate more with us during particular chapters of our lives, just like people, but we are lucky if we are able to find ones that resonate with us forever. As with karma, I truly believe that music and love come into our lives at particular times for a reason, a reason that we must open up our hearts to find out. But love, just like music, is both complex and complicated – it beats with a captivating, capricious cadence defined by notes that crescendo and de-crescendo without warning. It can take us to our highest highs, but also to our lowest lows. Yet, it’s what we truly STAY LIVE FOR. I sure hope that love will hammer on my heartstrings the same way that music has. Until then, the beat goes on… ❤
New playlist inspired by recent shows — James Vincent McMorrow, Vancouver Sleep Clinic(who’s first show in the states was his idol, James Vincent McMorrow), Daughter, Day Wave, The Moth & The Flame, Phantogram, The Paper Kites, Two Door Cinema Club, Broods, DeVotchKa, Beats Antique, Nakho & Medicine for the People, Strfkr, Royal Teeth, Rooney — and recent new discoveries (opening artists) —Allan Rayman, MTNS, Psychic Twins (my friend’s best friend from high school!), The Post Maker (local SF talent). It also includes awesome new recommendations from friends: Sohn, Shura, The Mowgli’s, Plini(siiiick math rock), a new track by Magic Giant, and a new album (We Got it From Here… thank you 4 Your Service) by Tribe Called Quest (first album in 18 years and rumored to be their last). The ‘Water is Life‘ by Dustin Thomas track reminds us of the power of music in fighting injustice (Standing Rock). Caught a Ghost swoops in with his ‘Twelve days of Xmas’ FB giveaways and beautiful acoustic versions of tracks like ‘Uuu’ from his ace album, Human Nature (glad to hear his new one is nearing completion!) 😀
Standout tracks for me are James Vincent McMorrow‘s ‘Rising Water‘ (“Because you make me feel alive, in spite of rising water“) and ‘Los Angeles‘ (“There’s a reason that people move/ People change or people stay the same completely/.. You fear that every move you make is just a hammer/ You are just a nail but you’re not… Don’t let fear control you“), and seeing these brought to life on stage last month definitely hammered on the heart strings and watered the eyes (for pretty much everyone in the crowd). I also am IN LOVE with Daughter‘s new album, Not to Disappear; my music buddy got it right when he said that “Elena traded a pinch of angst for a dash of snark, and it works really well!” The whole album is a SLAYER, but ‘Fossa’ and ‘To Belong’ probably slay me the most: pensive, pent-up aggression with gnarly twists and turns of emotion. Elena never fails to dissapoint! The Moth & the Flame once more, and can’t get enough of their track, ‘Red Flag‘ (“You were the only red flag, the only red flag that I could not raise.”) Finally, if there was any band that could help Oakland find its heartbeat after the recent, devastating Ghost Ship fire, it would be Oakland’s very own Beats Antique, who I was lucky to see a few weeks back with DeVotchKa and Alam Khan: https://www.facebook.com/erica.andreozzi/posts/10100419330250649
(In order to access the playlist, you have to press he 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and select download. You can then cancel the download immediately and still have access to the playlist. If you are still having uses, let me know and I can send you a link to download the tracks!)
Doing The Right Thing- Daughter
Rising Water- James Vincent McMorrow
Someone to Stay- Vancouver Sleep Clinic
Red Flag- The Moth & The Flame
Wasting Time- Day Wave
Tennessee- Allan Rayman
Set On Fire- Magic Giant
Barking Dog- Phantogram
Bloom- The Paper Kites
Electric Sunrise- Plini
How- Daughter
10 Years Alone- The Moth & The Flame
Bloodflows- Sohn
Are We Ready? (Wreck)- Two Door Cinema Club
Bridges- Broods
All The Sand In All The Sea- DeVotchKa
The Block (Feat. Too Many Zooz)- Beats Antique
Flaws-Vancouver Sleep Clinic
No Care- Daughter
Never Ever- Strfkr
Budding Trees- Nahko and Medicine for the People
Get Low- James Vincent McMorrow
Paint- The Paper Kites
Live While I Breathe- The Moth & The Flame
Touch- Shura
One Thousand Times- James Vincent McMorrow
Young & Afraid- The Moth & The Flame
Amateurs- Royal Teeth
Artifice- Sohn
The Enemy Guns- DeVotchKa
My Heart Beats 4 U- Rooney
25.22- Allan Rayman
Heartlines- Broods
In The End- Strfkr
The Wheel- Sohn
The Alley- DeVotchKa
Halcyon- The Paper Kites
Fossa- Daughter
All Can Be Done- Nahko & Medicine For The People
Lose Myself- Psychic Twin
Queen Of The Surface Streets- Devotchka
Lost Track Of Time- MTNS
Bad Decisions- Two Door Cinema Club
Open Your Eyes- Strfkr
To Belong- Daughter
When Did Your Heart Go Missing- Rooney
Love Letters To God- Nahko & Medicine For The People
Kids Conspire – Royal Teeth
Featherstone- The Paper Kites
Water is Life- Dustin Thomas
Burn Dub- Beats Antique
San Francisco- The Mowgli’s
Why (Feat. Soko)- Rooney
Lung- Vancouver Sleep Clinic
Uuu- Caught A Ghost
Killer Bee (Feat. Lafa Taylor)- Beats Antique
Surreal- James Vincent McMorrow
Sun- The Post Maker
Whateva Will Be- A Tribe Called Quest
“Trevor Hall’s music – an inspirational eclectic mix of acoustic rock, reggae & Sanskrit chanting – echo with the names & teachings of divinities, while maintaining an incredibly & refreshingly universal message.” After first discovering Trevor Hall back in 2011 by one of my good friends Jen, I was completely hooked. That voice, that VOICE. It wraps you up in a warm and fuzzy fog of love and gratitude, encouraging you to “open up and live.. The more you learn the more you give.” He kicked off his set with soul soothers from Chapter of the Forest and then weaved in newer songs like ‘Standing Rock‘ (“If you are the righteous hear it.. Stand up like a mountain”) and Madman of the Heart “If you wander now you’ll never find your way back home”). His stories behind the inspiration of Bowl of Light (“Auntie Emily!”) and the Lime Tree (“about eternity, of course”) were both hilarious and intriguing, and you almost wanna do more resource on their source (“flow festival; Halea makula; Hawaiian folklore”). But, it was Trevor’s ‘You can’t rush your healing‘ (“The more you push the more it pushes back… Time is a gift…Darkness has its teachings”) and ‘Obsidian‘ (“the music is my fortress”) that had everyone transported to another world, a “land of the Indians with constellations burning, burning”). I’m still a bit numb from last night, and am thoroughly convinced that if Trevor Hall could sing to the entire world, we’d all be at peace. “Open up and live, let that sweet love come in.”❤️🙏🏻Trevor Hall Trevor Hall (solo) at Sweetwater Music Hall Sweetwater Music HallFolkyeah Presents @sweetwatermv @folkyeahevents #trevorhall#villagers#sweetwater#chapteroftheforest #youcantrushyourhealing #timeisagift#darknesshasitsteachings#musicismedicine#soothethysoul
New playlist inspired by recent shows, especially that of Trevor Hall, an amazing artist and unbelievably generous, kind (heart-of-gold) human being. In honor the Standing Rock protest in North Dakota, Trevor and his friend Aaron Edwards wrote a song called ‘Standing Rock‘ to encourage the Sioux people to continue to “stand up up like a mountain” and protect their basic right for WATER, “one of life’s most vital resources for our children’s children’s children.” Trevor was inspired by all of the warriors on the front lines laying down their lives for WATER, calling them “mountains of themselves, touching the sky with their peaks of strength, love, and selfless service.” But because these “mountains” need food, tents, blankets, and other materials in order to keep standing tall, Trevor is donating 100% of the funds raised by downloading his song to the front lines of Standing Rock. Everyone should go find their INNER WARRIOR and STAND UP HERE: https://trevorhallmusic.bandcamp.com/ *It will hammer on your heartstrings like it did Megan‘s and mine that night we first heard Trevor sing it at Sweetwater Music Hall*
“Listen close my friend This is happening Warrior Warrior … If you are a rock Stand up like a mountain Rise up from the earth One Love One Message I know that we are strong in spirit And if you are the righteous, hear it If you are a rock Stand up like a mountain.”
Aside from ‘Standing Rock‘, this playlist features a other slay-worthy gems from Trevor’s tall treasure trove: The Promised Land“Sometimes I don’t feel at home Like exodus in my own soul, And I wanna return”, Kabir, To Zion (Jen’s favorite!), Wish Man, Great Mirror, and Holy Country. It also features tracks from recent shows (The Head and the Heart, Blossoms, Night Riots, Mondo Cozmo, Ryley Walker, Kaleo, The Wind and the Wave, Bishop Briggs, Sylvan Esso, Local Natives, Bon Iver, Phantogram, Rayland Baxter, Blind Pilot, Nicolas Jaar) and upcoming shows (Cobi, The Boxer Rebellion, Kishi Bashi, Benjamin Francis Leftwich), as well as new releases from Sin Fang, Vok, Roosevelt, Saint Motel, and Solander. Check out the killer 50-song playlist on Spotify! STAND UP LIKE A MOUNTAIN. ❤
My summer trip to Africa definitely put me behind in terms of making new playlists, but I PROMISE that this new one was worth the wait. The title track (‘Jungle‘) features a siiiiiiiiiiick, seriously irresistible track from one of my FAVORITE new FEMALE ARTISTS (an awesome Aussie), Tash Sultana, who has sold out tours in Australia, EU/UK, and soon to be US (so glad she’s coming to SF in Feb for Noisepop!). It also features tracks from recent shows (Bear’s Den, Liza Anne, Sharon Van Etten, Foals, Bear Hands, Thirdstory, Alabama Shakes, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Highasakite, God is an Astronaut, Rogue Wave, Gregory Alan Isakov, Ra Ra Riot, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Local Natives). The new albums from Bear’s Den, Local Natives, The Head and the Heart, The Boxer Rebellion, and Bon Iver are ALL AMAAAAAAZING (slaying us once again) and YOU BET I’ll be rallying at their new album tour circuits. New discoveries were Liza Anne, Thirdstory, RAND, Morning Bear, The Veils, and Royal Canoe. Check out the killer 50-song playlist on Spotify! ❤ 😀
SUPER STOKED to SHARE this BEAST OF A PLAYLIST (80 songs, 5 1/2 hrs, >35 artists) that I’ve been distilling for over 2 months now.
It features bands I’ve recently seen in SF/Bay Area — Frightened Rabbit, Idlewild, Day Wave, Harriet, Beat Connection, Radical Face, Ben Abraham, Damien Jurado, Zach Winters, Holly Arrowsmith, Givers, The Temper Trap, Explosions in the Sky, Matt Corby, Mac Demarco, Andrew Bird, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Covet, Little Tybee — as well as at BottleRock Napa — Cold War Kids, San Fermin, WATERS, The Joy Formidable, Robert DeLong, Misterwives, Ivan & Alyosha, Machineheart, Walk the Moon, Nothing But Thieves, Kaleo, Panic is Perfect.
It also features AWESOME NEW DISCOVERIES that I haven’t yet seen in the flesh (Fuente and Waterstrider), as well as NEW RELEASE from some of my FAVORITE BANDS: Highasakite, Max Frost, Ben Sollee, Mumford & Sons, DOPE LEMON (Angus Stone‘s new side project), I am Machi, Holy Fuck, and MOST OF ALL… Augustines! 😀
(It was almost two years ago that I poured my heart and soul into a blog post about this band and how their music changed my life: https://beatsthatsetmypulse.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/augustines-to-rise-up-from-some-dirty-ashes/)
I could have chosen MANY songs to be the TITLE TRACK of this playlist, but I chose Augustine‘s ‘When Things Fall Apart‘ (off their new album, This is Your Life) because of the hopeful message (“We go someplace, to get a new start, you gotta move on when things fall apart”) it radiates to those wandering WANDERLUSTS this summer who are in search of a new inspiration and new sun in these summertime skies. It also –along with Mumford & Son‘s new album (Johannesburg) and new song, ‘There Will Be Time,’ — featured strong influences of African music, SETTING ME UP for my BIG TRIP TO AFRICA (Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa) this month!
Hopefully this new playlist will keep everyone FIRED UP from those 4th of July fireworks last night. Cheers to the SOUNDS OF SUMMER!
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When Things Fall Apart- Augustines
My Name Is Liar- Highasakite
First- Cold War Kids
Woke up Hurting- Frightened Rabbit
American English- Idlewild
Jackrabbit- San Fermin
Got to My Head- WATERS
The Water- Fuente
May You Keep Well (feat. Pape & Cheikh)- Augustines
Someone Who’ll Get It- Highasakite
Midnight Moon- Waterstrider
The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade- The Joy Formidable
Death Dream- Frightened Rabbit
Ceremony- Day Wave
Never Going Back – Caveman
Mine Is Yours- Cold War Kids
Running in Place (feat. Pape & Cheikh)- Augustines
El Capitan – Idlewild
Long Way Down- Robert DeLong
Constellation- Waterstrider
Keep That Letter Safe- Highasakite
Mystery- Fuente
Life Or Just Living- Caveman
Forgotten- Ben Sollee
Hold Me Loneliness- Augustines
Bring Me When You Go- Harriet
Emily- San Fermin
Let Them Stare- Waterstrider
Human- Caveman
It’s All Just Pretend- Ivan & Alyosha
Mexico- Fuente
Pretend- Ben Sollee
Get Out- Frightened Rabbit
In The City- Caveman
The Mute- Radical Face
Shut Up and Dance- Walk The Moon
Speak- Ben Abraham
Ad Space- Beat Connection
These Are the Days- Zach Winters
Sure Thang- Givers
Diamonds- Holly Arrowsmith
The Road To Nowhere- Radical Face
Fall Together- The Temper Trap
Break- Frightened Rabbit
Disintegration Anxiety- Explosions In The Sky
Come Home Now- Day Wave
Summer Skeletons- Radical Face
Vagabond- Misterwives
Monday- Matt Corby
Salad Days- Mac DeMarco
Wolves and Moons- Holly Arrowsmith
You Are Who You Are- Day Wave
Alive- The Temper Trap
Pulaski – Andrew Bird
President- Max Frost
Cholla- The Joy Formidable
Itch- Nothing But Thieves
Reflections- Misterwives
There Will Be Time (With Baaba Maal)- Mumford & Sons
Logic Of A Dream- Explosions In The Sky
Capsized- Andrew Bird
Maw Maw Song- The Joy Formidable
Why Dream- Matt Corby
More Like Jason- Little Tybee
Wona (With Baaba Maal, The Very Best & Beatenberg)- Mumford & Sons
Exit 353 – Damien Jurado
Circles- Machineheart (& Vanic)
I’m Not Fooling Anyone (Bonus Track)- Ivan & Alyosha
Sea Dragon- Covet
I Can’t Go On Without You- Kaleo
Echo- Panic Is Perfect
Shakedown Street – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Uptown Folks – DOPE LEMON (Angus Stone‘s new side project) Are You Serious- Andrew Bird
Hydra- Covet
Go Go Go- Panic Is Perfect
Lon Bella- Damien Jurado
Don’t Quit Your Day Job- Little Tybee
Xed Eyes- Holy Fuck
Jawbreaker- I Am Machi
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Lyrics on Lockdown:
“We go someplace, to get a new start, you gotta move on when things fall apart.” -When Things Fall Apart
“You were looking at pictures in the distance Hoping to see, the future in your pictures Of the distance, hoping to see The future looking at pictures in the distance.” -El Capitan
“You’ll find what you find, When you find there’s nothing.” -American English
“All we ever need is energy…We brighten up…we raise a cup…we wash the wounds that leave us numb.” -Constellationn
“It doesn’t make all cloudy days worthwhile It doesn’t make much sense to walk that extra mile To assign you properties that are not real.” -Keep That Letter Safe
“At least half of what I’ve done Maybe more of who I am Will be forgotten Won’t be remembered Like all the stories never told The digital lives scattered in code All of the footsteps that will never be traced The forgotten ways of an ancient race.” -Forgotten
“And if you find yourself somewhere between dark and belief
Remember, remember to think on your knees… Never trust that man who’s been smiling on his life His fears will catch up in the end.” -It’s All Just Pretend
“Some people say money, and others say plans but I’m hungry for freedom that never changes hand.” -These Are the Days
“No man can know the length of his days… Not here by chance but purposefully made
Don’t you know that our debt has already been paid …we don’t have to be slaves to a world that promises much.” -Diamonds
“Raise your voice cause it’s now or never… And if we have to fall then we’ll fall together.” -Fall Together
“People always say, “Get out of your head You’ve been there too long Pretty soon, you’ll be dead” Then I thought, oh, I’ve been thinking too hard I should come down now to get out of my head.” -Come Home Now
“Vagabond is you, Ran the mile no shoes If the sun goes down too soon Embrace the starry-eyed moon … Vagabond is you, Swam the sea at the darkest blue You made it, made it through.” -Vagabond
“So open up my eyes to a new light I wandered ’round your darkened land all night But I lift up my eyes to a new high And indeed there will be time.” -There Will Be Time
“If you’re looking for a diamond You gotta sift through the gold If you’re searching for a way out you gotta take the new road If you don’t keep the motion moving it can all feel the same In the heart of the city where the streets are the veins.” -Circle
I am very surprised that I never stumbled upon Ben Abraham when I was living in Melbourne last year (Jan – May), as I would have surely stopped in my tracks if I heard ‘Speak‘ as I passed by the usual buskers on Melbourne’s famous Bourke Street (wonder if he ever busked there). Speak is surely one of the standout tracks (in my opinion) on his debut album, Sirens (Secret Canadian).
A son of two Indonesian rockstars (both parents in a successful 70’s pop group called Pahama), Ben had music in his blood, and his relentless urge to “SPEAK” would eventually manifest into a musical masterpiece that would speak to more than Melbourne. “I never wanted to be a musician… I always wanted to be a filmmaker, and although I never quite made it down that path, that desire I had to tell stories still came with me,” Ben said to the crowd that night at The Independent as the opening act for the fantastic Damien Jurado (see review here). Ben’s desire to tell stories soon became a regular routine at his day job entertaining children in hospitals in Melbourne; Eight years later, he honed this craft into the beautiful album (Sirens) that has been sending SIRENS across international boundaries (esp. the UK, US and Canada). This album was recorded with a rotating cast of friends and collaborators including Gotye and Tim Shiel, as well as longtime friend Sara Bareilles (‘This is on Me‘).
Previously having played at Holwer in Melbourne (where I last saw Harrison Storm and Daniel Champagne) and the Servants Jazz Quarters in London (where I last saw Samantha Crain, Ben was eager to announce that tonight was his “first time in San Fran, and actually the first ever tour in the states.” Sporting a right red Hawaiian shirt and big grin, Ben (who usually is “not a fan of doing covers”), was all amped up and feeling “beachy enough” to cover what he thinks is “one of the greatest songs ever written,” ‘Hyper Ballad‘ by Bjork. (He should definitely apply to play Iceland Airwaves… it was one of my favorite festivals of all time!)
As if that didn’t raise enough hairs on our arms, he followed with a gorgeous track called ‘Home‘, and then with the epic encore of ‘Speak.’ Speak is a gorgeous song that just builds and builds with awesome anticipation, and by the end you might find yourself wiping tears off your face. The honest, timid lyrics about ‘wanting to communicate with others but somehow being pushed away’ is definitely a shared struggle most of us face, especially with the recent explosion of social media, and I hope we can all take Ben’s song as a call to humanity for deeper human connection. If the emotive, echoing effects of his vocals in the mic towards the end don’t “SPEAK” to you, then I’m not sure what will. Be sure to grab a copy of the album!
A former pre-school teacher in the days before his budding music career, Damien Jurado (Secretly Canadian record label) was well equipped to handle the crazy “kids” (all grown adults that were probably “secretly Canadian”) that were shouting out requests for their favorite songs. “My name is Damien ‘Jurado’… not Damien ‘Jukebox’…I’ll play what I want to play at my show” (see video footage below) he says in response with a snarky smile and perfect wit. He followed that up with an antidote about how he just “doesn’t do covers,” and how he was asked both in Germany and in the UK (by a respectable musician name Benn Watt, nonetheless) to play some cover songs while on tour. He said that the only cover songs he probably would know are punk-rock songs from bands like Minor Threat that he listened to WAY BACK in the day. When the the crowd cheered in agreement, he laughs and says, “How do you go from listening to Minor Threat to ME?…haha…Maybe you drank more?..” He follows this by saying that he actually has influences from all “over the map” that he hopes to “funnel into one thing” and that he “doesn’t want to be put in a box” or be known for “just one genre.” He mentions that while he “used to the solo thing,” he enjoys evolving musically, aka …“My albums keep getting weirder and weirder.” Personally, I hear similarities to Mark Kozelek, Kurt Vile, and Jose Gonzalez, but was later told by Damien that he respects those artists but actually doesn’t draw from them musically. He mentioned someone obscure (a foreign name that I can’t recall), and I only smiled imaging how big this world is and how many incredibly diverse music style there are out there. 🙂
“You like to talk, don’t you? I feel like I’m having a conversation but I don’t know who with and where you are,” Damien belts out after the chatty crowd continues to shout comments his way. There was one fan in particular, “Mohammad from Egypt,” that Damien actually paused his song for because of Mohammad’s LOUD SIGH that indicated a potential “heart attack.” Damien was baffled by this fan’s adoration (waving his arms up in the air all goofy like a star-struck teenager), and implied being a bit overwhelmed with Mohammad yelling out that he would be “seeing him again in Minnesota” and “CAN’T WAIT.”
Although Damien seemed to be surprised by all of the attention, he surely showed his appreciation. He mentioned being super excited for the San Francisco show, recalling the exact moment (en route on a train from Barcelona to Amsterdam) when he has this very thought (“I love playing SF”). He said that he also loves playing Spain and Greece, possibly because the people there are very expressive, a stark contrast from the “Seattle-ites” that sport stolid facial expressions and movements even when the are excited (we all really enjoyed his demonstration of this on stage!). Haha.
He also joked that if anyone wanted to get married that evening, his bassist could marry them, as he just got done marrying a couple in the back.
If anything, I think we were all married to the fact that Damien is a awesome, admirable musician who one should only be so lucky enough enough to have an intimate “show and tell” with, especially tracks performed from the ace new album, Visions of Us on Land. We look forward to your return, but we expect as least ONE COVER! 😛
(I tease, I tease…) ❤
I first discovered Owls Paws when they opened for Samantha Crain at Amnesia back in January, and then of course made sure to SEE THEM AGAIN when they headlined Bottom of the Hill a few months later. The are SO GOOD. This talented folk trio has been playing together for nearly 5 years — not long after Derek Schultz (guitar/vocals) decided to extend his solo project to include fellow San Francisco State school buddies Timothy Vickers (upright bass) and Lucas Siobal (drums/percussion), and later Wayne Mills (guitar). Their haunting harmonies, alluring acoustics, and restless rhythms truly epitomize the appeal of the beautiful city in which we reside! Just like San Francisco, their sound is distinctive and captivating, and they draw influences from a variety of elements (including some of my favorite indie/folk bands like Local Natives and the Head and the Heart.
Owl Paws released their first full-length album, Reservoir, last summer, and it’s DEFINITELY worth checking out. In fact, you are bound to be keep checking out that bad boy over and OVER. You can even download it here FOR FREE! (although donations are suggested and well deserved): https://owlpaws.bandcamp.com
Standout tracks for me are: Bring Me Back (my FAVORITE), Coils of Spring, Eyes of the Prey, The Things I Forgot, The Fields, and Jagged Grin.
Having gone on several small West Coast tours an SXSW last year, and I really think THIS SUMMER is their TIME TO SHINE. Don’t miss their UPCOMING SHOWat Brick and Mortar tomorrow night. You’ll thank me later!
(see below for videos from their previous SF shows)
I first saw Radical Faceback in Nov 2014 at Iceland Airwaves music festival, thanks to a girl standing next to me up front who said I MUST stay for his set (and boy was I glad I did). Not having known anything about him, I was quickly taken back by the clever tales that he strung into dark (yet witty) songs — tales backed by sweeping strings (my favorite, the cello!) and piercing percussion. I later learned that Radical Face – the moniker of multifaceted musician Ben Cooper — has “always wanted to write a book,” and so it makes sense that his songs are literally book chapters COME TO LIFE. At the early age of 19, Ben wrote two books that tragically were lost in a hard drive crash; but instead of giving up, he turned to music. “I thought: why not do them as records? There could be a set of people, and we follow their bloodlines,” he says, “and instead of passing down genetic traits, we could pass down melodic patterns that mutate with each generation.”
Taking flight with this idea, Ben began working on a series of records (recorded in the tool-shed behind my family’s house nonetheless) collectively called ‘The Family Tree.’ He explains the 8-year journey here: “It all began from a desire to write my own family saga, only in music form instead of a novel. So I started a series of albums that were all interconnected, beginning with The Roots, onto The Branches and finally The Leaves which I just released. Along the way, there were enough songs that didn’t fit within the length of each album, which I collected into a series called The Bastards. All of the songs are related to the others in some way or another, and this website was designed as a guide to help you discover all the different connections… A great place to start is ‘Family Portrait‘ which is the beginning of the Family Tree, all songs and stories stem from this one.”
This TREE-O of records (Bear Machine Records, Nettwerk Music Group) collectively garnered a strong fan base for Ben both in Europe (especially) and the States, and Ben was able to secure two nights back-to-back at the Chapel, the first of which was SOLD OUT. A down-to-earth Jacksonville native, Ben was shocked to see that all these people came to see him play some “sad bastard music” on a weeknight, and warned them of going “down the bummed rabbit hole.” Although some of his songs are indeed “dark” — ‘Ghost Town‘ (about a guy that ends up on the road cause he murders alot), ‘Black Eyes‘ (about domestic abuse), ‘The Mute‘ (about a kid who can’t hear) — he adds lots of levity in between with his dry humor and hilarious commentary. Standouts for me were Black Eyes, We’re on our way(with some intense hand-clapping that Ben joked was really a way to torture his band mates), Welcome Home (awesome “anthem-ic” sing-a-long by the crowd), and OF COURSE Always Gold(where Ben teased his drummer Nick about messing up the keyboard intro, haha). The encore of The Muteand Wrapped in Piano Strings (an oldie but goodie) were awesome as well, and we all perked up with a smile when Ben muttered “Don’t tempt me” in response to a fan requesting that he “Take his shirt off.” The only thing I left bummed about was not hearing ‘The Crooked Kind,’ as this is my absolute FAVORITE Radical Face song, and I was hoping to sing-a-long to the verse that still slays me every time: “So, collect your scars and wear ’em well, Your blood’s a good an ink as any.” For those of you on the East Coast, you can catch him next in Philly, NYC, and the Newport Folk Fest. A radical Radical Face that you definitely don’t want to miss!
(see below for videos and more detail from the show)
Springtime not only means NEW FLOWERS in bloom, it also means NEW BANDS IN BLOOM as well as old bands sprouting NEW ALBUMS. Running with that visual, this playlist is my beautiful BOUQUET to music lovers in need of sniffing out some new tunes. This playlist reflects many of the recent shows I’ve been too — Harriet, Day Wave, HEARTWATCH, Owl Paws, Ra Ra Riot, Hey Marseilles, The Joy Formidable, Father John Misty, Little Green Cars, Geographer, The Arkells— as well as the awesome new bands I discovered as openers for these shows — And the Kids, Everything Everything, John Mark Nelson, The Crookes. It also includes some of the sparkly new gems I dug up from the HIGHLY ANTICIPATED new albums by The Lumineers, Frightened Rabbit (both who I’ll both be seeing next month) and Highasakite (they NEED to come to Cali soon!). TWO HOURS of tunes that hopefully get ya skipping through those FIELDS OF BLOOM! 😀
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Here’s the playlist on Spotify:
You can download all of the songs (out of order) from my link on Box.com
Fresh new, VERY UPBEAT playlist inspired by my TOP DISCOVERIES at this year’s NoisePop festival in San Francisco: Day Wave, Harriet, and HEARTWATCH. These three bands are all local, and their catchy, vibrant tracks capture the essence of sunny California quite perfectly. The playlist was also influenced by other bands in town – Joe Purdy, Milo Greene (Jukely event), Penny and Sparrow (soon to write a review), Elle King, Jamie Lawson, and Soren Bryce (reminds me of Daughter) – as well as recent album releases from Ra Ra Riot and Hey Marseilles (who I’ll both be seeing in March) and a new single release from Augustines‘ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED new album. Not only is Augustinesone of my FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL TIME, but this new song (Are We Alive) has FIRED ME UP moving into the new year (RISE: The Story of Augustines)- I can’t WAIT till they are back touring over here in the states – the UK has had them for long enough! Other inspiration comes from new discoveries – Funeral Advantage(thanks to my German roadtrippin’ buddies that I met at Penguin Prison last month), Tom Rosenthal (thanks to my London music guru buddy), Baby Brave and Joel Arthur Russel(NoiseTrade). ENJOY!
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Here’s the playlist on Spotify:
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You can download all of the songs (out of order) from my link on Box.com
Irish Margaritas- Harriet
Total Zombie- Day Wave
Are We Alive- Augustines
Foreign Lovers- Ra Ra Riot
Get Louder- Caught A Ghost
Eyes On You- Hey Marseilles
Nothing At All- Day Wave
Inheritance- Harriet
Lie To Me- Milo Greene
Faultlines- HEARTWATCH
Bread and Bleeding- Penny and Sparrow
Ten Steps- Harriet
Perfect Ok- Hey Marseilles
Chariot- Soren Bryce
Drag- Day Wave
America’s Sweetheart- Elle King
Burbank- Harriet
Broken Bones- HEARTWATCH
My Heart- Hey Marseilles
Gardensong- Funeral Advantage
Absolutely- Ra Ra Riot
See You Around- Joel Adam Russell
Sirens- Soren Bryce
Wasn’t Expecting That- Jamie Lawson
Never Let You Go- HEARTWATCH
Non-Verbal Communication- Tom Rosenthal
Newport- Soren Bryce
Plastic Skateboard- Brave Baby
As someone who actively seeks out new bands on a regular basis and averages about 2-3 shows a week, it’s always REAL REFRESHING to stumble upon new musical treasure when you LEAST EXPECT IT. That was the experience I had last Thursday when I walked into the Rickshaw Stop with zero knowledge and zero expectations on the scheduled acts, only to walk out ON CLOUD NINE from discovering what would be my TWO TOP PICKS of NoisePop: Day Wave and Harriet. ❤ 🙂
Harriet is band that difficult to describe with one genre, for they continually transition from rock to pop to electronic to jazz, tempting us with tasty teasers from each. Their debut album — American Appetite, released on Jan 29th by Harvest Records and produced by Sean O-Brian (The National)– is a magical menagerie of many different music styles, and I can’t help but draw parallels to a whole slew of bands: Dutch Uncles, Radio Dept., MGMT, Wolf Gang, Geographer, LCD Soundsystem, Passion Pit, Local Natives, Broken Bells, and Dirty Projectors(mostly Mark Longstreth). Formed in LA in 2011 by Alex Casnoff (former keyboard player for Dawes and Papa), Harriet consists of Patrick Kelly (bass), Henry Kwapis (drums), Matt Blitzer (guitar) and Casnoff (keys). Casnoff’s falsetto vocals are reminiscent of Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot) and Mike Deni (Geographer), and even Matt Bellamy (Muse).
Showcasing the band’s eclectic influences and constant creativity, American Appetite serves up a smorgasbord of rotating themes, tones, and mood, keeping us on our toes from the beginning to end. It’s obvious that this album cultivated creative challenges in favor of crushing complacency, a devout mindset that Casnoff practices in his daily life and hopes everyone else will to: “My wish for myself and all of my very talented friends, is to never stop scaring ourselves. I think we can handle more than the leap we’ve taken. Complacency is the same as dying. Let’s push ourselves, let’s inspire each other. I want us all to be brave enough to be terrible, and comfortable with the fact that we will always be in “process.” Product is something that’s dead already. Push.” AMEN.
The more I listen to American Appetite, the more I want to be back on that platform at The Rickshaw basking in these beats straight from the source. Harriet had definitely built up our appetite and now we are HUNGRY FOR MORE. Come back soon.. PLEASE!
(more show details and videos below)
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You know it’s a CATCHY SONG when you’ve never heard it before in your life but yet find yourself CRYING OUT the chorus like a crazy person. Yup, that was me that night with their soon-to-be chart topper, Inheritance: “So you wanna save my soul?… what do you know?…Cause I will take it slow… I ain’t gonna be the one to change.” Damn straight.
Having recently released a video for this one a few months ago, Burbank is quickly gaining high visibility and becoming an hard-fast hit. It’s undeniably sexy and seductive, and the racy lyrics that coincide with the alluring guitar chords, slow base, and simple drum beat only add to the seduction. Harriet was surely aiming for an arousal with this one… 😉
A song that I WISH I would have caught on video is Ten Steps, which deserves TEN THUMBS UP and was ringing in my ears all night: “Ringing in my ears as I’m coming in closer, I just hope my heart don’t stop. Ten steps but it feels like am crossing an ocean, One wave and I’m on the rocks. ” It reminds me of a mix between Ra Ra Riot’ Beta Love and Passion Pit’s Make Light/Little Secrets/The Reeling, carefully distilling the best of both bands’ elements (e.g. unique sampling, distortion of guitar and keyboard, falsetto vocals, unusual lyrics) into an intoxicating blend of %100 pure BLISS. (insert goofy grin face)
Inheritance and Irish Margaritas serve up that same sampling of compelling hooks and catchy melodies, and you would have needed to be PASSED OUT on the floor to not be shaking your hips and bobbing your head to these tracks. Irish Margaritas triggered flashbacks to the 2010 Austin City Limit music festival when I first discovered LCD Soundsystem (and so thankful for it): “These Irish margaritas bring me right back to the start… And I’d say, One more drink and I might tell you all my secrets… And I’m pretty good at keeping them alive …(YES)… I could take you higher.. But I can’t take you home… You’re a tough desire… You may be all I needed but it’s not like we’re alone.”
Bring Me When You Go is also a fun one, and upon first listen had me thinking Wolf Gangmeets Geographer meets Local Natives (all band I LOVE). The tempo drops a bit with Up Against It, but that doesn’t mean your interest will drop with it. The simple strums of the guitar and Casnoff’s persistent, penetrating plea (“You won’t bring me down…”) had elements of Radiohead, Muse, and even The Beatles, as did This Time I Was Right(a true masterpiece of melodies). SO GOOD. I’m ready for more. ❤
SO STOKED that I got to catch the DREAMY Day Wavefor their first ever headline show at The Rickshaw Stop last week as part of SF’s NoisePop festival. It was no secret that Day Wave was to be playing NoisePop this year, for the musical mind behind Day Wave – Jackson Philips– was actually featured on the cover of this year’s NoisePop magazine. In fact, it was my friend -the incredibly talented and very much in-demand music photographer, Paige Parsons– that took the awesome photo. Initially trained as a jazz drummer at the prestigious Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) from the age of nine, Phillips eventually found himself trapped in a Whiplash (yes, the movie) kind of world where people were “very competitive” and “not very nice to each other.” During college especially, he realized that he was more interested in making songs than in perfecting his drumming technique, and this epiphany inspired him to learn piano and song production. By the end of junior year, he was already creating his own synth-based songs and releasing these through his first band, Carousel.
Fast forward a few years, and Philips decides to leave Carousel to pursue his own solo project, Day Wave. This pursuit involved him teaching himself guitar (for which he learned all by ear) and moving away from synths. By July 2015, he was ready to release his debut “lo-fi guitar-based indie rock EP” – Headcase – that was recorded entirely by himself at his home studio. I can definitely see him as a music hermit (similar to Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon) that spends ALL DAY in his bedroom crafting different arrangements without leaving the house for hours on end (I learned from Powers that this was indeed the case for him). All of that intense introverted-ness and die-hard devotion eventually paid off for Philips (and Powers too of course), for the five tracks on his Headcase EP prove to be a unique brand of dreamy, lo-fi surf rock that is CATCHY AS HELL. With influences of New Order, Joy Division, and The Beach Boys/ Brian Wilson, Day Wave’s wistful, melancholy lyrics are perfectly matched with happy hooks (guitar) and persistent percussion (you can tell he was a drummer). This EP is MY JAM right now, and a SOLID CHOICE for your summertime playlist!
Only 26 years old, Philips has a COLOSSAL career ahead of him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins “best breakout band” (or something along those lines) at this year’s The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, UK (just outside of London). I went to this festival both years that I lived in London, for it reminds me of Europe’s mini SXSW and is a SERIOUS stomping ground of international music talent (3 days = 400+ bands/artists from 30 different countries). I’m still shocked by all of the budding bands I was lucky enough to see there before they BLEW UP (including two recent Brit award winners, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Jack Garratt, James Bay and a Australian Recording Industry Association winner, Courtney Barnett). I’ve already given a heads up to my music pals in the UK to make sure they check out Day Wave– they are a MUST SEE!
Although Dave Wave hadn’t sold out their show at the Rickshaw (would have been pretty impressive for their first headliner), they were surely greeted by a roomful of dedicated fans hailing from Oakland and the surrounding Bay Area. The guy standing next to me was just one of many, and he kept raving on about how Day Wave’s Headcase EP was his favorite album right now.
Kicking off full force, Day Wave started the set with Nothing at All, one of my favorites from the EP and arguably the CATCHIEST of their collection. Nothing at All was the first song Philips wrote for Day Wave, and the first time he put himself out there with such open, honest lyrics:
“What am I good for? Somebody tell me Cause I don’t know anymore What am I good for? Somebody tell me Cause I don’t know anymore.” SO GOOD.
Next up was Total Zombie, the track that I must admit to having the strongest connection with the first time I heard it. Like a “total zombie,” I fell numb to this dreamy ditty and was instantly lured into joining the catchy chorus: “So just close your eyes and I’ll close mine.. Let me close your heart, it just takes time… And we’ll be alright, we’ll be alright.” Apparently, this song was recorded all instrumental before the lyrics came. Whatever the process… it worked well!
Then came Drag, a sweet gloom-pop melody that was apparently a drag to finish (Philips’ “most tedious song to write”) but we are sure glad he didn’t give up on it: “I’m stuck in my head.. I don’t wanna let you in.”
Soon after was a song called I’ll Be Fine (I think?), another gloomy ditty that just WORKS and is undeniably addictive: “I’ll be fine on my own, as long as I’m waiting I’ll be fine alone, so leave me alone.”
Similar to that was Wasting all my time(I think?), one that again lures you in to a certain gloomy-but-gleeful state: “I’m wasting all my time… I push it all away.”
… as well as another track for which I don’t know the name:
Nearing the end, Day Waveplays Gone, an unreleased track that has already gained a lot of popularity on SoundCloud: “I feel this way alone and i feel this way… I feel this way alone and you’re gone, you’re gone..”
It’s no surprise that Philips saved Headcase for last, as he once noted in an interview that this track was his “favorite of the bunch” and his “favorite to play live.” He described it as “summing up the whole theme of EP” (hence the title track). Cheers to the ‘headcase’ in all of us: “Cause I don’t feel right anymore… so bury me alive… this time.” EPIC ENCORE.
I definitely left the Rickshaw on “cloud nine” that night, and thanks to the EP, have been keeping my headcase self “in the clouds” ever since. 🙂
Bands they’ve played with: Rogue Wave, Blonde Redhead
Written by Erica Andreozzi (with pics by Stefan Arosen)
Formerly known as The Tropics, the SF Bay Area band named HEARTWATCH recently released their self-title, debut record: http://heartwatch.bandcamp.com/. In fact, they did so the same day of their SOLD OUT NoisePop show at the Independent on Wednesday. After streaming the album on Itunes and Spotify the week earlier, I was stoked to finally hear their pulsating, high-energy, indie-pop tracks translated into a night of endless dancing (and IT WAS).
HEARTWATCH is definitely a band to WATCH OUT for, and their popular performances at Phono Del Sol and Outside Lands Music Festival last year quickly elevated their stature and solidified their status as “the Bay Area’s favorite new band.” Members include: Eric Silverman (guitar, keys), Rowan Peter (guitar, vocals), Nate Skelton (bass), Kern Sigala (drums), and Claire George (vocals). Surprisingly enough, Claire – whose voice reminds me of a cross between Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir of Of Monsters and Men and Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches – is just a girl who “been singing (her) whole life in cars to Mariah Carey and Fiona Apple” but had no prior vocal training. You would never have guessed that from the powerful pipes propelling these tracks! My favorites to sing along to are Fireproof, Sleepless, and Faultlines. I especially connect with the verse about meeting on the Golden Gate, as I do often visit this SF landmark (yes, even as a resident!): “Meet me in the middle of the golden gate and feel my heart beat.. meet me in the middle of the golden gate and our love will stay between the ocean and the bay.”
I love to see such SF pride shine through their music, and I respect their diehard devotion to the SF music scene regardless of the exponential increase in rent and the mass exodus of artists/musicians to Oakland and Portland. “People love to talk about how bands are leaving, everyone is leaving, San Francisco and getting priced out—and it’s true,” says Claire. “A lot of musicians have left. I have a lot of friends who are leaving, still. We’re hanging on, and it’s cool because we feel really supported by the community.”
That community support definitely showed up at the Independent on Wednesday , and I wouldn’t be surprised if they earned recognition one of the “Best acts at NoisePop.” Good thing they will be touring the West Coast in March and playing BottleRock Napa Festival in May – people OUTSIDE the local community need to know about them! Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! 😉
SO GLAD to have FINALLY caught the amazing Joe Purdy last Saturday at The Independent after wanting to see him live for SUCH A LONG TIME. I was an instant fan from the moment my friend Jensyn -a Arkansas native like Joe- introduced me to his stuff nearly 5 years ago, but living abroad in the UK/Australia prevented me from having the opportunity (although I later found out from Joe that he’s making it over to the UK this spring… happy to hear that!) I also later learned that he had played with the incredible Billy Bragg at Jensyn’s favorite Arkansas music venue -the White Water Tavern- in Little Rock a few years back. Very cool to have found out that lil’ insider scoop!
Knowing that my friend Cristina enjoys folk music, I decided to invite her along to see Joe, not anticipating HOW MUCH OF A TREAT she’s be in for. As a Consumer/Equity Rights Advocate and founder of REEMvoice, Cristina was MOVED TO TEARS during the beginning of Joe’s set when he took the liberty of playing a few powerful prophecies about the current political campaign. She later wrote me:
“Joe Purdy’s activism struck me by surprised as I was not expecting to listen to songs that bring light to the inhumanities, the injustice going on in our country today. Purdy demonstrated courage with the use of his music platform to advocate for Civil Rights. His songs brought me to tears because of the significance of his courage to deviate from his normal set to bring about awareness to the significance of the suffering going on in places like Ferguson. This election year is one of the most important in our life time. It is our last chance to turn things around -or- face inevitable world wide doom. Therefore, under my social brand (Reigniting Empowered Expressiveness and Motivation = R.E.E.M) I believe Joe Purdy is pretty damn R.E.E.M because again he’s using his platform to bring awareness to social issues. His empowered expressiveness and motivation shines light onto these important issues, and awakens many souls.”
I was elated that SHE was elated, and I too commend Joe for using the stage as a platform to educate and empower others on issues he feels so strongly about. He later told me that he “had a lot to get off his chest” and was a bit nervous that “some of his fans might no longer be fans” after the evening. I don’t think that was true at all, for everyone seemed to appreciate his political opinions and continued to rally behind his rants.
The only small frustration I had was that these political songs took time away from his set, and unfortunately Joe never got to playing any of my all-time favorites: I Hope This Isn’t Love, Mary May & Bobby, Skinny-Dipping Girl, I love the rain the most, The City, Look at you now, Andrea, Suitcase, Paris in the Morning, and Waiting on Something Good. Nevertheless, he still came through with old gems like Worn Out Shoes,Canyon Joe, Sad Clown, Meteor City, Green Eyes, and Outlaws. We’d literally need to put him up for the night if wanted to to hear all of them. I don’t know many other singer/songwriters that have AS EXTENSIVE of a discography as he does: THIRTEEN ALBUMS = HUNDREDS of SONGS = THOUSANDS of LYRICS. That’s a lot for one man, one whiskey-filled man, to remember. Haha. He did a pretty REMARKABLE job. Knowing that Joe is now based in Los Angeles (and has been for the past 5 years), I hope he’ll be making his way up North more often. He didn’t mention having any summer festivals booked yet, but I’m thinking he’d have a solid chance trying to squeeze into some folk favorites like BottleRock Napa (CA) and Pickathon (OR) last-minute. Looking forward to seeing him again soon, and also looking forward to watching the documentary that Douglas Busby of Damascus Films will be making on him. Douglas has over 20 year of experience in film production, and has filmed with a whole slew of impressive bands: Chris Robinson,Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, John Legend, Hans Zimmer, Young Dubliners, Brian Wright, Truth & Salvage CO, POD, Velvet Revolver, Lucinda Williams, etc. Super stoked for this feature!
(see below videos and more detail)
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Joe first kicked off the set with some newer songs, including one (his most recent) that had me and Cristina smiling at one another because of the hilarious lyrics and shout-out to her name: “Maybe I’ll just get stoned and call Christine.”
Next up was a pretty powerful piece with a continual chorus of: “It ain’t easy to be a pioneer when the land you moved to has died.” (I wonder what place in particular he was referring to)
He then treated us to Worn Out Shoes, a song he said he wrote with Brian Wright, a talented singer/songwriter hailing from Nashville, TN: “There’s a hole in my pocket, For the stars to fall out… I didn’t notice when they hit the ground… The devil was three steps behind.”
Ba Girlfollowed, and it’s hard not to feel a bit “blue” when listening to this verse:
“But good times they don’t sound as good as the things that make me blue Good times they don’t rhyme as well and happy songs don’t always tell the truth about the living hell that a woman sometimes brings.”
Next was Canyon Joe(which I tempted to call him at least once in the night, haha) and then a song with a haunting chorus of “Who will be next?..” (not sure of the name)
Joe then introduced his next one as a song about his 3rd grade girlfriend, Laura Wilson. I definitely felt the heaviness of his heart with this verse: “I’m getting too old for fairy-tale stories.. hit songs that never get sung. Well if the hands on a clock work backwards, and I could write all the things I did wrong, well I’d stay with Laura Wilson, in the hill of Arkansas.”
After teaching us the chorus for the next one, Joe made it pretty clear that he wanted us to sing a long: “I’ll do the verses and you do the chorus.” He then fired off like a pistol, and you could tell there was tension he needed to release: “There’s a man who wants the White House.. says he can make us great again, says that he knows how, is gonna build a wall big and tall, kicking everybody’s…” We all know knew exactly who he was talking about, and it was pretty special to feel the crowd chemistry as we united to join him for the chorus: “Just another reason people can’t get along, picking sides of the USA; Treat me like a human, treat you like the same, maybe we’ll all get along some day.” TRUTH BE TOLD. What a powerful prophecy to leave us with.
After several persistent requests for Sad Clown, Joe finally succumbed, and you could tell by the crowd’s reaction that everyone was excited to dig up this old gem. Joe then quickly confessed with a laugh, “Don’t get excited yet- It’s been a while…” We all knew he’d revive this one with ease, as Sad Clown has been a consistent crowd-pleaser throughout Joe’s long music career and extremely extensive discography (THIRTEEN ALBUMS). Many of us were so giddy to hear it that we started singing with Joe from the very beginning:
“I’m gonna fill this whiskey cup and I’m gonna pick this banjo up I’m gonna play with the tragedies singing good time harmonies B Wright don’t you let me down play that one called sad clown You know that ones about me (so good) I’ve been thinking about leaving town.”
…and THEN… to shout “Sad clown, Sad Clown… Sad Clown, Sad Clown” with the rest of the crowd as Joe howled “I’m giving up… I’m giving up” in a call-and-response kinda manner was SUCH A RUSH. I bet he never thought a song so sad would ever make people so happy. We love ya, Joe!
It was obvious from all the comments around me (“I love this song..he sound SO GOOD”) that Joe had a full house of die-hard fans there that night, and he was a bit incredulous when he saw that everyone knew the lyrics to this one (Outlaws):
“Take me to the 61 highway, sailor And you can call me Queen Jane.. (YAAAAAS) Cause the only thing I stole from the town Was a crown that I took from a beauty queen.”
We all appreciated when he agreed to play Green Eyes even though he admitted he couldn’t remember all the lyrics (understandable with a few hundred songs in his collection), and we reassured him that we’d help him through it:
“Green eyes are better than blue I ain’t trying to be mean I’m just telling the truth It’s enough to make me run away with you Darling green eyes are better than blue.”
As someone with ‘Big Browns,’ I called out, “What about Brown?” just to kinda catch him off guard and see how he’d respond. Uncertain of whether he even heard me, Joe quickly responds with a charming remark: “Well if ya got brown eyes, you gotta go Van Morrison.” We all laughed out loud, only to laugh harder when he openly asks, “What’s the next verse?.. “
For the grand finale that we were all dreading (we didn’t want him to stop playing!), he brought his opener, Jenny O. (an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles), up on to the stage and said he was gonna leave us with 500 miles (a Peter, Paul and Mary cover) because it was his daddy’s favorite. After taking a stab at the first verse, he then mentions that the song is “way too high for me, so you should sing it too.” Soon after joining him in song, he gives us reassurance: “That’s a really good start.” Jenny O.quickly comes to the rescue with those high notes, and Joe can’t help himself in commenting, “Doesn’t she not have the most beautiful voice you ever heard?” (so happy-hearted from this)
For the next verse, Joe throws in some disciplinary action and insists, “But on this next one you all need to sing with us, OK? Cause that’s why we’re here. It doesn’t matter what your voice sounds like, it doesn’t matter what you think about yourself or anybody else… the point is that you sing, and if you do sing, I swear to God that the world will get better and your life will get better, and my life will certainly get better, and we’ll all be happier and we’ll all have a longer life.” ❤ ❤ ❤
Already starting to feel that my heart would BURST OPEN with love for this MOMENT and this MESSAGE, I nearly exploded when Joe cheekily remarked, “I’m gonna warn ya, it’s getting KIND OF BEAUTIFUL in here…” In fact he doesn’t stop there, and I was grinning EAR-TO-EAR with this final demand: “ONE MORE TIME, just to PROVE THAT WE ARE HERE…” But of course he can’t sign off completely without hammering on our heartstrings once more: “I love you all SO MUCH. Thanks again for coming.”
Glad to have caught Milo Greene this month after finding out last minute about them doing a show at Brick & Mortar as part of a Jukely event. The last time I saw them was at a Culture Collide festival back in October for a stripped back acoustic set at The Swedish Music Hall. Looking back, each show was super special and unique in its own way. I always find it very impressive when bands can perform both acoustic and electric versions of their albums with flawless execution. Milo Greene does this extremely well, and their harmonies never fail to leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
I was excited when they kicked off their set early with Lie to Me, for it’s my favorite from their most recent album, Control (Atlantic Records). Robbie shed his guitar for this one to lead on vocals, and his call-and-response harmonies with Marlena are nothing short of perfect: “And you want what I’ll never be…Can’t you just lie to me?.. Lie to me.” I also really enjoyed the catchy guitar arrangements led by Graham and Charlie (Andrew’s new temporary replacement).
Next, Curtis’ passionate percussion were a perfect compliment to Marlena’s provocative lyrics in White Lies(another top track from the recent album): “And it’s not right, to keep on leading me on…From now on I won’t try, I’ll just be your white lie.”
Then came Heartless, another song from the new album that started with everyone huddled around Curtis (“The Tron”) and with Robbie joining him for some DOUBLE DRUMMING action. The anticipation was pretty SIIIIICK.
Graham’s vocals took center stage soon after with Cutty Love, and I remember first being caught off WAY OFF GUARD when I felt the power behind those pipes. He definitely covers the deep end in the group, rounding out Robbie’s tenor and Marlena’s alto/soprano with his mighty bass: “Even if your heart stops,I’ll be there to hold you up…Even as the world turns, I’ll be there to watch the fire burn…Burn us both alive.” HOT DAMN.
Just before introducing a new song that they have not yet released, Marlena confesses that she “always gets nervous when they play in San Francisco because it’s the place where it all began for them- it’s like coming around full circle.” You would never know that they were any anxious nerves behind that cool-as-a-cucumber exterior, for Marlena always owns the stage and makes you wish you were that badass chick up with there amongst 4 dudes. Nevertheless, that nervous confession quickly prompted a some males in the front row to serve her up a few tequila shots, and she took both of them back LIKE A CHAMP.
The timing of this liquid courage was pretty clutch, adding even more zest to the tasty teaser of what’s to come in their next album- a new song called Dozen Times that I could definitely hear again A DOZEN TIMES.
Up after that was an old dreamy gem, Perfectly Aligned, and I really enjoy the “Oooo-oo-ooooo Ooo-ooo-ooo” vocal harmonies perfectly aligning with Curtis’ DRUM-SET DESTRUCTION. Soooooo freaking good.
All warmed up now by the tequila, Marlena delivered a red-hot, racy rendition of Lonely Eyes, and her dancing on stage must have lit some people’s fire. Curtis’ drum were also pretty fiery in this one, and he didn’t even have any tequila!
Saving one of their major radio hits for last, Milo Greeneunites the audience in a final sing-a-long to 1957, with everyone in the room shouting: “I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go I… I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go I… Takes me away, takes me away, takes me away.” This show surely TAKES ME AWAY to a proper place of musical escape. ❤
(see below for videos and more detail from the show)
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