Listen in to ‘Text Me Records Group Chat Vol. 2’ out today
We won't go down the list of our favorites off of Text Me Records' newest tape, Group Chat Vol. 2, because we've done plenty of that already. But gang's all here and the project in its entirety too, so give this fun-loving, banger-filled mixtape a spin and ride that wave into the weekend. PS: We also can't stop listening to Tia Nomore's new Mikos Da Gawd-produced jam, "Nu Chain", the first single off her upcoming album, Level. Yeee!
San Jose Jazz + Hammer Theatre Center Announce Black Cab Series
There's a time and place for blockbuster stadium arena shows but some acts and sounds, like jazz, are best when you experience the magic up close. Taking this idea to heart, San Jose Jazz has formed a new partnership with Hammer Theatre Center to bring the Black Cab Series to downtown San Jose. Held in the spirit of classic cabaret shows, performances from jazz luminaries like Blue Note Records drummer Kendrick Scott will be held in the Hammer's intimate black box theater space for a riveting experience starting on Oct. 20. "Following an incredibly exciting 30th Anniversary of our annual [...]
Review + Photos: Bad Bad Hats bring bubblegum folk to The New Parish
Bad Bad Hats (photo: Patric Carver) “Hello, I usually do not speak until after the second song, so let’s pretend this did not happen.” That’s how lead vocalist and guitarist Kerry Alexander kicked off Bad Bad Hats’ set at The New Parish, pretty much locking in the awkward charm that knit together the evening. Alexander’s needling guitar dances along, producing a kind of sweet, homespun version of shredding. If someone like J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. is slicing his audience in half with his guitar, Alexander is creating intricate paper dolls representing the togetherness of the crowd with hers. Her [...]
Michael Sneed Jr. looks back on growing up in ‘Days We Lost’
On "Lil Nihilist or I get Angry at God," the oft-joyful Oakland rapper Michael Sneed Jr. is shaking his fist at the sky: "I talk to God sometimes, but he don't talk back," he says on the track off his newest project, Days We Lost out today. Sneed, a Howard graduate, looked to the soulful stylings of producers Wax Roof and Grandbanksss to help bring his childhood musings to life on his playful and wonder-filled hip-hop, but "Lil Nihilist" in particular encompasses Michael's greatest lesson and message about growing up: Without the darkness, there cannot be light. "I want this [...]
Photos: Mahalia at Great American Music Hall
Mahalia (photo: Norm deVeyra) UK Singer Mahalia has just released her latest album, Love and Compromise, and swung by the Great American Music Hall to give a headlining performance in support of the release. Also performing that night were JVCK JAMES and Sebastian Mikael, and our photographer Norm deVeyra captured the great gallery from the night that you can check out below.
Aw Hell, Half Stack’s new EP is here
Howdy partners. We’re delighted to announce that Half Stack just released Aw Hell, their latest EP, and hell is it a delighter. They’ve kept their classic Americana style and grown with some surprising and refreshing twists here and there. It’s a sweet and sad collection of country rock meets psych rock and even some poppy touches here and there. Tunes like “Goner” have guitar solos and steels that we’re digging on. “Know You Well” is doing some new things we’ve not heard yet. The swaying pop-touched melody and catchy hooks are paired with the sweet vocals of a sweet lady. [...]
Red Bull Presents The Bay featuring J. Espinosa, Miles Medina, Noodles + more
Red Bull is giving major love to Bay Area DJs making moves in the community. To celebrate local icon J. Espinosa for winning the 2019 Red Bull 3Style World Championship, Red Bull is hosting a show on October 20th featuring an unbelievable lineup of the Bay's up-and-coming and current established DJs. The lineup features: J. Espinosa Shortkut NOODLES Jazzy Jim Deejay Theory Miles Medina (2017 Goldie Awards winner, hosted by A-Trak) ClimaxXx Red Corvette Not only is this the perfect place to celebrate the W for J. Espinosa, but this is also the spot you'll want to be in to [...]
Headbangers assemble: Babymetal to play Warfield on Oct. 4
The name Babymetal is a wildly appropriate moniker for hardcore headbanger darlings Suzuka Nakamoto and Moa Kikuchi. And no lie, there's a huge dousing of novelty in this act: It's a candy-coated death-metal intense enough to land them a gig opening for Metallica, yet lightly sweetened enough to be deemed catchy and uptempo Japanese pop-punk. And it's worked so far -- Babymetal just landed their first US tour, rocketeering them up into BTS and BLACKPINK territory as rising Asia acts garnering major intercontinental appeal. Babymetal The Warfield October 4 8pm, $52
Video Premiere: E.G. Phillips’ “Lighthouse at the Edge of the World”
(photo: Andy Strong) The creativity that blossoms out of San Francisco often feels unparalleled in variety and, in some cases, density. Local resident and singer-songwriter E.G. Phillips is one such creative that wholly embodies that varied creativity. Not only in his own output, but also by going out of his way to include fellow artists to join him, be it at an open mic, on his record, or at unique birthday celebrations. In early 2019, Phillips released an album called At Home At Sea with the aide and encouragement of producer Ben Osheroff. The impetus for the entire record comes from the [...]
Photos: FURY at Tortona Big Top
FURY (photo: Jon Bauer) Last week saw the successful music/dance show hybrid FURY give a unique performance in Oakland at the Tortona Big Top. Featuring the music of YASSOU, the show is performed with live music, video production interlaced with an intricate dance performance done in the round of the theater, and our photographer Jon Bauer captured some great shots from the night of the performance that you can check out in the gallery below.