Review + Photos: Jazz Mafia’s “Future Standard” at the Pod Patio
Jazz Mafia's “Future Standard” (photo: Jon Bauer) Jazz Mafia’s “Future Standard” explores the world of current pop music through the lens of the jazz musician. This tradition of reshaping popular songs goes back as far as the roots of jazz: A popular song gets reimagined by musicians outside of the pop genre (in this case, incorporating improvisation), which then gets recorded, sampled, and incorporated into the next generation of pop music...and a cycle is born. Thus the music of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish & Little Dragon (etc.,) are the standards of the future. Tune in (for free) to Jazz Mafia Tuesdays [...]
Review + Photos: Cosa Nostra Strings at the “Pod Patio”
Cosa Nostra Strings (photo: Jon Bauer) Here and there around the Bay Area, shows are still happening — with some obvious changes to the usual live-music experience. Here's what it was like for our photographer Jon to experience Jazz Mafia's Cosa Nostra Strings' new "Pod Patio" series, performed in a backyard in Oakland and livestreamed to YouTube. This week featured Lilan Kane on vocals. Seats for you and your pod at future concerts will be raffled off weekly — keep an eye on Jazz Mafia's Instagram for more info.
Review + Photos: Soul Ska Livestream at A Backyard in San Anselmo
Soul Ska livestream (photo: Carolyn McCoy) Words by Carolyn McCoy At this point in time, most of us are experiencing a bit of the Lockdown Blues. Even though it seems we are coming out of it, we are entering back into a world that has changed drastically. It is sad to say that the music scene in the Bay Area is in a state of a significant overhaul, with massive shutdowns and closures of all music venues, bars, and clubs. Most of us have not gone to a live show since mid-March, and bands and musicians are struggling to find a [...]
Photos: Looking for live music? Andrew St. James is performing in the city
Andrew St. James (photo: Ian Young) It's been roughly 5,432,400 days since in-person live concerts were a thing (or at least it's felt like it) but Andrew St. James has been scratching that itch by driving around San Francisco and playing to intimate, socially-distanced crowds in various neighborhoods. Joined by guitarist Scott Padden, the pair delighted crowds at multiple stops last Saturday, including in front of the Balboa Theatre, along the Great Highway, and next to Buena Vista Park. For 15 minutes at a time, St. James and Padden helped bring a sense of normalcy, levity, and human connection to the [...]
Photos: KISS at Oracle Arena
KISS (photo: Jon Bauer) In what will undoubtedly be one of the last big shows in the Bay for the foreseeable future, last week saw Oakland Arena get rock and rolled all night by the legendary KISS in what they have hailed as their final tour, set to in end 2021. They were joined by David Lee Roth, who gave great energy in setting the party tone of the night. Our photographer Jon Bauer has an excellent gallery from the night that you can check out below, and we hope we have more amazing photos like these again soon. [...]
Photos: Shopping at Rickshaw Stop
Shopping (photo: Ian Young) Besides a few people wearing masks and gloves, Tuesday night seemed like any other night at Rickshaw Stop. A full crowd was buzzing with energy (and probably beer, let's be honest) in anticipation of seeing two impossible-to-google post punk bands: Britain's Shopping and LA's Automatic. Shopping is a powerhouse of frenetic energy, thumping bass grooves and catchy hooks that can convince anyone to dance their cares — or worries about a global pandemic and economic meltdown — away. Automatic was a delightful surprise for many in the crowd, and they gained dozens of new fans after [...]
Review + Photos: The Wood Brothers at the Fox Theater
The Wood Brothers (photo: Carolyn McCoy) Words by Carolyn McCoy I have heard much hubbub over the last year over the Americana folk-rock band The Wood Brothers. Friends and colleagues have expounded on their playing and their performances, telling me over and over, “You really gotta check these guys out, they are something else!” Ok, fine, twist my arm. When the three men who make up The Wood Brothers walked onto the stage of Oakland’s Fox Theater recently, I did not know what to expect as I wasn’t familiar with much of their music. It was kind of like a blind [...]
Photos: Gill Landry at the Lost Church
Gill Landry (photo: Ria Burman) Gill Landry brought his delicate despair and beautifully depressing music to The Lost Church on March 6 in SF. Playing center stage in the cozy, intimate venue with guitar, harmonica and his deep~gravel-good vocals, Gill Landry performed old songs from his self~titled 2015 excellent album to new ones from his latest album offering, Skeleton At The Banquet. Rich, smooth artistry from a musician, exuding a 1940's Parisian essence.
Photos: Anna of the North at Great American Music Hall
Anna of the North (photo: Norm deVeyra) Norwegian singer Anna of the North rocked the Great American Music Hall this past Friday, supporting her second album, last year's Dream Girl. She received a warm welcome and a passionate crowd, and our photographer Norm deVeyra has the excellent gallery from the night that you can check out below.
Photos: Evan Giia at the Independent
Evan Giia (photo: Norm deVeyra) Singer Evan Giia is rising fast, breaking off on her own solo venture and amassing fans quickly. She performed at the Independent this past Thursday with support from Raffaella and our photographer Norm deVeyra caught both acts from the night in the gallery that you can enjoy below.