After West Coast tour, Aish prepares for homecoming show
Just a few months after the release of his debut album Mother, San Francisco-based artist and visionary Aish recently embarked on a West Coast tour, which concludes at the Rickshaw Stop on August 23. Aish has been on the radar of the indie music community since the release of his first single "Promise Me" in 2016. The animated music video was directed by multimedia artist Philip Rugo. "The lyrics are what I imagined my mother saying to me before we separated," Aish told VICE. Mother by Aish Aish's relationship with his mother are reflected in every track of Mother. They [...]
Megan Keely and the art of activism
Music has always been an art that provides a platform for people wanting to express their opinions, whatever it may be. With politics becoming increasingly divisive, it seems as if every artist with a platform is being called upon by their fans to take a stance on certain issues. Though many artists choose not to get involved in activism (and that's fine), for San Francisco-based songwriter Megan Keely, “activist” is a role she takes up in both her creative process and everyday life. “I feel that the best way I can contribute with what I have available to me right [...]
Check out the first song from SF’s Michael Michael Motorcycle
It's always great to have the opportunity to cover bands from their very beginning, and Michael Michael Motorcycle is already showing a lot of potential with their first single "Just Don't Mean A Thing," due out on July 6. The five-member SF group describes itself as a rock and roll band, but also have some bluegrass and folk themes. In "Just Don't Mean A Thing," lead singer Michael Pannone talks about growing out his hair and getting casual tattoos. The song is also graced by a saxophone solo from band member Bennett Schatz. Though they're just getting started, Michael Michael [...]
In advance of performance at Pride, SUMif releases new single “Body”
This is a big week for queer electro-pop artist SUMif. Originally from Los Angeles, the rising San Francisco musician is set to perform at this year's San Francisco Pride celebration at Civic Center Plaza on June 23 and just released a new single called "Body." The summer tune is a perfect anthem for what is going to be a wild and feel-good weekend of celebration for the LGBTQ and ally community. SUMif, real name Steph Wells, made her EP debut at the beginning of the year with Pretty Cage, a compilation of electronic pop songs that are extremely upbeat and [...]
Bay Area R&B artist Samaria returns with new single: “Foolish”
While R&B has long been a gender-inclusive genre for the exploration of deep emotional themes, in recent years, the queens seem to be taking over the throne of contemporary R&B with the rise of artists like Kehlani and SZA. As a result, it feels like the perfect time for Bay Area singer/songwriter Samaria to drop her latest single "Foolish." It's been a hot minute since Samaria dropped her last major project, a short film titled "The Story of Right Now." The 22-year-old Bay Area native has been working to redefine herself in the changing music scene. With her social media [...]
The Brothers Comatose delivers new album of ‘Ink, Dust, and Luck’
"Sugar won't you come home and make me sweet." That's the hook that the lead singer of The Brothers Comatose, Ben Morrison, sings in a duet with folk singer Nicki Bluhm. "Sugar Please" is a country slow jam that is also the lead single for The Brother Comatose's new album. That LP, called Ink, Dust, and Luck, arrived today. The band put out a collection of singles and EPs in preparation of their new studio album. They even produced a heavy metal project, rightly titled The Metal EP. For Ink, Dust, and Luck, while The Brothers Comatose didn't bring back [...]
Dogcatcher releases new single featuring Blackalicious’ Gift of Gab
Brewing down in the San Jose music scene, synth-rock group Dogcatcher is releasing their newest single "SRM (Stark Raving Mad)," featuring a verse from Bay Area rapper Gift of Gab on June 1. They'll be celebrating that night with a concert at the the Art Boutiki, with Oakland's Forrest Day, and an opening set by Greysmith. "SRM" was inspired by lead singer and guitarist Andrew Heine's come-up story. He's an Iraq War veteran who fought during the mid-2000s. Once he got out of the service, he tried to make the transition from marine to musician. Trying to make it as [...]
Cathedrals returns with “Hits Me Like A Landslide”
San Francisco's Cathedrals recently released their first single of the year, "Hits Me Like A Landslide," in conjunction with Soundcloud's First on Soundcloud series. Artwork by Jack Vanzet The duo consists of Brodie Jenkins and Johnny Hwin, who made his debut vocal performance on the new single. Their last longer release was a self titled EP back in 2014. Since then, they've been releasing single after single, "Autumn Split" and "With You" among them. Every single they've put out racks up tens of thousands of plays, building up momentum for the band to reach wider audiences. Their steady success allowed [...]
After devastating loss, Them Are Us Too prepare final album ‘Amends’
Photo courtesy of Nick Marshall Over a year has passed since the fire broke out in Oakland's Ghost Ship warehouse that took the lives of so many artists and music fans. One of these artists was Cash Askew, who played with Kennedy Ashlyn in the band Them Are Us Too. The duo first met in 2012 at UC Santa Cruz, and soon learned that they shared tastes in music. Sparing no time in putting out jams, Them Are Us Too soon began playing all over the Bay. Their debut album, Remain was released when both Cash and Kennedy were just [...]
Get To Know: Just Rese
Just Rese is a rapper coming out of Oakland. He's put out a series of singles since 2014, and he's playing at Southside Festival presented by The Bay Bridged and Imprint.City on May 19. With the perfect mix of contemporary R&B and funk riding Just Rese's style, he stands out among more mainstream Soundcloud rappers. His music really reflects the changing themes in hip-hop — ever since artists like Kanye West, Drake, and Frank Ocean began dedicating entire projects to typically taboo topics in rap, such as romantic frustrations, it's allowed musicians like Just Rese to blossom. “My songs have [...]