The folksy, jazzy, gentle pop of the Saxophones’ ‘Eternity Bay’
(photo: Connor Sorenson) When Alexi Erenkov and Alison Alderdice got married, Erenkov’s vows weren’t your typical declarations. “They were about our mortality,” says The Saxophones’ drummer Alison Alderdice with a bit of a grin. “The light and the dark and how this marriage will end when one of us dies...It was really romantic, though.” The couple laugh. The Saxophones — vocalist and lyricist Alexi Erenkov, drummer Alison Alderdice and bassist Richard Laws — create music that is gentle and ethereal, layered with woodwinds and rich, serenading vocals. Alderdice shifts their 3-month old on her chest, who looks in my direction [...]
Jack Symes’ Prom Night at Great American
Singer-songwriter Jack Symes returns to his old San Francisco stomping grounds this March to grace the Great American stage. Didn’t get the prom night you wanted in high school? Fret not, Symes is giving you a reason to dress to the nines in your most prom-ed out attire. As part of his two-part Prom Night show--ahead of his new single, “Prom Song”--Symes will feature an eight-piece band and “...balloon archways, corsages, streamers, the works. We’ll be channeling a sort of 1960’s high school prom vibe for the night,” he tells us. Single “Baby, My Baby” arrived this month and it’s [...]
The Painted Horses’ sophomore record has a familiar richness
This month, Santa Cruz-based the Painted Horses released their second, self-titled album and it is a collection of folk rock songs we are delighted to have found. Following the release of their debut album Ponderosa Pines, The Painted Horses has pushed the band into a new level of musical mastery with songs that are a little more upbeat but sticking to their roots. Like a more country version of M. Ward and Elvis Perkins with a touch of the Wallflowers (especially opening track “Spokane”) Horses at times feels more folk, at times more country and all the times: pretty good. [...]
Kurt Vile at The Fillmore October 5
Feelin’ bassackwards? We suggest coming out to The Fillmore next weekend for some good ol’ fashioned Kurt Vile. We dig the funny pants folk he brings, like a sassy Bob Dylan with Tom Petty strums, modern lyrics and better hair. Vile will also be playing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park, but if you want a bigger, more intimate taste, come on out to The Fillmore. A portion of the ticket sales will be going to Music in Schools Today. Kurt Vile and the Violators The Fillmore October 5, 2019 $30
Julia Jacklin announces spring tour with new album in tow
(photo: Scarlett Mckee) The disarmingly sweet and melancholy beauty that is Julia Jacklin's debut album, Don’t Let The Kids Win, will be coming to life this spring as she sets a course across North America. The album, available now on Polyvinyl Records, is filled with mournful lullabies that spin tales of everyday love and loss. Opener "Pool Party" swoons with country longing, while hearkening back to early Beth Orton and Fiona Apple. The band bounds about, delivering an ethereal rockabilly foot-stomper with "Coming of Age" and later closing out the record with the dreamlike title track "Don't Let The Kids [...]