Review & Photos: EMA, Mas Ysa, Safeword at The Independent
(Photos by Daniel Kielman) Wednesday night marked the end of EMA's West Coast tour with Mas Ysa, as the two acts performed their final sets before going their separate ways. Oakland duo Safeword (Darren Russell and Jonah Strauss) opened the show, playing on the floor of The Independent rather than the stage. I'm not sure whether they requested this unusual arrangement or were simply forced offstage due to an abundance of gear, but the duo crafted energetic post-punk with a four-piece drum kit and an electric bass guitar, plus a bunch of pedals. Canadian synth act Mas Ysa (a.k.a. Thomas [...]
West by West Oakland, a free day show at Linden Street Brewery
SXSW is just around the corner, and like always, the festival will be packed with free day parties, featuring lots of bands and lots of beer. Unlike the SXSW parties, however, where the beer options will likely be limited to PBR and Lone Star (nothing wrong with that, for the record), the upcoming West by West Oakland pre-SXSW day party will include lots of local craft beer. Taking place at Linden Street Brewery this Saturday from 12-5pm, West by West Oakland will serve as both a send-off for bands leaving soon for SXSW, and as a celebration of bands who [...]