Black Mountain plays ‘Destroyer’ at the Independent
Photo courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR Black Mountain just released the music video for “Licensed to Drive” and it’s one of the most pleasing music videos I’ve seen in a while. The rockers get swooped into a video game and play on a car cruising through the desert, ride a bat and I won’t give much away but punk rock is alive and well. For anyone who knows the Canadian band, they’re a killer mix of punk meets hair metal meets mesmerizing. They’ve just released their latest album, Destroyer (Jagjaguwar) and are playing this Sunday at the Independent. New members [...]
Alex Lahey comes up from down under to the Independent
(Photo: Callum Preston) Alex Lahey’s sophomore LP, The Best of Luck Club, is filled with those power-punk anthems she’s known for but this time with a little more sophistication. Songs are personal, sweet and relatable. They touch on topics like mental health, moving in with girlfriends, vibrators, parties — and how she allegedly doesn’t get invited to them anymore. Blessings on Ms. Lahey for her honesty, that purity and the fun. We love the lyrics, music and message of “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself” and its accompanying video, which feels like a scene from a Coen brothers movie. Enjoy. She’ll [...]
Sponsored: The Independent presents old friends and new favorites in May
Our friends at the Independent have some exciting concerts lined up, and we're here to give you the lowdown. Throughout this array of upcoming shows, local fans of all genres will have the opportunity to discover some new favorites. First, the acclaimed pop-singer/producer Dan Vidmar, aka. Shy Girls, swings by the venue for a headlining set this Saturday, May 18. On the heels of the project's newly released album, Bird on the Wing, this show offers fans the early opportunity to engage with the fresh songs. On Saturday, May 25, The Independent will transform into one big party with the musical accompaniment of funky [...]
Sponsored: A Very Independent December
As we roll out of 2018 and into 2019, the Independent is going out with a bang. With a slate of fabulous shows on the horizon, the reliably rad Divisadero Street venue is a sure bet for a great night out. These are the shows you've waited all year for. Of particular note is the first major blowout of next month: "It's A Woman's World" on the 7th, which features a whopping lineup of local women, including Sit Kitty Sit, the Wyatt Act, Swamp Child, and way more raising money for Woman Crush Music. The theme carries over into North [...]
Sponsored: Rocktober takes over at the Independent
As we mentioned on social media recently, we call this month "Rocktober" around here. And there are few places in San Francisco where that's exemplified better than The Independent. With their standard varied lineup for the best in a wide swath of genres, October at the Indy has a few major highlights. October 12: The Dodos Beloved locals The Dodos have returned and are mere days from releasing their much anticipated (but is anything they do even moderately anticipated?) seventh studio album, Certainity Waves. They'll be kicking off a national tour at home that night. Don't miss it — you [...]
Sponsored: It’s gonna be May at the Independent
Dolores hangs, A's games, and numerous other opportunities to drink beer outdoors: After months and months (and months) of rain, spring has finally made her grand entrance to the Bay. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the Independent next month. Though festival season is revving its engine and summer tours are starting to roll out, the Indy's May schedule is bringing the heat with an exciting array of acts that will invigorate and energize you — you might not have to leave home to see some of the best shows you'll see all year. The Divisadero Street venue has [...]
Sponsored: Stay warm with local faves at the Indy this January
We'll say it: January kinda sucks. You're back at work, you're quickly running out of your holiday leftovers (or, more realistically, they've been gone since December 28), and no matter where you are in the country, it's freakin' freezing. Fear not, San Franciscans: The Independent has a solution. In addition to their regularly scheduled programming of top talent in independent music, they're featuring a number of local acts throughout January that will basically carry you through the entire month. Behold: you can start with the hand-clap-laden soul of Brothers Prince on the 6th and go out dancing with Midtown Social [...]
The Independent’s Allen Scott on his favorite SF haunt, Nopalito
The Independent's Allen Scott (Illustration: Rob Goodman) Over the past few years, Divisadero Street in San Francisco’s Alamo Square neighborhood has been a hotbed of amazing new restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. Glance down the street and you’ll spot a bevy of A+ locales, including the newly opened Horsefeather, Ragazza, Vinyl, 4505 Burgers & BBQ, Rare Device, The Mill, and Fly Bar. And just down the road, you’ll spot the marquee for a club that has been home to some of the most epic shows San Francisco has seen since 2004: The Independent. Behind the scenes at The Independent is [...]
SOFI TUKKER to play three shows at The Independent this week
NYC duo SOFI TUKKER have only released two singles, "Drinkee" and "Matadora," and they're already on tour opening for The Knocks, signed to Heavyroc Records, and have licensed "Drinkee" to play during an Apple Watch commercial. It's a dizzying combination. So far, it seems that vocalist Sophie Hawley-Weld and instrumentalist Tucker Halpern create Brazilian folk music worthy of a dance party. "Matadora" was conceptualized off of Brazilian poet Chacal's work and features an Andean string instrument, the charango. The only show with tickets still up for grabs at The Independent is on Thursday, February 11. I'll be fighting off brutal cold #2 [...]
Review: Drunk off Dopamine with BØRNS and Avid Dancer at The Independent
BØRNS (photo: Ian Young) On Sunday, November 22 BØRNS entranced a sold out crowd at The Independent. Garrett Borns, aka BØRNS, already has a widely agreed "instant classic" after only one album that was released last month. Before the album was even released, this show was sold out. The moment I had heard about the show, it had already been sold out for months. With that being said, I came into that venue expecting to fall in love, and I did. Before I went to the show, I had experienced a weird long day. From working 8 hours at my day job, to [...]