Photos: The Seshen + Mahawam at the Independent
The Seshen (photo: Ben Einstein) Another weekend brings another bundle of great shows back to the Bay Area. The Seshen celebrated their first indoor concert in since the pandemic hit at The Independent on Saturday, sharing the stage with Mahawam and King Isis. We captured the kinetic energy of the night, snapping photos during both Mahawam and the Seshen's dynamic performances.
10 albums from local bands that you can buy right now
You probably don't need us to tell you that musicians have taken a major financial hit in the last few weeks as Coronavirus fears close music venues across the country. It's been well documented that, over the last decade or so, concerts have overtaken album sales in terms of literal payoff for musicians. The sudden cancellation of not just major festivals, but smaller public gatherings, has left artists, venue owners, and the entire artistic community that we cover daily reeling from surprise and worried about the financial future. The (relatively) good news? There's been a flood of quality releases from [...]
Noise Pop 2020: The Seshen and Mahawam shine at Rickshaw Stop
Last night, people packed Rickshaw Stop to see the Seshen, the Oakland R&B/jazz/soul/whatever-genre-they-feel-like group that's we've seen in settings as varied as Outside Lands and London. However, the standout to me was Oakland's Mahawam. The Seshen were reliably good (actually, they were great), but during Mahawam's opening set, it became crystal clear why our writers have been praising them since early in their career — they present an alluring mix of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and electronic. The music can be a bit serious, but it's broken up by their charming stage presence: In-between asides were filled with humor, bold statements, [...]
The Seshen dive into ‘CYAN’ in time for Noise Pop
(photo: Brittany Powers) Synthesizers, drum machines, and live percussion blend with the cool, soulful voice of the Seshen’s Lalin St. Juste to create a harmonious combination of synth-pop and electronic R&B. On their newest album, CYAN (February 28), we hear influences the band didn’t previously engage with. There’s a little bit of indie rock, touches of folk, neo-soul, and hip-hop. We sat down with the band to talk about the release of their third album, their award-winning music video and upcoming short film, and the excitement around playing as part of Noise Pop. In the creation of their third album, [...]
The Seshen make the call on “Don’t Answer”
Bay Area six-piece the Seshen step out of their comfort zone with "Don't Answer," a beautiful and serene new track from their album CYAN, out February 28. Featuring string arrangements from Bay Area violinist Anton Patzner, "Don't Answer" eschews the band's large-scale electronic grooves, opting for a quiet and melancholy arrangement instead. Don't Answer by The Seshen The video, directed by Dominic Mercurio and also released this week, is a gorgeous and complementary companion piece to the song — placing vocalist/lyricist Lalin St. Juste on a grayscale beach with a small group of dancers and understated, moving choreography. “I think [...]
The Seshen release “Dive” video and song ahead of new album
“Dive,” released on November 5, is the first single released off forthcoming album CYAN, the third full LP from East Bay-based the Seshen. Vocalist Lalin St. Juste brings sensual passionate umph that is both audibly and visually captivating. Their messages are empowering and tell stories of regaining strength and as Lalin puts it, the album is about, “The path towards my power, my strength, being okay with being unapologetic is just starting. I’m reclaiming what I have lost and what has been passed down to me…This song is about the ground beginning to shake.” Yes. Please enjoy this groundshaking video [...]
What’s Happening This Weekend? A Guide To Shows Around The Bay, Nov 31 – Dec 2
Friday, November 30 Jay Som, Justus Proffit @ Starline Social Club Though she recently relocated to (guess where) LA, Jay Som will always be ours. There, she linked up with label-mate Justus Proffitt, and released an EP with him called Nothing's Changed. The two bring the new work to Starline tonight. Nicki Bluhm @ Terrapin Crossroads Without her usual Gramblers behind her, Nicki Bluhm plays the North Bay with help from the Coffis Brothers. Dragon Smoke @ The Independent Born of the high-class, high-energy late-night magic of NOLA Jazz Fest's SuperJam, Dragon Smoke make a rare return to the Independent. [...]
Beyond The Bay: The Seshen, Rituals of Mine, Geographer in London
On Wednesday, November 6, at a small venue in East London, was a gig you'd expect to find at Rickshaw Stop or Starline. the Seshen, Rituals of Mine, and Geographer joined forces for a UK tour which saw them stop off in eight cities around England and Scotland. For Aki Ehara of the Seshen, touring the UK is a opportunity to get closer, and pay homage, to music he has long admired from across the pond. “I have been just really inspired by music here [in the UK] for decades...almost all my favorite bands are from the UK,” Ehara shares. [...]
Bells Atlas celebrate their EP at the New Parish
Bells Atlas will celebrate the release of their new EP Salt and Soap with Tender Loving Empire on Thursday, September 20 at the New Parish, blending jazz, psychedelic noise-pop, and the serene sounds of soul. This hometown show is a fitting sendoff for the band's US Fall tour, which includes stops in Chicago, Denver, and Phoenix. Since 2016 they've toured with NPR’s Snap Judgment and have shared the stage with a variety of performers, such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Badbadnotgood, Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocello, W. Kamau Bell, Angélique Kidjo and more. Their kaleidoscopic sound and presence will allow you to walk right [...]
What’s Happening This Weekend? A Guide To Shows Around The Bay, Aug 31 – Sept 2
Friday, August 31 Sheer Mag @ The Independent Bluesy and bold, Sheer Mag's guitar-based sound and standout vocals make them one of the most in-demand bands on both coasts and everywhere in between. The Y Axes, The Trims, Youngest of Elders @ Bottom of the Hill This 100% local bill fits nicely into one of the most iconically San Francisco venues. The Royal Panics, Alvie and the Breakfast Pigs @ Hemlock Tavern Get your fill of local rock and roll in the back room at Hemlock (while you still can). Same Girls, Positive Citizen, Unpopular Opinion, the Axidents, Pointless Endings [...]