Artist: Nick Waterhouse
Album: Is That Clear EP
Homeland: San Francisco, CA
Release Date: Aug 16, 2011
Featured Track: “Is That Clear”; “I Can Only Give You Everything”
My latest San Francisco music obsession Nick Waterhouse has a new EP out, “Is That Clear”, on digital now with the 45″ single of the aforementioned tunes in shops September 15. Get on the bandwagon early for this artist. You’re sure to hear more. Just beware. His retro R&B sounds are addicting. Dig it.
I can hear the excuses already…I just got back home…holiday weekend…I’m tired. Wah wah wah. I’m having none of it. I say, what better excuse to keep the good times going than to run on over to Milk Bar July 6 for some all girl band action with Oakland’s surf pop princesses, The Hot Toddies. Not too shabby, right? Add to that the soulful sounds of Luke Rathborne and the psych pop sounds of San Francisco’s White Cloud, and you have yourself an eclectic evening of music for cheap or for free. For free if you RSVP on the Eventbrite page here. For cheap if you show up at the door – $5. It all goes down at 9PM.
Chucha Santamaria Y Usted – “Fiebre Tropical”
Chucha Santamaria y usted! Que chucha?! Chucha tu madre, bitches. Say it like you mean it, then go chucha yourself because I don’t like that kind of vulgar slang on my site. Whether the soon to be married, Oakland via Puerto Rico and New York duo (Sofia Cordova and Matt Kirkland) had political defiance or social deviance in mind with that name, it kinda works with their MIA-esque sound. Their self-titled debut, released on Austin-based Young Cubs, is officially out today and sure to be your go to summer synth jam.
Follow @indierockgirl
Taking influence from bands like Velvet Underground, Joy Division, Girls, and Nirvana, LILAC is a young San Francisco band with a hot sound and a sweet story. A love story, really, between founding members Will Ivy and Kristen Knick. No stranger to the indie music scene around town, Ivy has played with local acts like BRIDEZ, Honey, Hunx and his Punx and Girls. Knick, a model and stylist, began exploring her musical passion when she met Ivy. The chemistry was immediate and LILAC was born. Shortly after guitarist and close friend Chrys Nodal and drummer Jesse Short were later added to the line-up.
Their self-titled EP is out now on iTunes, released on Omega Records and produced by Patrick Brown of Different Fur Studios fell in love with LILAC after seeing them live. With a motto that reads: ”Take risks. Get high. Make Love. Write Songs. Live Forever.” How can you not love them?
Check out their upcoming of shows (6/26- Parkside, 7/21-Independent).
Follow @indierockgirlArtist: Tied to the Branches
Album: Light of Day, It’s OK
Homeland: San Francisco
Release Date: June 7
Featured Track: “Walls”
Hello, yes, I have a soft spot for shoegaze. Just in case you didn’t know. I liked the vibe of this local trio Tied to the Branches on their debut EP, and their second effort, Light of Day, It’s OK, seems to build upon that theme. Set to release on Abandoned Love Records on June 7, they will hit the West coast for a mini-tour starting at The Hemlock Tavern on June 9.
Artist: Stripmall Architecture
Album:Feathersongs for Factory Girls, Part 2
Homeland: San Francisco
Release Date: May 17, 2011
Featured Track: “Daylight Machine”
I’ve been a long time fan of the trippy, atmospheric sounds of the Bay Area group Stripmall Architecture. They’ve got a Fever Ray, The Knife meets Lykke Li kind of sound going on. Sans the theatrics. “Feathersongs for Factory Girls, Part 2″ EP will release on May 17 and they have shows scheduled at Cafe du Nord on May 14 and The Rickshaw Stop on June 19. In the meantime, check out this new video for “One of Three”.
Mr. Loveless- “The Old Pain”
The Fling – “Wanderingfoot”
James & Evander- “Constellating”
It’s that time of the month again. The first Wednesday of the month where you get a free preview into a line up of the bands of tomorrow. And May is a good month. Not only is it a great line up of artists – featuring San Francisco’s James & Evander, Mister Loveless and LA-based group, The Fling – but it’s also my birthday. So if you don’t come for the music, come for that.
For free entrance, RSVP here. Or pay $5 at the door.
Vanaprasta – “Healthy Geometry”
Space Ghost – “Drone”
Come to Milk Bar this Wednesday, April 6, for another great line up of ‘what’s next’ in music, featuring Winter’s Fall – a Berkeley-based 5 piece that sounds like Band of Horses meets My Morning Jacket; the LA-based group Vanaprasta that has such a buzz going they landed on Consequence of Sound’s “Top 25 Bands to Catch at SXSW”; and Oakland’s Space Ghost that will bring their bass and synth dreamy beats.
As usual, DJ Bagel Ted will be spinning beats all night. RSVP for free here on EventBrite or pay $5 at the door.
Artist: Nick Waterhouse
Homeland: SF
There’s a new kid on the block in SF. His name is Nick Waterhouse and I’m very quickly falling in love with his way back, rhumba, R&B tinged groovy sound. Get on it. All over it. And look to see him live and in the flesh at Bottom of the Hill on April 21 and The Knockout on April 30.
Artist: That Ghost
Album: Songs Out Here
Homeland: Santa Rosa, CA
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Featured Tracks: “To Like You”
Some might say that the one man band of Ryan Schmale, known as That Ghost, might be somewhat of a boy genius. Having self released three albums before he was seventeen would certainly classify him as ambitious. The now 21-year-old has recorded and is about to release his fifth album, Songs Out Here, on Two Syllable Records. Written partially on the grounds of author Jack London’s Bay Area estate, all the instruments on the recording were played by Schmale himself.
