Category Archives: SF Spotlight

Future Twin – “Lockits”

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Artist: Future Twin
Album: Resist 7″
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Hails From: San Francisco
Featured Track: “Lockits”

Meet your new favorite Mission District band, Future Twin. Originally brought together by the first all girl moped gang in San Francisco,  The Lockits, the group is now composed of Jean Jeanie (gtr/vox/field recordings), Antonio Roman-Alcala (drums), Jo Bleak (rhythm & bass), and Dan DK (synths & bass). The band will be releasing their new 7″ Resist on July 31 and hosting a release party on July 27 at SPARC Dispensary. (Yes, you read that right.)  The event is free for members, but if you don’t have a card you must RSVP here. Libations and tinctures to be provided.

White Fence – Family Perfume Vol. 2

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Artist: White Fence
Album: Family Perfume Vol 1 & 2
Hails From: Los Angeles (via Bay Area)
Release Date: April 3 (vol. 1); May 15 (vol. 2)
Featured Track: “It Will Never Be”

Tim Presley is a genius. Let’s just state the facts and get that out of the way. The member of Darker My Love and The Strange Boys has put out quite a catalogue of solo work under the moniker White Fence since 2010.  This week he’s out with Volume 2 of his double album, Family Perfume. It’s a magical mystery tour of a musical journey. With a little Kinks in there too. But don’t let the 60s homage fool you. Live, he’s touring with a full band that will, quite simply, melt your mind. The tour’s kick off set in San Fran with Ty Segall was one I won’t soon forget. Oh, did I mention his recent collaboration with Ty? Dream team. And one of the best live shows I’ve seen this year.

Miles of Smiles at the 2012 BYOBW

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Reason # 129 why I love SF. My favorite Easter Day tradition, the 2012 Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race completed another successful event on San Francisco’s real – and most hidden – crookedest street, Vermont Street in Potrero Hill. And once again, BYOBW delighted the crowds. It’s as much fun to see hundreds of people smiling and belly laughing as it is to see race goers hurtle themselves down the hill in ridiculous costumes and toy big wheels. A great way to spend the day and a very SF twist on a classic pagan holiday. Keep it up SF!

On Sale Now: Yo La Tengo Play SF MOMA for Buckminster Fuller Retrospective

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I had the pleasure of dining with Academy Award nominated documentarian Sam Green a while back when I heard of this amazing SF MOMA art project and collaboration with indie super stars Yo La Tengo he was masterminding called, “The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller.” To put it in context, the SF MOMA is on the verge of launching an exhibit honoring Buckminster Fuller – the eccentric designer, inventor, theorist and futurist forever associated with the creation of the famed geodesic dome. The exhibit will open at the SF MOMA on March 31. Part of the programming schedule will feature a documentary retrospective by Sam Green exploring Fuller’s utopian vision. Green’s imagery and narration will be backed by live music from Yo La Tengo. Two live performances will take place May 1 at 7PM and 9PM. Tickets are on sale now through the San Francisco Film Society. An event not to be missed, so get on it now! They won’t last.

Nick Waterhouse: “Is That Clear”

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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.

[July 06] The Rumble SF: Hot Toddies, Luke Rathborne, White Cloud

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Hot Toddies

Luke Rathborne

White Cloud

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.

SF Spotlight: Chucha Santamaria Y Usted

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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.

SF Spotlight : LILAC

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LILAC – “So Young” [audio http://www.omega-records.com/lilac/01%20So%20Young.mp3]

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).

Tied to the Branches – “Walls”

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Artist: Tied to the Branches
Album: Light of Day, It’s OK
Homeland: San Francisco
Release Date: June 7
Featured Track: “Walls” [audio http://www.abandonedloverecords.com/downloads/Tied_to_the_Branches_-_Walls.mp3]

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.

STRIPMALL ARCHITECTURE – “One of Three”

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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”.