Darondo is one pimpin’ dude. Literally. The San Francisco-based 70s funk and soul singer was reportedly also a pimp, though he denies the claim. Perhaps he got that rap from cruising around town in a white Rolls Royce in the day. He did have his moment, however, opening for James Brown. Some say he could of been the next Al Green or Sly Stone. He disappeared for many years but has enjoyed a resurgence the past few, thanks to DJs and collectors. He even appeared at SXSW in 2009. Lucky for you he’ll be appearing tonight, live and in person, at Cafe du Nord. Check out a legend in action.
Because I can’t get enough psych rock today. This is a video of one of Tame Impala’s older tracks. San Francisco, get tickets for their 12.13 show at The Independent now before your effed. Word is it’s almost sold out.
Tame Impala – “Lucidity (Pilooski Remix)”
Rarely do I get excited over remixes, but the Tame Impala versions are categorically good. This one from Pilooski is no exception, just adding the the psychedelic Beatles-esque flavor of the group. Innerspeaker is one of my favorite albums this year. Get it if you don’t have it yet. And for the local SF crew, the band is coming back to the US so be sure to get tickets to their show at The Independent on December 13.
Sea of Bees – “Wizbot”
How much do I love Sea of Bees Julie Baenziger and her debut, Songs for the Ravens? |<————————-This much—————————————————>| Please buy this album. It’s one of my favs for 2010. Such a lovely and talented singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. NPR dubbed her a female Sparklehorse and it’s the best description I’ve heard yet. Sophomore album to be recorded soon!
Artist: New Mexico (formally Apes of Wrath)
Album: Have You Met My Friend?
Genre: Garage Rock
Release Date: November 16, 2010
Label: Unsigned
Track: “Abused and Amused”
There’s nothing about this San Diego-based trio (formally Apes of Wrath) I don’t like. Their music gives me that warm, tingly feeling. The kind of instant love I felt when I first heard White Denim. In fact this track ‘Abused and Amused’ kinda has a little White Denim going on in there, no? Recently nominated ‘Best Local Act’ in their hometown, they are gearing up to release their debut EP under their new moniker on November 16 via iTunes. Hot, hot, hot.
One can become a bit jaded burning through as much music as I do, flippantly classifying bands into the latest trend du jour… electro pop, chill wave, nu wave, shitgaze. So I always pause and take note of an artist with a unique and distinctive sound. That happened the first time I laid ears on this duo calling themselves Buke & Gass. I’m endlessly intrigued by their clattering noise. I mean they make their own instruments! This is the video for the track “Page Break” off their album Riposte.
Burnt Ones – “Gonna Listen to T.Rex All Night Long”
Carry that Giants love forward to The Rumble San Francisco tonight at Milk Bar featuring San Francisco’s Burnt Ones headlining. The garage rock trio (with evident T.Rex influences) are recent transplants to our fair city by way of Indianapolis and are signed to music tastemaker My Old Kentucky Blog’s label Roaring Colonel. The group was just featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered yesterday to boot. Supporting them are Austin-based rockers Ume and San Francisco psych rock/shoegazers, LSD & The Search for God…because lord knows you’re going to need a lot of that to find Him. Entrance is free, per usual, with an RSVP at SonicLiving. And Trumer Pils specials will be flowing.
Artist: Cloud Control
Album: Bliss Release
Track: “Meditation Song #2”
Yet another outstanding band hailing from Australia, this four piece from the lovely Blue Mountains seem to be on par with buzz makers Tame Impala. Soooo good. Their much anticipated debut album, Bliss Release, hit Australia earlier this year and is slated for the rest of the world in 2011 (though you can get it on iTunes now). This track, “Meditation Song #2”, will be released as their single in November 22. With their 60’s era boy/girl harmonies and psychedelic jams, what’s not to love? And they keep good company too. The band is currently on tour in Europe with the likes of Tame Impala, Local Natives and The Temper Trap. Yeah, it’s that good.
The Pharmacy – “Coldest Morning Light”
Sigh. It’s hard to be a music snob. Really it is. It causes a lot of mental agitation and angst when you’re not in control of your music destiny. Take the past four days as a case in point, where I immersed myself willingly in a yoga retreat, voluntarily abstaining from my usual mental masturbation of work, music, blogging and other social media. As a result, my unoccupied mind went into a panic. The only cure, of course, was music. In need of a distraction my mind started creating playlists in my head (coming your way soon). I made a game out of coming up with the perfect song for every pose, every memorable moment. I turned into Mary Katherine Gallagher, whose feelings could be best expressed by …well you know the rest.
This morning when I woke up to the cold rain and fog clinging against the Napa hillsides, my mind immediately went to The Pharmacy’s, ‘Cold Morning Light’. First discovered at SXSW this year, the New Orleans based trio has an interesting garage pop vibe that hooked me immediately. The band is heading out on a European tour, along with other acts like Dum Dum Girls, in support of their current album Weekend. Check it out EU friends.
the OCMD 