New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Rookie has announced that they have signed with the local label Bloodshot Records and will be releasing their self-titled debut album on March 13th.
The band also released visuals for the album’s lead single "Sunglasses".
You can help Rookie celebrate the release on March 13th at Empty Bottle with Girl K and Tobacco City.
The music of Ben Seretan has always been characterized by a wistfully classic energy, and with the release of “Power Zone,” his new single precluding his first LP in four years, it feels like the return of an old friend. This tender energy comes in large part from Seretan’s vox, which waver and glide, hovering just above the track’s nostalgia-inducing slide guitars and roots-rock rhythmic progression. “You will always be hungry for something you can’t hold,” he croons, his voice evocative of Neil Young’s equally ghostlike tenor, fading into the background as sax lines and noodling riffs fill up the space. It’s these various easygoing components that make Seretan’s initial offering off Youth Pastoral indicative of his old soul approach to songwriting, a craft that will spring to life at his record release show on February 28th at Union Pool — until then, stream "Power Zone" below. —Connor Beckett McInerney
Fans of Thee Commons will find that the brother duo of David and Rene Pacheco have rebranded to become Tropa Magica, taking their psychedelic cumbia punk and infusing it with smoky, funky sounds. They’ll bring their act to La Santa for a performance on February 9th. The Pacheco brothers put out their debut record as Tropa Magica near the end of 2018, showcasing their affinity for music which blends world beats and pop together into infectious dance tracks. They’ll play several shows this spring up and down the West Coast to introduce old Thee Commons fans and new Tropa Magica fans to their tracks. Take a listen to the sultry "La Flor" below. – Will Sisskind
We are proud to be able to premiere the new single, "Calendars", from Otherly. This is the third single from the band’s forthcoming debut album, Darkling, which is due out February 28th.
This is the genre-blurring music of Justin Samuel Martin who is accompanied by his former Automata bandmate Rachel Sarah Thomas throughout the album.
You can help Otherly celebrate the release of this album on Febraury 28th at The Whistler.
An eclectic bill featuring Y La Bamba and Durand Jones and the Indications sold out and packed in a crowd of lovers at Scoot Inn on Friday night.
Luz Elena Mendoza gracefully leads the indie-encompassing folk group, Y La Bamba. Established in 2008, the band released their latest album, Entre Los Dos, in fall 2019. Menodza dances like a black flame on stage – with each cha cha step she moves with magic and belongs to herself, an embodiment of her music and experience. The musicians surrounding her are just as beautiful, all alive in their eyes. The sound is mystical, and performed with a tacit invitation to engage in the spiritual healing of their music.
The indie rock and latin infused sounds of the album are a fertile landscape for Mendoza’s songwriting. The lyrics unwind the way good poetry transcends. There may be added mystery to the bilingual lyricism, especially if the listener doesn’t know Spanish. From the album’s namesake song, “Entre Los Dos,” Mendzoa longs, “y yo me saltaré de mi ventana/y la muerte ahí me espera con otra vida” [“and I will throw myself out my window/and death waits for me there with another life”]. Although the poetic lyrics are somber, the sound is zestful, delivering a juicy juxtaposition of emotions.
“Paloma Negra,” [“Black Dove”] from the Mujeres single from 2018, had the everyone aye-aye-ing and ooh-oohing. Another song that embodies Mendoza’s divine feminine energy balanced with dark motifs and jovial affirmations: “Voy lentamente pero bien segura” [“I go slowly but very sure”]. Would you like a taste? Y La Bamba’s Tiny Desk Concert features “Paloma Negra” as the first song. Or, just see them when they come back through Austin, destined to play a headlining bill of their own on a larger stage with another enthralled crowd.
-Melissa Green
Indie Pop Quartet Tiny Kingdoms has released a new single, "Rose Gold" b/w "Coasting". 2019 saw the band release two singles and we can only hope that all of this is leading to a new album.
This is the work of Jake Newling (Drums), Nico Miura (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Collis (Bass), and Ryan Mitchell (Guitar).
You can catch Tiny Kingdoms at Cobra Lounge on February 23rd with Bilmuri, Overgrow, and Furlough.
San Francisco-based Silverware is led by Ainsley Wagoner, a native Kentuckian whose roots infiltrate her songs. Her sound is inspired by Appalachian sparseness and is layered with electric guitars, synths, and ethereal vocals. Her new video for “Finish Line” came out last month and we’re glad to share the dancing joy. –Lucille Faulkner
Silverware – Finish Line | Music Video from Ainsley Wagoner on Vimeo.
Grammy-nominated producer Eric Denniston, releasing music as ROBOTS&BALLOONS, put out his third single "I’ll Be Fine" this past week; it is the third single from his upcoming debut EP Stranded. With grungy tones and a persistent bassline, "I’ll Be Fine" explores themes of loneliness and isolation stemming from the ending of a romance. The song pushes, but it knows when to pull its punches, simulating the feelings of someone messing with your head. The emotion comes through in "I’ll Be Fine", and it further sets the stage for what’s to come on Stranded when it drops later this year. Take a listen to "I’ll Be Fine" below. – Will Sisskind
Last week Oakland-based Sour Widows released one of their first singles, “Tommy” off their upcoming self-titled EP. The EP was recorded at Fantasy Studios just before they closed (and in part over at Decibelle Studios in SF). The song is dreamy and full of hooks and melodies we crave. The band is playing a few upcoming shows, including some SXSW spots. Be sure to check them out! –Lucille Faulkner
Upcoming shows 1.19 – San Francisco – Club Night, Patio 2.16 – San Francisco – KXSF Live Session 3.16-3.22 – Austin – SXSW 4.2 – San Francisco – Ratboys
The Keener Family released their debut album, Tender Beast, back in December. This is the Psych Country sound of Christopher Keener along with an array of friends including Aubrey Ann Howard, Taylor Bacon, Robbie Hamilton, Robby Haynes, and more.
The album’s lead single is called “Raised on The Roar” and is accompanied by the mousetrap video below.
Local Hip Hop Vet Verbal Kent has teamed up with Ghana’s Recognize Ali and Lord Beatjitzu to form Dueling Experts. The group recently released their self-titled debut via Mello Music.
Here is what Kent had to say about the project: "I had a treasure trove of beats from legendary Lo-Fi beat maker Lord Beatjitzu that I needed to put to use…and sonically me and Ali were right there. The beats sound like they were dropped on the floor, almost beta like quality while at the same time exemplifying that 90’s RZA peak."
