In light of the current closures the 11th annual Burger Boogaloo festival just announced it will be moving their July dates to Halloween weekend to best accommodate the artists on this year’s phat lineup. Host John Waters shares, “A virus may scare the punk rock world out of Oakland in July but we’ll scare it right back on Halloween weekend! Trick or treat, we can’t be beat! Burger Boogaloo 2020: a Monster Mash to top them all!” That’s the attitude we like to hear! Playing their first show in 25 years, we’re thrilled Bikini Kill is taking the stage, along with Belgian super punk star Plastic Bertrand for their first ever Bay Area show. Oakland favorites like Shannon Shaw (who’s playing a solo set, though we’re wondering if any of the Clams might sneak on stage?) and The Younger Lovers. Secure your Burger Boogaloo tickets now, and if you’re already snagged ‘em, all tickets will still be honored. Let’s all plunk something to look forward to on the calendar for October 31 and November 1st and start thinking of your costumes while you’re at it. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

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.

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

If you’re feeling stressed out–or feeling anything at all–I suggest plugging into one of Yolanda’s newest jams, “Sick Pike.” The song is dreamy drift into trippy town and the accompany video matches that vibe to a t-shirt. The animated short features a flower-eyed dino-creature mounting a horse and galloping into a forest. Illustrator and guitarist for the group (as well as Bells Atlas, Perhapsy) has really expanded as an illustrator into some fun and elaborate territory and we’re all for it. The single was recorded mostly at home and mixed mostly at Tiny Telephone. We missed their release show but stay tuned more more more and tune into this lovely dreamy find. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

photo credit: Mike Cardiello

Alexander B. Lappin aka Albon, began making music in his Northern Chicago suburban bedroom when he was but a boy of twelve. He eventually made his way over to California, where he makes folk rock music with Beach Boys and Grizzly Bear influences; we hear a touch of REM and a little Magnetic Fields, too. This new single off Albon’s Dream Weaver//Bee Keeper has a fun yet distressed energy about it. Lappin says of this song’s creation story that it was “…written in a pretty funny way!” Lappin and some friends were filming a tequila commercial and they all took a tiny bite of mushroom to go with that tequila. “I ended up on a roof where I was still very sad about my breakup but was also very high on this little stem of mushroom. I ended up laughing as hard as I ever had and then crying hysterically. It was all very cathartic. After words me and my two friends went for pancakes at some classic diner. I then went home and wrote this song." We do love a good story. The Deli is proud to premiere Albon’s single, “Kids on Fire.” –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor 

Photo cred: Brittany Powers

Latin-infused live drums form percussive harmonies with synthesizers and drum machines to create an other-worldly listening experience. The Seshen, known for their fusion of synth-pop, R&B and electronic music, is a six-piece Bay Area ensemble with powerful messages and relaxing beats. Lalin St. Juste’s vocals have just the right amount of mysticism, wisdom and grounding presence. Single “Don’t Answer” arrives today off the band’s third album, CYAN, out on Feb 28 via Tru Thoughts, along with the song’s video, featuring mystic lades of the ocean. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Last week funky pop boys More Fatter released the video for their single “Yeah You” and it is a fun and spunky time. Filmed at San Francisco’s Dolores Park, the video features the cuatro doing synchronized, shoeless dance moves, some poppin’ lady dancers and loads of onlookers and smilers. Props to the kiddo who slides down the slide right into the band. Like most of their tracks, “Yeah You” has got some great trombone highlights and it’s fun to see those things in action. Check out More Fatter’s video and let yourself feel the young energy. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Today Oakland’s The Saxophones released the second single off their forthcoming, sophomore album Eternity Bay (out March 6 on Full Time Hobby). The song is a fusion of jazz, quiet pop and folk. Vocalist Alexi Erenkov says of the album, "While this record was influenced by a broad range of music the through line seems to be conveying a strong mood or sense of place. I love music that transports listeners to another space, whether it’s Jonathan Richman making you feel like you’re walking the streets of Boston in ‘I Love Hot Nights’ or Arthur Lyman transporting you to a Hawaiian hotel lobby in the 50s." Erenkov and wife Alison Alderdice create songs that live up to that transportive feel. Catch their latest single here and be on the look out for upcoming tour dates and Eternity Bay. –Lucille Faulkner

This Friday Throwin’ Bo’s has a showcase of Bay Area bands that are sure to keep you energized and moving. Oakland’s Babewatch is surfy garage rock with just the right amount of punk. Stress Dreams isn’t as stressful as it sounds but they do describe themselves as “rat” music. Well said, we guess. Local dream catch Shutups are playing the bill, along with the quietest of the bunch, Andy Bender. Need some folk rock with more melodies and twists than you bargained for? Listen to Andy Bender! And come on down to Eli’s Mile High Club. -Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

On December 27, the San Francisco experimental rock group Dear Banshee released their latest, Viva Guernica. Title track has an accompanying video with dark synth feels and creepy vibes—in a good way. Catch them playing in Oakland at The Golden Bull January 23. -Lucille Faulkner

As he does all things, Fantastic Negrito is celebrating the end of decade in style. The singer combines passionate blues meets soul meets R&B and is a performer you won’t want to miss. Fantastic Negrito is playing a two-night residency at The Chapel, concluding with a New Year’s Eve show. What a way to end a decade and what a forceful way to start the new year. Here’s a taste of some of his latest work, featuring blind dancer Odil Gerfaut. Presented by Folk Yeah, get your tickets now. –Lucille Faulkner

Avant rock performer Katie Burden just released the title track of her forthcoming album Edge of Sleep, and it is a captivating representation of the song. Burden, who has spent the last few between San Francisco, Los Angles and New York, created the album with a new level of consciousness. Of the name, Burden says, “There’s that ancient Toltec wisdom that describes our conscious life as a waking dream that we sort of project into the world…’Edge of Sleep’ refers to an occurrence that shakes one from their waking dream and brings about a new perspective or way of seeing.” Title track lies somewhere between Björk and Florence and the Machine. The video depicts the frustrating place between awake and conscious and emotion, dragging a woman through a house where she can’t seem to decompress. Enjoy Burden’s new video and keep an eye out for her full album Edge of Sleep out January 30, 2020. –Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor