Brooklyn-based duo and recent Color Station signees Laveda craft shoegaze-influenced indie, with their most recent single “If Only (You Said No)” a lush encapsulation of their pedal-friendly, upbeat sound. Acoustic guitars quickly segues to a hazier, more ambient instruments in the track’s first act, quickly transitioning into 808s-driven synth pop as band members Jake Brooks and Ali Genevich sing in unison, their hushed vocals a somber foreground to the track’s swirling instrumental backing. A far more hushed single in comparison to the band’s previous efforts (“Better Now,” “Dream. Sleep”), “If Only (You Said No” demonstrates Laveda’s ability to creating energetic tunes with an experimental rock influence, perfect for fans of groups such as Slowdive or Japanese Breakfast; give them a listen below, and catch the duo on February 28th at Rubulad. Photo by Andrew Segreti
Sam Moss covers the good ones in “Three Oldies”
Last month Boston’s Sam Moss released a simple, modern take on three classic folk/country tunes. The compilation, titled aptly Three Oldies, includes Moss’ cover of 1959’s “I Drew My Ship” by Shirley Collins, a fiddle tune titled “Long John” and “Engine 143” a song performed by Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and many others. Moss performs each track with deep sincerity and respect, his soft voice, and clean electric guitar embellishments adding sweet modernism to songs like “Engine 143.” Stream the track below for a satisfying way to start your weekend. – Rene Cobar, photo by Morgan Rose Ford
Rookie “Sunglasses”
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.
Ben Seretan revives his classic folk songwriting on “Power Zone,” plays Union Pool 2.28
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
02.09: Tropa Magica bring smoky psych rock to La Santa
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
Premiere: Otherly “Calendars”
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.
Y La Bamba Ignites at the Scoot Inn
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
Tiny Kingdoms “Rose Gold”
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.
Silverware releases video for “Finish Line”
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.
ROBOTS&BALLOONS releases third single from debut EP “I’ll Be Fine”
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
Sour Widows’ “Tommy” video hits the waves
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