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By Diana Cordero //
The Donkeys with Extra Classic, And And And //
The Chapel – San Francisco
January 21st, 2015 //
The Donkeys returned to The Chapel after a few months of promoting their fourth and most recent LP Ride the Black Wave, which came out last year in June. The San Diego indie band played in front of a pretty decent-sized crowd, with SF act Extra Classic as well as Portland’s And And And serving as the openers for the show.
By Diana Cordero //
Battlehooch with Guy Fox, Ghost & the City //
The Chapel – San Francisco
January 17th, 2015 //
SF’s own Battlehooch brought their psychedelic sound to The Chapel for a Saturday night headlining spot. Dressed as priests, all six members of the band hit the stage and kicked off the night in the form of a religious mass. Led by frontman Pat Smith and the unstoppable AJ McKinley on guitar, their funny stunt made us think of The Hives, with that same level of energy and their “not giving a damn” attitude, which was picked up by the crowd, too. Oaklanders Guy Fox and Ghost & the City opened the show.
By Kory Thibeault //
The Wood Brothers with Mandolin Orange //
The Fillmore – San Francisco
January 16th, 2015 //
Boy, do I love The Fillmore.
“Best venue in the Bay” debates aside, I feel The Fillmore has a special presence, a certain energy that is the product of its rich musical history. Moreover, I truly feel that every musician who takes the stage under those beautiful lights and chandeliers channels their energy into every note they strike. At least that was the case when The Wood Brothers graced the stage last Friday night.
Since 2006, brothers Chris and Oliver Wood have been releasing carefully-crafted Americana albums under the moniker “The Wood Brothers”. They have continued their success more recently, executing their recorded work beautifully with the addition of multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix. This band’s talents certainly extend beyond the studio. Most impressive, though, is the four-piece’s ability to translate its often-mellow sounds into an enthusiastic, crowd-pleasing performance that certainly left the audience at The Fillmore craving for more.
A particular highlight of the evening was seeing Chris and Oliver bring Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz from opening act Mandolin Orange on stage to help cover Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels”, which was an instant hit with the crowd.
Photos by Marc Fong //
Rustie with Nadus, DJ Dials //
The Independent – San Francisco
January 14th, 2015 //
Scottish DJ/producer Russell Whyte, aka Rustie, has been touring the world of late in support of his second full-length album Green Language, which dropped back in August on Warp Records. Hitting the decks at the early age of 15, Whyte first made a name for himself by producing tracks for Detroit rapper Danny Brown, including his latest single “Attak”, and has only continued his rise in the EDM world. With the “Green Language Live” tour marking his largest to date, the Glasgow native made a mid-week stop in the City and captivated the crowd at The Independent with the help of A-Rock’s 3D visuals. Marc Fong was on hand to capture these shots from the show, which featured opening sets from Nadus and DJ Dials.
By Mike Rosati //
The Jayhawks with Trapper Schoepp & The Shades //
The Fillmore – San Francisco
January 8th, 2015 //
American alt-country outfit The Jayhawks haven’t put out a studio album since 2011’s Mockingbird Time, but that hasn’t slowed them down roughly 30 years since they formed in the Twin Cities. While the Minneapolis-based band has gone through a number of lineup changes with and without founding member Mark Olson, the five on stage these days — featuring singer/guitarist Gary Louris, bassist Marc Perlman, keyboardist Karen Grotberg, drummer Tim O’Reagan and guitarist Kraig Johnson — have played together for quite a while.
Olson is once again doing his own thing as a solo artist, releasing Good-bye Lizelle just last year, but having Johnson and Grotberg back in the fold has helped maintain the sound that was so important to The Jayhawks when they were building momentum in the mid to early 90’s.
Mixing in a few Golden Smog covers, including “Until You Came Along” with opener Trapper Schoepp & The Shades to close out their four-song encore, The Jayhawks paid tribute to a variety of legends, from Elvis Presley to Billy Walker to Neil Young, over the course of their 27-song set at The Fillmore.
Setlist:
I’m Going To Make You Love Me
The Man Who Loved Life
All the Right Reasons
Real Light
Big Star
Trouble
Stumbling Through the Dark
Angelyne
Take Me With You (When You Go)
Looking Forward to Seeing You (Golden Smog cover)
Somewhere in Ohio
Smile
Tampa to Tulsa
Waiting for the Sun
Jennifer Save Me (Golden Smog cover)
Little Sister (Elvis Presley cover)
Space Oddity (David Bowie cover) (tease, incomplete, for David Bowie’s birthday)
Blue
I’m Down to My Last Cigarette (Billy Walker cover)
Bottomless Cup
Tailspin
Save It for a Rainy Day
I’d Run Away
Encore:
Sound of Lies
Settled Down Like Rain
Sedan Delivery (Neil Young cover)
Until You Came Along (Golden Smog cover with Trapper Schoepp & The Shades)
Photos by Justin Yee // Written by Molly Kish //
Snakehips with DJ Dials, Mikos Da Gawd //
The Independent – San Francisco
January 9th, 2015 //
UK production duo Snakehips rocked a sold-out crowd last Friday night at The Independent with their signature glitchy beats and sample-heavy, half-sped house grooves.
Supported by opening sets from Mikos Da Gawd and a humbly apologetic DJ Dials, the packed venue was antsy to get their swerve on with the London outfit in the building. Although faced with technical difficulties, DJ Dials made the best of the situation by warming the crowd up with a personally-curated playlist of 90’s hip-hop and R&B. Ending his set somewhat abruptly due to issues with his equipment, he made a classy exit, apologizing for the mishap and letting Snakehips take the reigns the rest of the way.
Snakehips’ Oliver Lee and James Carter, in the meantime, wasted no time, breaking into their 2014 remix of Raury’s “Cigarettes”, which whipped the crowd into a sultry sing-along as fans bounced along to the duo’s downtempo take on the soul/pop ballad. With little stage production to offer, Snakehips kept their set focused directly on the music. Instead, entertaining the crowd with their onstage chemistry and a backdrop screen that simply displayed their moniker, Snakehips pulled material from several mixtapes and sprinkled in some of their own individually-released remixes, too.
A jammed-packed, steam-filled room broke out into a frenzy on several occasions throughout the evening, responding most passionately to the duo’s remixes of Wild Belle’s “It’s Too Late” and The Weeknd’s “Wanderlust” as well as their brand-new track “On & On”, which features Australian vocalist George Maple.
As Snakehips gear up for what undoubtedly will be a heavily-booked festival season this spring and summer, it was quite a treat to catch Lee and Carter in such an intimate setting. With talk of a debut album making the rounds and several of their mixes finding their way onto music blogs like Hypetrak and British radio stations like BBC Radio 1, Snakehips definitely should be returning to the Bay Area in the near future.
If you slept on their show this time around, do yourself a favor and keep yourself informed about their next U.S. tour. At the pace these two are escalating up the dance charts, you wouldn’t want to let them slither past you a second time around.
By Josh Herwitt //
CRSSD Festival //
Waterfront Park – San Diego
March 14th-15th, 2015 //
Making its debut this spring at San Diego’s Waterfront Park, CRSSD Festival is the newest music festival to call California home.
Los Angeles promoter Goldenvoice and San Diego promoter FNGRS CRSSD have teamed up to assemble an eclectic lineup of electronic talent, one that’s suited for a more sophisticated, mature audience with headliners like Empire of the Sun, Chromeo, Justin Martin, Jamie Jones and more. Simian Mobile Disco, Classixx, ODESZA, STRFKR, Flight Facilities, Breakbot, DJ Harvey, Robert DeLong, Lee Burridge, Pete Tong and Aeroplane are some of the other names rounding out this year’s impressive two-day bill.
With CRSSD serving as a nice warm-up before Coachella in April, here are five other reasons why you’ll want to be in SD for all the festivities.
5. Tickets are going fast
Both early-bird and advance tickets are sold out, and only weekend GA passes, which started at $85 and are now up to $145, are left for purchase at this point. You won’t want to wait until the last minute to buy your pass and risk seeing the festival sell out.
4. There are more than just DJs
Portland-based quartet STRFKR provide an intriguing blend of synthpop and indie pop, while Robert DeLong and Slow Magic employ the one-man-band philosophy when performing live. Trust us, your weekend down south won’t be filled with only a bunch of button pushers.
3. You will definitely dance
With Empire of the Sun and Chromeo leading the way, there’s little chance that you won’t be dancing your ass off by the end of the night. Not to mention, electronica vets Pete Tong and Simian Mobile Disco certainly know how to throw down, too.
2. The location
Overlooking the San Diego Bay, Waterfront Park offers one of the best backdrops you could find for a music festival. Between the sunshine and sweet tunes, it’s sure to feel like mid-summer in mid-March.
1. The music
While the lineup leans heavy on the electronic, there is enough talent from top to bottom to keep you entertained and not overwhelmed over two days. With its laid-back vibes, CRSSD feels like it could be a perfect fit in sunny San Diego.
The Neckbeard Boys
Newgrass and Tried & Truegrass – SF’s Finest Local Bluegrass Heroes feat. The Neckbeard Boys, Windy Hill, Grateful Bluegrass Boys, Rusty Stringfield //
The Chapel – San Francisco
January 3rd, 2015 //
The Chapel hosted another night of string-picking and foot-stomping bluegrass of all tastes thanks to Britgrass, a collection of local bluegrass musicians in the Bay Area. “Newgrass and Tried & Truegrass” was the theme of this show with music from Rusty Stringfield, the Grateful Bluegrass Boys (a mix of some players from Hot Buttered Rum and The David Thom Band), Windy Hill and headlining act The Neckbeard Boys.
There to host the event was none other than Bay Area bluegrass legend and president of the California Bluegrass Association Chuck Poling, who you may also recognize from his hosting of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass’s Rooster Stage. For a genre back on the rise, it was great to see some of the best in the Bay Area play together to a packed house on a Saturday night in The Mission. Windy Hill brought the classical approach of Doc Watson’s and Del McCoury’s single-mic, three-party harmonies that people know and love from the old-timey bluegrass days.
Rusty Stringfield
To bridge the gap from the true to the new grass was Rusty Stringfield and the Grateful Bluegrass Boys with their takes on bluegrass classics as well as both modern and Grateful Dead tunes. Closing the night out, the rousing tunes of The Neckbeard Boys had the place dancing and stomping, finishing with a cover of “Ignition (Remix)” by R. Kelly.
For bluegrass fans in the Bay Area, keep an eye out for these bands and more Britgrass events, as they offer one heck of a ride.
Photos by Tom Dellinger // Written by Molly Kish //
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Presents Run DMC Remixed feat. Vokab Kompany, Amp Live //
The Independent – San Francisco
January 2nd, 2015 //
This past weekend at The Independent, SF was treated to a doubleheader of funk infusion provided by none other than Karl Denson and his always-entertaining Tiny Universe. The theme of this mini tour, which enlisted the MC skills of the Vokab Kompany’s vocalists, was “Run DMC Remixed”.
After a great opening set from Amp Live and a venue-packed performance from KDTU featuring a guest spot from guitar virtuoso Eric McFadden, the whole crew returned to the stage to “rock the mic” live. Busting out a greatest hits set of hip-hop classics, the stage full of performers paid homage to the party-igniting discography of Run DMC. Displaying an incredible blend of musical talent and prolonged celebratory energy from all the New Year’s festivities earlier in the week, the show was easily one of the best ways to kick 2015 into high gear.
By Pedro Paredes //
Allah-Las with The Tyde, Light Fantastic //
The Chapel – San Francisco
December 30th, 2014 //
Following the release of their second album Worship the Sun this past September, Los Angeles’ own Allah-Las made their way to Northern California for their two-night New Year’s Eve residency at The Chapel. While it may have been December 30th on this particular night, it already felt like New Year’s Eve inside the diminutive venue.
Outside The Chapel, the streets remained empty, but inside, there was definitely a party going on. The vibes, for one, certainly felt festive for a Tuesday night, as openers The Tyde and Light Fantastic got things started slowly. Yet, once it was time for the Allah-Las to start, the sold-out crowd quickly showed its enthusiasm for the garage rock four-piece. With two projectors flanking the room, the band dug into its latest material as trippy shapes and colors lit up the stage. The mostly 20-somethings in attendance dug it all, making for quite a memorable ending to 2014.
Photos by Bridget Stagnitto & Jenn Wong // Written by Molly Kish //
Cut Copy with The Juan Maclean, St. Pepsi, Eli Glad //
Mezzanine – San Francisco
December 31st, 2014 //
Unquestionably one of the easiest decisions made all year and further confirmed by the sold-out crowd in attendance last Wednesday night, Cut Copy headlining the Mezzanine for New Year’s Eve was pretty much a no-brainer.
Riding off an amazing year touring behind their fourth album Free Your Mind, the foursome arrived in the states ready to rage well into the earliest hours of 2015. The club was primed for the electrifying headliners with opening DJ sets from St. Pepsi and Eli Glad that was accompanied by a Russian Standard Vodka bar.
Leading into Cut Copy’s late-night slot, DFA Records brought the heat with a disco-infused DJ set from The Juan Maclean. Stationed side stage, MacLean got up close and personal with the rowdy crowd, playing hits off his 2014 critically-acclaimed release In a Dream to go along with deeper cuts and house favorites from his previous three albums on the iconic label. In a near-seamless transition, Maclean kept the crowd moving while Cut Copy’s road crew fine-tuned the sound and light equipment occupying the center stage. Inching toward the final minutes of 2014, the crowd, although anxious, remained enveloped in the pulsating nu-disco pumping through the venue’s veins.
With about 10 minutes left before the official countdown, Cut Copy exploded from a sea of light into the opening notes of “We Are Explorers”, igniting the crowd into a full-volume singalong and dance party. What at first seemed like a late start to their headlining set ended up timing out perfectly as an extended jam closed to usher in the New Year. Amidst their fully-immersive light show and a barrage of rainbow-colored balloons, couples kissed and friends embraced to fan favorite “Take Me Over”, which blended continuously into a euphoric rendition of “Free Your Mind,” causing the sold-out venue to collectively lose their own. The evening’s performance pulled from Cut Copy’s entire discography, pleasing what unquestionably was an audience filled with longtime fans who got to share an extremely special moment with the band and each other.
The band rocked its set well into the early-evening hours before leaving it for Deep Into the Night, which featured DJ performances from Cut Copy and Phantogram. While they didn’t promise new material during their set, Cut Copy has been cutting their producer chops after releasing their Melbourne dance music compilation, entitled Oceans Apart, in November. Highlighting the best and brightest in local acts from Down Under, Cut Copy have been keeping their ear to the ground and their fans attentive, opening up a world of possibilities for potential upcoming tour dates and collaborations.
If anything can be learned from this past year’s Disclosure-curated “Wild Life Series”, Cut Copy may have some creative plans for the future. After the incredible performance they put on to celebrate the annual bacchanal that is NYE, one can only hope that they’ll be back stateside sooner rather than later in 2015.
Photos by James Nagel // Written by Bridget Stagnitto //
STRFKR with Blackbird Blackbird //
The Independent – San Francisco
December 29th-30th, 2014 //
Portland-based band STRFKR arrived in SF for a three-day takeover of The Independent leading up to New Year’s Eve, and we caught up with them for the first two nights. Both nights were a sensory overload of pop sensibilities and dance fever, creating vehemence for the imminent NYE.
Each night had a similar setlist that both started with the smash song “Boy Toy” from their second album Jupiter. Launching into the dynamic synth-heavy song, they set the stage for a night of dance and frivolity.
After a couple of songs on the first night, Shawn Glassford (bass, keyboards, drums) stepped out of his pop coma to make the sincere announcement that his father is in the audience and how grateful he is to have him there. It brought a sort of nostalgia to the room with the holidays over and a new year galloping toward us. The only thing to do at that moment was to celebrate life and the times gone by.
The night continued on with an air of sentimentality and old standards like “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” and “Isabella of Castile”, as the reassuring spirit of the songs allowed for a complacency with the past and present.
The party picked up again when the band began to play 80’s covers like “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League before leading into “Blue Monday” by New Order. Following those songs came “Head Over Heals” by Tear for Fears and “Girls Just want to Have Fun” by Cindy Lauper, and the crowd went crazy for the renditions of these classic hits. Considering STRFKR’s own music is so comparable to the 80’s synthpop/rock hits of that time, it makes sense they would do covers of those iconic songs.
What is so great about a band like STRFKR is that they are entirely self-aware. When Joshua Hodges created the band, he picked the name as a joke. The goal was not to get too caught up in the rat race of the music business, but lo and behold, STRFKR have released four albums and even had one of their songs licensed for a Target television commercial. These guys are happy just to play their music for an audience, and it comes through in the performance.
Photos by Mike Rosati // Written by Scotland Miller //
Primus – An Uber Drum Spectacular //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
December 31st, 2014 //
There are few things in this world that are as much of a sure thing as a local New Year’s Eve show from the kings of oddity and tweakerdom. If you are unaware, Les Claypool and the boys of Primus have established a tradition in the Bay for the past 25 years, and don’t show signs of stopping any time soon. In his first banterings of the night, Les joked and welcomed everyone to the “45th annual New Years show … only 73 to go!”
In efforts to keep things fresh and new smelling, each year’s celebration is centered around a fantastic and goofy theme to accompany an already weird and bizarre psyche that is Primus. Past motifs have included a night with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 3D projection screens and full-album performances. This year was dubbed the “Uber Drum Spectacular”, featuring a second set guest appearance by the percussive giant Danny Carey (Tool, Pigmy Love Circus, Volto!). As if Tim “Herb” Alexander (Laundry, Blue Man Group, Puscifer) wasn’t enough?
There is something especially dirty about having two 180-degree thunder kits next to each other on stage playing “My Name is Mud”, with the closing drum rolls lingering until utter hysteria breaks out in the crowd.
The atmosphere at these well-known evenings is always a feature of the night and rarely disappoints even those who aren’t on some sort of psychedelic substance. “Some people, like Dave Grohl, need to drive around the country looking for inspiration. What do we at Primus do? We suspend a 60-foot inflatable sperm whale in the air and gaze up at it as we play.” It was as if the show was contained in an deep sea wonder world, watched over by Spermy. The patterned ceiling of The Fox was splattered with bluish lights that served to resemble the shimmering of aquatic world of the epic Moby Dick. This would eventually lead to the “Uber Drum Spectacular” that was the post-countdown antics and song selection obviously inspired by the mighty Bonzo himself.
As the second set hammered on with “Herb” and Danny dueling away on such songs as “Last Salmon Man” and “Southbound Pachyderm”, the clock neared midnight. “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” ended, and Les dribbled his way through a Hendrix rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. 2015 closed in and the balloons fell like backwards bubbles from above Spermy’s watery home. The oh so familiar engine-like rumblings of Van Halen’s classic “Hot for Teacher” began as a long, unseen member of the Primus family appeared. Bob C. Cock performed the vocals in his best David Lee Roth garb and impression, only substituting the chorus with “I’m hot for cock”. The “Spectacular” culminated with an extended rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick”.
Primus has had very few lineup changes since their original EP release Suck on This, but the addition of Danny Carey to the mix is surely to be a well-remembered appearance. After filling in for “Herb” earlier in the year, it was a great surprise to see his name on the bill.
PRIMUS SUCKS!!!
Set 1:
Sailing the Seas of Cheese
John the Fisherman
The Toys Go Winding Down
Frizzle Fry
Lee Van Cleef
Del Davis Tree Farm
The Heckler
Set 2 with Danny Carey:
Those Damn Blue-Collar Tweekers
Last Salmon Man
Southbound Pachyderm
Too Many Puppies (Ænema chorus included)
Eleven
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
The Star-Spangled Banner (countdown to midnight)
Hot for Teacher (Van Halen cover with Bob Cock)
Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin cover)
Encore:
American Life
Here Come the Bastards
St. Vincent at Fox Theater Oakland // Showbams’ Photo of the Year, by Pedro Paredes
Ah, year-end lists — they’re an exercise in subjectivity and personal experience if there has ever been one. But what better way is there to learn from each other and discover some great new music while capping off the year and beginning anew?
So, without further ado, Showbams presents The Bam Team’s five favorite shows, albums and songs from 2014.
The 25 Best Live Music Acts of 2014
Showbams’ Top 50 Albums of 2014
Listen to The Bam Team’s favorite songs of 2014:
Darkside at The Fillmore // Photo by James Nagel
Mike Frash // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Darkside at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – January 24th
Looking at my top five shows list for 2014, it appears I favor the weird, ya know, the good weird. This Darkside performance, the only SF show ever (for now) since Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington have put the project on indefinite hold, had patrons at The Fillmore in SF breathing and moving in unison. There was a magical feeling in the air as the hybrid of electronic and organic played out wonderfully with the duo tipping their hat to the past and setting a new standard for the brave new future of live music.
2. Panda Bear at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – May 22nd
3. tUnE-yArDs at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – June 6th
4. Phish at MGM Grand – Las Vegas, NV – October 31st
5. Volcano Choir at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – January 21st
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
Ever since Jamie and Mikey blew my mind performing Run the Jewels almost in its entirety at The Independent in August of 2013, I’ve been a loyal RTJ soldier. And without taking a break, El Producto and Killer Mike stepped it up to an even higher plateau with their production precision, an uncanny balance of fun and intense, while lyrically honing more on the important issues of our time. Sensing the unstoppable momentum, Run the Jewels are already heading back into the studio for Run the Jewels 3. When Mike was recently asked if they’d continue to name their albums numerically, he said “Why not?!? Zeppelin did it!” Exactly. Say it with me now: Festival headliners circa 2016?
2. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
3. D’Angelo – Black Messiah
4. Aphex Twin – Syro
5. The Antlers – Familiars
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Sturgill Simpson – “Turtles All the Way Down”
This is country music turned on its head, while staying mostly true to the hallmarks of the genre. Lyrically subversive while instrumentally emotive to the core, this song kept me coming back throughout 2014. It’s positive message of love winning over all else is certainly timeless, but when was the last time you heard a country tune tell a story of mind over matter transcendence? “There’s a gateway in our minds that leads somewhere out there, far beyond this place / Where reptile aliens made of light, cut you up and pull out all your pain.” Stirgill Simpson is as progressive as you can get within the realm of Americana, urging the listener to both think and feel.
2. St. Vincent – “Digital Witness”
3. Future Islands – “Seasons (Waiting on You)”
4. FKA twigs – “Two Weeks”
5. Flying Lotus – “Never Catch Me” feat. Kendrick Lamar
Nine Inch Nails // Photo by Rob Sheridan for NIN.com
Josh Herwitt // Los Angeles
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Nine Inch Nails & Soundgarden at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – July 21st
What a dream come true. Having the opportunity to see two of my favorite childhood bands at one of the best venues in the country would be hard to beat any year, let alone in 2014. Sharing the bill with Soundgarden on this tour, Trent Reznor made the most of a minimalist stage setup and trimmed-down lineup of sidekicks. Of the four shows (Red Rocks, Chula Vista, Irvine and Hollywood) I saw on this tour, this one felt particularly special. If this was one of the last times I ever got to see Nine Inch Nails perform live, it was a night I will never forget.
2. Jack White at The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – June 10th
3. Cinquanta featuring Puscifer, A Perfect Circle and Failure at The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – May 10th
4. Queens of the Stone Age at The Forum – Los Angeles, CA – October 31st
5. Tool at Valley View Casino Center – San Diego, CA – March 16th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. The Black Keys – Turn Blue
Akron’s favorite rockers answered the call this year, following up their Grammy-winning album El Camino with arguably their most ambitious effort to date — especially when you consider the turmoil that surrounded Dan Auerbach’s life at the time of its recording. Over the last five years, the Keys have become one of rock’s biggest bands, but they haven’t stopped taking risks as a result. Turn Blue dabbles in a myriad of styles, from the psychedelic sound of Pink Floyd on its opening track “Weight of Love” to the hip-hop groove on “10 Lovers.” For as many critics as they have, Auerbach and Patrick Carney have come a long way since their early years as strictly a blues duo.
2. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
3. Jack White – Lazaretto
4. Aphex Twin – Syro
5. Death from Above 1979 – The Physical World
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Jack White – “High Ball Stepper”
Jack White seems to be on another level these days. The former White Stripe has grown into one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most exciting talents, and this blues-heavy, instrumental track showcases that better than any other offering on Lazaretto. White’s ferocious guitar riffs dominate the tune, taking listeners on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. And when he plays “High Ball Stepper” live, the song takes on a new whole life of its own.
2. Foo Fighters – “Something for Nothing”
3. Interpol – “All the Rage Back Home”
4. TV on the Radio – “Happy Idiot”
5. Tycho – “Awake”
Jack White at Bill Graham Civic // Photo by David James Swanson
Steven Wandrey // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Jack White at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA – August 22nd
From the dramatic curtain drop that slammed into high-octane rock, this show never let off the gas. Even with a bum ankle, Jack White stalked the stage and held power over the crowd. When the slowest moments of a show are White Stripes ballads that you’re giddy to hear and the other half of the show is headbanging, guitar-slinging rock, it’s easy to see how this show cemented itself as the best of 2014.
2. Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyeabor at The Warfield – San Francisco, CA – May 6th
3. The War on Drugs at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – April 1st
4. Run the Jewels at Mezzanine – San Francisco, CA – November 14th
5. Duck Sauce at Outside Lands Music Festival – August 9th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
This album makes me feel like I’m actually traveling through the underworld to the land of the dead. From front to back, the first thing that caught me about this album was its consistent message. Steven Ellison has an inviting sense of storytelling that’s infused with hip-hop but touches on an array of different music styles, involving a star-studded cast of guests, including Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat and Snoop Dog. I have a feeling Flying Lotus is on the forefront of creative hip-hop and that this album will prove to be influential down the line. More importantly, I just love listening to it. Taking wild turns from frenetic to serene, listening to this album from start to finish is a journey.
2. Aphex Twin – Syro
3. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
4. Future Islands – Singles
5. Tweedy – Sukierae
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Run the Jewels – “Oh My Darling Don’t Cry”
The minimalist production and deep, rumbling bass frequencies have helped this track become my No. 1 listened to on the album and also No. 1 for the year. The complimentary flow that El-P and Killer Mike have together is on display in this track. This cut has infected my brain like a virus (the good kind?), and I just can’t get enough.
2. Future Islands – “Seasons (Waiting on You)”
3. Sam Smith – “I’m Not the Only One”
4. Flying Lotus – “Never Catch Me” feat. Kendrick Lamar
5. Perfume Genius – “Queen”
Future Islands at The Chapel // Photo by Pedro Paredes
Kevin Quandt // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Future Islands at Coachella Music and Arts Festival, Weekend 1 – Indio, CA – April 12th
It’s been a banner year for the Baltimore darlings we have grown to love as Future Islands. Breaking through the underground touring circuit to being a highly sought-after festival act was quick and clean as the passionate stage performance of Samuel Harrington could not be ignored by growing audiences. A packed Gobi Tent was eating from the frontman’s palm as Herrington poured himself out on stage, belting out a set heavy on new tracks and old favorites. It was a pivotal point where both the band and audience knew that Future Islands had arrived at the next stage of their career.
2. The Cure at BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa, CA – May 30th
3. Phish at MGM Grand Arena – Las Vegas, NV – October 31st
4. Connan Mockasin at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – May 15th
5. Deerhoof at Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA – November 18th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
Adam Granduciel had one helluva 2014 to brag about. His third studio album Lost in the Dream was an overwhelming success, and all for good reason as the lush waves of rock swell over the listener like a warm Christmas sweater, just less ugly than the one you wore to that one party. “Under the Pressure” opens this release in epic fashion and does not let up from there. Guitar rock is not dead!
2. Todd Terje – It’s Album Time
3. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
4. D’Angelo – Black Messiah
5. White Fence – For the Recently Found Innocent
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Flying Lotus – “Never Catch Me” (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Steven Ellison’s left-field meditation on death, as demonstrated on 2014’s release You’re Dead!, is not for everyone and is more about the full album than the sum of its parts (tracks). However, there is one shining beacon of a collaboration that could not be cast aside in the form of “Never Catch Me”. The partnership of one of the hottest MCs with one of the most sought-after producers was meant to be a brutally infectious slice of off-kilter street music.
2. Caribou – “Can’t Do Without You”
3. Future Islands – “Seasons (Waiting on You)”
4. Beck – “Blue Moon”
5. Ariel Pink – “Put Your Number in My Phone”
Ryan Adams at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2014 // Photo by Pedro Paredes
Pete Mauch // Los Angeles
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Phish at MGM Grand – Las Vegas, NV – October 31st
Phish has made the tradition of covering other artists albums on Halloween, and this year they completely outdid themselves by covering essentially an album of only narrative and spooky sounds. The Disney-produced album The Thrilling and Chilling Sounds of the Taunted House was turned into a rock opera of sorts as Trey and company worked through completely new songs based off just minimal sounds, but the night didn’t just end there. The band played this rock opera sandwiched between two very strong sets of original Phish songs that could have held its own alone.
2. Lettuce’s Late Night in Red Barn at Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL – May 22nd
3. Future Islands at Coachella Music and Arts Festival, Weekend 1 – Indio, CA – April 12th
4. Ryan Adams at The Fox Theater Pomona – Pomona, CA – October 11th
5. Todd Terje at FYF Fest – Los Angeles – August 24th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams
When someone as prolific as Ryan Adams puts out a new record, you buy that record and you listen intently. The songs in his first self-titled album may seem simple at first listen, but they stay with you in the back of your mind until you just can’t take it and you re-listen again and again. This is exactly how what I’ve been doing the past few months since the release. Songs like “Gimme Something Good” and “Am I Safe” prove once again that Adams is still on top of his game.
2. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
3. moe. – No Guts, No Glory
4. Todd Terje – It’s Album Time
5. Greensky Bluegrass – If Sorrows Swim
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Future Islands – “Seasons (Waiting on You)”
“People change / You know but some people never do / You know when people change, they gain a piece but they lose one too.” These lyrics are so uplifting and real, and the music to accompany these amazing lyrics ties the emotion perfectly together.
2. The War on Drugs – “Under the Pressure”
3. The Barr Brothers – “Come in the Water”
4. Temples – “Shelter Song”
5. Caribou – “Can’t Do Without You”
Old Crow Medicine Show at The Regency // Photo by Pedro Paredes
Pedro Paredes // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Darkside at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – January 24th
The album Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington put together in 2013 was a delight for the ears, but with the show they played at The Fillmore, they were going after every sense in your body. Jaar once said that Darkside’s music was more experiential rather than musical, and they surely succeeded in delivering one of the best musical experiences to all the lucky attendants on that cold January night.
2. Future Islands at The Chapel – San Francisco, CA – April 10th
3. St. Vincent at The Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland, CA – March 22nd
4. James Blake at The Chapel – San Francisco, CA – December 7th
5. Old Crow Medicine Show at The Masonic – San Francisco, CA – September 20th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Beck – Morning Phase
Beck’s Morning Phase follows the same breezy style as Sea Change, but the latter’s serenity seems to come from darker places. Morning Phase is, as the title suggests, a bit brighter and sets the tone for all the good things yet to come.
2. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
3. Real Estate – Atlas
4. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
5. Perfume Genius – Too Bright
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. alt-J – “Nara”
It is hard to isolate “Nara” as the best song of Alt-J’s latest album This is All Yours since the story told in it is not exclusive to that song and it comes back in different sections of the album (as well as in some of the musical arrangements). But “Nara”, a song about love, deserves to be listened again and again. The 2:58 mark is bliss to my ears.
2. tUnE-yArDs – “Water Fountain”
3. Run the Jewels – “Love Again”
4. Perfume Genius – “Fool”
5. Angel Olsen – “Hi-Five”
St. Vincent at Fox Theater Oakland // Photo by Pedro Paredes
Andrew Pohl // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. Nine Inch Nails & Soundgarden at Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – August 24th
I had never seen either band live before and based on my experience, it was like they had never broken up or aged since the ’90s. Amazing stage/light shows to go along with what was hands down my most eagerly anticipated show of the year.
2. Cibo Matto at Slim’s – San Francisco, CA – February 26th
3. American Football at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – December 12th
4. Failure at Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA – May 14th
5. Crosses at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – March 30th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. St. Vincent – St. Vincent
This album comes off like a chameleon, with many shifts but always staying very characteristically St. Vincent. I feel that she is one of the more important artists to come around over the last few years, and I am excited to see what she does next.
2. Nothing – Guilty of Everything
3. Beck – Morning Phase
4. Fugazi – First Demo
5. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Spoon – “Do You”
Spoon have a knack for throwing a good toe tapper in their albums. This song is short and sweet, and you cannot help but get caught up in its infectiousness.
2. Ryan Adams – “Give Me Something Good”
3. St. Vincent – “Prince Johnny”
4. TV on the Radio – “Could You”
5. Nothing – “Bent Nail”
Arcade Fire at Shoreline Amphitheater // Photo by Justin Yee
Justin Yee // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1) Future Islands at South by Southwest (Cheer Up Charlie’s) – Austin, TX – March 13th
2) Arcade Fire at Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA – July 30th
3) Chromeo at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – April 12th
4) James Blake at The Chapel – San Francisco, CA – December 7th
5) Outkast at Treasure Island Music Festival – San Francisco, CA – October 18th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1) Future Islands – Singles
2) The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
3) ODESZA – In Return
4) Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
5) Caribou – Our Love
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1) Future Islands – “Seasons (Waiting on You)”
2) Chromeo – “Come Alive” feat. Toro y Moi
3) Flying Lotus – “Never Catch Me” feat. Kendrick Lamar
4) Chet Faker – “1998”
5) Mac Demarco – “Let Her Go”
James Blake at The Chapel // Photo by Pedro Paredes
Eric Shaden // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. James Blake at The Chapel – San Francisco, CA – December 7th
I feel bad telling friends about how great this show was since so few people were able to get tickets. An intimate venue hosting such a phenomenal artist was a no-brainer for my top pick. James covered hits from his albums as well as debuted new tracks and an incredible interlude of house jams. I just wish more friends could have seen this!
2. Chromeo at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – April 12th
3. Todd Terje at FYF Fest – Los Angeles, CA – August 24th
4. tUnE-yArDs at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – June 6th
5. Holy Ghost! at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – San Francisco, CA – April 30th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
What else can be said about this album that hasn’t been covered already? An outstanding sequel to Run the Jewels that expands on the original with top-notch production and punishing delivery from El-P and Killer Mike. Without a doubt my top choice of the year.
2. Syd Arthur – A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble
3. D’Angelo – Black Messiah
4. Sinkane – Mean Love
5. Todd Terje – It’s Album Time
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. D’Angelo – “Sugah Daddy”
I imagine D’Angelo coming back with his long-awaited album in December showed which writers/blogs/etc. wrote their “Best of the Year” lists early. His style of soulful R&B is sorely needed, and “Sugah Daddy” is my favorite from the album. Looking forward to his tour in 2015!
2. Caribou – “Our Love”
3. Aphex Twin – “minipops 67 [120.2]”
4. Jungle – “Time”
5. Jamie xx – “Sleep Sound”
High Sierra Music Festival // Photo by Benjamin Wallen
Benjamin Wallen // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA – July 2nd-5th
2. Paul McCartney at Candlestick Farewell – Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA – August 14th
3. Jamestown Revival at Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA – November 28th
4. The String Cheese Incident at Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland, CA – April 24th
5. Greensky Bluegrass at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – November 14th
Scott Martin // San Jose
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. California Roots Music Festival at Monterey Fairgrounds – Monterey, CA – May 23rd-25th
2. Rival Sons, Soft White Sixties & Sir Madam at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – September 25th
3. The Pimps of Joytime at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – February 15th
4. Caravan Palace & Rosin Coven at The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA – April 16th
5. Jackie Greene at The Catalyst Club – Santa Cruz, CA – March 26th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Bears Den – Islands
2. Milky Chance – Sadnecessary
3. Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence
4. Mighty Oaks – Howl
5. Solstafir – Otta
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Bears Den – “Agape”
2. Bears Den – “Isaac”
3. Milky Chance – “Down by the River”
4. Mighty Oaks – “The Great Northwest”
5. Crosses – “Bitches Brew”
MIA at BFD // Photo by Marc Fong
Nikki DeMartini // San Francisco
Top 5 Shows of 2014
1. MIA at Shoreline Amphitheatre for BFD 2014 – Mountain View, CA – June 1st
It had been four years since I saw MIA live and even though I’d prefer to see her play her own show rather than a set at a music festival, I was super excited to see her at BFD last summer. It was the first time in nearly 10 years that my cousin and I went to LIFE105’s annual summer show together. We lucked out and upgraded our tickets just in time to see MIA’s performance. Both of us were out of our seats, singing and dancing along to every song as soon as her set started. I was beside myself as MIA herself made her way off the stage, up into the seats of the venue and stopped near our row to spit lyrics as fans gathered and danced around her, myself included. I still can’t believe I danced with MIA!
2. OK Go at The Independent – San Francisco, CA – July 16th
3. Die Antwoord at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – May 22nd
4. Sylvan Esso at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – June 6th
5. MS MR at The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA – April 15th
Top 5 Albums of 2014
1. Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
When I covered Sylvan Esso at The Fillmore earlier this year (when they opened for tUnE-yArDs), I had no idea who they were but ended up leaving the show a fan. Their self-titled debut album is an uplifting mix of danceable electropop tracks and indie rock that’s easy to lose yourself in. Their sparkly, layered and melodic sounds translate well whether you’re listening to the album or seeing them live. Sylvan Esso is one of three albums I bought in 2014, and it’s been on repeat ever since I picked it up.
2. Glass Animals – Zaba
3. Die Antwoord – Donker Mag
4. Iggy Azalea – The New Classic
5. First Aid Kit – Stay Gold
Top 5 Songs of 2014
1. Tove Lo – “Habits (Stay High)”
I really enjoy the simple percussion-driven melody and voluptuous vocals of Tove Lo’s hit single “Habits (Stay High)”. The subtle, yet engaging buildup to her belting, emotionally-charged lyrics has me singing along and turning it up every time I hear it on the radio. While it is very catchy, it’s not a super dancey song. However, it is a great go-to for karaoke.
2. Die Antwoord – “Rat Trap 666”
3. Sylvan Esso – “Hey Mami”
4. First Aid Kit – “My Silver Lining”
5. The Dead Weather – “Buzzkill(er)”
Photos by Mike Rosati //
Dillon Francis with TJR, Hoodboi //
The Fox Theater – Oakland, CA
December 18th, 2014 //
If the past two years have been any indication, Los Angeles born-and-bred DJ/producer Dillon Francis seems to be well on his way toward EDM stardom. Having already graduated from club-style venues to the bigger theaters and festival stages of the live music world, Francis continues to find a stronghold among college kids and young EDM fans due, in part, to the support of moombahton advocate Diplo (the two are said to be good friends on and off the decks).
But it wasn’t until a couple months ago that the 27-year-old finally released his debut full-length album Money Sucks, Friends Rule following a string of EPs — eight to be exact — over the first four years of his career. Packing the Fox Theater Oakland on a weeknight as part of his 18-date, North American headlining tour, Francis used heavy beats, an impressive light show and a colorful stage setup to get the scantily-clad crowd dancing after TJR and Hoodboi warmed things up.
By Mike Frash, Josh Herwitt, Molly Kish, Steve Wandrey & Kevin Quandt //
Showbams presents the Top 50 albums released in 2014 (yes, all of 2014) that we just can’t stop listening to.
These are the albums that made us double-take upon first listen, while also being auditory art pieces that we continue to spin as we head into 2015. They are the bundles of songs that innovated and inspired us more than the rest, signifying musical progression, defining our time with a soundtrack that challenges traditional expectations, while boldly trekking into new frontiers of pop music.
Because as music continues to become more accessible, the bridge between independent and mainstream gets shorter each year.
The 25 Best Live Music Acts of 2014
Showbams’ Top 50 Albums of 2014
Listen to The Bam Team’s favorite songs of 2014:
1. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels 2
So often sequels don’t deliver, but ascending hip-hop stars Killer Mike and El-P have simply progressed their brilliance as Run The Jewels one year removed from their first official collaboration. From the top of RTJ2, Michael Render manages to set a higher bar for pumped-up aggression, there’s more social activism laced throughout, more special guests that only add to the fuck boy-crushing populist mentality. And compared to RTJ1, there are more stand-alone gems that are primed for remixing and cultural integration. The sequencing is superb, and El and Mike are having more fun than ever as they tour the world and snowball momentum with their brand of hardcore, yet intricate rap that contains shades of weird. Like a championship baseball team, the songs in the two hole through cleanup hitter offer the biggest impact, wreaking instant classics upon us with masterful experimental production from El-P that emits new, subtle surprises the more you listen. As the album unfolds, tales of police brutality (“Early”), introspection and personal improvement (“Crown”), along with over the top raunch (“Love Again”) prove RTJ2 shines in every moment in a variety of ways through multiple lanes of success. -Mike Frash
2. The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
When a truly inspired artist borrows from the past while looking to the future, the outcome can be something fully new and exciting, which is what we have here. The brilliance of Adam Granduciel lies in his delivery, both musically and lyrically, crooning about the sometimes-not-so-simple intricacies of existence. Life, love and everything else in between can be tricky, yet Granduciel calmly assures us that things can work out.
Granduciel knows how to structure albums with the best of them — this acutely demonstrated via the nine-minute, sprawling opener “Under the Pressure”. First single “Red Eyes” keeps on a similar path as we sink deeper in, bobbing along to the pounding drum machine that has been a constant over the years for the Philly-based band. “Disappearing” takes us soaring above the clouds as we hear new, thrilling piano instrumentation with warm bass lines, creating a sense of weightlessness and flight. An extremely strong finishing track, “In Reverse” perfectly captures the fleeting minutes on this release before jarring us back into a slightly crueler reality. The long play of this record is so rewarding, and it grows with hopes that more can be brought into the light. Oh, and that the state rock ‘n’ roll is just fine. -Kevin Quandt
3. D’Angelo and the Vanguard – Black Messiah
There’s an intentional off-kilter spontaneity and cohesive force at the center of D’Angelo’s first album in 15 years, Black Messiah. The percussive and vocal syncopation here makes the off-beat feel natural — layered vocals get treated with filters and are multi-tracked to lend an unfamiliar presence to the back-and-forth vocal pitch shifts D’Angelo employs from line to line.
The end product is a record that possesses its own musical language, telling stories that are incredibly meaningful, but achieve balance between serious and playful, while always being sexy. The confusing, driving funk of the first two cuts give way to “The Charade”, which manages to hit a rare aural sweat spot of ultra-pleasurability. But then “Sugah Daddy” follows as an unplanned Sunday in the park, with vocal scats skipping along to the breezy song’s pacing. D’Angelo arguably can now join the ranks of the all-time great R&B/soul artists with the delivery of his long-awaited third record. -MF
4. Future Islands – Singles
Singles jumps right out of the gates, showing its cards early, presenting the listener with Future Island’s trademark new-school, new-wave sound. Samuel Herring’s vocals are stunning as he pitches and growls through tales of the tougher side of love. It’s pretty, gripping and powerful while also holding certain pop sentiments, lending to an overall lightness while being arresting. “Seasons (Waiting On You)” is a quintessential slice of the emotion this band has become well known for both onstage and in the studio. “Doves” balances all the elements nicely, shining a light on the top-notch production featured on Singles. -KQ
5. Aphex Twin – Syro
Richard D. James has been practically an enigma for the last decade plus, hiding out in a small Scottish village of 300 and releasing no new music as Aphex Twin since 2006. But the long layoff hasn’t changed the fact that he remains one of the most unique and influential electronic producers in the game today. Some of James’ best material on Syro comes early on, from his club-oriented mixes like “minipops 67 [120.2]” to the techno funk he crafts on the ensuing “XMAS_EVET10 [120]” and “produk 29 [101].” These aren’t beats designed to make you sweat your ass off — if anything, the cerebral nature of James’ work makes him the ultimate antithesis of the current EDM scene. -Josh Herwitt
6. Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!
On Flying Lotus’s latest record You’re Dead!, the Los Angeles producer forgoes the acid kool-aide test for a cyanide kool-aide dive straight into a fourth dimensional confrontation with the afterlife. You’re Dead masterfully trips through the journey of the soul into the next episode with sun-scorched psychedelia, 8-bit snapshots of g-funk and gorgeously redemptive jazz. The cold transition between the frantic jazz freak out of Kendrick Lamar featuring “Never Catch Me” and the cooled-out West Coast bounce of Snoop Dogg and FlyLo alter-ego Captain Murphy’s “Dead Man’s Tetris” highlights the producer’s prolific ability to craft varying hip-hop textures. FlyLo fully buries his new album’s death aesthetic through ecstatic, free-form layers of acid jazz and sprawling EDM planes of sound. -John Venanzi, Community Review
7. St. Vincent – St. Vincent
Annie Clark ups the electronic ante on her fourth studio album. Branching out of her experimental indie-pop compositions, she embraces more cohesive arrangements that ironically focus her creativity on deconstructed production and sound obstruction. Both equally impressive in sound quality and sass, the opening tracks “Rattlesnake” and “Birth in Reverse” set the tone for the rest of the records’ exciting stylistic shifts and the intriguing unveiling of Clark’s gritty rock goddess persona. “Digital Witness” is a spot-on snapshot of our brave new 21st century day-to-day reality. Unapologetic, raw and sonically genius, St. Vincent is Clark’s breakthrough moment, and she appears to be doing it all with ease. -Molly Kish
8. Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Mac DeMarco’s signature style is here. It’s still fresh and in ways stronger than ever; it’s more pointed, focused and accessible. DeMarco is able to write in a way that allows the listener to easily empathize with him, as he turns his issues into ones that most of us have dealt with at some point. In “Chamber of Reflection”, it’s easy to really feel a sense of solitude. “Goodbye Weekend” sounds like a stoney Sunday afternoon coming to a soothing end. Every track has a personality of its own while holding up the overall ethos of the album. This album is lighthearted enough for multiples listens in a row with its breezy beach vibe, but also easily induces deep thoughts with its many lyrical gems. -Steve Wandrey
9. Caribou – Our Love
What we have here is one of the most addictive albums of 2014. Our Love keeps deep house in its front pocket with steady beats per minute and an introspective mantra-centric lyrical conceit, but it’s also exploratory in nature, finding success in consistently building toward intense, euphoric plateaus. A steady flow of pleasant sounds ascend into impacting transcendence with “Can’t Do Without You”, “Silver” and “Your Love Will Set You Free”, and you must give Snaith extra credit for the masterful pacing and song-to-song flow — there is never a “skip ahead” moment. Like many classic albums, it opens up if you give it more time to radiate around your head, and listening to it becomes more pleasurable over time, even though it is mostly presented in poetic simplicity. -MF
10. Sun Kil Moon – Benji
Benji must be interpreted as a concept album about death, but more importantly, it’s about the importance details related to memory. For example, the title is taken from what seems like a throw-away line toward the end of the breathtaking “Micheline”. It’s powerful, visceral storytelling that is self-reflexive and biographical, yet so relatable that it compels personal introspection from the listener’s own experiences. Mark Kozelek’s lyrics are the centerpiece of the listening experience — they are so deep and resonant that the instrumentals and production are absorbed secondarily, although the stripped-down approach is intentional and noteworthy. Built around obsessing about the state of human demise — and the randomness of it — it’s easy to join Kozelek’s dire state of mind hours or days after listening. -MF
11. Todd Terje – It’s Album Time
12. Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams
13. Sharon Van Etten – Are We There
14. Spoon – They Want My Soul
15. Ariel Pink – pom pom
16. Beck – Morning Phase
17. Jack White – Lazaretto
18. The Black Keys – Turn Blue
19. Tycho — Awake
20. TV on the Radio – Seeds
21. Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
22. Tweedy – Sukierae
23. Jungle – Jungle
24. Temples – Sun Structures
25. tUnE-yArDs – Nikki Nack
26. Death from Above 1979 – The Physical World
27. Ty Segall – Manipulator
28. The Antlers – Familiars
29. Real Estate – Atlas
30. Angel Olsen – Burn Your Fire For No Witness
31. Cold War Kids – Hold My Home
32. Interpol – El Pintor
33. Alt-J – This Is All Yours
34. Swans – To Be Kind
35. Strand of Oaks – HEAL
36. White Fence – For the Recently Found Innocent
37. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
38. Phantogram – Voices
39. Broken Bells – After the Disco
40. SOHN – Tremors
41. The New Pornographers – Brill Bruisers
42. Thom Yorke – Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes
43. Karen O — Crush Songs
44. Chet Faker – Built on Glass
45. Woods – With Light and with Love
46. Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
47. Kishi Bashi – Lighght
48. Mark McGuire – Along The Way
49. Courtney Barnett – The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas
50. Adult Jazz – Gist Is
Photos by Diana Cordero //
Ryan Hemsworth with Tennyson, The Bilinda Butchers and DJ Dials //
The Independent – San Francisco
December 11th, 2014 //
Releasing his second studio album Alone for the First Time on Last Gang Records a little more than a month ago, Canadian DJ and producer Ryan Hemsworth stopped by The Independent with Tennyson, The Bilinda Butchers and DJ Dials serving as openers. Diana Cordero was on hand to capture these shots of Hemsworth’s set.
Photos by Sam Heller //
The Barr Brothers with Leif Vollebekk //
The Chapel – San Francisco
December 10th, 2014 //
Following up their 2011 self-titled debut, Montreal folk quartet The Barr Brothers dropped their second album Sleeping Operator in early October and have recently been on the road in support of it.
Hitting SF on a Wednesday night, they played the intimate Chapel and we were there to catch the action after Leif Vollebekk opened the show.
Photos by Callum Coogan and Scott Martin // Written by Bridget Stagnitto //
Kaki King //
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco – San Francisco
December 12th, 2014 //
Rows of chairs faced the stage that held aloft a white guitar in the air. Some structural force held the guitar up that did not allow it to touch the ground. This seemed to indicate the level at which to receive the music of American guitarist Kaki King’s new show, entitled “The Neck Is a Bridge to the Body”.
Once King took her seat and cradled the guitar in her arms, the show got underway with a whirlwind of soundscapes. As the guitar floated (to the spectator’s eye) in King’s arms, music flowed effortlessly from her hands. Meanwhile, images were projected on a screen behind King in tandem with the music. Oceans, penguins, bees, lights, stars, a taxi cab and New York City were all subjects of life through the performer’s eyes.
The most impressive visual aspect of the show was the projection mapping onto the guitar. The guitar had its own separate imagery that radiated from it; it was as if the guitar had a life of its own. In fact, the guitar had its own song in which it spoke to the audience. The video screen translated the burbling musical language that was used to communicate and relay the guitar’s life story — a story of not fitting in, but still finding a way to overcome adversity and continue playing guitar.
The song that followed had a heavy-metal growl that grew to a moment of calculated insanity before eventually cooling off with some electric noises coming from something that sounded like a space station.
King explained how she created the visuals for “The Neck Is a Bridge to the Body” to fall in line with the music:
“The whole piece is a story even if it’s not very obvious. I wrote the story first. I wrote the script. Through that script, I was inspired to write music for each piece. I was able to say here’s the story, here’s how it develops, here’s where it goes, here is what happens. I had a storyline that I then wrote music to. Once the music was written, I had music that visuals could be a part of. In an interesting way it is a different kind of story telling. It was very loose, but I knew it needed to have a beginning, middle and end — a journey. Something happening, something changing, something evolving — and that’s kind of how it really started. Story, music and the music dictated these different pieces. This has got to be fast, this has got to be slow, this has got to be big and gloppy and droopy, and this has got to be this drawing of faces and eyes and hands so that’s kind of how it happened. Even if you don’t understand it or feel it, I feel like people leave the show saying, ‘That was a complete experience.’ It’s about creation and evolving.”
The following night (December 13th) at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, Scott Martin caught Kaki King’s show and snapped these shots below.
Photos by Greg RaMar // Written by Scotland Miller //
Down with Orange Goblin, Bl’ast and King Parrot //
The Fillmore – San Francisco
December 8th, 2014 //
Is there any better way to celebrate the life of one of the heaviest and most revered riff-masters in history than slamming around in a Monday night mosh pit at The Fillmore?
We didn’t think so.
The Southern lords of heavy agreed and delivered a near two-hour set on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the day that the late “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was shot dead during a live performance.
Down was joined by UK stoner/doom metal giants Orange Goblin, Santa Cruz hardcore punk outfit Bl’ast and a recently discovered, sludgy, thrashcore band from Melbourne, Australia, known as King Parrot. As was the theme for the entire show, this Monday night served as one hell of a celebration of heavy. Down is currently wailing around North America on the “Punk Rock But Kinda Not” tour and is sure to deliver many great shows to close out 2014.
The set began with guitarists Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity) and Bobby Landgraf (Honky) taking the stage, followed by bassist Patrick Bruders (Goatwhore) and drummer Jimmy Bower (Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual). Vocalist Philip Anselmo (Pantera) crept his way on stage only to find his earpiece not working. After some playful, yet intimidating banter with the sound guys and Anselmo crossing his arms in disbelief to the crowd, the show began. “Eyes of the South”, “We Knew Him Well” and “Witchtripper” started the blood pumping and the heads banging, as the vacant space in the middle of the floor began to fill. The pit was occupied, but only by a dozen or so anxious thrashers. Perhaps the presence of a few members of the Mayhem Motorcycle Club touting their colors had something to do with it?
After Down’s opening three songs, Anselmo began to speak of the greatness of “Dimebag”. The overwhelming feelings of love and admiration for a fallen comrade were stark in contrast to the ferocity and speed of the music being played; that is what made this such a special night and such a tragic blow to the metal community, which lost a beloved family member in 2004. He spoke of the early days of Pantera and how San Francisco was the first city to truly embrace them as new artists. Out of pure savagery and utter fandom, several fans threw bags of weed on stage much to the delight of the band. These weren’t just dimebags either. After showing their appreciation, the ceiling came down and the pit erupted as Down exploded into the burliest and most churning section of Pantera’s legendary song “Walk”.
The energy and adoration between fans and band members continued throughout the night as Down delivered skull-crushing, neck-breaking and concussive performances of their best material to a drooling and worshiping fanbase. With a setlist spanning the entirety of their almost 20-year career, “Lifer”, “Ghosts Along the Mississippi” and “Pillars of Eternity” were all clear standouts. Drinks were spilled, bodies were tossed overhead and faces took bites out of the floor. At one point during “Pillars”, a fan in the front row had their phone in Anselmo’s face filming their next soon-to-be-trending concert video on YouTube. Anselmo snatched the phone away and took a selfie with some of the other band members all while maintaining every growl and shriek of his signature voice. Instead of handing the phone back to the fan, Anselmo decided to feed it to the Raptor massacre that was the front row and continue the song. A second fan tried to recreate this glorious scene for himself, and once again Anselmo obliged. However, this time, a stagehand was the final recipient of the fan’s coveted cell phone video.
After some set-ending shenanigans with Keenan taking the mic and hesitantly singing a few tunes, which he thanked his fellow bandmates for by flipping them off multiple times, the encore began with Bruders laying down a rather funky bass line. “Hey kid, rock and roll/Oooh my soul” snarled its way from Anselmo’s ravaged vocal chords, as Down played the opening measures of David Essex’s classic “Rock On”. “Stone the Crow” and a dirty, drawn-out rendition of the stoner headbanger favorite “Bury Me in Smoke” rounded out the set, as members of the three opening acts all joined on stage to send the night off into a screaming mess of grinding, metal carnage.
All in all, it wasn’t bad for a Monday night.
In Memory of “Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott, 8/20/66-12/8/14: A deity to all metal heads.
