The Independent – Showbams

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to MSTRKRFT at The Independent 6/10 (FRI)

June 8, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

MSTRKRFT with Io Echo //
The Independent – San Francisco
June 10th, 2016 //

Born out of the raw, fist-clenching dance-punk coming from Toronto duo Death from Above 1979, MSTRKRFT (pronounced “Master-craft”) are a gritty, electronic side project composed of DFA 1979 bassist/keyboardist Jesse F. Keeler and producer Al-P (Alex Puodziukas). Formed in 2005, MSTRKFT bring the grit of DFA 1979 as well as the uplifting rhythms and synth melodies of artists like Daft Punk and Ratatat to the stage.

Now, MSTRKFT are returning to the stage with an entirely new live production. This year in an interview with VICE, the duo discussed the challenge of producing electronic music in a live setting — that computers and backing tracks are too safe, minimizing the potential to make any mistakes. Foregoing the offerings of Ableton and other beat-making software, the group has created its own setup that’s basically one big mess of cables, synthesizers and drums.

“We’re trying to make a setup that can fuck up,” Keeler explained candidly. “One that can have grand, massive errors. That’s sort of the fun of being in a band onstage. I mean it sucks in the moment, but that’s how you know when you’re seeing something real. It’s like why people watch NASCAR — they’re waiting for an epic car crash. Well, that’s why I watch it.”

This Friday, MSTRKRFT returns to the Bay for a live performance at The Independent with support from Los Angeles indie-rock band Io Echo, who will open the show up with a DJ set. Tickets are available for $25, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Mirah & Jherek Bischoff: June 9th (THUR) @ Swedish American Hall
• Andre Nickatina: June 10th (FRI) @ Slim’s
• Funk Fellowship: June 10th (FRI) @ The New Parish
• DVSN: June 10th (FRI) @ 1015 Folsom
• Lyrics Born: June 11th (SAT) @ The Independent
• Lila Rose: June 11th (SAT) @ Slim’s
• Mac Sabbath: June 12th (SUN) @ Slim’s
• Kaki King: June 12th (SUN) @ Swedish American Hall
• Israel Nash: June 12th (SUN) @ The Chapel

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 1015 Folsom, Andre Nickatina, Death from Above 1979, DVSN, Funk Fellowship, io echo, Jherek Bischoff, Kaki King, Lila Rose, Lyrics Born, Mac Sabbath, Mirah, MSTRKRFT, Slims, Swedish American Hall, The Chapel, The Independent, The New Parish

Big Wild’s stock only continues to rise

May 25, 2016 by Laura Tsu Leave a Comment

By Laura Tsu //

Big Wild with Electric Mantis, Split //
The Independent – San Francisco
May 21st, 2016 //

Big Wild, otherwise known as Jackson Stell, is on the brink of a career outbreak. Having just performed with ODESZA during their “In Return” tour and selling out over half of the shows on his own headlining tour, the 25-year-old producer from Santa Cruz, Calif., has begun 2016 with plenty of promise.

Stell can point to his Soundcloud account for a lot of his early success. He first started honing his production skills in the eighth grade while recreating the hip-hop beats he loved. Once he discovered Soundcloud and uploaded his work under the Big Wild moniker, he amassed quite a large following and eventually caught the attention of ODESZA’s Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, who invited him to remix their track “Say My Name” and play some shows with them. Since then, Big Wild has garnered increasing interest from fans, and his release of the popular hit “Aftergold” only added fuel to the fire.

Big Wild’s show at The Independent last Saturday was sold out, and an additional show that was added the next day had the same outcome. Opening things up was local DJ Sean Little, aka Split, a Showbams contributor at one time who played a dark, moody set as attendees trickled into the venue.

Electric Mantis followed, taking the stage with the intention of getting people moving. The Alaska native, though, spare in words, performed with infectious enthusiasm and vigor as he grooved to his own music through the entire performance. His remixes of “Hear the Bells” by Porter Robinson, “Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap, “My Hood” by Young Jeezy and “Hotline Bling” by Drake ignited the dance floor. Serving as Electric Mantis’ first official tour, he expressed lucid appreciation for the opportunity to perform.

Subsequently, Big Wild arrived onstage to a palpably excited audience. In the back of him stood a two-projector setup creating a widescreen video. Following the theme of his name “Big Wild,” the video featured whimsical line animations in bold colors of almost all things nature-related. Stell himself has a visually low-key presence with only rare glimpses of stage lights ever pointed toward him.

However, the main event was the true highlight of the night as Stell jumped from side to side to re-create his tracks live. To his right stood a MacBook, which played vocal samplings and electronic rhythms. And to his left stood a keyboard, which added harmonies to his music. Of course, Stell’s drumming on his Roland Octapad also added robust rhythms to his pieces. He played fan favorites “Aftergold”, “Venice Venture”, and “Jubilee”, as well as an unreleased track and Snakehips’ “All My Friends” during his encore.

Today with more and more electronic music producers on the rise, translating dance tracks into a live performance can be no simple feat. However, Big Wild delivers his music live with an impact. His success in both production and performance has brought about unrelenting attention to his music.

What will Stell’s next move be in 2016 and beyond? We can likely expect more production and collaborations with more live performances, both of which seem to be his expertise.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Big Wild, Electric Mantis, Split, The Independent

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Disclosure (DJ set) at 1015 Folsom 5/20 (FRI)

May 18, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Nik Crossman //

Disclosure (DJ set) //
1015 Folsom – San Francisco
May 20th, 2016 //

Brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence, better known under their stage name Disclosure, began making music together in 2010 in a room above their father’s auction house. They continued to gain popularity by touring the UK with live mixing gigs and DJ sets. Disclosure maintained their momentum with their first domestic hit “Latch”, which fueled the release of their debut studio album Settle in 2013 and propelled the duo to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, receiving high marks from The Guardian and Pitchfork.

With the raving success of Settle, Disclosure embarked on a worldwide tour before working on their second LP Caracal. Featuring vocal contributions from Sam Smith, Lorde, The Weeknd, Kwabs and more, it became another chart-topping success last year for the Lawrence brothers and was nominated for “Best Dance Album” at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

This Friday, Disclosure will hit the decks at 1015 Folsom for a late-night DJ set. Tickets are sold out, but you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Vetiver: May 18th (WED) @ The Independent
• Little Wings: May 29th (THUR) @ The Chapel
• B.O.B.: May 20th (FRI) @ The New Parish
• Swingin’ Utters: May 21st (SAT) @ The New Parish

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 1015 Folsom, B.O.B., Disclosure, Little Wings, Swingin Units, The Chapel, The Independent, The New Parish, Vetiver

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Cut Chemist at Mezzanine 5/13 (FRI)

May 11, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Nik Crossman //

Cut Chemist with Alligator Spacewalk //
Mezzanine – San Francisco
May 13th, 2016 //

Lucas MacFadden, better known by his stage name Cut Chemist, originally made waves in the Los Angeles hip-hop scene as an avid contributor to Jurassic 5 and through his collaborations with Bay Area instrumental hip-hop/trip-hop producer DJ Shadow in the early 90’s.

In 2006, MacFadden left J5 and released his debut studio album The Audience’s Listening on Warner Bros. Records, with the title track being used for a worldwide Apple TV commercial promoting its iPod nano product.

Building on his solo fame, Cut Chemist supported Shakira during her “Oral Fixation” tour in 2007, wowing crowds with his unique approach while pushing the limits of the audio-visual world. That same year, he made a cameo appearance as a chemistry teacher in the Academy Award-winning movie “Juno” that comically plays off his academic-sounding moniker.

This Friday, Mezzanine will celebrate seven years of MOM DJs with exclusive remixes and originals of your favorite Motown songs while headliner Cut Chemist and opener Alligator Spacewalk hit the decks. Tickets are available for $25, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Too Future: May 12th (THUR) @ 1015 Folsom
• Marc Kinchen: May 13th (FRI) @ 1015 Folsom
• Hot Buttered Rum: May 13th (FRI) @ The Fillmore
• Beat Connection: May 13th (FRI) @ Swedish American Music Hall
• Blackalicious: May 13th (FRI) @ Slim’s
• TV Girl: May 13th (FRI) @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Chris Cohen: May 14th (SAT) @ Swedish American Music Hall
• Bob Mould: May 15th (SUN) @ The Independent

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 1015 Folsom, Beat Connection, Blackalicious, Bob Mould, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Chris Cohen, Cut Chemist, Great American Music Hall, Hot Buttered Rum, Marc Kinchen, Mezzanine, Slims, Swedish American Music Hall, The Chapel, The Fillmore, The Independent, Too Future, TV Girl

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Chromeo, Miguel Migs & Iamsu! at Oysterfest 5/7 (SAT)

May 5, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Molly Kish //

San Francisco Oysterfest //
Golden Gate Park – San Francisco
May 7th, 2016 //

Ready those shuckers and loosen your gullets, Bay Area! The 17th annual SF Oysterfest is back at Sharon Meadow this weekend, and Showbams wants you to suck up all the fun.

The West Coast’s largest oyster festival is taking over Golden Gate Park’s iconic “Hippie Hill” from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. this Saturday with an eclectic roster of music and culinary talent that’s bigger and better than ever.

The day will feature headlining performances from Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo, SF deep house legend Miguel Miggs and Bay Area rapper/singer/producer Iamsu! (with special guests) as well as early-morning performances from post-disco buzz band De Lux, Mexico’s “avanzada regia” crossover pioneers Kinky, and local artists GZRUS and Johnny Maxwell.

Oysters, seafood and a variety of other local fare will be provided by Absolute BBQ Express, Bacon Bacon, Drip! Mobile Espresso & Coffee, El Porteno, Gerard’s Paella, Gourmet Faire, Mayes Oyster House, Me So Hungry SF, New Orleans Catering, Tante’s and Savourie Streets.

Plus, for the first time ever, the fest will be hosting a new wine and oyster pairing tent that offers guests the opportunity to sample a variety of the shellfish and caviar, along with an exclusive selection of wines chosen by a number of Bay Area chefs.

Early arrivals will not only get to choose from an abundance of seafood, but they will also receive $1 off all oysters prior to 2 p.m. Meanwhile, the crowd favorite “Suck and Shuck” contest returns once again this year, and those who are interested in participating should send an email to sfoysterfest@gmail.com.

GA tickets are almost gone but are still available to purchase here, while a limited number of tickets remain for the private tables backstage, which can seat up to eight and include a full bar, table service, table-side seafood platters, a buffet, expedited Will Call, a meet-and-greet opportunity, and an event T-shirt and tote bag. Children who are under the age of 12 and are accompanied by a parent will receive free admission. For more information, visit Oysterfest’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Want to go for free this Saturday? Showbams has a pair of tickets with your name on it! Register below for your chance to win passes to SF Oysterfest.

Contest ends this Friday at Noon.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• La Gente: Friday, May 6th at The Chapel
• Oakland Oddities: Friday, May 6th at The New Parish
• Rogue Wave: Saturday, May 7th at The Independent

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Andre Wikén, Chromeo, De Lux, GZRUS, Iamsu!, J*Labs, Johnny Maxwell, Kinky, Mancub, Miguel Migs, Obey City, Oysterfest, Oysterfest 2016, Rogue Wave, SF Oysterfest, SF Oysterfest 2016, The Independent, The New Parish, Tony InOrbit, Vitamin Devo

Aubrie Sellers gives us a lesson in ‘garage country’

May 4, 2016 by Norm de Veyra Leave a Comment

By Norm de Veyra //

Aubrie Sellers //
The Independent – San Francisco
April 28th, 2016 //

Last Thursday, Aubrie Sellers rolled through The Independent with headliner Jamestown Revival and delivered a blazingly raucous set that showcased tracks off her debut studio album New City Blues, which came out in January.

The Nashville native treated the sold-out crowd to a rollicking evening of “garage country,” a term she has used to describe her dirty, messy rock/soul/country-inspired jams.

All of those influences were evident on this night, as Sellers and her bandmates performed a high-energy stretch of tunes that turned the show into a thumping dance party, highlighted by the rousing “Paper Doll” and “Sit Here and Cry”.

But it was during the quieter moments of the performance that offered the most intriguing and revealing glimpses into the mindset of the young singer-songwriter. Particularly as she dove into the song “Losing Ground”, Sellers sang with a sly, matter-of-fact tone in her voice that enhanced the honesty and vulnerability laid bare within the lyrics of the song about her struggles with mental health.

When a performer can deliver that kind of subtlety, you take notice because it differentiates her from the rest of the pack. That’s not to say Sellers can’t belt out a tune and rock out hard. She and her crew most definitely did so in SF, but beneath her heavier country-rock stylings, she proved capable of wooing fans with merely her voice and her words.

To that end, it is no wonder why Sellers has quickly been recognized as a rising star within the country music scene. She displayed none of the nervousness or awkwardness one might expect from a relatively new artist with just one album under her belt. With great ease and command, she simply got down to business and delivered a solid show. Aubrie Sellers will continue to tour through much of 2016, returning to SF in late June for a gig at Slim’s.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Aubrie Sellers, Jamestown Revival, The Independent

The Heavy do something ‘nasty’ at The Independent

May 2, 2016 by Laura Tsu Leave a Comment

By Laura Tsu //

The Heavy //
The Independent – San Francisco
April 26th, 2016 //

“Let’s do something nasty,” suggested Kelvin Swaby, lead singer of The Heavy, last Tuesday night at The Independent.

For the English four-piece from Bath, doing something “nasty” meant performing deep rock ‘n’ roll rhythms with soulful vocals for a sold-out crowd in SF.

The Heavy are no newcomers to the music industry. The band formed almost a decade ago, and it has produced a number of hits over that time. The quartet’s most famous song “How You Like Me Now?” garnered it many new listeners after being featured in a TV commercial during this year’s Super Bowl as well as in the HBO series “Entourage” and the video game “Borderlands 2”.

However, there was no intention by the band to remain a one-hit wonder. With four studio albums under their belt, The Heavy claim to be perfectionists, and nearly every track they have released is mastered with their bold trademark. Recently, they have been on the road non-stop. March meant multiple performances while in Austin for South by Southwest, and April brought them to the U.S. for two weekends at Coachella along with a West Coast tour that included Northern California dates in SF and Santa Cruz.

Despite the exhaustion that often comes with touring, The Heavy didn’t lack any energy on this night. Swaby, in fact, proved to be the definition of a frontman. His natural charisma sapped away any boredom and tiredness, delivering punches of zest and booming vocals. Subsequently, audience participation happened naturally as Swaby never quite stopped moving and neither did the capacity crowd.

The other three members of The Heavy fabricated the rock ‘n’ roll vibrancy throughout the set. Daniel Taylor (guitar) and Spencer Page (bass) created dense riffs that were punctuated by the rhythms of Chris Ellul (drums) and sprinted side by side with Swaby’s voice. Taylor, Page and Ellul also sang backup vocals, stacking deeper tones behind Swaby’s higher-pitched voice.

As all of these features meld together, neo-soul joins indie rock to create a dance-able frenzy for fans. But together, their instruments, individual talents and dynamism also amalgamate into one “nasty” live performance.

Setlist:
Can’t Play Dead
The Apology
Not the One
Miss California
Short Change Hero
Big Bad Wolf
Curse Me Good
“Slave to Your Love”
Same Ol’
Since You Been Gone
Last Confession
Turn Up
What Happened to the Love?

Encore:
What Makes a Good Man?
How You Like Me Now?

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Coachella, Coachella 2016, Coachella Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Music and Arts Festival 2016, Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2016, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2016, The Heavy, The Independent

MC YOGI gets personal at The Independent

April 29, 2016 by Marc Fong Leave a Comment

By Marc Fong //

MC YOGI with Noah Levine //
The Independent – San Francisco
April 24th, 2016 //

Hip-hop artist and yoga enthusiast MC YOGI (born Nicholas Giacomini) never fails to throw a fun party, and his show last Sunday in his hometown was no different. The SF native started on a poignant note with an introduction from Noah Levine, author of the 2003 book “Dharma Punx”. Part inspirational speech and part prayer, Levine’s talk was a slow opener but rather fitting when considering MC YOGI’s themes.

Giacomini’s set at The Independent started with a peek into his youth as photos and video clips accompanied him. The slight glimpse into his past added depth to the hip-hop music that would ensue.

MC YOGI’s sets are always a fascinating show of reality and hope. After listening to stories of his humble beginnings and finding his now wife-to-be, he gave the crowd what it wanted to hear. Since releasing his debut album Elephant Power in 2008, his transcendental brand of hip-hop is still energizing and heartfelt.

His performance in SF, meanwhile, was fantastically real and positive. He engaged with the crowd not just like a performer does with his fans but on a deeper, more personal level. As a result, the show was uplifting and an all-around fantastic time.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: MC YOGI, Noah Levine, The Independent

Wild Nothing leave their SF fans dreaming for more

April 28, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Kelly Diepenbrock //

Wild Nothing with Whitney //
The Independent – San Francisco
April 22nd, 2016 //

Whitney, a six-piece band based in Chicago and Portland, opened to a sold-out crowd in SF at The Independent last Friday. Over two guitarists, a bassist, a keyboardist and a trumpet player floated the smooth falsetto of lead singer and drummer Julien Ehrlich, who used to play in the now-defunct, indie-rock band Smith Westerns. The newly formed group played a combination of melancholic songs from their upcoming album Light Upon the Lake and a few classic covers of artists like Bob Dylan.

Serving as the evening’s headliner was Wild Nothing, the brainchild of frontman Jack Tatum. After receiving critical acclaim for his first two studio albums, Tatum, who started the project in Blacksburg, Va., recently left New York City for Los Angeles to record his latest LP, the 90’s dream-pop-inspired Life of Pause. At The Independent, his effortless musicality immediately captivated the room. Backed by guitarist Nathan Goodman, bassist Jeff Haley and drummer Max Brooks, Wild Nothing performed songs like “A Woman’s Wisdom” from Life of Pause as well as some older fan favorites such as “Live in Dreams” from 2010’s Gemini and “Shadow” off of 2012’s Nocturne.

Setlist:
To Know You
A Woman’s Wisdom
Nocturne
Alien
Live in Dreams
Lady Blue
Only Heather
Life of Pause
Summer Holiday
Paradise
TV Queen
The Blue Dress
Reichpop

Encore:
Shadow

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: The Independent, Whitney, Wild Nothing

White Denim sport new members but still can rock

April 8, 2016 by Kevin J Quandt Leave a Comment

Photos by Marc Fong // Written by Kevin Quandt //

White Denim with Sam Cohen //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 30th, 2016 //

It’s been almost two and a half years since Austin’s own White Denim graced the stage in the Bay Area. Sure, it’s not on a massive stage like Bill Graham Civic Auditorium while opening for The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala. Sure, they may have lost a few founding members in that time. However, with the release of their new album Stiff, they have found a new drive that is sure to take flight in 2016.

Former Apollo Sunshine frontman Sam Cohen took opening duties on this night as White Denim’s touring partner. Cohen’s 2015 debut solo release Cool It has gained some recent attention from these gigs and for good reason as songs like “Let the Mountain Come to You” are shiny diamonds waiting to be discovered. Cohen dialed up the psychedelia when you compare his solo act to Apollo Sunshine, and many were in agreement of the power of this first set at The Indy.

SF and the Bay Area have always helped White Denim in their hearts as they combine equal parts heart and technical chops while making rock ‘n’ roll truly fun again, this time with less leopard leotards and hair spray. “Had 2 Know (Personal)” was a ripping opener, delivered with precision to a seriously packed house. A true highlight was Stiff closing track “Thank You”, which acted as a breezy period to catch one’s breath. This show was only the “amuse-bouche” in the Bay Area for White Denim, as one has to think they are gearing up for lots of touring this year. Fine by me.

Setlist:
Had 2 Know (Personal)
Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)
Brain
Thank You
River to Consider
Real Deal Mama
Holda You (I’m Psycho)
Anvil Everything
I Start to Run
Limited by Stature
I Can Tell
(Unknown)
At Night in Dreams
Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love)
Cheer Up/Blues Ending
Shake Shake Shake

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Sam Cohen, The Independent, White Denim

Ra Ra Riot take their SF fans down memory lane

April 7, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

By Diana Cordero //

Ra Ra Riot //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 27th, 2016 //

New York natives Ra Ra Riot put on an eclectic performance during their sold-out show at The Independent last month. The band is now on tour to promote its new studio album Need Your Light, a refined compilation of songs that came out in February.

But not all of Ra Ra’s show consisted of brand-new material. As a matter of fact, their setlist was full of anthems, and you could tell the crowd was just going down memory lane song after song.

The five-piece, made up of vocalist Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist/keyboardist Milo Bonacci, violinist Rebecca Zeller and drummer Kenny Bernard, was in great shape. They sounded very tight and were in a good mood, which was reflected in the audience’s response. Full of energy, Miles bounced around all night long as Zeller hopped on keyboards every now and then, forcing Bonacci to switch back to his guitar.

After forming in 2006, Ra Ra Riot now tours with a new cellist after Alexandra Lawn left the band to focus on her own solo project. Fortunately, her absence was not significantly felt, as the indie-rock outfit still flows better than ever.

It seems that in every city they visit, Ra Ra Riot is still receiving plenty of excitement from fans, which is not something most indie bands can claim in this day and age. But for not being a nostalgia act, Miles and company appear to be headed down a solid path.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Ra Ra Riot, The Independent

RJD2 embodies the spirit of Philadelphia on his new album ‘Dame Fortune’

April 6, 2016 by Josh Herwitt 1 Comment

Photo by Nick Fancher // Written by Josh Herwitt //

When Ramble Jon Krohn, better known as “RJ” or the beat-making nerd/longtime cratedigger who calls himself RJD2, moved to Philadelphia more than a decade ago, the eclectic producer, DJ and singer-songwriter settled on the City of Brotherly Love for a few reasons.

One was its proximity to New York City, a place he frequently had to visit early in his career while being signed to indie hip-hop label Definitive Jux (“Def Jux”) that was co-founded by El-P, the Brooklyn rapper, producer and entrepreneur now of Run the Jewels fame. Another was its cost-effectiveness, where “real estate was criminally undervalued,” he says.

By this point in time, Krohn, who was born in Eugene, Ore., and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, had already garnered a considerable amount of critical acclaim from his debut LP Deadringer and his 2004 follow-up Since We Last Spoke. Layering soul and R&B samples on top of classic hip-hop beats, his early work bordered on trip-hop, falling in line with what other prominent instrumental hip-hop producers like DJ Shadow were fashioning in the late 90’s.

But what the brains behind the theme song for the hit TV series “Mad Men” hadn’t realized is that the cultural underbelly of Philadelphia’s music scene fit perfectly for the type of music he had already been making before moving there.

“It ended up being an ideal place,” he says over the phone from his home in Columbus, where he moved back to last year after spending the last 10-plus years in Philadelphia.

“Even outside of the music being made there, Philly is an extremely musical city amongst the general population,” the 39-year-old continues.

Krohn returned to Ohio permanently so that he and his wife can raise their son around the rest of their family, but he had made quite a few connections, both business and personal, while living in Philadelphia, helping him lay the foundation for his later albums, including 2010’s The Colossus in 2010 and 2013’s More Is Than Isn’t, that he released on his record label RJ’s Electrical Connections.

One of those friendships that Krohn forged during his time in southeastern Pennsylvania was with Aaron Livingston, the Philly-based vocalist whose contributions on both aforementioned albums would eventually lead to him and Krohn forming a separate side project that they call Icebird (the indie-funk duo unveiled their debut release The Abandoned Lullaby in 2011).

On his sixth RJD2 album Dame Fortune that came out less than two weeks ago, Krohn taps back into that well, as Livingston, who goes by the stage name Son Little, drops some silky-smooth vocals on “We Come Alive”, an R&B-flavored tune with a catchy “diamonds flashing all in my eyes” hook you could even find on one of Gary Clark Jr.’s two most recent albums.

It’s the third straight RJD2 record that Krohn has collaborated with Livingston on, and it’s no secret at this point that the two of them have developed quite a chemistry working together in the studio. But Krohn also enlists the help of some other reoccurring guests on Dame Fortune, including rapper/R&B singer Phonte Coleman and Columbus emcee Blueprint, who RJD2 fans might remember for the hard-hitting rhymes he spits on the Deadringer cut “Final Frontier”.

“So much of it is pursuing curiosity,” Krohn explains about his approach to songwriting, “and curiosity at its core is what you know and what you don’t know — what you have experienced and what you haven’t experienced. The threshold defines one’s curiosity.”

Yet, the track on Dame Fortune that might embody the spirit of Philadelphia better than any other is the album’s first single “Peace of What”, which features vocalist Jordan Brown, who sang on Krohn’s collaborative album with Atlanta-born/Philly-bred rapper STS last year.

“(Philly) has a very working-class, blue-collar spirit to it,” Krohn says. “It really does feel like a fleshed-out city that has a very sophisticated musical history. I feel lucky that I landed there and spent so much time there.”

Part of what makes Philadelphia’s music scene so unique, Krohn says, is that unlike New York and Los Angeles, where young, up-and-coming artists often flock to in hopes of fulfilling their dreams, it breeds mostly homegrown talent.

“Nobody really moves to Philly to make it in the music industry,” he adds bluntly. “That just doesn’t happen.”

Of course, neither did Krohn, who heads off to California this weekend to play back-to-back gigs Friday at Teragram Ballroom in LA and Saturday at The Independent in San Francisco. He’s making sure to do things a little bit differently this time around, whether it’s concocting and constructing this spinning, wireless MPC remote to play onstage or adding sidekicks like bassist Khari Mateen and drummer Chuck Palmer to create the full live-band experience for this tour. There’s even the possibility of a guest vocalist making an appearance at the shows.

Krohn, nevertheless, is quite familiar with Palmer and Mateen, the latter of which he met in Philadelphia while living there. Both are good friends of his and have helped elevate his live show into something more dynamic than his typical solo performances.

“It allows us to do songs and get completely off the grid,” he offers.

While he’s getting off the grid at his gigs, Krohn doesn’t have all that much time these days to get on the grid when it comes to touring. With his family in Columbus, Krohn has had to limit his tours to a select few cities despite knowing full well that he could be playing shows every night of the week. It’s something that Krohn simply says he doesn’t want to be doing with his life right now.

But in an industry ultimately driven more by ticket sales than album streams, taking the road less traveled can seem like a dangerous one, especially for musicians who gained prominence in the CD age like Krohn did. Still, he isn’t worried about making ends meet, telling me at one point that “you just make it work.”

Whether that means producing new music, running his label or devising remixes like the one he did of Tycho’s “Apogee” last year, Krohn’s dedication to his craft remains as blue collar as Philadelphia’s music scene stands today. It just doesn’t allow for a whole lot of time to sleep.

“I’m living proof that the work never stops until your head hits the pillow,” he says.

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, Interviews Tagged With: Aaron Livingston, Blueprint, Definitive Jux, DJ Shadow, El-P, Phonte Coleman, Ramble John Krohn, RJ’s Electrical Connections, RJD2, Son Little, Teragram Ballroom, The Independent

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Wave Racer at Mezzanine 3/25 (FRI)

March 23, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Nik Crossman //

Wave Racer with Basenji //
Mezzanine – San Francisco
March 25th, 2016 //

Taking his name from the Nintendo 64 game, Wave Racer (born Tom Purcell) made waves in early 2014 with his effervescent electronic sound, quickly becoming one of the most rotated artists on Australia’s Triple J and a staple for international radio stations like BBC1 and KCRW.

Despite having only been on the scene for two years, Wave Racer has already gained attention from such electronic heavyweights as Diplo, Flume, Madeon and Skrillex for his disco-house flair and aquatic remixes.

Touring with both Disclosure and Chromeo and performing at large-scale festivals like HARD Summer, Dour, Peacock Society, Falls and Mad Decent Boat Party, Wave Racer has made his way around the globe and become well-known for mixing vocal samples with synthesized trumpets and bass-guitar slaps to elevate his soothing, sunrise melodies.

With opening support from Australian electronic producer/DJ and Future Classic labelmate Basenji, Wave Racer will stop through SF this Friday to play Mezzanine as part of his fifth U.S. tour. Tickets are available for $20 at the door, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Hot Flash Heat Wave: March 23rd (WED) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Kawehi: March 23rd (WED) at The Chapel
• Phil Cook: March 24th (THUR) at The Chapel
• Vela Eyes: March 26th (SAT) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Yuck: March 26th (SAT) at Great American Music Hall
• Cool Ghouls: March 28th (MON) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Lissie: March 30th (WED) at Slim’s
• Earthless: March 31st (THUR) at Slim’s
• Birds of Chicago: April 2nd (SAT) at Great American Music Hall

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Birds of Chicago, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Cool Ghouls, Earthless, Electric Six, Great American Music Hall, Hot Flash Heat Wave, Kawehi, Lissie, Mezzanine, Phill Cook, Pimps of Joytime, Poor Man's Whiskey, Slims, The Chapel, The Independent, The New Parish, Vela Eyes, Wave Racer, Yip Deceiver, Yuck

A revival at The Independent with The Revivalists

March 23, 2016 by tom dellinger Leave a Comment

By Tom Dellinger //

The Revivalists with KOLARS //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 19th, 2016 //

The term “revival” conjures up images of being renewed, restored or revived — physically, mentally or spiritually — and is something we often seek in our lives from time to time.

Growing up in the South, I can recall the days when religious revivals used to roll into town, setting up their tents and attracting the locals to be spiritually renewed by seeking that deep experience. Today’s music scene shares a great deal in common with those fond memories of mine, and on Saturday night, The Revivalists honored that expectation in a very big way as they played their second show of a two-night, sold-out run at The Independent.

The line started forming early for Saturday’s show as Bay Area fans and ones from as far away as the East Coast arrived. Many I met were active in the fan community, known as Rev Heads and had attended Friday night’s show. As was mentioned to me more than once, many agreed that the group’s cover of Grateful Dead’s “Morning Dew” the night before had been a pleasant surprise. And as is the case with many bands today, The Revivalists have also earned the love of an expanding and dedicated fan base that will go to great lengths to see them perform all over the world.

After witnessing Saturday’s performance, it’s easy now to see why. With three full-length albums under its belt — including 2010’s Vital Signs, 2014’s two-disc set City of Sound and most recently Men Amongst Mountains in 2015 — and a busy touring schedule, the band has clearly established itself with fans as well as venues and festivals.

A beaming David Shaw led the New Orleans-based septet onstage as they launched into “Keep Going”, a tune that instantly had the house dancing and rocking. With Shaw (guitar, vocals), Zack Feinberg (guitar), Ed Williams (pedal steel guitar), Rob Ingraham (saxophone), George Gekas (bass), Andrew Campanelli (drums) and Michael Girardot (keyboards, trumpet), The Revivalists took us through their catalog to what felt like impossible heights at times. It was a dynamic show with excellent song choices that kept the house energized and the fans happy.

Slowing down a little once in a while, the band played flawlessly, and as the evening went on, one had the sense something rare was beginning to take place. If you experience a lot of live music, we all see this once in a while. The energy from the band to the audience is established and returned, but once in a while, that energy seems to grow well beyond expectations and everybody feels it. If you’re lucky, the performance becomes transcendent, which is exactly what happened on Saturday night. Everybody in the band played with a passion that was a straight shot to the heart. If you weren’t already a fan of The Revivalists, this performance most certainly sealed the deal.

The fans were intense, the band was intense and the joy between the two was off the charts. It was obvious they were having a great night. They seemed relaxed from the beginning and by the end of the night were ripping into every note with abandon. After the scorching set closer “Criminal”, the band returned for a three-song encore to close things out, only to return one more time for a stupendous rendition of “Gimme Shelter”. For those in the house who came from both far and near, it turned out to be a pretty good bargain; we made the journey to The Revivalists, and in return, our souls were once again rejuvenated. The spirit of their music touched us all in that unique way good music does. There was no substitute.

Opening the show were KOLARS, an alternative-indie duo consisting of husband Rob Kolar (guitar, vocals) and wife Lauren Brown Kolar (drums, vocals). Though they are sometimes seen in the context of the Los Angeles band He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, they’ve been taking this minimalist approach, which served them well in SF. Offering a set of songs that defy categorization (they coin their music as “desert disco, glam-a-billy, space blues and R&Beyond”), their opening set continued to build as they earned a positive response from those around me.

Setlist:
Keep Going
Monster
Souls Too Loud
Appreciate Me I
Appreciate Me II
Catching Fireflies
Fade Away
Move On
Bullet Proof Vest
Strawman
BTBD
Gold to Glass
Wish I Knew You
Criminal

Encore #1:
King of What
I Believe It Was a Sin
Soulfight

Encore #2:
Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones cover)

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Kolars, The Independent, The Revivalists

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Electric Six at The Independent 3/20 (SUN)

March 18, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Nik Crossman //

Electric Six with Yip Deceiver //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 20th, 2015 //

Coming from Michigan in 1996, Electric Six (aka E6) played shows early on at The Old Miami and Gold Dollar in Detroit, two local venues that also helped promulgate The White Stripes. Infused with garage, disco, punk, new wave and metal, the amalgamation of Electric Six’s sound is best summarized by their first hit single “Danger! High Voltage”.

It’s been 20 years since Dick Valentine (born Tyler Spencer) brought this group of musical hooligans together under its original moniker The Wildbunch. With 11 full-length albums under their belt and some new band members, Electric Six are no stranger to the spotlight and as their name suggests, commands a live performance worth experiencing.

Back in 2014, the six-piece launched a Kickstarter campaign, successfully raising $65,000 to produce a two-disc compilation entitled Mimicry and Memories, which was comprised of 12 covers, a collection of outtakes and live performances from the past two decades.

With opening support from their friends and collaborators Yip Deceiver, Electric Six will stop in SF this Sunday to take The Independent through a journey of garage rock/new-wave metal. Tickets are available for $18 at the door, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Friday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Pimps of Joytime: March 19th (SAT) at The New Parish
• Poor Man’s Whiskey: March 19th (SAT) at Great American Music Hall
• Hot Flash Heat Wave: March 23rd (WED) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Kawehi: March 23rd (WED) at The Chapel
• Phil Cook: March 24th (THUR) at The Chapel
• Vela Eyes: March 26th (SAT) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Yuck: March 26th (SAT) at Great American Music Hall
• Cool Ghouls: March 28th (MON) at Brick & Mortar Music Hall
• Lissie: March 30th (WED) at Slim’s
• Earthless: March 31st (THUR) at Slim’s
• Birds of Chicago: April 2nd (SAT) at Great American Music Hall

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.

Wavves, Best Coast create polarizing summer vibes in SF on their co-headlining tour

March 14, 2016 by Molly Kish Leave a Comment

Wavves

Photos by Mike Rosati // Written by Molly Kish //

Wavves, Best Coast with Cherry Glazerr //
The Independent – San Francisco
March 2nd, 2016 //

Making a stop off in Northern California for two sold-out shows this month, Wavves and Best Coast brought their “Summer Is Forever II” tour to The Independent, delivering a performance that showcased each group’s unique energy. With both Southern California bands banking off the chemistry of a previous run together, the co-headline show almost seemed like a glorified encore to Noise Pop 2016 after the annual music, art and culture festival celebrated its closing night at The Indy just days before (see more Noise Pop photos from this year here).

But while the joint bill created a melange of surf-punk and beach-goth culture, the contrast proved to be rather polarizing when it came to the crowd. In what played out as two separate sets for two very different audiences, both bands’ fan bases were well-represented inside the venue. When booking a co-headlining tour, an artist’s management will often seek to bring two acts together that complement each others’ style and sound. For the most part, as proven by the wild success of these bands’ first “Summer Is Forever” tour, the show was supposed to serve as an example of how to successfully execute such a pairing. The audience during the second night, however, wasn’t as interested in that aspect as much as they were there to see one of the two co-headlining acts.

Cherry Glazerr

Cherry Glazerr kicked things off, leading with an opening set of hardcore, female-fronted rock that mirrored both headliners’ sound and presence. Leaning more toward Wavves’ raw punk energy, the LA four-piece made sure that Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino had her work cut out for her when it was time to follow up Clementine Creevy’s stirring performance.

Best Coast wasted no time breaking into their set shortly thereafter, with each band member taking his or her position on the dimly lit stage. Super fans shuffled toward the front of the room, and the crowd quickly became filled with brooding Cosentino look-a-likes who fed off of her articulately perfected dismay. Supported by a hirsute group of shredders, one of which was the band’s other permanent member Bobb Bruno, Cosentino crooned her heart out to a bittersweet array of surf-rock ballads. Best Coast played songs from all three of their studio albums, executing their set like clockwork as Cosentino hit her vocal pitches at a near-perfect level that exceeded her studio recordings. While the LA band didn’t say much to its Bay Area fans between each track, the crowd grew anxious in anticipation of the evening’s final set. Feeding off the obvious shift in audience energy and attention, Cosentino and her sidekicks peevishly finished off their set with the group’s ironically titled song “Bratty B”.

Best Coast

After a quick set break, half the crowd departed. Many audience members could be found smoking outside the venue, murmuring about the disjointed audience and their incongruous concert etiquette. For Wavves fans though, nothing seemed to phase their spirits when the surf-punk foursome eventually took the stage. Utilizing nearly all the free space that the Best Coast exodus created, they were summoned to the stage by the ethereal opening bars of “Sail to the Sun” and by mid-chorus, broke out into a sloppy pogo dance of sorts, which remained consistent throughout the performance. Wavves played a high-energy show that sparked a multitude of stage divers, some crowd-surfing shoes and an armada of blowup alien dolls that the band tossed into the crowd midway through the set. Consequently, the San Diego quartet offered a performance in stark contrast to Cherry Glazerr’s and Best Coast’s, ramping up their raw appeal as the unfeigned headliners of the evening.

Witnessing one of the last few dates on the “Summer Is Forever II” tour may have played into the overall impression both Best Coast and Wavves made on this night, but in a way, it also offered a much more individualized experience as a fan. Whether you were there to see Best Coast, Wavves or both, the show was ultimately what you made of it. The tour, which ended in Anaheim earlier this month, exemplified that summer can’t go on forever, and its last few dates solidified that fact. Either way, having the opportunity to catch these bands on one tour stop in an intimate setting was truly unique regardless of season or sentiment.

Filed Under: Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: Best Coast, Cherry Glazerr, The Independent, Wavves

Noise Pop 2016 Shows of the Week // GO4FREE to Metric, Parquet Courts, Cayucas, DIIV & more

February 23, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Metric

Written by Molly Kish //

Noise Pop //
Bay Area venues – San Francisco & Oakland
February 23rd-28th, 2016 //

Noise Pop is upon us, and the Bay Area is playing home to some of the best independent artists around the globe this week. Talent is running rampant around the city, showcasing their music, art and passions in our favorite bars and venues — and we want you to get out there and participate!

Most Noise Pop shows are sold out at this point or quickly on their way to being so. However, we have you covered with tickets to a wide variety of shows. Pick your favorite show from the list below and enter to win tickets.

Hint: Those who directly tweet @showbams or tag us on Instagram with their personal requests will have that much better of a chance of winning!

Contests for all weekday shows end at 3 p.m. on the day of show. Contests for all weekend shows end at 3 p.m. this Friday.

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTESTS CLOSED.

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: Alex Metric, Antwon, Astronautsetc., Bottom of the Hill, Brick & Mortar Music Hall, Cayucas, Diane Coffee, DIIV, Hamilton Leithauser, Heartwatch, Metric, Noise Pop, Noise Pop 2016, Parquet Courts, Ringo Deathstarr, Swedish American Hall, The Independent, The Masonic, The New Parish, Wild Ones

Noise Pop 2016: Daily picks & flavors of the week

February 22, 2016 by Molly Kish Leave a Comment

Written by Molly Kish //

Noise Pop //
Bay Area venues – San Francisco & Oakland
February 19th-28th, 2016 //

Noise Pop 2016 is here! To get you ready for all the Noise Pop festivities throughout the Bay Area, we present our daily picks and flavors of the week.

Plus, make sure to brush up on this year’s bill with our Noise Pop playlist and don’t miss your opportunity to take part in the festivities.

GO4FREE: Win tickets to Noise Pop 2016 shows all week here!

Monday, February 22nd

Ziggy Stardust Tribute Party with Everyone Is Bowie: February 22nd (MON) @ The Independent, 8 p.m., 21+ (SOLD OUT)

Paying respect to the Star Man himself, film and concert enthusiasts alike can trip out to “The Spiders from Mars” at The Independent for David Bowie tribute night. The venue will be participating in the Noise Pop film series by showing a digitally remastered version of “Ziggy Stardust and “The Spiders from Mars”. After the screening, make sure to stick around for a live performance from Oakland’s own conceptual tribute band Everyone Is Bowie, including visuals by local film production company White Light Prism. There’s even a pre-party at San Franpsycho (505 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117) with live screen printing, face painting, a Bowie costume contest and free beer (yes, you read that right) from Mavericks Brewing Company.

Tuesday, February 23rd

Metric

Metric with Joywave: February 23rd (TUE) @ The Masonic, 8 p.m., All Ages // WIN TICKETS

No strangers to the the Bay Area music scene and Noise Pop’s illustrious history, 15-year-old indie-rock veterans Metric headline The Masonic on Tuesday with support from New York dance-pop quartet Joywave. Serving as one of the main headliners at this year’s festival, Metric is one band you’ll want to catch early in the week — and we have a pair of tickets just for you.

“Fucked Up But Beautiful” (Noise Pop art reception): February 23rd (TUE) @ Bender’s Bar & Grill, 5 p.m., 21+

Celebrating the flawed and accentuating the negative, “Fucked Up But Beautiful” showcases some of the work of the Bay Area’s most prominent independent artists that was never meant to be seen. Marred by sundry, footprints, bent corners and beer spills, Bender’s Bar & Grill will be hosting a full gallery of glossy disasters, which in turn have taken on a new appreciation of their own. Stop by Bender’s to reflect on mistakes and check out the labors of unrequited love from Amy Jo, Boss Construction, Bureau of Print Research and Design, Crosshair, The Decoder Ring, Drug Factory Press, Alan Forbes, Furturtle Prints, Kollective Fusion, Lil Tuffy, Methane Industries, PinkBikeRalph, Powerslide Design, Tooth and more.

Wednesday, February 24th

Andrew Jackson Jihad

Wild Ones, Palehound with Two Sheds, False Priest: February 24th (WED) @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 7 p.m., 21+ // WIN TICKETS

Spanning the spectrum of everything Noise Pop, this lineup includes Wild One’s heavy synth and ethereal R&B, singer-songwriter Ellie Kemper’s solo project Palehound and local modern rock outfit False Priest. If you’re looking to shake things up on Wednesday and truly get a full taste of the Noise Pop 2016 lineup, stop by the intimately accommodating Brick & Mortar Music Hall and check out this exceptional lineup.

Andrew Jackson Jihad with BATTLEHOOCH, Owl Paws: February 24th (WED) @ The Chapel, 7 p.m., 21+

Maybe you’re looking to let loose mid-work week? If being an adult has got you down, come through The Chapel on Wednesday night and get weird with the prominent wild card’s of Noise Pop 2016. Are you into the collective craze of Andrew Jackson Jihad’s folk-punk antics or daydreaming of being swaddled in the illustrious locks of Grant Goodrich, the bass player of SF’s own BATTLEHOOCH? Regardless of your motivation, we recommend you get there early for Owl Paws’ set and go pile-driving into the second half of your work week.

Thursday, February 24th

Kamasi Washington

“Gin N Jazz” feat. Kamasi Washington in conversation with David Katznelson: February 25th (THUR) @ Swedish American Hall, 4 p.m., 21+ (RSVP required)

As part of Noise Pop 2016’s “HQ Culture Hour” series, Bay Area music veteran and Birdman Recording Group founder David Katznelson will be chatting with saxophonist Kamasi Washington about all things jazz over gin libations sponsored by UK independent spirit purveyor Sipsmith. Signed as an accomplished protégé and part of the label’s early roster while playing as a teenager in The Young Jazz Giants, Washington has a storied history with plenty to discuss about the origins and ever-growing complexities of jazz in mainstream art and culture. Touching upon Washington’s roots, recording process and musical journey, this conversation will be a great opportunity to get an in-depth look at the band leader outside of his sold-out show later that evening.

Antwon with Alexander Spit, Unlikely Heroes: February 25th (THUR) @ The New Parish, 8 p.m., 21+ // WIN TICKETS

This lineup depicts a hometown love letter to Bay Area hip-hop. Throwing down this Thursday is a full lineup of performers looking to turn up The New Parish in Oakland. Bay Area native and world-renowned lyrcist Antwon headlines the night with his cross-over brand of indie hip-hop and will be supported by locally raised rapper and producer Alexander Spit. Kicking off the party will be SF Battle of the Band’s winner Unlikely Heroes, the hip-hop/punk outfit that promises to get the crowd pumped up.

Friday, February 26th

Parquet Courts

Parquet Courts with Chris Cohen, The World: February 26th (FRI) @ The New Parish, 8 p.m., 21+ // WIN TICKETS

Want to go to the heaviest lineup Noise Pop has to offer? Are you into sludgy, low-fi garage rock and sweaty, eardrum-rattling rock shows? No? GTFOH! But seriously, if you’re looking to do something Friday night that will leave you invigorated (more than likely wet and quite possibly with a couple of mystery bruises), look no further. The New Parish is hosting the dream lineup of prog rock and punk with Parquet Courts headlining a sold-out show with openers Chris Cohen and Emotional. If you slept on the opportunity to tear it up this Friday, you’ll still have a chance to go for free on us. Stay tuned!

Beacon with Natasha Kmeto, Running in the Fog, Frugal Father: February 26th (FRI) @ Bottom of the Hill, 8 p.m., 21+

Besides getting the chance to see some of the most promising up-and-coming artists right on the cusp of a major breakthrough, one of the perks of going to Noise Pop is that all the show are being hosted in venues that are known and loved throughout SF’s music scene. This Friday, darkwave electronic duo Beacon will take over the shoulder-grazing space of Bottom of the Hill for a truly special, one-off performance. With Beacon debuting material off of their brand-new EP, this guaranteed dance party with support from Natasha Kmeto, Running in the Fog and Frugal Father will be bursting at the seams inside this favorite venue among punk and hard-rock locals.

Saturday, February 27th

Escort

Escort with MOBLEY, COLLAJ, Push the Feelings DJs: February 26th (FRI) @ Rickshaw Stop, 8:30 p.m., 18+

Pulling influences from the legendary discos in New York, Chicago and Detroit while claiming the headlining spot on Noise Pop’s Saturday night roster at Rickshaw Stop is Brooklyn’s very own Escort. Hailed as a type of “disco orchestra” with a live show comprised of anywhere between a 5-11-piece roster, the East Coast “funktronica” outfit will be debuting new music from there yet-to-be-released sophomore album. Supported by Austin trip-hop artist MOBLEY, SF’s COLLAJ (formerly 8th Grader) and Push the Feelings DJs, this will be one of the fiercest dance parties of the entire weekend.

Song Exploder podcast with Carly Rae Jepsen: February 26th (FRI) @ Swedish American Hall, 2:30 p.m., All Ages (RSVP required)

Continuing its second year as a part of Noise Pop, Hrishikesh Hirway hosts his live storytelling “Song Exploder” podcast from the confines of the Swedish American Hall this Saturday with Carly Rae Jepsen. Dissecting her latest album Emotion and the creative thought process behind composing lead single “I Needed You”, Jepsen will sit down for a candid interview with Hirway that will lead into her performance that evening at The Warfield.

Sunday, February 28th

DIIV

DIIV with Dirty Ghosts, Creative Adult, Fine Points @ The Independent, 7:30 p.m., 21+ (SOLD OUT) // WIN TICKETS

Closing out the festival this year with a final punctuation of raw indie-rock talent, Sunday night’s bill at The Independent highlights some of the biggest names on this year’s lineup. Headlining the showcase will be DIIV, a side project from the former members of Beach Fossils and Smith Westerns, celebrating the release of their critically acclaimed new album Is the Is Are. Paired with local female-fronted rock powerhouse Dirty Ghosts and North Bay punks Creative Adult, this show will be having you question the validity of your Sunday and whether or not a lineup of this magnitude holds much relevance when accessing your upcoming work week.

See the full list of Noise Pop 2016 events here, and you can still purchase festival passes here. Keep it here at Showbams and on our Twitter account here throughout the week for a chance to win tickets to this year’s shows.

Filed Under: Featured, Festivals Tagged With: Alexander Spit, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Antwon, Battlehooch, Beacon, Bender's Bar & Grill, Bottom of the Hill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Chris Cohen, Creative Adult, DIIV, Dirty Ghosts, Escort, False Priest, Fine Points, Fucked Up But Beautiful, Joywave, Kamasi Washington, Metric, MOBLEY, Noise Pop, Noise Pop 2016, Owl Paws, Palehound, Parquet Courts, Rickshaw Stop, Song Exploder, Swedish American Hall, The Chapel, The Independent, The Masonic, The New Parish, The Warfield, The World, Two Sheds, Unlikely Heroes, Wild Ones

The Independent serves as the perfect setting for Baio’s moody electropop

February 11, 2016 by Marc Fong Leave a Comment

By Marc Fong //

Baio //
The Independent – San Francisco
February 3rd, 2016 //

It wasn’t long ago that Baio, the solo project from Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio, came through the Bay Area.

Back in October, Baio made his SF debut, performing on the first day of Treasure Island Music Festival. Undoubtedly, TIMF was a great place for Baio to debut his live show for the Northern California crowd. The crème of the indie/hipster/backpack hip-hop scene, after all, definitely would have remissed not performing at the Bay Area’s premiere indie-pop festival. The oxymoron notwithstanding, TIMF does bring out some amazing acts which aren’t quite “there” in today’s music scene.

Baio happened to be one of those acts. Sure, he’s best known for his contributions with Grammy-winning Vampire Weekend, but the 31-year-old record producer is capable of a lot more. And though the audience may have chanced upon Baio at TIMF the first time, the smarties took note and kept an eye out for his return.

Unfortunately for Baio, tickets were still on sale the night of his show at The Independent last Wednesday. But, that’s OK. At TIMF, Baio was on point, even if his shining talent seemed to get lost in the glare of the sun and the overwhelming size of even the festival’s second stage.

In a more intimate environment like The Independent however, Baio’s moody electropop fit perfectly. Looking sharp in a white blazer, the Bronxville, N.Y., native opened his set slow and steady. His sound, for one, is a lot more dreamy than Vampire Weekend’s more dance-driven songs. Combine that with his mind-bending visuals onstage, and Baio’s live show the second time around was a slow, chill ride through an electronic soundscape.

Filed Under: Featured, Photos Tagged With: Baio, Chris Baio, The Independent, Vampire Weekend

SF Show of the Week // GO4FREE to Penguin Prison at Mezzanine 2/10 (WED)

February 9, 2016 by The Bam Team Leave a Comment

Written by Nik Crossman //

Penguin Prison with Manics //
Mezzanine – San Francisco
February 10th, 2016 //

Growing up in New York City’s Upper East Side, Chris Glover (aka Penguin Prison) embarked on his musical journey early in life. From joining his school’s gospel choir at the age of 10 to fronting a punk band in high school and forming a boy band in college, Glover has never been shy of the spotlight. In 2009, he made a name for himself under the moniker Penguin Prison with his Animal Animal/A Funny Thing EP.

Released in 2015, Penguin Prison’s latest album Lost in New York refers to “a journey that someone is going on who’s trying to find his way, trying to just grow up, become an adult,” and borrows the title from the 1992 comedy film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”. The last time Penguin Prison came to SF, the one-man pop machine was accompanied by a full band and took a sold-out Independent by storm, proving why he deserves to be in the spotlight.

This Wednesday, Penguin Prison returns to SF to headline Mezzanine after Bay Area nu-disco act Manic opens the show. Tickets are available for $20, or you could win a pair of tickets by submitting your full name and email below.

Contest ends this Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Follow Showbams on Twitter for more contest giveaways throughout the week. Be the first to respond to our contest tweets to GO4FREE to these shows:

• Built to Spill: Feb 9th (TUE) at Slim’s
• Jukebox the Ghost: Feb 10th (WED) at Great American Music Hall
• Kiefer Sutherland: Feb 11th (THUR) at Great American Music Hall
• Waters: Feb 12th (FRI) at Slim’s
• Con Brio: Feb 12th (FRI) at The Independent
• The Donkeys: Feb 12th (FRI) at The Chapel
• Hepcat: Feb 13th (SAT) at Slim’s
• Sophie B. Hawkins: Feb 14th (SUN) at The Chapel

Enter your name (First and Last) along with your email below. If you win a contest, you’ll be notified on the day the contest ends (details above).

Like Showbams on Facebook, follow Showbams on Twitter and follow Showbams on Instagram. Subscribe to our social channels for a better chance to win!

CONTEST CLOSED.