|
|
|
Sort By:
 |
Music
Release on Rough Trade Records (November 4, 2008)
I wasn’t sure what to expect upon learning of the collaboration between Fabrizio Moretti, drummer for The Strokes, and Rodrigo Amarante, guitarist and songwriter for the Brazilian-based indie rock band Los Hermanos. I will admit - I can get down with some Strokes. When I hear a steady four-on-the-floor coupled with a melodic bass line and drawling, affected vocals, I am happy as a clam in the ocean of rock, or perhaps…a rock lobster? Sure, there are many things about The Strokes that are ridiculous... More
|
 |
Music
Released on Dangerbird Records on 10/21/08
The Dears are (now) comprised of husband and wife team Murray Lightburn (vocals/guitars/keyboards) and Natalie Yanchak (keyboards, backing vocals) as they release their fourth studio album Missiles. Recorded with an amalgam of studio musicians following the departure of all members, except Lightburn and Yanchak, this Montreal group manages to crank out a decent album, despite all the personnel problems. More
|
 |
Music
The Deal From the Buckeye State
Whether she likes it or not, Kim Deal finds herself at the epicenter of U.S. politics as all eyes look to swinging Ohio during the presidential election. The Breeders frontwoman, also a member of a little indie band you might have heard of called The Pixies, has lived in the Buckeye state for the last five years. Deal spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from her home. She performs with The Breeders on November 13th and 14th at Slim’s. More
|
 |
Music
A Dangerous Show for Dangerous People
Riding on the crest of recent mainstream and independent successes, Diplo returns to San Francisco for a show at Great American Music Hall on November 3rd. The DJ/producer is behind M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” which found 11th-hour success on iTunes a year after its release when it was featured on the Pineapple Express trailer, and he recently released the excellent Santogold mixtape that pairs the emerging artist with some of her reggae, punk, rap and new wave influences. Diplo spoke with SF Station during a phone interview while wandering lost through the streets of Salt Lake City in search of his tour bus. More
|
 |
Music
Making the Crowd Hype
The three core members of the UK’s Friendly Fires have collaborated musically for nearly 10 years, but it was only after the band adopted a dance-friendly rock beat over the past few years -- all the rage in these parts and abroad -- that it started gaining attention on this side of the Atlantic. After recently wrapping up its first headlining tour in the UK, the band is testing the U.S. market with an opening slot on Lykke Li’s tour, which stops in San Francisco for a sold-out show at the Independent on November 1st. Friendly Fires vocalist Ed Macfarlane spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from a New York gig. More
|
 |
Music
Columbia Records, 10/07/08
On October 7, Bob Dylan released the eighth volume of his Bootleg Series, but even eight times on, this collection of rare, unreleased and alternatively recorded gems, just keeps getting better. Thought you had heard all of Dylan’s greatest? Think again -- because really there is no such thing. Dylan’s professional life is a work in progress and this album proves that there are plenty more tricks up the old dog’s sleeve. More
|
 |
Music
Released on TSM Records, 10/14/08
This is The Secret Machines’ third album and first without founding member and guitarist Benjamin Curtis. Curtis’ position is filled by Phil Karnats and, unfortunately, he seems to have come at a bad time. Ever since the group’s explosive 2004 debut, Now Here Is Nowhere, they have gone steadily downhill -- and The Secret Machines continues that trend. It’s frustrating because it’s obvious that the group has so much talent. More
|
 |
Music
Released on Lujo Records, 10/21/08
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
All City Affairs is really the brainchild of Chicago native Peter Andreadis, drummer of acclaimed group Baby Teeth. While some other friends help out on his third album, Identity Theft it is, despite its name, the work of Andreadis. The album opens with “Flashback to When We Both Were Young” and is slightly jarring. There’s pop-y, acoustic guitar but there’s also synths and a hip hop drum beat. It’s quite confusing at first because it doesn’t blend as well as say Beck or Radiohead. But that’s a compliment because All City Affairs manages to create its own sound and doesn’t sound like just a knockoff. More
|
 |
Music
Living Big on the Road
Gregg Gillis, better known as the sampling whiz Girl Talk, is living large following the release of Feed the Animals, his latest album that features more than 250 pop music samples in 53 minutes. On his most recent tour, which stops at the Fillmore on October 27th and 28th, Gillis is bringing his Pittsburgh homies to warm up the stage, along with a couple of hype men to keep the party live. “I’m kind of living big time right now compared to my previous touring style,” he said during a phone interview from his fancy new tour bus at a venue parking lot in North Carolina. More
|
 |
Music
SF’s Children of Darkness
After performing behind its debut EP Into A New Mausoleum for more than a year and a half, Veil Veil Vanish is preparing for a self-imposed sabbatical from the stage to hone several new songs that will be recorded for an LP. But first, the San Francisco-based quartet performs a handful of Bay Area shows, including a headlining spot at a special Halloween-themed Popscene gig on October 30th. The show also serves as a record release party for The Cure -- one of the band’s most apparent influences. Singer/guitarist Kevin Tecon spoke with SF Station during a phone interview. More
|
|
