|
|
|
Sort By:
 |
Music
Released by Ghostly International, 6/23/09
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Maybe the answer can be found in the uncertainty surrounding our economy, the disillusionment facing recent graduates, or the intrinsic need for answers to all our questions. Any one of these would explain why Deastro’s Moondagger feels perfect. This is more than an album. More
|
 |
Music
The Icing on the Cake
The buzz surrounding Love is Chemicals has settled to a din lately, but the San Francisco band recently reached two major milestones. A year after the band self-released its sophomore album, Song of the Summer Youth Brigade was re-released by SF-based label Three Ring Records. It also recently completed its most extensive tour to date -- a weeklong trek around the Pacific Northwest. But don't expect any great changes with the group. Nate Grover (vocals/guitar) is content juggling band duties and his multiple day jobs. He spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from his cubicle during a break. Love is Chemicals performs at Bottom More
|
 |
Music
Out of this World
With the 40th anniversary of the moon landing just weeks behind us, San Francisco gets a landing of its own when production duo N.A.S.A. touches down with its Intergalactic Circus tour on August 15th at The Independent. The group’s debut LP The Spirit of Apollo was released earlier this year with a star-filled list of guest appearances, including David Byrne, Karen O, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Santigold and several others. SF Station caught up with Squeak E. Clean, who forms N.A.S.A. with DJ Zegon, during a phone interview before a recent show in Berlin. More
|
 |
Music
A Bright Spot in the Foggy City
Since leaving San Francisco, Eric Rachmany went on to receive a degree at UC Santa Barbara, and now returns as the lead singer of Rebelution. With their debut album Courage to Grow, Rebelution had jumped into the forefront as one of the most promising reggae groups, after being awarded by iTunes with the "Best Reggae Album of 2007". On August 5th they will be stopping on their Bright Side Tour at the Great American Music Hall promoting the upcoming release of their second album Bright Side of Life. SF Station spoke with Eric as he kicked back in Santa Barbara before starting their national tour. More
|
 |
Music
An Emotional Journey
For Jesy Fortino, touring solo as Tiny Vipers is a sometimes-tedious job. The singer-songwriter, whose arrangements are composed of minimalist acoustic guitar arpeggios topped with somber vocals, pours deeply personal thoughts into her songs. To share them with an audience on an almost nightly basis can be unnerving and disheartening at times, she said during a phone interview from the road outside of Salt Lake City. Her latest Album, Life on Earth, was released by Sub Pop this month. Tiny Vipers performs at the Hemlock Tavern on July 28th and at the Stork Club in Oakland on July 29th. More
|
 |
Music
Exploding from the Center
Simone Rubi is a citizen of the world, bouncing around Europe and North America over the last four years, gathering inspiration and borrowing musicians for Rubies, her folky synth-pop band with Terri Lowenthal and Nicolas Dobbratz. Rubi spoke with SF Station from Oakland, where she is living for six weeks this summer before spreading her wings and flying away again. The album, Explode from the Center, was officially released in June on iTunes and Rubies celebrated its debut in July. More
|
 |
Music
Released on XL Recordings, 7/7/09
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
The overuse of auto-tune in popular music has led rap mogul Jay-Z to say “Enough” -- but that hasn’t fazed these Brooklyn hipsters. Discovery, the new indie pop duo comprised of Rostam Batmanglij (producer of Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (vocalist of Ra Ra Riot) have created an album so overdone in auto-tune that Kanye West will probably ask for credit. Maybe I’m inferring too much, but it seems that Batmanglij is strategically using this proven method for pop success. More
|
 |
Music
Released by Warner Music Group, 6/16/09
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Rule #1: Don't talk about Street Sweeper Social Club. Somewhere in the U.S. let alone in the world (hello Iran) there is growing discontent and restlessness that Boots Riley, Tom Morello and Stanton Moore tap into and give validation with their timely self-titled release of Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello brings all his talent and guitar skills from Rage Against the Machine bombarding the temple of your ears while Riley blitzes you with sophisticated and emotional lyrics honed with The Coup mixed with the hardness of their respected communities of Oakland and LA. More
|
 |
Music
10,000 Pound Turntables
Since scratching his way to the top of the competitive DJ circuit as a teenager in the mid-90s, A-Trak has rocked parties worldwide, created his own record label and served as Kanye West’s touring DJ. The DJ/producer, who is in the conceptual planning stages for his first album, stops in San Francisco on his 10,000 Pound Hamburger Tour on July 16th. He spoke with SF Station on a pit stop in Pensacola, FL during a drive from Miami to Austin. More
|
 |
Music
Legally Blonde
It’s a little daunting stepping into an interview with directions to not ask anything personal but, despite the caveat, Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino remained warm and friendly and allowed for some minor prodding. The trio, rounded out with twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace, will take a break from working on new material for two performances in San Francisco on July 14th and 15th for the Bike Film Festival at The Independent. Makino spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from New York. More
|
|
