Noise Pop 2008: Odds and Ends
February 29, 2008
The Morning Benders
Photo by Bryan Derballa
Hopefully, you’ve caught at least a show or two or have one lined up for later this weekend. Even if you aren’t going out at night, there are some great free Happy Hour shows at Thee Parkside and the Diesel store this weekend with some great local bands.
As we’ve mentioned before, tonight at Thee Parkside we’re excited to see The Dont’s and The Union Trade, while tomorrow presents the compelling synth pop-rock of Audio Out Send and Excuses for Skipping. At the Diesel store on Post, there are DJs both days, with acoustic performances by Port O’Brien (Friday) and The Morning Benders (Saturday) to round out the shows.
You can find all of our Noise Pop news, including the reviews and photos that are already starting to come in, at our dedicated Noise Pop page. We”ll return to our regular scene coverage next week.
Noise Pop 2008: Saturday Night Picks
February 28, 2008
Port O’Brien
Saturday being Saturday, it’s guaranteed to be a great night for Noise Pop picks. Only the lucky badgeholders will now get in to see one of the three sold out shows, headlined by The Gutter Twins, British Sea Power and The Mountain Goats. But there is plenty of good music left for the rest of us.
Café Du Nord will host our very own Port O’Brien, co-headlining with Delta Spirit and joined by What Made Milwuakee Famous (Austin) and The Mayfire. 9pm, $10-12, all ages.
Click to listen to our feature episode on Port O’Brien!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Mayfire – “Make it Right”
An Interview with John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats
February 28, 2008
The Mountain Goats recently released their latest album Heretic Pride (4AD) and return to San Francisco later this week for three straight sold out shows at Bimbo’s, the Independent and the Bottom of the Hill for Noise Pop. John Darnielle, the songwriter, singer and, when it comes down to it, the Mountain Goats, spoke to us about his soft spot for San Francisco, adding members to the band and various side projects in this e-mail interview.
Adrian Bischoff (of The Bay Bridged): Last time you were at the Bottom of the Hill, Peter was talking about you guys playing there for so long that you’d played a show there where his now-ex-wife’s best friend was buying you guys shots and a fan yelled out that it was Old Grand Dad. It seems like you guys have particularly loyal and/or obsessive fans. What do you think it is about your music that causes that?
JD: I think it’s a combination of the lyrics, about which I kinda can’t comment further than to say I’ve always hoped to write stuff that moves people in some way, and of the live show, but particularly (and this is what I think Peter meant) the live show in San Francisco. You gotta remember, the first Mountain Goats show ever outside of southern California was in S.F. – it was at the Thirsty Swede, formerly Night Break. I actually have a full video of it somewhere, it was me and Rachel Ware playing as a duo. We were received really warmly that night and it sort of kickstarted some real affection between the Mountain Goats and San Francisco – even in years when I wasn’t touring, I’ve always come to S.F., and the shows have just kept getting more intimate even as the crowd grows. It’s like a big purgative laughing therapy session now or something, so much fun for us.
Noise Pop 2008: Opening Night Party
February 27, 2008
Noise Pop is now in full swing after yesterday’s Opening Night Party over at The Rickshaw Stop. For those of you who weren’t able to make it out – check out the photos below!
Mika Miko & Tempo No Tempo
Noise Pop 2008: Friday Night Picks
February 27, 2008
The Noise Pop weekend kicks off with two free happy hours. At Thee Parkside, it’s local art-poppers The Dont’s and atmospheric rockers The Union Trade, along with The High Violets. 5-8pm, Free. Meanwhile, at the Diesel store (at 101 Post St), there are DJ sets by a number of indie rock’s finest, but we’re most intrigued by an acoustic set from the amazing Port O’Brien. 6pm-9pm, Free.
Click to listen to our feature episode on The Dont’s!
Click to listen to our feature episode on Port O’ Brien!
In addition to the synthy rock of The Rosebuds and Working for a Nuclear Free City, and the dream-pop of locals Foxtail Somersault, the Mezzanine features an art show by the CreativeMinds SF collective showcasing emerging Bay Area artists, including former Bay Bridged featured artists Nathalie Roland and Hannah Stouffer. 7pm (art show)/9pm (show), $15.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The Rosebuds – “Blue Bird”
If you’re still deciding on a nighttime destination, there’s really something for everyone on Friday. More picks after the jump:
Noise Pop 2008: Thursday Night Picks
February 27, 2008
Birdmonster, photo by Chad Wadsworth
Two sold-out shows aside, Thursday night is still packed with great shows with plenty of fantastic local bands featured.
SF’s own Kelley Stoltz headlines at The Independent with Grand Archives (Seattle), The Morning Benders and The Weather Underground (LA). This show is just the start of a national tour for Kelley Stoltz, starting in Missouri in March and ending in Illinois in the end of April. 8pm, $14.
Click to listen to our feature episode on The Morning Benders!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Kelley Stoltz – “Your Reverie”
More picks after the jump.
[More...]
Episode 103: The Heavenly States
February 26, 2008
Stream the episode:
Photo by: Doron Gild
This week, our podcast features the excellent Oakland rock quartet The Heavenly States. Long before the band headlined our December Presents show, we began eagerly awaiting the follow-up to their well received 2005 release Black Comet. Released last Tuesday on The Rebel Group label, Delayer is a strong work which displays the band’s skill at applying rich instrumental texture to all-out rockers and more contemplative numbers alike. At the same time, the lyrics consistently resonate wit and honesty, giving the whole CD the feeling of a unified and personal worldview.
As we learned during our interview, the delay (no pun intended) in the new record’s arrival is in part attributable to the attention the band received for being the first American act to tour Libya following the lifting of the trade embargo between the the US and the former “rogue state”. And while that trip cut short the time the band’s recording schedule for Black Comet, they spent significantly more time in the studio on the new CD, self-producing the record as a group. Needless to say, they’re very excited for people to hear the results of their efforts.
We spoke with all four members over the weekend, discussing the new album’s place in their discography, reflections on the Libyan tour, and a slew of frequently hilarious anecdotes. Too many, in fact, for us to include them all in the episode and, for time, some great stuff remains on the cutting room floor. Along with the talk, we’ve got four Heavenly States songs, including two from Delayer and another two from their past works.
THS have their Bay Area album release show next Friday and it’s a great all-local bill:
Friday, March 7th
The Independent
with Citay and The Botticellis
9pm, $12 (purchase advance tickets here)
To hear more Heavenly States music and get all of the band’s upcoming tour dates and SXSW appearances, head on over to the group’s MySpace page. You can pick up Delayer on iTunes and from Amazon, where you can also pick up the band’s other albums.
Are you subscribed to the The Bay Bridged weekly podcast? Click here to get each new episode downloaded free to your iTunes the moment it is published!
Noise Pop 2008: Wednesday Night Picks
February 25, 2008
Quasi
Following a Tuesday night opening party, Noise Pop kicks off Wednesday with a number of strong offerings, all of which still have available tickets. Some of our recommended offerings are below:
The night starts early with a Three Ring Records-sponsored Happy Hour over at Thee Parkside. It’s the first of a number of enticing free happy hour shows this week and the show features Three Ring’s Music For Animals, Solar Powered People, and Jub. It starts at 5pm and it’s free.
We’re psyched to see Quasi return to the Bay Area for a show over at the Rickshaw Stop, but we’re even more intrigued by the mysterious peoplepeople who will be supporting them.
