Review: ‘Genuine ideas’ at SF MusicTech Summit 5/17
May 24, 2010
SF MusicTech from BAMM.tv on Vimeo.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. SF Music Tech is a word class conference and an indispensable stop for anyone crazy enough to be in the music biz in 2010. On Monday I met one such crazy individual: Benji Rodgers of London, England. From his office in Covent Garden he has built a bustling venture called Pledge Music, a platform that enables unsigned artists to tap their fans for the dosh needed to make records. They are doing something right because 70% of the artists on Pledge make or exceed their financial goal. And while there are several like-minded platforms on the web today Pledge goes them one further by giving part of their proceeds to a charity of the artists’ choosing. It’s a nifty package that has attracted more than a few big artists currently out of a recording contract, namely post-punk legends Gang of Four and Funeral for a Friend, who will be featured on this summer’s Mayhem Tour (Warped Tour for the metal set).
While the overall pie is shrinking there is an astounding amount of innovation and energy in the music ecosystem right now — not just complaining and browbeating either. I’m talking genuine ideas. The good old days, when the road to Gold and Platinum was paved with compact discs, are gone and probably for the better. I’m glad folks like Benji Rodgers and Brian Zisk, who tirelessly produces SF Music Tech twice a year, are alive and well.
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Ian Curtis Memorial Show, Elbo Room, May 19th
May 24, 2010
Last Wednesday, May 18th, marked the 30th anniversary of the untimely suicide of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis. Tortured by depression, a seizure disorder, a broken marriage and pressures of work, Ian hung himself in his kitchen just 2 days before the band’s first US tour and 2 months before his 24th birthday. Joy Division formed in 1978 shortly after Ian saw the Sex Pistols perform. Of note, the opening band that night, making their debut . . . the BUZZCOCKS. Don’t miss them at Oakland’s Uptown on Friday June 4th! All this history is beautifully captured in the 2007 film Control. But I digress . . .
The evening began with Carletta Sue Kay, who took the stage in a lovely blue skirt and burst into a song that rhymed something like “Golden Gate bridge is art” with “city of broken hearts.”  The same song suggests gauging out the eyes of the Mona Lisa; great stuff! The powerful vocals and cello created a Queen-style opera vibe, but the group also has an unmistakable Joy Division soul. They closed the brief 30 minute set with the first Joy Division song of the night, “She’s Lost Control,” followed by their own song aptly named “Joy Division.” There is a video on their MySpace page of this song performed at SxSW 2010 (at Scoots, I believe), but better yet, check ‘em out at the Eagle June 24th featuring a rare reunion show from Pepperspray. This is touted to be THE (unofficial) kick off event for the annual SF Pride fest and parade.
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Sade Sundays: Girl, It’s a Photoshoot Part IV.
May 23, 2010
Part 1
By: Joshua Rampage
As we approach mid-2010, the situation can be described as languid at best; adventures have been put on hold while I pace slowly up and down this long hallway, stirring up dust bunnies. Snoozy weather and sinus infections have the weird ability to cull the right kind of music for the moment, and I’ve been submerged in hazy ambiance ever since Die Antwoord depleted all of the serotonin in my brain with their impeccable taste. I’ve since grown comfortable within these walls of soft interiors. Set adrift in the haunted depths of The Caretaker, I’ve made myself at home in room 237. (YouTube video features the art of Andrei Polushkin).
Mike doesn’t care for rhythm-based music any more than I give a shit about the genre Americana. He says “BE A PATRIOT” and bangs the steering wheel like a dictator would his fist against a podium. I say, “I’m moving to Switzerland to go skiing and eat chocolate.”
I suggested that Flying Lotus is picking up where a long-forgotten DJ Shadow left off. The sampled textures are even dustier and the layers of poly-rhythms make me think of elephants dancing with their trunks, swaying in a way that makes people want to bounce their shoulders. Flying Lotus’Â new album, Cosmogramma, hurtles into an electronic oblivion, creating new constellations with its staggered production.
Flying Lotus – “Do the Astral Plane”
Part 2
By: Michael Tapscott
The album art is ridiculous, the “found” sounds are the same as they were six years ago, and perhaps the joke is still on us. CocoRosie, congratulations: you made another good album.
As I become re-acquainted with the long, lost friend that Josh scared me off of years ago (it’s a plant, dude), I only see myself as a fly on the wall, or better yet, like GOD in the sky. And what does GOD the bug see? He sees Michael repeatedly watching Randy Newman YouTube videos of a concert with the Rotterdam Philharmonic from 1979.
See, it’s not that the two of us can’t have fun anymore Joshua, but it’s all so serious now. These decisions that we make have lasting impressions on the quality of our shriveled 70 year old bodies. You should be tired friend, you should be listening to ambient music. What daily use do you find for Flying Lotus anyway?
Men as brilliant as us should not have been expected to take an uncomplicated path. Next month, more drinks, more pictures, no other obligations. Deal?
As evidenced below, we took some pictures to commemorate this opaque portion of the season: [More...]
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Download our SF Popfest Mixtape
May 21, 2010
The Bay Bridged is proud to sponsor San Francisco Popfest 2010, returning to Bay Area venues this Memorial Day weekend. To get a better feel for the festival’s six shows, here’s our Popfest Mixtape, featuring tracks from a dozen performing bands:
The Bay Bridged – San Francisco Popfest 2010 Mixtape
Mixtape track listing and the full Popfest schedule are below:
1. Math and Physics Club – “Jimmy Had A Polaroid”
2. Social Studies – “Time Bandit”
3. Dream Diary – “Bird In My Garden”
4. Antarctica Takes It! – “C&F”
5. Nodzzz – “Is She There?”
6. BOAT – “We’ve Been Friends Since 1989″
7. Cats on Fire – “The Hague”
8. The Orange Peels – “We’re Gonna Make It”
9. Still Flyin’ – “Runaway Train II”
10. My Teenage Stride – “Theme From Teenage Suicide”
11. Watercolor Paintings – “Indiana”
12. Tune-Yards – “Hatari”
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Silian Rail joins Parks and Records family, plays shows 5/25 and 5/27
May 21, 2010
Silian Rail – “‘I’ is Somebody Else”
Bay Area label Parks and Records recently announced the signing of local instrumental rock duo Silian Rail, whose new album Parhelion will be out on the label sometime this summer. Before that, though, the band is releasing a split 7″ with Seattle’s By Sunlight. The two groups will be at The Blank Club on 5/25 and at Milk on 5/27 (for the official 7″ release party).
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The Baths, Future Islands, Lower Dens at El Rio Monday 5/24
May 21, 2010
This Monday, May 24th, El Rio will host local band the Baths, joined by two bands from Baltimore:  Lower Dens, a new band by Jana Hunter, along with Future Islands.
This show will act as preparation for the Baths’ mini-tour of California, as well as an East Coast tour with fellow local Ty Segall starting August 3rd. Check out the Baths’ MySpace for more dates.
Additionally, Lower Dens are playing here in San Francisco in support of their debut album release (Twin-Hand Movement), out in July via San Francisco label Gnomonsong. The first single from the album, “I Get Nervous,” will be available as a 7″/mp3 download starting this Tuesday, May 25th.
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These Hills of Gold release 7″/EP
May 20, 2010
These Hills of Gold by HappyParts
SF band These Hills of Gold recently released a limited edition 45/digital EP of psychy West Coast pop on HappyParts Recordings (also available on iTunes). They’re performing at The Knockout on Monday, June 28th (9pm, $7), with Eagle Winged Palace, Paula Frazer, and DJ Neil Martinson. A full length album is forthcoming this summer.
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The Mommyheads: “Flying Suit” reissued
May 20, 2010
After a decade-long break, NYC-to-SF band The Mommyheads reunited in 2008 to release You’re Not A Dream, a new collection of songs written during the band’s original incarnation as one of indie pop’s pioneering groups. Now, Dromedary Records is revisiting another piece of the band’s legacy, reissuing the group’s third record, Flying Suit, newly remastered with three bonus tracks. Here are two tracks from the new reissue:
Find out more about the band in an interview they did for our podcast in 2008. Flying Suit is available now in the Dromedary Records store and on iTunes.
