SF Popfest 2011: Dominant Legs, Aberdeen, Motifs, Sweater Girls @ Cafe Du Nord, 5/26/11
May 31, 2011
SF Popfest‘s modest yet powerful sense of community rang true during Thursday’s festivities, when Dominant Legs were joined by Aberdeen, the Motifs, and Sweater Girls at Cafe du Nord.
If you search the internet for information on Aberdeen, you’ll find that the band is a) described as “twee pop,” and b) described in the past tense. And yet, lead singer Beth Arzy stood in front of her audience at du Nord on Thursday, screaming “Don’t fucking call me twee!” as the band played a full set. Their own set of fans, perhaps having known Aberdeen since their 1993 debut and subsequent on/off again status, were present to celebrate this unique reunion. One broken homemade maraca and several pop songs later (played deftly, as expected with a veteran band, despite a few mishaps here and there), Aberdeen’s set was over, but not soon forgotten.
Before Aberdeen, Sweater Girls and the Motifs helped represent the true musical theme of the festival. The Motifs, while a bit subdued, brought short and sweet lo-fi pop with the occasional set of handclaps. Sweater Girls were pure and infectious, playing easygoing jangle pop in the form of breezy, one-two punch songs.
Dominant Legs closed out the evening, their growing notoriety in tow. Ryan Lynch’s agile guitar work buoyed a very enjoyable set of songs, while Hannah Hunt’s keyboard and vocal chops provided a warm and grounded edge. The entire band played seamlessly as the audience danced (dancing! very rare!), and we were brought back to the heart of SF Popfest: intelligent, eclectic, and irresistible indie pop.
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SF Popfest 2011: The Black Ryder, Blackbird Blackbird, White Arrows, Wolf Feet @ Rickshaw Stop, 5/25/11
May 31, 2011
SF Popfest kicked off last Wednesday with a diverse night of winning acts. After Wolf Feet started the evening with a set of sunglasses-equipped party rock (including a “Blister in the Sun” cover), White Arrows delivered a performance that marked the LA group as one to watch. The six piece’s more tropical moments called to mind the layered melodies of The Ruby Suns, while its more straightforward synth-assisted psych pop was equally welcome. A cover of “I’m on Fire” — by the way, has that become one of the go-to songs to rework? — mixed it up, displaying a deft sense of restraint. At the audience’s insistence, White Arrows played one song more than they were supposed to. “Life is short!” yelled one patron, and the band obliged.
Blackbird Blackbird were performing as a duo at the Rickshaw Stop, with Mikey Maramag accompanied by a live drummer. I’d been hoping to see how the BB sound would be interpreted by a group of musicians, but when you’re looking for a massive wall of catchy electronic pop, it doesn’t hurt to have a single person control all of the music. Maramag clearly has an ear for the best parts of songs, and many of his tracks feel like those best parts looped and layered into anthems. The proof was at the front of the crowd, where a lot of people were dancing.
And after that followed a long break. Judging by some of the yells, I was not the only one mentally composing threats of violence when the clock approached 11:45 and The Black Ryder still hadn’t started playing. And yet, like the rest of the audience, when those first loud guitar strums hit, everything was instantly forgiven. Blanketed by a video projection full of grainy, distorted images, the band was heavy, loud, and undeniably awesome. Why aren’t these guys more famous? Is it only a matter of time?
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Recommended, 5/31-6/5: The Botticellis, Penny Arcade, Mark Matos & Os Beaches, Winter’s Fall
May 31, 2011
Every Monday (and in this case Tuesday), we’ll be offering you early picks for some of the week’s best concerts. Do you think we omitted something worthwhile? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to visit our Local Concert Calendar for an expanded set of daily listings.
The Botticellis headline Bottom of the Hill
It’s been a few years since I’d heard anything about The Botticellis, but it looks like the SF surf-inspired rock-pop band is back in action, headlining Bottom of the Hill this Thursday, June 2nd (8:30pm, $10), with locals Yesway (featuring Kacey Johansing and Honeycomb’s Emily Ritz) and The Hold Outs. Breathe Owl Breathe, from Michigan, also perform.
Breathe Owl Breathe – “Swimming”
Penny Arcade celebrates its sixth anniversary!
Penny Arcade celebrates six years of monthly mostly-acoustic shows on Wednesday, June 1st, at the Make-Out Room (8pm, $8). The show is headlined by Skystone, a newish psych rock band led by the terrific singer-songwriter Paula Frazer. Forever Goldrush, Pat Parra and Will Sprott (of The Mumlers) also perform, with host Raul Sanchez.
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Photos: Mount Eerie, Little Wings, Key Losers, Nicholas Krgovich at Brightworks
May 27, 2011
Mount Eerie, Little Wings, Key Losers, and Nicholas Krgovich in the Mission last night was one of those shows that could not be entered with any expectations. It was a completely unknown venue (which turned out to be an upcoming free radical K-12 school, Brightworks), and featured a few completely unpredictable performers — Mount Eerie and Little Wings — both of whom either plan for, or spontaneously provide, the most unpredictable one-off sets. Key Losers features Katy Davidson, a longtime San Franciscan, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone collaborator and core member of Dear Nora, but it was opening act Nicholas Krgovich who stole the show, donning a Sade shirt that explained his musical influences and contributing to the sets that followed his own.
Highlights of the night included the amazing local artwork decorating the large open-studio space (see Leopold and His Fiction piece, below), homemade honey ginger wine from Living Arts Fund, taking home an amazing letterpressed show poster, and, of course, an uncanny cover of “Human Nature” from Kyle Field/Little Wings. The Olympia music scene was in the house.
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Benefit for Kelly Malone announced for 6/7: Social Studies, Royal Baths, Art Museums, Carletta Sue Kay, Sandwitches all to perform
May 27, 2011
If you are at all familiar with DIY arts, crafts, or design, you probably know Kelly Malone, the creator of Indie Mart and Workshop SF. Malone has given a great deal to SF arts and culture, and now, faced with an advanced stage of cancer, she needs our help:
This past April, Kelly was diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer that had spread to non-localized areas as a result of previous battles. Originally dropped from her previous insurance because of the cancer diagnosis, Kelly has had no chance of obtaining new health insurance due to this pre-existing condition. Through this all, Kelly keeps a smile on her face and continues to give back to San Francisco, often devoting much of her own income and sweat to continue businesses that enrich the city. As a successful small business owner, designer, artist, event planner, part of the Treasure Island Music Festival & Noise Pop, Kelly has been able to keep up with medical bills through the ongoing treatments, surgeries, and chemotherapy schedules. But this latest diagnosis requires a treatment path that will exceed her financial abilities, and most likely require her to take a hiatus from her businesses. So she is now asking San Francisco for a helping hand.
The “Kelly Malone v. The ‘C’ Word” benefit concert takes place at The Independent on Tuesday, June 7th (8pm, $15, $50 VIP), and it features five terrific local bands: Social Studies, Royal Baths, Carletta Sue Kay, The Art Museums, and The Sandwitches.
Were this just a regular concert, this set of bands would be well worth your time and money anyway, but knowing that it’s for a great cause makes it all the better. Our best wishes go out to Kelly during this battle, and we’re really looking forward to this show.
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New album from My First Earthquake – ‘Friction’
May 27, 2011
After successfully funding a new album via Kickstarter, that new album has finally arrived – My First Earthquake‘s Friction comes out on June 7th. It’s the group’s latest record following 2008′s Tremors EP, 2009′s Downstairs full-length, and 2010′s Crush EP.
My First Earthquake – “Nice to See You”
The first single, “Nice to See You,” is full of the sharp synth-pop and lively vocals that we’ve come to expect from My First Earthquake. Those who pre-order the album via Bandcamp will receive the first three tracks now.
My First Earthquake will celebrate the release of Friction at Cafe du Nord on June 8th (9:30 pm, $10/advance, $12/door, 21+).
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Trails – “Animal” (Miike Snow cover, from free ‘Territorial’ EP)
May 26, 2011
Fresh from Oakland, Trails create nimble, up-tempo folk that’s worth checking out. The band’s EP, Territorial, is available for free via Bandcamp and includes a solid cover of Miike Snow’s “Animal”.
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Otherness (Man/Miracle, Elephant & Castle) – “Crystalline” and “Salt Water”
May 26, 2011
Here are two songs from Otherness, a new project from Dylan Travis (Man/Miracle) and Dave Reep (Elephant & Castle). As one might expect, the sound is a mixture of charismatic vocals and electronic textures, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about/from these guys in the future. Extra points for some great Bandcamp tagging: “tags: cough syrp heavy vibes marley’s mello moods oakchester witch-weed-soul-jazz-funk Oakland.” (Hat tip to Ears of the Beholder.)
By the way, Man/Miracle and Skeletal System are playing at Amnesia this Saturday night. Details below.
