Some Ember – “Era of Wind”
February 8, 2012
Hear a brand new track from Some Ember, the latest project of Oakland’s Dylan Travis (singer of Man/Miracle). “Era of Wind” premiered this morning via Ears of the Beholder‘s guest post on PRTLS, just in time to get people excited about the Oakland electronic-heavy Noise Pop Pop-Up Shop this evening at 32 Page. That show features Some Ember with Giraffage and Shortcircles (7pm, $5).
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Friday: Seattle’s The Pharmacy performs at 1-2-3-4 Go! Records
February 7, 2012
The Pharmacy – “Dig Your Grave”
Seattle band The Pharmacy is heading out on a two-month US tour behind the new Dig Your Grave EP. The title track (mp3 above, horror-themed video below) restlessly crams a zillion catchy ideas into just two minutes.
The band joins Bare Wires and Toys That Kill on Friday, February 10th at 1-2-3-4 Go! Records (7pm, $6). Full tour dates here.
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Dirty Ghosts – “Ropes That Way”
February 7, 2012
Dirty Ghosts – “Ropes That Way”
Like dirty ghosts, Allyson Baker and Carson Binks, two Toronto expats, rose from the ashes of their old San Francisco-based band Parchman Farm and formed Dirty Ghosts in 2006, a stripped down form of gritty garage and psychedelia with drum loop-y programming by hip-hop recording artist and producer — and Baker’s husband — Aesop Rock.
After looking for a singer with no luck, Baker finally and reluctantly said “fuck it” and has since added vocalist to her resume. But when she lost Binks in 2011 to Oakland stoner metal band Saviours, she had to take matters further, by re-working and re-recording the sound and amassing a new line-up featuring Erin McDermott, Nick Andre, and Ben Tuttle. The sound is pretty funky and new wave rock-y with Speak & Spell-era Depeche Mode beats in the background. Baker’s powerful vocals are heartfelt and prominent, not awash in reverb as so many singers are these days — pretty ballsy for someone who never wanted to be a vocalist.
The band’s debut LP Metal Moon is out February 21 on Last Gang Records. With a West Coast tour and appearances at both Noise Pop and SXSW festivals, as well as a concerted effort to get new with their style and stay fresh, Dirty Ghosts are worth keeping your eye on in 2012.
Locals can see Dirty Ghosts play Noise Pop with Bare Wires, Chapter 24, and Chains of Love on February 23 at the Brick and Mortar Music Hall.
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Night Genes’ CD release party: Wednesday, 2/8, with Tidelands and Yesway
February 7, 2012
San Francisco folk outfit Night Genes will be having their CD release party at Café Du Nord this Wednesday, February 8th, in celebration of their sophomore effort. Like the Blood follows their 2009 debut, Two Phantoms & A Holy Ghost. The band claims the new record “moves past mortality into rebirth, inquiring into the idea of evolution and progress from one generation to the next.” We think Boise native Eric Ingersoll’s baritone sounds a bit more Matt Berninger than Bill Callahan on the latest.
Night Genes – “Soaring Through the Chromosomes”
Two other local bands open: Tidelands and Yesway, the latter of which consists of Emily Ritz of Honeycomb/Dreams and Kasey Johansing.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.
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Video: Creepers – “Black Moon”
February 7, 2012
Creepers – Black Moon from Chris Willmore on Vimeo.
Creepers (featuring members of White Cloud) have released a new HD video of the band performing the song “Black Moon” in a living room.
Compared to the band’s three-track EP released in July, “Black Moon” is a lighter, more nimble version of their earlier prog-metal style. Fitting the song’s bright sound, the video includes a projector coloring the room with washed out reds and greens.
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Xray Eyeballs – “X”
February 6, 2012
Xray Eyeballs is the product of San Francisco expatriate O.J. San Felipe (also responsible for Golden Triangle) who is apparently also some kind of marketing genius. He has amassed a cult following in a short period of time from unhealthy and DIY rock-and-roll tactics, like getting obliterated and hanging from rafters at shows, or giving away a now coveted “ghost girl” t-shirt to every punk, skater, or goth he could find. Okay, maybe marketing isn’t quite the right word, but Felipe is certainly doing something right.
As for the music, Xray Eyeballs deliver dark and driving pop hooks that are occasionally surf-y with strong vocal harmonies and synth melodies to boot. Track three of their second LP Splendor Squalor (due to be released February 28 on Kanine Records) is available for download on Bandcamp, and, my-oh-my, is it catchy. Just one listen will not suffice if descriptions like “darkwave” or comparisons to Factory Records float your boat.
So far, no word of a west coast homecoming for San Felipe and his bandmates Liz Lohse, Sarah Baldwin, and Carly Rabalais. We will keep you posted.
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Before new album, Sea of Bees gives away free live EP
February 6, 2012
Sea of Bees will release her sophomore album Orangefarben in May, but before she does, she is offering a free download of an exclusive live performance, now available on Soundcloud.
The Live at the Hangar 5.3.11 EP captures Sea of Bees, also known by her real name Jules, in an intimate live setting in Sacramento’s Hangar Studios, where she recorded her first album Songs for the Raven. The EP ends with a haunting rendition of the rarely performed “It Won’t Be Long,” which features Jules playing one of Neil Young’s old antique pump organs that she used on the studio version.
Sea of Bees will performing at Noise Pop on February 24th opening for Wye Oak at the Independent.
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January’s Best: Our favorite Bay Area songs from the blog last month
February 6, 2012
Here’s our latest month-in-review mix collecting some our favorite new (or new to us) songs recently posted on the website. Gathered in the mix are over a dozen new tracks that were posted on TheBayBridged.com in January, with links below to download each of them individually.
Mixtape: Best of the Blog January 2012
Tracklisting:
