Mixtape: Bay Area Artists, Remixing and Remixed (Podcast #304)
April 17, 2013
Mixtape: Bay Area Artists, Remixing and Remixed (Podcast #304)
All too frequently, remixes are just okay, but when they are great, they’re really something special. A truly great remix can shed new light on the original artist’s work and stand on its own as a unique creation. That’s no easy feat, either, given the tension between staying true to an original song’s components and a reworker’s desire to create something new and personal.
These days, it feels far too easy to get remix fatigue. Reworkings seem to pop up almost immediately after original songs are released, and they can come in such a volume that it can be a challenge to separate the excellent from mediocre.
This mixtape attempts to do just that, highlighting twenty recent songs showcasing San Francisco Bay Area artists getting remixed, Bay Area artists doing the remixing, or, in most cases included here, both. It’s a freewheeling collection that includes a wide variety of exciting local talents.
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Track Listing:
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Review & Photos: Toro y Moi, Sinkane, Dog Bite, James & Evander @ The Independent, 3/2/13 (Noise Pop 2013)
March 5, 2013
Toro y Moi (Photo: Mike G.)
James & Evander kicked off a night of chill electro/rock at The Independent on Saturday, and they did it with their characteristic laid-back vibe. I love these guys and their house-inspired indie rock tunes. What else can I say that we here at The Bay Bridged haven’t already said about James & Evander a million times over the course of the band’s incredible past couple of years? It’s almost criminal that they were the openers and played to a fraction of the number of people who rolled through The Independent for the second of Toro y Moi‘s two sold out Noise Pop shows. But James & Evander, I have a feeling, will be headlining Noise Pop themselves soon enough, so. All in good time.
I had never heard of Atlanta’s Dog Bite or Brooklyn’s Sinkane before I saw their names on the bill, but both bands fit the night’s theme well while bringing their own thing to the mix. Dog Bite, which is Washed Out keyboardist Phil Jones’ solo project, had kind of a strummy, shoegaze sound going on. The music just washed over me. No song really stood out, and the vocals lacked any and all dynamics, so I wouldn’t go beyond calling their set “pleasant.” I don’t really mean to damn them with that faint praise, though. It’s just that it was all so even keeled that that’s about all I have to say.
Sinkane was also exploring sonic territory that tended to bleed together from one song to the next, but they threw in plenty of dub bass lines and reggae vocal harmonies and rhythms, giving their take on chilled-out indie rock a distinct flavor. On its Facebook page, the band describes themselves as “feel good music,” and I’d bet that isn’t meant ironically. I feel pretty good about any band that uses a talk box as effectively as Sinkane.
Toro y Moi was, of course, the main attraction, and there was no mistaking that fact if you were part of the packed-in, sweaty, dancing crowd crushed up against the stage. I really can’t say enough about how awesome their set was. I am a fan of Chaz Bundick’s recorded output thus far, but I had not seen him play live with his band, and I gotta say, that took my appreciation of Toro y Moi to a whole new level.
There was just something almost heavy about the way the band interprets the material. Adding a guitarist, bassist, and drummer to the mix is going to beef up your sound, sure. But this was something else. The synths seemed thicker, the rhythms more intense. The music hit you in the gut and the head, in a way the cool production on the albums doesn’t. The band approached Spector-ian “wall of sound” status on many tracks. “High Living”, a standout track from Toro y Moi’s newest album, Anything in Return, which marked the first time Bundick took his recording process outside of a wholly contained laptop universe, sounded particularly majestic, gorgeous, and just thoroughly entrancing. Toro y Moi has been absolutely killing the game lately, and this show was no exception.
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Glenn Jackson of James & Evander debuts solo track “Save”
January 25, 2013
Glenn Jackson, one half of Oakland electronic pop duo James & Evander, recently debuted a new solo track called “Save”. The instrumental jam premiered on The Fader last week and features Jackson using a simple piano and drum sample, building up to a subtle dance track made from only the purest of vibes. You can stream “Save” below.
Jackson (who also runs a music blog called Mapzzz and the label West In Dust, in addition to working as a freelance writer for various publications) will release a new solo album, the Morning Swim EP, on February 5th via Ceremony. His best known project, James & Evander (a musical partnership with Adam Myatt), will be performing at The Independent on March 2nd with Toro Y Moi, Sinkane, and Dog Bite as part of Noise Pop 2013. Buy tickets for the show here.
Toro Y Moi, James & Evander, Sinkane, Dog Bite
The Independent
March 2, 2013
8pm, $22
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Q&A: Bay Brewed performers James & Evander are excited to sip on Anchor & 21st Amendment this Saturday
November 30, 2012
James & Evander, playing The Bay Brewed this Saturday (tomorrow!), are an electronic pop duo based out of Oakland. The band is no stranger to The Bay Bridged — they performed at Rock Make Street Festival in 2011, and have been featured many times on the blog this year surrounding the release of their LP Bummer Pop back in May. But don’t let the album’s title throw you off, the band is capable of loud, heavy beats that will get people moving on Saturday. Plus, they have two things in common with this event: they’re local, and they enjoy beer. Here’s a little more about their favorite local breweries, and who excites them on The Bay Brewed music bill.
Do you have a favorite local beer company out of those participating in this year’s festival?
We can often be found drinking beer from Anchor Steam and/or 21st Amendment Brewery.
What are your favorite beers by said breweries?
The original Anchor Steam, the Liberty Ale, and their winter seasonal beers are delicious. When it comes to 21st Amendment, the IPA is the favorite, but Back in Black is a close second.
Glenn, tell us about any fond memories of times at the 21st Amendment restaurant in downtown San Francisco that you can remember.
21st Amendment is always a good place to watch a game (of any nature, not just the Giants), as there are a lot of screens and the beer is strong, so even if your team loses (which happens to us a lot being As/Warriors fans) you leave happy.
You two dwell in the East Bay. Where are the choice spots to sip on craft beer out there?
The Trappist, Bar 355, and the Night Light are our usual East Bay haunts for tasty suds! The Trappist has a pretty extensive array of taps and a nice patio, and Bar 355 and the Night Light have fewer beers but some damn good vibes.
Which acts on Saturday are you most excited to perform with?
We’re extremely excited to be on the same bill with Bear in Heaven, Beast Rest Forth Mouth has a place in our hearts. Hopefully we won’t be too intoxicated by the time they perform!
Do any of your song lyrics refer to beer, or even allude to consequences of too much beer?
It’s probably safe to say that most of our songs result in one way or another from the consequences of too much beer, but in particular “Let’s Go” is about drinking too much so that you can’t really find the right words to tell someone how you feel. We’ve all been there, right? Right?!
James & Evander are playing The Bay Brewed this Saturday, along with Bear in Heaven, Sonny + the Sunsets, Born Gold, Blasted Canyons, and Trails and Ways. Get your tickets today!
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Mixtape: The Sounds of The Bay Brewed 2012 (Podcast #292)
November 6, 2012
Mixtape: The Sounds of The Bay Brewed 2012 (Podcast #292)
On Saturday, December 1st, we’re proud to be throwing San Francisco’s only rock and roll beer festival, The Bay Brewed 2012, where we’ll be taking over Public Works for a full afternoon of tasty craft brews and great indie music. It’s a can’t-miss festival featuring music performances by Bear in Heaven, Sonny & the Sunsets, Born Gold, Blasted Canyons, James & Evander, and Trails and Ways, and unlimited beer tasting from twelve great SF Brewers Guild breweries. To get you psyched for the festival, enjoy this mixtape, which collects fourteen songs from all of our Bay Brewed performers.
Buy advance tickets to The Bay Brewed right now because you don’t want to miss this!
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Tracklisting:
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Blackbird Blackbird releases new EP, performing tonight at Push the Feeling
October 12, 2012
Push the Feeling returns tonight with live performances by Blackbird Blackbird and James & Evander. BB’s new Boracay Planet EP comes out on Tuesday, and you can listen to the lush collection in full above. The show is free before 10pm, so RSVP now.
Speaking of full albums to enjoy before the show, here’s J&E’s latest, Bummer Pop:
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Giraffage, James & Evander, Young Pharaohs, Astronautica at Milk Bar, 7/5/12
July 2, 2012
Enjoy an evening of eclectic electronic music with Giraffage, James & Evander, Astronautica, and Young Pharaohs at Milk Bar on Thursday, July 5th, presented by Salty SF.
San Francisco glitch-pop producer Giraffage will be co-headlining the event with Oakland’s James & Evander. Giraffage, the dreamy sample-based solo project of Charlie Yin, stunned the crowd during his performance at the Rickshaw Stop earlier this month. His quick fingers fire off shimmering pop triggers, chopped up with well-timed drops and glitchy breaks. His album Comfort is available for download on Bandcamp.
East Bay future-pop duo James & Evander are no strangers to Bay Area stages. Frequently switching off between keys and vocals, the pair will be delivering sweet summer grooves from their latest album Bummer Pop. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see these dudes in action.
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Second James & Evander track from ‘Bummer Pop’ premieres; stream the whole album now
May 15, 2012
The James & Evander media frenzy continues as the Kings of Future Pop have dropped a second preview track from their forthcoming debut full-length, Bummer Pop. Prefix Magazine had the honor, but you can listen right here:
The Oakland duo debuted another song from Bummer Pop last week, “Can’t Forget” (this one via My Old Kentucky Blog):
Bummer Pop is officially out May 15th on Velvet Blue Music, and can be streamed in full below.
