Tortured Genies to support both Dean Wareham Galaxie 500 shows at Hemlock Tavern on 5/11/12
May 3, 2012
The exclusivity of Dean Wareham‘s two shows at Hemlock Tavern next Friday is no mystery. Set to perform Galaxie 500 material for the lucky attendees, the term “rare event” doesn’t quite do the night justice. The phrase now lends to an underlying theme however, as Tortured Genies have been announced as support for both the 7:30pm and 10:30pm shows (Ed. note: the early show is now sold-out.) Comprised of members of Sonny & The Sunsets and a rotating cast of special guests (including Sonny Smith himself), the Genies surface just infrequently enough for the word “rare” to remain reasonable. Grab your tickets now!
Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500), Tortured Genies
Hemlock Tavern
May 11, 2012
7:30pm and 10:30pm, $20
Related Posts:
Tortured Genies (members of Sonny & the Sunsets) – “Brown Leaves” / Sunsets record Aquarium Drunkard session
August 8, 2011
Brown Leaves by Tortured Genies
While SF’s Tortured Genies include Sonny & the Sunsets‘ Tahlia Harbour, Ryan Browne, and Zack Ehrlich, the psych-pop on “Brown Leaves” feels more than a bit removed from the Sunsets’ proto-rock jangle. That said, “Brown Leaves” is a really pretty song, and a good sales pitch for the band’s show on Tuesday, August 9th with Sunbeam Rd. and Roommate at the Hemlock Tavern (9pm, $6).
By the way, Sonny & the Sunsets recently cut a session for Aquarium Drunkard. The three song set is definitely worth grabbing over at AD’s site.
Sonny & the Sunsets – “Home And Exile” (Aquarium Drunkard Session)
Related Posts:
Holly Miranda, Foxtail Somersault, and Tortured Genies @ Cafe Du Nord, 3/9
March 17, 2010
A friend of mine from SoCal told me to check out Holly Miranda (because she is awesome, I was told) at the Fox. Scheduling conflicts prevented that from happening but, to my luck, Holly was playing Cafe du Nord only a few days later. Better yet, the Du Nord show included some local supporters opening up the bill.
I made it in time to catch the last few songs of Tortured Genies. I’m really digging the 60′s pop revival that’s going on and the Genies bring their own flair to the sound. Floating along like a cool California breeze, the room was filled with good vibes, swaying – not thrashing, mind you – bodies, and a sense that we were all hovering a couple inches above the ground. ‘Twas the perfect segue into the non-condescendingly aloof shoegazing of Foxtail Somersault.
Foxtail Somersault thrust me into an early 90′s flashback, bringing up thoughts of the Happy Mondays et al. With a sound like theirs, it’s often easy to overlook the musicianship involved, especially when listening to a recording. Seeing them live, I couldn’t help but latch onto the sonic landscapes painted by guitarists Seiken Nakama and James Spadaro. Never overpowering the rest of the sound, they found the pocket early and filled it just right. Elizabeth Anderson’s vocals were like an aural conundrum. They were light and wispy yet rich and full, all at the same time. The texture they brought to the room evades any possible written description on my part, so you’ll just have to see them live for yourself.
