Lissie at The Indpendent on December 7th

 

Illinois-born/California-resident, Lissie is currently on tour in support of her sophomore album, Back to Forever  and she's headlining at  The Independent next week.

 

This all America Folk Rocker has been compared to the likes of Stevie Nicks and is hot on the heels of opening for Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty so you won't want to miss this promising show! 

 

After SF Lissie heads down to LA to play her last show in the US this year before going back on tour in the UK next year!  

 

Get your hands on tickets before they're gone!

Geographer @ Bimbo's 365 Club 11/23/2013



Photo by: Marc Fong

 



Photo by: Marc Fong

The SF based band who describe their sound as "soulful music from outer space" have been on tour in support of 2012's Myth pretty much since it's release and Saturday night Geographer brought their dream pop rock to Bimbo's 365 Club.



















The crowd was still situating into the shoe-gazey scene enjoying "Verona" off of  2010's Animal Shapes, when the usually modest Michael Deni dropped an F-bomb before the song ended. Explicitly inviting San Francisco fans to "bring it to the mother f#cking floor" for the last show of their tour Deni was obviously and understandably excited.

Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong

Who wouldn't be? In January Geographer kicked off their tour at San Francisco's most culturally historic concert venue The Fillmore before hitting the road playing across the States then up into Canada. Now, almost a year later here they were playing a sold-out show at Bimbo's 365 Club, easily one of if not the swankiest place in SF to see a live show.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the fan fav ditty Life of Crime was a more poppy version of Paris and Geographer carried on alternating songs from their 2012 & 2010 albums for a good first half of the show. Deni did a good job connecting with the less active crowd without pausing for typical band banter. For instance  prepping fans for his theatric stage dive during Kites, the most well received song of the night.
 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 Ending their current tour in the city they now call home, Geographer's artistic allure was seamlessly translated at Bimbo's 365 Club with impeccable lighting and almost un-blemished sound.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 Working on new material while touring Geographer will surely hit the road yet again upon the arrival of their 4th album.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

So much to love at Loving Cup!

My good friend Becky is sort of a foodie so when she recommended hitting up Loving Cup, a little place in the Marina District that specializes in Rice Pudding I could hardly wait! 

A place that specializes in Rice Pudding?! YUM.  

True, it is not a cupcake but it is a treat in a cup and you know what? That's close enough for me!

 

It was love at first sight when I walked into the cozy little dessert café at 2356 Polk Street.

Flooded with a warm splash of sunlight from it's store front window and chicly decorated with fresh bouquets of Ivy Roses and Purple Dahlias, Loving Cup not only specializes in "homemade" Rice Pudding with optional toppings (for an additional cost), it also offers hand churned to order fro-yo!

 

WHAT?!

YEAH.

 

Then, low and behold, as I studied the display case of 6 different flavors of Rice Pudding there they were...cupcakes...

Damn you Loving Cup.

You got me.

 

 

 

On the day of my visit there were six flavors of Rice Pudding to choose from: Lemon, Cinnamon Rum Raisin, Cookies & Creme, Coconut, Green Tea and Madagascar Vanilla Bean.

Naturally, I chose a pairing which most closely resembled that of a cupcake;  Coconut Rice Pudding topped with Chocolate Ganache. Oh my what a delicious pick!

 

 

 

 

Made from 6 simple ingredients: non fat milk, arborio rice, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla bean Loving Cup's Rice Pudding has the amount of smoothness you want from a rice pudding, not too much but just enough. Delicate and subtlety sweet, the coconut flavor was anything but overpowering as hints of it lightly tickled my taste buds bite after bite. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rich chocolate ganache, which I must say acted as a frosting quite well, was simply divine. 

Try as I might not to eat in all within the first few bites it was gone before I reached the bottom of my cup. The bites with both pudding a ganache were just too good! 

 

Though the ganache was thick and rich this treat still remained light, refreshing and so satisfying.  I really loved the cool creaminess of the rice pudding as I sipped hot black coffee in the warm San Francisco sunshine on a brisk Autumn afternoon. It was a great hot to cold ratio all around.   

 

 

 

And....yes, I had to go back for a cupcake...the next day!

The Cupcakes that Loving Cup carries are from Moonbaby Cakes: a San Francisco bakery that specializes in custom made to order organic, free trade, local ingredients.
 Red Velvet was the only option that day and I was quite ok with that.

 

 

 

 

The red velvet cake was buttery and moist yet it wasn't heavy and the classic cream cheese frosting added the right amount of sweetness to the cupcake. I am not sure how the bakery dyes the cake but the color of the Red Velvet didn't scream artificial coloring like some others I've seen. Yes it was red but just barely.

The frosting wasn't lemony as some Red Velvet Cream Cheese Frostings tend to be and the fact that it was all organic made this cupcake that much more yummy!

All Moonbaby Cupcakes can be made to order vegan too!

 

 

Their homemade Rice Pudding is a delectable cupcake alternative and their friends at Moonbaby Cakes bake a lovely cupcake.

 I got to go back to tackle the third threat and try the Fro-yo. Who knows, there could be a cupcake al-a-mode review in the near future. We will see!

  If you're like me and you love sweets, you're really going to like Loving Cup. You may even dare I say, love it.

 

MNDR @ The Independent 11/10/2013

A microphone  was all MNDR needed when she hit the equipment cluttered stage  November 10th at The Independent. Short-shorts, thigh-high fishnets and a dash of her signature sass preluded a good time right of the bat.

 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

Fashionably behind schedule MNDR got the party started for
electronic artist RAC in the same sort of fashion as when she opened for Little Boots back in September at the same venue: ready to get show goers pumped up and partying.

Performing songs of 2012's "Feed Me Diamonds" as well as tracks from earlier EPs rowdy dancing fans began singing along in no time.

Working the dimly lit stage with an unwavering confidence, MNDR popped it and dropped it busting out song after song continuously giving those close to the stage a chance to sing into her mic if she noticed they knew the words.

 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

 

 

 

 

When her introduction to her Tokimonsta collaborative track, "Go With It" was cut off by applause from anxious fans eager to hear the new song MNDR's face lit up with a realization that she had some true fans at the show.

Riling fans in to a frenzy at the end of her set with a medley similar to the one at the end of her opening act at the Little Boots show, MNDR successfully delivered another fun set in SF.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

Anna Calvi @ The Independent 11/17/2013


Crimson lipped and humbly fashionable Anna Calvi and her band graced the stage just before 10pm Sunday with the hauntingly alluring “Suzanne and I”. The captivating performance yielded respect from the audience as they quietly watched, letting Calvi shine.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

Comparable to the likes of pint-sized heavy hitter PJ Harvey, Calvi’s powerful and eclectic vocal range consistently mesmerized, especially during “Eliza” and “Suddenly” from her 2013 record One Breath.  

 

 



Photo by: Marc Fong

The only element that came close to outshining Calvi’s singing was her own guitar playing. Intense riffs laced just about every song of the set, and ”Sing to Me” delivered an aggressive guitar solo reaping an appreciative applause from engaged fans. This type of dominant guitar playing from a woman evoked memories from Exile in Guyville, Liz Phair’s 93′ debut that paved the way for female musicians to rock hard today.

With her rich range of falsettos and baratones,  Anna Calvi's intricate bluesy vocals and pop undertones are a unique pairing, striking a soulful cord that'll stick to your bones.

 



Photo by: Marc Fong

SET LIST

1) Suzanne & I

2) Eliza

3) Suddenly

4) Sing to Me

5) Cry

6) Blackout

7) I'll Be You Man

8) Piece by Piece

9) Carry Me Over

10) Tristan

11) The Devil

12) Desire

13) Love Won't Be Leaving

14) Bleed into Me

15) Jezebel

Atlas Genius @ The Fillmore 11/7/2013

Before the release of their first full length studio album When It Was Now the Australian born and bred  boys of Atlas Genius built a studio from the ground up where they wrote and recorded music for three years before even considered touring as a band.  Since then this (sorta) newbie Aussie Indie band continues gaining popularity in the states with two hit singles "If So" and "Trojans" all over the air-waves and currently on a headlining US tour. I was intrigued when their show at The Fillmore on November 7^th sold-out a couple of hours before doors opened that night. 

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Inside, the atmosphere was brimming with an enthusiastic anticipation and when Keith, Michael and Darren hit the stage waving to fans they were met with blissful cheers from the female dominant crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basking in a flood of indigo lights and aquatic instrumentals Atlas Genius opened with "On a Day" subtly building up to the climatic chorus. As pockets of fans began to dance, Keith (lead vocals) and Darren (keys/guitar) fed off that energy  while rousing more of it. The repeated rhythmic end of the first song flowed into the relaxed yet up tempo beat of the second song, "If So" igniting the first of many a sing along responses from an apparent adoring crowd.





Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

Singing from his mic on stage left to making his way over to stage right repeatedly and even playing from the photo pit on occasion front man Keith made sure to engage with as much of the sold out crowd as possible.

His first real crowd interaction happened after ending the well harmonized, romantic mood seducing, "Back Seat" when he expressed the band's excitement for playing at the historic San Francisco venue: "We have been excited about this particular show for a very long time so thank very much for coming down."

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

The good mood soared as he invited everyone to thank what he called two of the greatest bands ever, openers Family of the Year and Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr. before the start of the  instrumental 5th song of their set.



Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Playing a set consisting only of songs off of their only album to date, it was pleasing that Atlas Genius was able to make the most out of limited material. Like when Darren and Michael stepped off the stage leaving Keith to preform an intimate one-on-one performance of "Symptoms"  morphing the otherwise plugged -in some what experimental rock song into a heartfelt, acoustic ballad. Or when they teased  "Electric"  with a guitar heavy intro then extended it with a garage band-esque ending.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

As a loud applause arose  after "Electric" it took a minute for reactive fans to realize that it was now time to encourage an en core with their clapping as the empty stage was illuminated with violet lights. The transition of applauding in appreciate to encouragement filled The Fillmore with bewilderment but that didn't last long because Atlas Genius reappeared rather fast jumping right into "Centered on You",  a track  reminiscent of another Aussie Indie act, The Temper Trap.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Not surprisingly Atlas Genius saved their  hit single, "Trojans" for last and this placement suited the show genuinely well. It's bubbly melody and it's overall contradicting disposition unexplainably rounded out the whole performance which had balanced high and low tempos so well through out the  night.  Moreover, it felt that fans hadn't been waiting to hear the hit but rather they were elated to hear it live.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

Half way through "Trojans" as fans began clapping along Atlas Genius asked everyone to raise their hands capturing a Kodiak moment of their own and connecting with SF fans once more before the show was over.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 

Though I do dig listening to When It Was Now when I left The Fillmore that night Atlas Genius had totally won me over. Their hour long set was up beat, light hearted, fun, genuine and the setting accentuated their laid back vibe. 

Atlas Genius has been deemed the band to see in 2013 and after that show I'm happy to say that I agree.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

SET LIST:

1) On A Day

2) If So

3)When It Was Now

4) Back Seat

5) Instrumental

6) All These Girls

7) Symptoms

8) Don't Make a Scene

9) Through The Glass

10) Electric

 

EN-CORE

11) Centered on You

12) Trojans

 

Kan Wakan & Diego Garcia @ Cafe Du Nord 11/6/2013

Waiting for Café Du Nord to fill up a bit, opening act Kan Wakan made their way to the stage around 9:45pm, only 15 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday night.

Accompanied on stage by four additional  musicians (assumedly to round out the layered cinematic sounds heard on the group’s  self-titled debut EP) guitarist Peter Potyondy and founder Gueorgui  Linev earnestly tuned their instruments in silent preparation . Moments later, the show started under a veil of premeditated seriousness when a seemingly timid Kristianne Bautista made her way to her mic.

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

 

 After the first song of the night those in attendance were welcomed to come closer to the stage by the lead vocalist herself  before she apprehensively went on to say that the show that night was only the second show that the LA based band played in SF. Maybe this was an explanation for the awkward air?

Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

The dark ambiance at Café Du Nord complimented the soberness of the set which featured the evocative EP track, "Forever Found". This parallel hindered enjoyment a little as I found it increasingly difficult to get into an up-coming band who take themselves too seriously.
Maybe nerves got the best of Kan Wakan at this show. Maybe  Kan Wakan wants to be perceived as mysterious and melancholy, there's nothing wrong with that! There are a ton of great "dark" acts but misery does love company and  Kan Wakan won't let fans in if they continue to keep their guard up when they play.   If they lightened up, even a smidge, during their live performance it would make their show more enjoyable for their audience rather than uncomfortable.
The deep string sections were definitely the highlight while Bautista's vocals unfortunately were little lost in the layered mix of guitars and synths, coming across a bit muddled as she carried the show from beginning to end.

 

 

Kicking off their full 16 song set with "Darling Please",  Diego Garcia's Argentinian flavor was a nice contrast to their otherwise indie soft(er) rock feel.  

A majority of their performance Wednesday night were songs off of the recently released, "Paradise",  the second album from the former Elefant frontman.

Though he and his band didn't shake the seriousness lingering from the opening act, Diego Garcia delivered a romantic set rich with Latin melodies.



Photo by: Nikki DeMartini

By the time the debut full length album, "MOVING ON", from Kan Wakan comes out early next year hopefully they will have found their happy place and will be comfortable performing on stage. Their sound  is moving and can be so soothing it'd be quite a show to see those qualities be brought to life.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing their new material in the coming new year.

 

 

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cupcake from Pacificakes

There are so many fun things associated with Halloween, right? Costumes.  Scary movies. Haunted Houses. Pumpkins. CANDY!

Now that there's been a few days to come down from a  sugar high you may have acquired I'd say it's time to kick things back up with a cupcake review.  

 

In addition to the Pacificakes employees being super friendly and very accommodating they were whipping up  batches of fresh (cupcake?) batter right before my eyes, yum! All of the products at this cute little bakery in my hometown are made with all natural ingredients, no preservatives and everything is baked fresh everyday as I saw first hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The choice was simple. The Pumpkin-Chocolate cupcake is not only Halloween color appropriate but what flavors scream Halloween more than pumpkin and chocolate? Plus, this is the first pumpkin-chocolate cupcake I've come across: there's the standard Pumpkin cupcake. The classic Chocolate cupcake. The ever popular Pumpkin Cheese-Cake Cupcake but this Pumpkin-choco combo is a first therefore it was a must!

 

This cupcake was fall fragrant as wafts of pumpkin spice tickled my senses  when I unwrapped my treat from Pacificakes. The taste  of this cupcake has super subtle flavors from both cake flavors, the chocolate cake more so than the pumpkin cake.

The amount of the sugary buttercream cream cheese frosting is tricky! It looks like a normal amount for a cupcake but it's so thick, and so sugary it's actually more frosting than the amount that meets the eye.

With it's subtle flavors, buttery fresh cake, generous amount of sugary buttercream cream-cheese frosting and black and orange candy sprinkles Pacificakes Pumpkin-Chocolate Cupcake is a sweet Halloween treat!

 

Be sure to check-out Pacificakes on Facebook so you'll know when they're awesome seasonal cupcakes like Sweet Potato and Spiced Apple are available, I know I sure will!