Thursday, February 27, 2014

Wildcat! Wildcat! @ Popscene 2/20/2014

They may only have one four song EP, but LA based Wildcat! Wildcat! delivered a solid set  Thursday night at Popscene
 
 
Photo by: Marc Fong
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
 
 
 
 






The self described Indie Deep/Sexy Pop band didn't hesitate projecting an unpretentious air, an air that can be somewhat abundant with some indie acts. "We admit we're not that cool ... Hello San Francisco, we're honored to be here" the keyboardist chuckled as club attendees day-dreamingly gazed at the stage while the band set up.
 
Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong
 

The comfortable capacity at Popscene Thursday night was the right atmosphere for Wildcat! Wildcat!'s vibrant yet laid-back sentiment.
With undeniable, underlying indie roots and a new-wave/shoe-gaze undertone, people were able to fully enjoy the show experience and move about when they were so inclined.



 
 
 
The pitch perfect harmonies of these 3 guys seamlessly bond them to their  elctro-aquatic/dreamy/dancey/indie cohesive sound. 
And that's exactly how Wildcat!Wildcat! want to be heard and seen.
As one. 
 
 

Photo by: Marc Fong
Jesse Taylor, Michael Wilson and  Jesse Carmichael's individual personalities were apparent during the performance: the drummer exuding confidence, the bassist a bit reserved and the animated, extrovert keyboardist but I couldn't tell you  who's who, because they don't really publicize that.
Wildcat! Wildcat's image, as a whole is that they are one cohesive unit and they mean it. Their layered harmonic music reflects it, they represent it and I respect that.



Photo by: Marc Fong

 Starting the show with a sparkly duo of mellifluous falsettos, flashes of bright light illuminated the band as every song throughout the show found all of them singing  together at some point.
 Fittingly enough, the pop qualities of the "enjoy life in your prime" anthem, "Garden Grays" induced sporadic dancing, while he rest of the set, which included EP tracks: "The Chief", "Mr. Quiche" and "Please & Thank You", left the crowd cozily captivated.  Neither wanting nor needing to do more to enjoy the show because it was enough to just take it all in.
 
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
 
 
Photo by: Marc Fong
 


Even though show goers carried on conversations as Wildcat! Wildcat! amazed with their unique style and grace, their applause consumed the room at the end of each song. Fan's projection of appreciation created a connection as the band continuously warmed up to their SF fans at Popscene.







To see more photos from the show visit Marc Fong Photography.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

AUGUSTINES @ The Independent 2/10/2014


Photo by: Marc Fong

House lights dimmed at The Independent Monday night and the full yet not sold out house warmly welcomed headliners, Augustines with eager applause and scattered bursts of cheers.

Photo by: Marc Fong

 
Photo by: Marc Fong
Hitting the stage beaming, front man Billy McCarthy's infectious excitement was introduction enough for the night's first anthemic rock song, "Headlong into the Abyss". His subtlely earnest,  gritty vocals stood up to the song's grandiose drum breakdown  and heavy guitar.
 McCarthy's  genuine passion to be there was unmistakable as he visibly poured his heart into the performance, delivering strong vocals and an  effervescent stage presence.


Photo by: Marc Fong
 Somewhat surprisingly, Monday night's set list didn't focus heavily on new bluesy, croony  tunes off of their recently released self titled 2nd album. Augustines southern sort of  twang graced the stage with that same profound sound, but the majority of the set list consisted of tracks off of their first album.

The crowd warmed up even more after McCarthy explicitly rejoiced that it was indeed Augustines "fucking homecoming and we're proud of it!"  "Chapel Song" got  people clapping along to the unique mix of  a shoe-gazey melody with Augustines' signature bluesy roots. As McCarthy thrashed around the stage, he subsequently ripped off a finger nail! Ouch! But like a true rock and roller the show went on with the same excited gusto if not more so!

Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong

 
 







 
 
 
The crowd really came around when  "Cruel City" was queued.  The "F You" ballad to (living in) New York, found fans falling into place singing the song's "Ooohs" as well as the chorus of what's quiet possibly the catchiest track by Augustines.
 
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
 
 
After a band break up (Pela) , losing a brother and foregoing a band name change(We Are Augustines), Augustines have been through a lot in the past few years.
However, though their music is abundantly emotionally driven, Augustines wear their hearts on their sleeves, making their performing aura an uplifting one rather than a downer.
 
 
 
Besides the fact that the Santa Cruz born and raised front man kept taking time to interact with fans, sharing stories and confirming just how excited they were to be headlining a "homecoming show" his performance alone showcased all of the above, stealing the show.
 
In the midst of their self proclaimed extra long show  and plenty of on-stage swigs of Bullet Burbon, McCarthy and Sanderson saved an unplugged rendition of 2011's Rise Ye Sunken Ships "East Los Angeles" til close to the end.
 
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
Every show of their Walkabout Tour with My Goodness  is sure to be a heartfelt good time! 
They'll be rockin' through the month of May, so don't  miss Augustines when they head your way!
 
SET LIST:
1) Headlong into the Abyss
2) Chapel Song
3) Cruel City
4) Augustine
5) Juarez
6) Ballad
6) Philadelphia (The City of Brotherly Love)
7) Kid You're on Your Own
8)  Strange Days
9)  Walkabout
10) Nothing to Lose But Your Head
 
EN-CORE  #1:
1) Now You Are Free
2)  East Los Angeles
3) Hold on to Anything
4)BOJ
 
EN-CORE #2
1) New Drink for the Old Drunk
 
 

Check out the full photo album of the show at Marc Fong Photography.com.
 


 

Friday, February 7, 2014

When We Were Young: Celebrating 5 Years of the Magik* Magik* Orchestra @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014





Celebrating 5 years of the Magik*Magik Orchestra with over 10 different artists taking turns to perform alongside them , it truly was a magical night last week at The Fox Theater in Oakland!
 











 
 
Under a flood of calming indigo hues, the sea of extremely talented musicians from Magik*Magik Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir were picturesque within an elaborate custom built frame on stage.

John Vanderslice, Maestro Michael Morgon and Minna Choi with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong



Artistic Director and Magik*Magik founder, Minna Choi humbly conducted the gala like concert between her piano performances while collaborative contributor John Vanderslice hosted the evening. 








 
 
Canadian born cellist and composer Zoe Keating was the first of many featured artists of the night.  She played a moving version of Tears For Fears' "Mad World" followed by aleatoric musical piece "In C". Next up was The Dodos' front-man, Meric Long transforming "Black Night" and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" with the harmonic Pacific Boychoir.
 
 
John Vanderslice with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong
The rest of the first set belonged to John Vaderslice who delivered beautiful renditions of a handful of songs including, "Mulholland Drive" and "Forrest Knolls".
 
 His conversations with Choi and his playful banter  between songs engaged the well behaved crowd and amplified the ambience of the whole show.
Rousing a flutter hushed laughter and surely easing some  of the young performer's nerves, Vanderslice admitted that “there is a terror for an indie rock band to work with Magik*Magik Orchestra... we’re all talking about it offstage.”

Singing  R&B diddy "Cold Nights" at the top of the second 45 minute set, Magik* alum How to Dress Well, carried a rather dramatic air. Rendering a range of emotions following "Suicide 1" was the subtlety haunting, beautiful tribute of Janet Jackson's "Again".  

How to Dress Well  with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

Geographer with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong


 
 
 Foreshadowing the next featured performers, Mina Choi took a moment to further connect with the audience.
 Explaining that she and the Magik*Magik Orchestra had been wanting to do something like this for a long time but “never had the guts to pull the trigger. She went on to say "It’s really a celebration of the Bay Area and local bands from Oakland and San Francisco, including Geographer". 
 
 
 
 
 


It was a pleasant surprise seeing Nathan Blaz set up behind a stand up cello rather than his usual  electric cello as his two band mates made their way to the stage. The Magik*Magik Orchestra accentuated Geographer's dream pop tunes, "Lovers Game" and fan favorite "Verona". 
 
Geographer with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
Picking up an acoustic guitar Demi told the crowd that he's been finding himself going back to what his parents listened to when he was young and it seem that the applauding audience found themselves doing the same.
With that said, he introduced "Helpless" by Neil Young.  Whether you know Demi's family history or not, it was a touching cover which fit the mood to a tee and suited Geographer's genre well.
 
Geographer with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong




Up next, Mexcian born San Franciscan Diana Gameros, brought some Latin flavor to the show. Singing two songs in Spanish her short yet sweet set ended with an unconventional lullaby her mom use to sing to her about living in a dark violent world but never losing hope for the light in life. 
Her short lived performance added an elegant diverseness to the night.
 
 
 
 
 
Diana Gameros with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
 
 Local indie-rock stars Rogue Wave were the last act of the second set playing  "Your Eyes" followed by "Sight Eyes", a song vocalist Zack Rogue said the band seldom does live. The beginning and end of each of these songs garnered boisterous applause from fans.


Rogue Wave with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

 
 
 

 Along with visibly have fun alongside Magik*Magik and choir members, the front-man shared a funny story about the song his 92 year old grandpa sung at his 2nd wedding. The song was Buddy Holly's, "Everyday" and Rogue Wave wrapped up the set with a slower tempoed  cover of the classic.

Rogue Wave with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

Two Gallants with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong

Maybe to get up to use the bathroom, freshen up their refreshment or place a bid on one of the many silent auction items in the lobby, not many people got out of their seat between sets.

The change overs were quick and before long the third and final set was underway.

Two Gallants, The Lonely Forest and Nicki Blum and the Gramblers rounded out the night with somber piano ballads, a Peter Gabriel cover and a guitar filled California love vibe.


 
Two Gallants with Magik*Magik
Orchestra and The Pacific Boychoir @ The Fox Theater 1/31/2014
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
Here's to another 5 years of beautiful  music from Magik*Magik Orchestra and Pacific Boychoir!
 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

AUGUSTINES @ The Independent 2/10/2014

AUGUSTINES @ The Warfield 9/30/2013
Photo by: Marc Fong
 
Santa cruz transplants AUGUSTINES, who now call Brooklyn home are coming back to play in the Bay next week! 
Guitarist/vocalist Billy McCarthy, multi-instrumentalist Eric Sanderson and drummer Rob Allen poured their rock and roll heart and soul out at The Warfield  opening for Frightened Rabbit back in September performing bluesy rock songs off 2011’s

Rise Ye Sunken Ships.
 
 
 
 
 
One should not expect anything less at their hometown show when AUGUSTINES headline at The Independent on Monday February 10th.
Hopefully AUGUSTINES  play new tunes off their rumored 2014 release when they're in San Francisco!
 
 


The Walkabout Tour with Seattle trio My Goodness is already underway!
Get tickets to see them at The Independent before the show for $13 or at the door day-of for $15.