Monday, December 26, 2016

The Sounds @ The Fillmore 12/18/2016

In 2011 Swedish post-punk revival Indie rockers, The Sounds rocked Popscene hard. Five years later they returned for the 10 year Anniversary Tour of Dying To Say This To You with a show at the iconic Fillmore!

The Sounds at The Fillmore 12/18/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Fronted by former New Yorker, model, musician and fashion muse, Lissy Trullie, Mason James of Cerebral Ballzy and drummer Damar Davis, the synth-bred Zipper Club were the supporting act following openers, My Jerusalem.
Pysch-friendly visuals continuously swirled over the stage and the band in a kaleidoscope style, adding slivers of color to an otherwise dark setting, adding a trippy affect to their synth-bred sound. James and Trullie shared vocals pretty evenly, taking turns on lead, being each other's back-ups and harmonizing over buzzing guitars. Banter by her more seasoned counter part encouraged the pixie-cut Trullie out of her timid shell, leaving her a bit more confident and comfortable as they played on. The LA based threesome lay down a heavy 90's nostalgia with a lo-tempoed delivery of lo-fi rock which  fit right in with the nostalgic night. Their set that night was one of three remaining shows Zipper Club had on the road with The Sounds but with their debut LP due out in January it sure won't be the last time we'll hear from them.

The Sounds at The Fillmore 12/18/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

2006, in the height of a pop wave that brought us The Pussycat Dolls, Panic! At The Disco and "Gold Digger", this edgy gem from Sweden shook things up with a sassy indie-punk sound and a spunky leading lady with Blondie soul. The Sounds defied the common disappointment that comes with the follow up to successful debuts with their "underground hit" riddled sophomore album, Dying To Say This To You. Coincidentally and somewhat ironically, it turned out to be their most popular record to date. Fans at The Fillmore were probably just as excited to see the album revived and brought (back) to life by wild woman Maja as they would have been at a show on the tour in support of it 10 years ago! Maybe even more so!



The Sounds at The Fillmore 12/18/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini


Aside from her platinum blonde hair, in a formal black, sequenced dress and respectable heels Maja's look was a far cry from the last time I saw her live when she rocked booty shorts, a tank top and a cigarette hanging from her mouth. Her look may have been a bit different but Maja still brought her shameless grittiness and brash charm: flashing her panties with high kicks, speaker stance and squats, she got touchy feely with security and showered us with plenty of f-bombs.






Playing Dying To Say This To You from start to finish as expected, she kept it real, pointing out that they hadn't played some of the songs live in a long time, if ever. Reflecting back on the pressures The Sounds faced to follow up their 1st album with a successful 2nd album, the front woman wasn't afraid to get a little sentimental with her fans before getting back to rockin'.

The Sounds at The Fillmore 12/18/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The Sounds at The Fillmore 12/18/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini



Flickering lighter flames and glowing cell phone screens illuminated the room like a night sky full of twinkling stars for an acoustic "Night After Night" which was an unexpected break from the fast-paced indie punk rock yet a welcomed serendipitous experience. It's only natural that The Sounds have matured over the course of a decade.There's still a rawness and fire but they play tighter now, they're more focused; The Sounds honed their sound.
Like a fine wine, they took something classic and delivered something better on the Dying To Say This To You 10 year Anniversary tour!





   

Thursday, December 15, 2016

CLUB NSSN 2016: Sundara Karma, How To Dress Well & Bishop Briggs

CLUB NSSN, the pre-party show on the eve of LIVE105's Annual holiday showcase Not So Silent Night, went down last Thursday night at Mezzanine with Sundara Karma, How To Dress Well and Bishop Briggs!

Sundara Karma
 CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini



Backed by a stage full of stacked Orange Amps, the British boys of Sundara Karma got things started  with some arena aspiring, dreamy pop-rock. The opening slot at Mezzanine marked the last show of their debut tour of the States in support of their 1st EP, Loveblood and even though it was their very first time even being in San Francisco, they had a handful of hard-core fans there. In bell-bottoms, velvet pants, flowy blouses and corduroy jackets with long-hair everywhere, their psychedelic swagger was juxtaposed with a poker-faced demeanor.






Sundara Karma
 CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini





Immersed in finely tuned, subtlety grandiose rock, cheers from the crowd grew louder with every song Sundara Karma played from their EP.  Intent on delivering their very best, the Berkshire quartet gained momentum with the glittery, Summer Music Fest anthem "Flame" and the catchy, chorus driven "She Said" after a calm "Young Understanding" kick off.Brooding guitar, gritty bass, funky drum-lines lifted up by soaring choruses and sweet Baritone notes from frontman Oscar Lulu characterized their steadfast set which ended in a flurry of applause for title track "Loveblood".






Fans were anxious to keep the party going with How To Dress Well who went on about half an hour after all the Orange Amps were cleared away.  Mr. How To Dress Well, Tom Krell, hit the hazy stage with a drummer, synth player and keyboardist as plumes of smoke blasted from the smoke machine. With a pep in his step and a charming wittiness, the singer/songwriter was quick to engage with fans, lightening up the mood in the room.


How To Dress Well
CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Emotionally charged songs were softened by sparkling electronic and acoustic melodies. Bandmates kept mentioning bad feed back but their experimental indie-electro sounded good from where I stood. Carrying every song with an un-sung power, Krell's  angelic falsetto was cooly enthralling from the sexy, "Can't You Tell " to the extended dance version of  "And It Was You" to the alt-pop, islandy track off the new album Care. They even treated SF to a low-key cover of  Ariana Grande's "One Time" and invited fans to sing along.


How To Dress Well
CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini




With lots of laughs on stage between songs, they're a very likable, down to earth band with a fun upbeat vibe and danceable tunes to get lost in. It was fun to see How To Dress Well having fun while getting us geared up for Bishop Briggs.













Bishop Briggs
CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini
The headliner stayed behind the scenes until the stage was ready and set for her. With her band tucked in the corners,  giving her ample space on the stage, the illusive Bishop Briggs coyly hit the stage at 11:30.  In a cute skirt, halter top, festive rhinestone covered bomber number and Nike's,  the London born starlet literally bounced around the stage. Leering out over the mic, she looked intimidating as she sang but between songs she was sweet and friendly: thanking her loyal fans, LIVE105 and DJ Aaron Axelsen for supporting her since the beginning. With such a big hit single and soaring popularity, it's kind of hard to believe that she only has one, (very) recently released EP so of course the set consisted of songs from it. Her velvety vocals delivered "How I Do", "Wild Horses" and almost everything else in between, saving her huge hit, "River" until the end!


Bishop Briggs
CLUB NSSN @ Mezzanine 12/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini







LIVE105's CLUB NSSN has been giving San Francisco show-goers and new music enthusiasts alike the great gift "little" shows  the night before Not So Silent Night for 10 years! Cheers to another 10 years of intimate shows with line-ups of breaking bands! 

Thursday, December 8, 2016

The Lumineers @ Great American Music Hall 12/6/2016

The Bay Area's one & only alternative rock radio station, LIVE105 KITS 105.3 FM, celebrated 30 years of being on the airwaves by inviting listeners to a special show with The Lumineers at Great American Music Hall! How cool is that?! In true rock fashion, LIVE105 didn't sell tickets to the show, you had to listen to win if you wanted in. 

photo by Nikki DeMartini

 Considering everyone who was there had tickets at will-call, the line moved quickly once doors opened at 7:30. Gingerly mingling, listeners filled Great American Music Hall with cheerful feels and no time seemed to pass before the music started an hour and a half after doors opened.
After a little wave and quick hello, fresh faced and smiley Wesley Schultz efficiently started the show with the sweet, soulful lullaby  "Sleep On The Floor". Their sophomore album, Cleopatra followed a more melancholy route than their 2012 debut, so it was refreshing to see that the whole band was all smiles with an amicable showmanship to boot.




Happy to chat between songs,  the frontman built a friendly connection with fans carrying on about The Lumineers' early days when they played at the quaint Amnesia bar in the Mission District.
He shared that he had a new found love for San Francisco since his brother moved here and that The Lumineers had opened for a band at the same venue years ago but Tuesday night's show was the first time they headlined at Great American Music Hall. It was really cool to hear all those little known facts about one of folk-rock's most popular acts.

It was also cool that they played their most well known songs at the top of the set: "Sleep On The Floor", "Ophelia", "Cleopatra" and the beloved, break through hit "Ho Hey". Smartphones and Androids were held high to capture Kodak moments and video snippets of the intimate show but before playing "Ho Hey" Schultz politely requested that after the song, all phones be put away so we would all be there, enjoying the moment together. Fans happily obliged.

The Lumineers @ Great American Music Hall 12/6/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

At times all five members were on stage, other times only two or three were on stage with practically un-noticible transitions. The band's beauty, Neyla, switched  between violin and cello through out the show and charming harmonization came from all of the band members at one point. There was no crazy lighting, just some simple whites and soft pinks accentuated their humble music, making the lighthearted show that much more luminous.



The Lumineers @ Great American Music Hall 12/6/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The frontman was exceptionally engaging and personable, giving fans sweet insights about the song "Dead Sea" being an homage to his now wife and his crazy life on the road. He even performed a song from the middle of the crowd which he did at shows on their World Tour, like their two shows at The Greek Theater in Berkeley October 6th and 7th. Those shows were at bigger venues though, so it was really special he ventured into the crowd at such a small(er) venue.





Being that it was a radio station gig, the fact that they didn't phone it in and played a full, 17 song, set was awesome! The Lumineers went above and beyond for LIVE105 and their listeners.

They looked great, they sounded great, they were great!
A private show with The Lumineers was a great way to celebrate 30 years of LIVE105!

set-list 12/6/2016 

 1. Sleep On The Ground 
2. Ophelia
3. Flowers In Your Hair 
4. Ho Hey 
5. Cleopatra
6. Classy Girls 
7. Dead Sea 
8. Charlie Boy 
9. Darlene 
10. Boots of Spanish Leather (Bob Dylan)
11.  Slow It Down
12. Submarines
13. Gun Song 
14. Angela 
15. Big Parade 
16. My Eyes 
17. Stubborn Love











Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016


Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 



To celebrate the release of Royal Blues, their 4th studio album, Dragonette embarked on a 23-date North American tour! Kicking things off the day the album dropped on November 11th in Montreal, the tour is running through December 11th in Boston, including a stop in SF along the way!  






Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 


Last November the threesome sizzled at their headlining show at SF's premiere Indie nightclub, Popscene and exactly one year and nine days later, the Canadian synth-pop band headlined at The Independent on November 29th!








The Tuesday night show was off to a slow start and even though it wasn't sold-out, the floor was full when Dragonette started close to 10:30. In a mirror mosaic jacket, white jeans and backed by a wall of pixelated lights, Martina Sorbara looked like a quintessential, indie-synth-pop disco queen.  

Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

Teetering on the edge of the stage in front of bassist Dan Krutz and drummer Joel Stouffer, she
dominated the stage belting out the bright, upbeat title track of the brand new album. Equally as joyful as the band's joyous energy, fans seamlessly chimed in on the chorus of the first hit of the set, "Let The Night Fall." After that, the night was their's.

Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 



Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 



Fans were locked in and they were ready to do what they had gone there to do, dance, and Dragonette was more than ready to deliver a dance party.

Her  stature is small but Martina's powerful vocals and unwavering stage presence make her larger than life. Seeing her sing is mesmerizing.



Dragonette @ The Independent 11/29/2016
photo by Marc Fong 



They fired off highly danceable song after song with fiery determination. From the youthfully cinematic "High Five" to the bubbly "Hello" and the weird intensity of "Future Ghost" Dragonette  are adept at crafting catchy, hook laden songs covering all the pop bases.









Their dance party ends this week but not before Dragonette play shows in Chicago, Ohio and New York!


set-list 11/29/2016 
1. Royal Blues
2. Let The Night Fall
3. Out Lines
4. Body To Body
5. Fire In Your Shoes
6. I Get Around
7. Firebird
8. Future Ghost
9. Run Run Run
10. Sweet Poison
11. Pick Up The Phone
12. Right Woman
13. Hello
14. High Five 
15. Darth Vader 
16. Let Go 
17. Fixin' To Thrill 

en core 
1. Stupid Grin 
2. Live In This City 








Thursday, December 1, 2016

Club NSSN 2016! December 8th @ Mezzanine!

T'is the night before Not So Silent Night and all through out the city everybody will be stirring to get out of the house and go to a show! LIVE105 has stuffed our stockings with a pre-party show to warm us up for nights one and two of Not So Silent Night with CLUB NSSN at Mezzanine on December 8th! 






The four piece, arena ambitious "indie-Springsteens" from the UK, Sundara Karma will be the first of three bands that night following DJ Aaron Axelsen. Touring in support of their brand new EP Loveblood, Sundara Karma will get us into the spirit with anthemic guitar music, soaring choruses and brooding romanticism tied up with an uplifting euphoria!






Next on the nice list is Tom Krell delivering groove-alicious How To Dress Well jams. The latest How To Dress Well LP, Care is a collective evolution of the singer-songwriter's sound from hazy bedroom R&B to full fledged alt-pop with more depth and clarity than we've heard from him before. He'll be spreading Holiday cheer for all to hear until it's time to get our jingle on with Bishop Briggs. 





Up until Black Friday last week, this year's biggest starlet in the music scene was un-signed and album-less but Briggs managed to make a name for herself in a BIG way. The fashionable "River" singer has finally given us the gift of a self-titled EP via Island Records! Prepare to be merry and bright because one week from tonight is her first headlining gig in the Bay Area! 





After this line-up we'll be ready to rock around the Oracle Arena at Not So Silent Night! 
Live music after all, is the best present you can get! 


Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 



When Alexis Kraus announced at Northside Festival in July 2015 that "next time they were on stage it'll be with new music," a fire of excitement was ignited inside me. The 3 year mark was approaching since Bitter Rivals, so we were well due for some new angsty, girl power driven, bass heavy, punk. The flame of my excitement was fanned this July with the  announcement of their 4th studio album, Jessica Rabbit dropping November 11th and the Fall tour in support of it, which included a show at The Independent in SF! A few weeks later, a second show at the same small club was added due to popular demand! My excitement was triple fold! I had to be at one of those shows...I needed to cover one of those Sleigh Bells' shows!


Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 


















I had my work cut out for me. Since Treats, their 2010 debut, the loud Brooklyn based duo have been a hot ticket: last time they were here was in 2013 when they closed out the Tunnel Stage at Treasure Island Music Festival and before that they played The Regency Ballroom in 2012. Now, there was only a few months until they'd be back at The Independent since their first show there back in 2011!

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 


We got a taste of Jessica Rabbit thanks to the early releases of the album's opening track, "It's Just Us Now" along with "Hyper Dark" and "Rule Number One". These three premature tracks were a good intro, easing fans into the new direction the band is taking. In 2010, Treats slapped us with an unapologetic, abrasive approach to a new kind of industrial rock: what's come to be known as Noise-Pop or Noise-Punk. Layers of blown-out, screaming guitars and big stomping bass met with soft, raspy vocals delivering catchy lyrics drew fans to them fast, like moths to flame. Though they haven't hit that same hype since, they've maintained their distinctive, distorted, bratty hyper active sound: 2012's Reign of Terror was a little more grandiose, striving to be Arena Rock worthy in a sense while 2013's Bitter Rivals embraced a more varied instrumentation


Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 


Like Bitter Rivals, Jessica Rabbit is more of a creative outlet for the knockout front woman, with Alexis Kraus writing more of the melodies and song lyrics. Rather than churning out a new album following the last as they've done, Sleigh Bells worked on Jessica Rabbit over a three year period. The new album is definitely the most  melodic and harmonic in their catalog and it isn't nearly as edgy as we've heard in past but some of their OG sound does blare through on those early released tracks. Just the thought of seeing them preform new material within a week of the full album coming out was exciting in and of itself.  Then, early Tuesday morning, the morning of the first of two SF shows, tragedy hit. Bad-ass Alexis had laryngitis and the show that night was canceled! Both shows at The Independent were canceled actually and condensed into one show Wednesday night at Mezzanine. Ticket holders would be honored the following night and I was left wondering if this would help or hinder my fate as two press lists were now also condensed to one. 



Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 





Wednesday morning rolled around and alas I got the approval I had sought for so long! I was confirmed to cover Sleigh Bells less than 24 hours before the show and I could. Not. Wait!

Mezzanine was hot and stuffy by the time I got there, fighting my way as close to the stage as I could get through the sweaty, millennial crowd.










Red lights faded to black before the flashing of bright, white strobe lights welcomed Sleigh Bells to the stage! Hands went up and the place went wild at the sight of Alexis and the sound of a classic Treats anthem, "Tell Em'".  The brunette, daisy duke, torn fishnet, halter top, bomber jacket wearing bombshell was very apologetic, thanking their SF fans for making it to the show that night after having to cancel the night before and change venues. She might not have been feeling 100% or hitting all of the notes the way she would have if she wasn't sick but she certainly gave it her all! While Derek stood his ground stage left, Alexis worked the stage, riling everyone up in the club: climbing on amps, reaching out to the crowd, asking fans to help her sing to which they fervently complied as they fed off her kinetic energy.  Pumping up excitement even higher, pulsating lights made amplified Derek's shredding, thumping hooks and shrill riffs.

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 


"Bitter Rivals" and "Riot Rhythm" stirred a frenzy of shove-filled moshing while new, slower tempo tracks and "Comeback Kid" gave the crowd a chance to regain some composure.
Busting out 13 songs in a 45 minute window, they played more fan favorites from their debut than any of their other albums! It was awesome but the end came so quick, too quick! After she did some crowd surfing during "Crown on the Ground", Alexis, Derek and their touring 2nd guitarist were brought back to the stage by the room full of roaring fans.

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 


The two song en core delivered another newbie "Rule Number One" and one more classic Treats track, "A B Machines" to close out the show with driving force. Miss Kraus carried the show, solidifying what we already knew, that she is a fierce force to be reckoned with!
Both of the Sleigh Bells  shows in SF could have been canceled and rescheduled but being sick couldn't stop this rockin' vixen!

Sleigh Bells at Mezzanine 11/16/2016
photo by Evan Andrews 





Monday, November 21, 2016

Tom Misch @ Popscene 11/11/2016

People started  lining up outside Rickshaw Stop hours before doors opened for Tom Misch's debut show in San Francisco Friday November 11th! Some of them even claimed to have paid over $100 for tickets on stub-hub because the Popscene Presents show to see the young rising star had sold-out so quick! Talk about one hot ticket!

Tom Misch @ Popscene 11/11/2016
photo by Marc Fong 
Tom Misch @ Popscene 11/11/2016
photo by Marc Fong





The vibe that night was less new-wave/indie with  DJ Aaron Axelsen spinning more trendy R&B than what's usually heard at Popscene. It segued nicely to the opener, Chris McClenney who announced his would be DJ set due to a sore-throat.


Tom Misch @ Popscene 11/11/2016
photo by Marc Fong



























When the young Londoner went on around 11:00, he received his warm welcome to the small stage humbly; graciously thanking his kind and respectful San Francisco fans through a sincere smile. They  un-intrusively jammed out indie-rock from his LP, Beat Tape 2 and his Reverie EP. Heavy with various strings, laying bass, guitar and violin chords with underlying new-soul beats. The frontman beamed in disbelief of the turn out and the reaction as the crowd cheered them on before and after each song. Cool and collected, the guys were concentrated as they played and fans gently sang along.
 It had been a little bit since seeing a Popscence show as packed as it was for Tom Misch and it was notably profound to see a full house for such young, new talent!



Tom Misch @ Popscene 11/11/2016
photo by Marc Fong


Aaron Axelsen did what he does best once again! Packing people in to see the latest and greatest new artist before they break big, or in this case bigger, at Popscene!





Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Har Mar Superstar @ The Chapel 11/7/2016

Har Mar Superstar @ The Chapel 11/7/2016
photo by Marc Fong 



The Minnesota bred entertainer known by his alter-ego, stage name Har Mar Superstar awed at The Chapel last Monday night with his unique take on soul! Tickets weren't sold out prior to doors opening but with a full balcony and not uncomfortably crowded floor, it felt like the show ended up hitting capacity before the headliner went on.



Poised and playfully arrogant, front man Sean Matthew Tillman sauntered on stage with the rest of the band in tow as the crowd gleamed with anticipation for him to steal the show.







His provocative coolness was an instant crowd connection as groovy rock N' soul tunes lofted through the converted mortuary. They played the gamut of their not so common range of soul fusion without a glitch.  Elements of rock N roll, indie, funk and even some pop and R&B, it's appropriate to say that Har Mar Superstar is in the rock N' soul genre. And if that music genre hasn't been established yet, then Har Mar Superstar is the pioneer of it!



Har Mar Superstar @ The Chapel 11/7/2016
photo by Marc Fong

Along with a diverse repertoire of sounds, Har Mar Superstar himself changed his look on stage before the eyes of the audience a few times. From African print leggings and an all leather letterman, to a floor length Indian print dress, to a colorful stripped beach blanket to going topless, he looked like just another one of the hipsters there in their SF haven.


Har Mar Superstar @ The Chapel 11/7/2016
photo by Marc Fong 






With strong, smooth, almost croon worthy vocals and an intriguingly seductive delivery, Tillman's singing style was as impressive as his enticing dance moves. His voice was steady and solid as he wiggled and glided all around stage. The band even got in on the action too, with some synchronized dips and shimmies through out the show! While all of his moves were very impressive, his most impressive move that night is when he did a handstand mid song!





Har Mar Superstar @ The Chapel 11/7/2016
photo by Marc Fong 




Flaunting a gaudy confidence Har Mar Superstar puts on an engaging, theatrical, animated personable, entertaining show full of heart and soul!


The last show of the Best Summer Ever US Tour: Part Deux is on New Years Eve with Big Freedia at 1st Ward Chop Shop in Chicago! What a fun, over the top way to ring in the new year that will be! 

Thursday, November 10, 2016

CocoRosie @ The Regency Ballroom 10/30/2016

The wildly experimental indie-folktronica duo, CocoRosie played to an exuberant crowd at The Regency Ballroom on Sunday October 30th!

CocoRosie @ The Regency Ballroom 10/30/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 


Sisters Bianca (Coco) and Sierra (Rosie) had to cancel their show at The Regency last minute earlier this year and the rescheduled show couldn't have happened at a more appropriate time of year because they're known for wearing costumes! 


CocoRosie @ The Regency Ballroom 10/30/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 





A few days before they returned to their native Bay Area, CocoRosie invited followers on social media to dress up as their own version Pipi Longstockings to the Halloween weekend shows in SF and LA. Along with being fun and festive, the invitation was backed with an enticing possibility of being in an up-coming, new music video, too!










CocoRosie @ The Regency Ballroom 10/30/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 


There was a good turn out when doors opened at 8:00, with some fans showing their Pipi Longstockings spirit but there was more who were not. Seats up in the balcony filled up during the two openers as they set the circusy theme. A couple of show-goers entertained on lookers by doing acroyoga while there was still space on the floor!





The place was pretty packed when the house lights dimmed for CocoRosie around 9:00. In full-on ghetto fabulous Pippy Longstockings fashion, backed by a beatboxer and synthesizer player, the sister act's look was as unique as their sound. The stage remained rather dark but the diverse singing techniques of the Cassidy's popped from the splintered shadows.  
It was fun watching people get their freak on to old-timey, Avant Pop-rock and a fun show to see on the eve of All Hallows Eve!

CocoRosie @ The Regency Ballroom 10/30/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

Monday, October 31, 2016

The Head and The Heart @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 10/8/2016

The tour in support of the 3rd album from The Head and The Heart  started his past July in Kansas City, about two months before the September 9th release of Signs of Light! Three months later, the indie-folk band from Seattle made their way to The Greek Theater in Berkeley on Saturday, October 8th! It doesn't get much better than seeing shows at one of the best outdoor venues in the Bay Area, on the beautiful campus of UC Berkeley, on a warm Indian Summer evening. 

The Tallest Man on Earth @ The Greek Theater 10/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I arrived as the sun was setting, enjoying the last sun-lit exchanges of show-goers proudly describing who they were who they were there to see perform.  From where I stood, it sounded like there were just as many people there to see The Tallest Man on Earth as there were for The Head and The Heart. Some fans compared The Head and the Heart to Mumford and Sons, which isn't surprising but it was surprising when the question of why went un-answered. It's pretty obvious that both bands fall under the folk category.




Even post banjo filled Mumford is still pretty folky (maybe not their 2016 EP but everything before that, definitely). The Head and The Heart are like Mumford and Sons just not as Rail Road Revival-y, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros (pre and post Jade) and even The Lumineers. Why? Indie-folk, that's why.

The Head and The Heart @ The Greek Theater 10/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini


The Tallest Man on Earth went on right on time at 8:00 on the dot and all eyes were on the handsome, charming, Swedish frontman, Kristian Mattson. Transmitting a kindness from the stage with a warm smile across his face and a guitar in hand, Mattson transcended a care-free vibe into the crowd. Twenty and thirty something ladies swooned like young teenagers at the top of just about every song and I was tickled by how many people around me sang along through out the set. Earnest yet modest, Mattson was intermittently, outwardly gracious for fans getting there early for what would be their last show of the tour and for The Head and the Heart for having them.



The Head and The Heart @ The Greek Theater 10/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Dusk had set on top of the hill at UC Berkeley as the six members of The Head and the Heart found their way to the stage.  The stage design made you feel like you were hanging out in your friends living room with ceiling to floor curtains, round hanging lanterns and leafy greenery created a cozy, homey atmosphere. It was quite quaint and a lovely fit with the wholesome, wholehearted feels The Head and the Heart give. 






A wave of cheers and applause swelled from the crowd as the sound of the first single, "All We Ever Knew" off Sings of Light, filled the evening air. Opening with their current single was a risk worth taking: not only was everyone was delighted by it but it also eliminated the anticipation of hearing them play it, integrating a delightful audience experience from the start. Once they had fans dialed in they threw it all the way back to "Coeur d'Alene" from their 2011 self-titled debut.  Jangly piano keys  of "Ghosts" welcomed another oldie yet goodie early on before back to back to back songs from 2013's Let's Be Still filled the Autumn air.  Fans positively adored when Charity Rose shared lead vocals on the album's bitter sweet title track, "Let's Be Still": the track that quintessentially captures the essence that is The Head and The Heart. As their name suggests, The Head and the Heart ride on the (not so) subtle emphasis on both emotion and intellect, i.e the struggle between following your heart and doing what you think is best for your own good. A highly relatable, gut-wrenching  juxtaposition.


The  Head and The Heart @ The Greek Theater 10/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini


They were unconventionally, visually charming up on stage: Jonathan Russell starting off front and center in a tan wide brim hat and matching coat,  Charity Rose Thielen, to his left, in a black slit sleeve cape over a floor length shimmery Orchid Pink dress and the rest of the guys seemingly doing their own thing in button up shirts and denim jeans. Their causally cool look accentuated their stylistic, artisan vibe. Interludes of warm harmonies between his and her vocals, violin, guitar and tambourine pleasantly characterized the set as they do throughout their repertoire.



The Head and The Heart @ The Greek Theater 10/8/2016
photo by Nikki DeMartini


The acoustics that Saturday night at The Greek faired well with the folky hymns and rustic instrumentals, whisking them up then gently laying them down.  The new album finds this collaboration more fluid and unified than albums past. Perhapse age and experience helped them grow stronger, personally and musically.
Heart-always-on-their-sleeve songwriting was effortlessly brought to life at their show with an enchantingly welcoming stage presence, friendly fan interaction, placid swirling melodies and intimate harmonies.



 It's plain to see, and hear, that The Head and the Heart unabashedly wear their cohesive heart on their sleeve along side their head. They delivered a most enjoyable, good for the soul, show going experience! Great way to round out the 2016 season at The Greek Theater in Berkeley which officially wraps up this Friday November 4th with Miss Lauryn Hill and Nas!







The Head and The Heart SET-LIST 10/8/2016 
1. Signs of Light 
2. Coeur d'Alene 
3. Ghosts 
4. City of Angels 
5. Turn It Around 
6. Another Story 
7. Let's Be Still 
8. Colors 
9. Lost In My Mind
10. Shake
11. Winter Song 
12. Rhythm & Blues 
13. Sounds Like Hallelujah 
14. Down In The VAlley 
15.  Library Magic 
16. Oh My Dear 
17. Your Mother's Eyes 
18. Rivers and Roads