Midi Matilda @ The Independent 7/8/2016

Been missing Midi Matilda? Well they are back! The indie-pop duo straight outta Oakland were on fire at their show last Friday night with Panic is Perfect at The Independent!

Midi Matilda at The Independent 7/8/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

The last time I saw Midi Matilda was at the height of their climb up the indie-pop ladder when they opened for Geographer at The Fillmore in 2013. They even made an appearance at the high-caliber festival, Outside Lands later that year. But then they suddenly... disappeared.








Some unforeseen circumstances with their label and management didn't stop them from making music for the past three years though, they just haven't had an outlet for it.  

Finally freed from said label and any label at that, Midi Matilda has been building up their own comeback one single at a time! They've released a new single every month since February when they came crashing back on to the scene with, "Tidal Wave". 

Panic is Perfect at The Independent 7/8/2016 
photo by Marc Fong

San Francisco's new high-powered, electro-pop band, Panic is Perfect, got he crowded room fully riled during their adrenaline pumping, insatiable percussion charged set. They played for a better part of an hour, leaving fans roaring for more fun when they left the stage to make way for Midi Matilda. 

Midi Matilda at The Independent 7/8/2016
photo by Marc Fong

Picking up were Panic is Perfect left off, Skylar and Logan hit the dim stage in an inconspicuous fashion and jumped right into the same sensational single that brought them back, "Tidal Wave." They seemed lighter on stage than I remembered them: fun and unpretentious. With high energy and even higher spirits, I immediately felt spirits of surrounding fans lift to a higher level.  The room  moved and shaked with the duo as they poured their hearts out on stage. Even on the most dreamy of their dream-pop tracks, there was something new, something almost edgy . Midi Matilda's re-invention finds the Oakland indie boys with a little more rock and a little less emo.  Even their cover of the slow tempoed R&B hit, "Hotline Bling," was fun-loving and catchy. 

Midi Matilda at The Independent 7/8/2016
photo by Marc Fong

Skylar's invigorating command of the stage and Logan's consistent, vigorous drumming of up-beat tunes: including of course, new ones that hadn't been played live until very recently, captivated dancing fans happily. Their sensational performance and the show-case of local bands last week at The Independent prove without a doubt that the local music scene in SF is alive and kicking! 

While Midi Matilda plan to keep releasing material they made while they were "away", they haven't talked about releasing an album anytime soon.  All the more reason to make it out to one of their shows!

Midi Matilda at The Independent 7/8/2016 
photo by Marc Fong

July 8th, 2016 set-list

1. Tidal Wave 

2. Love and The Movies 

3. You Make Me Feel Like

4. Red Light District 

5. Apple Pie 

6. Hotline Bling

7. Slowly No Way 

8. Ottawa 

9. Talk About It 

10. By The Firelight

11. Day Dreams  

Esme Patterson @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016

Esme Patterson @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

Four years ago Esme Patterson released her first solo album after venturing away from her  Denver-based indie band, Paper Bird. Now, she is currently on tour for her third solo album, We Were Wild, which was released on June 10th and on Monday June 27th she played at Rickshaw Stop in SF.

Frankie Lee @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

The small crowd quietly enjoyed the supporting act's almost acoustic, Americana set from Mississippian, Frankie Lee and band. The young wanderlust singer-songwriter, guitarist unpretentiously embodies a Springsteen, Dylan aesthetic with down-to-earth, easy listening indie-rock rooted in country and blues.  He ingeniously incorporates songwriting tips he got from late, great Merle Haggard: it's a stylish twang and laconic delivery you can't deny even if your not familiar with the most influential country star from the 1960's. 

Frankie Lee @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

On stage he looked exactly how he looks in photos from  interviews I've read about him: from his wide brim hat, suede ankle boots, white cuffed jeans, a worn leather jacket and Hawaiian style shirt that he got on Haight Ashbury earlier that day, Frankie Lee is the epitome of a folk-indie Hipster. Oh yeah, and a beard of course! His SF friendly appearance was just as genuine as his excitement to be playing in San Francisco and his overall love for SF, which I think made show-goers more open to him. 

Esme Patterson @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

His falsetto range against charming string harmonies of faintly humming bass, summery guitars and fleeting lap steele guitar was a pleasant contrast. It's the type of music that would be a perfect soundtrack as someone cooled down with an ice-cold lemonade on a porch at sunset after a long day of working on the farm.

In a blink of an eye, Esme graciously appeared, gracing the stage like a breath of fresh air. Her contagious smile complemented her friendly nature as she introduced herself and gushed about how she loved being back in SF. Frankie Lee's bassist played guitar along-side Esme and his lap steele guitarist played bass. It was refreshing to see their role swap and the exchange really highlighted the two bands' kinship.

Esme Patterson @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

Esme emitted an engaged contentment as she gently be-bopped behind her mic singing and strumming the cords of her guitar, her curly tresses glowing like a halo. People in the small but respectable sized crowd softly sing along to "Wantin Ain't Gettin" a sad love song off her brand new album which tells a story of bruised feelings but not a broken heart. 

Esme Patterson @ Rickshaw Stop 6/27/2016
photo by Marc Fong 

This theme of self-assurance and awareness embedded somewhere in each of the 12 songs on the new album can uplift even the saddest track. Overlaying fuzzy guitars give what some are calling her most fiery solo work to date a surf-rock feel while her modestly soulful voice keeps her new music grounded in folky indie. Along with playing a bunch from We Were Wild, Esme also dipped into her concept album from 2014, Woman to Woman including her answer to Dolly Parton's infamous, "Jolene", "Never Chase a Man". Because her second album flips the script of big hits that are from a man's perspective she was labeled a feminist artist and although she identifies as one, that isn't her musical agenda. Esme Patterson is a woman writing and performing songs about lessons her heart gives her mind. It's poigant, it's emotional, it's moving and her stage presence makes all it a bit more youthful.  

 Esme Patterson is playing some of her up-coming shows are with Brett Dennen before her Summer tour ends in August!