R.Lum.R 7/11/2017 & Jaymes Young 7/12/2017 @ Rickshaw Stop

Last week Rickshaw Stop welcomed to two new artists two nights in a row on Wednesday and Thursday night.

R.LUM.R @ Rickshaw Stop 7/11/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

Florida born, Tennessee based R.LUM.R (pronounced exactly how it's spelled: r lum r) graced the quaint stage on Wednesday night. It was his first time playing in SF, which he told the crowd was the best show of the tour so far.

Whether it was a slow tempo love song, a psychedelic induced jam or a rocking groove, his soaring falsetto brightened the eclectic R&B. An abundance of symbols accentuated sparkly keys and synths, highlighting the indie influence of the music the three piece creates. Barefoot and bubbly, he had fans chant "new shit" before playing a track of his up-coming EP, AFTERIMAGE. It was different and fun and real. R. LUM. R gave San Francisco a great show and left us wanting more. 

R.LUM.R @ Rickshaw Stop 7/11/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

R.LUM.R @ Rickshaw Stop 7/11/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Jaymes Young took the same stage the following night on Thursday July 12th. It wasn't the 25 year old's first time playing in San Francisco but it was his first headlining show in SF. Like most of his music he was reserved, humbly addressing the audience on occasion. Flush with emotion and cumbersome guitar, the introspective indie was more mellow at times and heavier at others. If you were looking for a low-key night out with live music, this was the show to be at last Thursday night. 

Jaymes Young @ Rickshaw Stop 7/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Jaymes Young @ Rickshaw Stop 7/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

These back to back shows at Rickshaw Stop are great examples of the variety facets Indie Music has these days. Both R.LUM.R and Jaymes Young are considered "indie" but their sound is completely different: one slightly morphed through out the set while remaining up beat and the latter maintained a melodic quality. They drew different crowds too: there was a wider age range R.LUM.R and the room was full of young millennials at Jaymes Young. 

These are just some of many ways the music scene is so interesting and one of the many ways music is boundlessly great. 

Differences a side, these two indie artists made solid SF debuts last week.  

Jaymes Young @ Rickshaw Stop 7/12/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest @ Golden Gate Park 7/1/2017

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon to be outside for live music and all the oysters your heart desired at the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest in Golden Gate Park on the first of July. 

The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

The music started with local band, Panic is Perfect around noon, followed by SF native, LA transplants The Soft White Sixties. Chill vibes could be felt through out Sharon Meadow and they extended on to the stage as Octavio Genera, lead singer of the moody rock band, slinked front and center.

The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

With one band mate in a tropical suit, another wearing a Tommy Bahama style shirt, one in rockabilly fit and another sporting casual jeans and a tee, collectively they were the epitope of cool looking dudes. That same coolness exudes from their from their music.

The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

Their sizzling energy was a lot more laid back for the Oysterfest crowd than I've seen in from them in the past. Octavio's minimal antics engaged fans just enough though. He kept things lively with the swinging and whipping of his long mic cord and walking across amps.

The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

The Soft White Sixties @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

After an instrumental opening, sultry rock songs from their catalogue like "Sorry to Say" and "Up To The Light" filled their set along with a mention or two of Oysters.

SIR SLY @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

The chill vibe continued with Landon, Jason and Hyaden of SIR SLY up next. The LA based band delivered a heartfelt indie set stitched with hearty synths, including their Oakland visit inspired single "High".

SIR SLY @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

South African ensamble of brothers, KONGOS flipped the switch back to rock n roll in a classic rock sense. Heavy drums and heavier guitar are the driving forces of their arena aspiring songs, giving their over all sound that rooted rock aesthetic. The drum kit was up front alongside the typical position of a lead singer, making it easy to see Jesse on drums and Daniel on guitar sharing the role of lead vocals. Because they played before the headliner of the day, Passion Pit, KONGOS' set was longer than the bands before them and an abundence fans sang along to all of the songs espeically "Come With Me Now" which they played mid-set.

KONGOS @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

The sun was still shining come time for Passion Pit to close the show as the festivies wound down that warm Summer evening in Golden Gate Park.

Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

Passion Pit  @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

It's been a couple of years since the last time I saw the classic indie-pop act and it was nice to see frontman Michael Angelako still wears his signaure look: a button up dress shirt with a tie and a
light jacket. It was a pleasant surprise that they opened with one of their most popular songs, "Little Secrets" after which we learned that Oysters are the lead singer's favorite food.

Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

I appreciate his awkwardness on stage that he's come to embrace more and more over the years. He's tantrum like contortions and silly facical expressions can be uncomfortable to watch if you don't know better but if you're a Passion Pit fan, you know how Angelakos rolls. His energy seemed to snowball with each song and as the set went on we heard more from Gossamer than any other of their albums.

Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

Passion Pit @ the 18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

The line-up had a nice ratio of rock to indie-pop with a good mix of up and coming bands, local acts and an old(er) favorite. The schedule is planned so that attendess can enjoy as much of everything that the San Francisco Oysterfest has to offer: with about half an hour between each of the five sets there was time to get your eat and drink on without missing much of the music. If you timed it right, lines weren't long and there was a variety of oysters and the like to choose from. From fresh oysters, BBQ oysters, fried oysters, to lobster rolls and crab fries there was even a handfull of food trucks with non Seafood options. Guiness kept people cool with their original stout and the new Guiness Blonde which is a refeshing golden ale option.

18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

18th Annual San Francisco Oysterfest
7/1/2017 photo by Nikki DeMartini

A day filled with good food, cold beverages, good music and great company, this family and dog friendly event has been entertaining for 18 years and counting!

Jessie Reyez @ Popscene 6/29/2017

 

It was an early night at Popscene on June 29th when Jessie Reyez made her SF debut at Popscene. Usually doors are at 9:00pm or later at the infamous new music spot, but on that fateful Thursday night doors opened at 8:00pm. And because the balcony was closed, it was a smaller show but the mounting energy in the venue weighed heavy and the 27 year old singer/songwritter from Toronto was a huge presence as soon as she hit the stage.

When I first listened to her Kiddo her EP (released this past April) her voice struck a K. Flay chord with me. That nasally twang doesn't translate as strongly live but the forceful edge brought on by heartache and hurt both artists share definitely does.  Jessie riled the room up with her spunky almost sassy vibe as she spat out indie R&B backed by low-tempo guitar, laced with lo-key hooks, carried by her spoken-word like verses. 

Jessie Reyez @ Popscene 6/29/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Casually hollering rachety "yah" "yah" between songs ignited fans into a frenzy which Jessie Reyez fed off of and threw right back in our faces. The 7 tracks off of her debut EP only allow for a short set and as it neared the end she picked up an acoustic guitar and sat down for an ballad like version of her sleeper hit single, "Figures". 

Jessie Reyez @ Popscene 6/29/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Ending on a sad note wouldn't be her style though and before you knew it she had Popscene lit again with the most hip-hop track from Kiddo, "Blue Ribbon".  

And, the show was over by an unheard of 11:00 that night!

Jessie Reyez @ Popscene 6/29/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Whether she's singing about cheating exs, fuck-boys or Music Industry Sexism ("Gate Keeper") Jessie Reyez unabashedly doesn't give a fuck and that's the kind of role model girls need. She blows up the  passion you her in her music on stage in a gripping way. The Kiddo tour ended as of Friday in her hometown but this rising star will be back with a vengeance. Keep an eye (and an ear) on this kid.