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.  

7th Annual Phono Del Sol Music Festival June 17th, 2017

San Francisco was warm and getting warmer up when gates opened at noon on Saturday for the 7th Annual Phono Del Sol Music Fest. By the time the music started at Potereo Del Sol Park in the outskirts of the Mission district, the largest skate park in the city, we were well on our way into a beautiful 77 degree Summer day. 

Even with 10 bands on the bill instead of 12 like we saw back in 2013 when I last attended, the non-profit Music Fest has grown.  Ten food trucks lined San Bruno Ave which included a few favorites from the Outside Lands food line-up: Curry Up Now, Humphry Solcombe and Mozzeria! Sizeable beer gardens flanked a side of each of the two stages and booths with vendors signing people for free stuff, sampling products and selling merchandise were set up around the park. 

Along with this being a non-profit event, which is wild as far as the world of music fests go, the team of voulenteers at The Bay Bridged build a line-up chalk full of local bands. Aside from Duckwrth and  The Coathangers, all of the other bands who played this year are from the Bay Area or are transplants. An occurance that's become way more common around the City, musican or not. 

The greatest attributes of this small festival is indeed it's size and also that the opposing set times don't greatly over-lap each other. With the stages just a short walk over a little grassy knoll, Phono Del Sol offers it's fest-goers a chance to see as much music as possible which is always great at any music fest but especailly those that only run one day.

Flamingo Fountain@ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

People trickeled in as SF's own Tino Drima and Oakland dwelling, Seattle transplant Madeline Kenney opened the show respectively at 1:00pm on the Mission Stage and 1:30pm on the Potereo Stage.

Bells Atlas @ Phono Del Sol 6/17/2017
Photo by Marc Fong 

Families played in the playground, people chowed on Food Truck grub and those who weren't bathing in the sunshine at the stages gathered in slivers of shade. And the beer gardens were absolutely packed, sometimes more so than the general grass area around the stages!

Bells Atlas @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

The afternoon was filled with  an eclectic mix of sounds: from new age R&B with a an old school soulful spin by Richmond's 22 year old songbird, Rayana Jay to blends of percussion, worldly beats and melodic vocals from Oakland's Bells Atlas and a spirited performance of indie infused rap from Bay Areaian via South Central rapper, Duckwrth.

Duckwrth @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

The sound delivered from every band differed yet they all flowed really well. Moving from one stage to the next, one band to another, was a smooth transition to your sense of sound. Oddly enough, they all fit. As one set came to an end it was a humbling sight to see the serge of people flooding over the other stage to catch the next band.

Duckwrth @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

With about half an hour between each 30 - 45 minute long set, there was just enough time to catch the start of one act before moseying over to catch the tail end of another, or vice-versa. That's pretty much how my Saturday went. It was an easy-breezy Music Fest experience and the impecible, warm Summer weather made it that much easier to fully enjoy.

Sean Hayes @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

Gears shifted a little when Sean Hayes took the Mission Stage later in the day. The New York born, South Carolina rasied, San Francisco transplant singer-songwriter filled the air with more of a country vibe. The strumming of his guitar and gravelly voice had a down-to-earth feel, like sipping lemon-aide out on your porch after a long day, letting golden rays of the setting sun wash over you.
 This rock based shift bled into the next sound shift of the day and before you knew it things got punked up.










The Coathangers were up next and they took to the stage in a quiet kind of furry!
Back in March the all girl, grunge outfit from Atlanta Georgia played Brick & Mortar on the other end of the Misson District and I gotta say, their grit and wit are a perfect fit for it.
The Mission District that is.
They rock the "you don't want to be on our bad-side, don't call me a hipster" attitude, so it was very fitting that they played The Mission stage on Saturday.

The Coathangers @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong

The Coathangers @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

Cracking jokes as they tied a huge Happy Birthday balloon to an amp in celebration of guitarist Crok's B-Day before they started, the girls effortlessly made an instant connection with the crowd.
In matching red t-shirts, Crok Kid, Minnie and Rusty gave Phono Del Sol the first full-fledged dose of wholesome punk rock.

The Coathangers @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

While Minnie's vocals tweetered on the falsetto spectrum, Rusty off-set them with her raspy baratones. You don't see too many singing drummers and I loved watching Rusty throw it down on the mic as she thrashed on the drums! Their style of punk rock is more grungy than it is dirty and they were great at get us riled up for the punks up next, headliners, Thee Oh Sees! 











Four years ago they co-headlined the 3rd Annual Phono Del Sol with YACHT. This was Thee Oh Sees second time playing Phono Del Sol, their second time headlining the festival and it was my second time being there and seeing them, too!

Thee Oh Sees @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

Two of the fest's co-founders introduced band before front-man John Dwyer did and then, like only a true punk would do, he invited fans to go over the baricades and join them on stage if they wanted to.
Seconds into their first song the stage was packed with jumping, headbanging, crowd surfing fans surrounding the band. People weren't rude or rushed as they pushed past either! It was awesome!

Thee Oh Sees @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Even from the top of the grassy knoll, you couldn't really see them unless you were literally standing right in front of them but there was no doubt that Thee Oh Sees were rocking! And people were rocking out!
They gave SF a high energy, highly engaged set. Thee Oh Sees left their heart in San Francisco when they relocated down to L.A a few years ago and it is oh so very good to have them back!

Thee Oh Sees @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Fun in the sun, live music, food, drinks and a ticket price that's right you can't really go wrong!
See you next year at the 8th Annual Phono Del Sol Music Festival!

Thee Oh Sees @ Phono Del Sol Music Fest 6/17/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Check out the full photo gallery and more on KFOG.com!

Jagwar Ma @ MEZZANINE 5/24/2017

Three years after their debut album, Jagwar Ma dropped their sophomore album, Every Now and Then at the tail end of 2016 on the same label, Mom + Pop Records!

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

The Australian act is no stranger to San Francisco since emerging as a heavy hitter in the obscurer side of the indie scene. Their very first show here was at the infamous, band breaking club Popscene at Rickshaw Stop in October 2013, they played Outside Lands 2014 and in 2016 they headlined at The Independent.





Jagwar Ma has come full circle: returning to the Popscene stage on Wednesday, May 24th! This time around though, SF's premier indie club was housed at Mezzanine, a bigger venue downtown.

For the Wednesday night before the three-day Memorial Day weekend and Bottlerock Napa Valley kicking off that upcoming Friday, a respectable sized crowd gathered in time to catch the headliners.
It was great makings for a respectable dance party.

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong

The follow-up to their widely hailed, underground hit debut doesn't compromise their alt-indie signature though it does venture up and away from it. Their psychedelic indie sound is more refined than when we last heard from them three years ago. The underlining funk from the guitar, bass, beats, synths and harmonic vocals that they lay down is still there, only now there's a lingering murkiness to it.

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

 If Morcheeba had younger hipster cousin I imagine it'd be Jagwar Ma. Think trip-hop but replace hip-hop with indie, so, trip-indie.

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

Joon Ma was in the backround, bouncing behind stacks of synths and buttons and knobs, busily immersing the room in colorful production. His tireless work bled into choruses and verses highlighted by amicible guitar and bass from Winterfield and Freeman.








With Winterfiled earnestly holding it down on vocals alongside the bassist on the forefront, Ma proved to be the muscle of the opperation: carrying the show with impecible delivery, his handy work made the set shine. Swirly designs over red, blue and violet lighting fit the hazy mood that decended on easy dancing fans.

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong 

 The mates have matured and their music has matured right along with them. You could say their sound is aging gracefully while maintaining some of their angsty vitality. Their poised stage presence last week at Mezzanine made their set all the more solid, giving SF a well rounded and robust show. Nothing too crazy for the middle of the week which was  perfect for the long weekend ahead.

Jagwar Ma @ Mezzanine 5/24/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Jagwar Ma might be big in the alt-indie scene but I'd never seen them before.
I'm really happy I finally got to see these stars in what can still be called their humble begining!

Fenech-Soler @ Brick & Mortar 5/20/2017

Brothers Ross and Ben Duffy have been working on the third album from Fenech-Soler since the 2013 tour of their second album, Rituals. After just about four years in the making, ZILLA was released on February 3rd, 2017 and UK's party starters kicked off their North American tour in April!

After getting the electronica group together in 2010, the band's name-sake, Daniel Fenech- Soler and fellow co-founder, Andrew Lindsay left the band last year before the third album was made.
Since then the Duffy brothers have taken the helm, keeping the band going without changing it's name and making new music that fits their exsisting outfit.

Following the first band of the night Moderns, Arkansas' Knox Hamilton played a great supporting set which included "A Sight For Sore Eyes" inspired by the city of San Francisco. After a half hour of rocking, talking up their debut album being on-sale at the merch table and praising both of the other bands, Knox Hamilton had the crowd adequately riled up for Fenech-Soler.

Fenech-Soler @ Brick and Mortar 5/20/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

The duo from King's Cliff in the UK had two more in tow with them for the tour: one on backup synthesizers and one holding it down on the drums and the four of them took the stage just past 11:00. It'd been three years since the last time they played in San Francisco which was also their first show here at none other than San Francisco's premier indie club, Popscene. And man did they return with vigor!







I was really excited that they opened with my favorite song, "Late Night TV" off the new album. It's flirty build up of guitar hooks and bright synths was a great way to reel people in! And Ben positively erupted on stage! You couldn't ignore the passion in his voice as he sang and you couldn't look away as he aggressively brought their summery electro-pop to life.  It was super fun just watching him light up the stage!

Fenech-Soler @ Brick and Mortar 5/20/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

I loved the jackets Ben and Ross were wearing: one in tasseled denim and the other in a shimmery embroidered bomber. Their look matched their "night on the town" sound. Highly stylish and mildly metrosexual, they both rocked it comfortably. Ben's low-key fancy jacket reminded me of Michael Jackson, the way the crimson and gold embroidery wrapped around the shoulders and down the lats. It all came together when he asked if there was any Janet Jackson fans in the house at the top of their lo-tempo rendition of the 1986 single, "Control". It's always a cool change of pace when bands
do cover songs live; however, easily being the slowest song of the night, I think fans were happy when the band switched back to their own up-lifting beats.






Like most electro-pop bands, the use of actual instruments is more apparent when played live in comparison to studio albums. Soaring synth melodies Fenech-Soler do so well were made edgier by vibrant drum hooks and again, Ben's performance and over-all stage presence amped-up their dancey factor. Notably excited to be back in San Francisco, his sensational energy carried the show.

Fenech-Soler @ Brick and Mortar 5/20/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Their music is made for the club scene but Fenech-Soler's live show is worthy of a bigger, possibly more acclaimed venue, especially in the Bay Area where that diso-ish vibe is so hot right now. They played a whole bunch of new stuff including the first single, "Kaleidoscope" and their newest single, "Conversation". They also played songs they hadn't played in a while which is pretty awesome of them to do considering their old material was made and most likely last played with their ex-bandmates. Fenech-Soler definitely deliver a performance that their fans want to see. And, that's what makes a show a great show.

Fenech-Soler @ Brick and Mortar 5/20/2017
photo by Nikki DeMartini

If you're not a fan of electro-pop, give Fenech-Soler a chance. Their live show will blow you away. Hopefully it won't be another three years before they tour North America again!

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017

Rickshaw Stop was a buzz with a wide age range of show goers who came out to see the Magic Giant's first headlining gig in San Francisco last Friday night at Popscene! 

Tickets to the show sold-out as people got down to Popscene classics spun by club founder himself, DJ Aaron Axelsen. 

The turn-tables stopped around 10:30 and the live music started with a very gracious Armors from So-Cal opening the show. 

Axelsen mixed tunes again after the openers and the headliner's name dimly illuminated the stage behind all of their back lined gear, giving the venue a sort of warm ambiance. Banjos, acoustic guitar, fiddle, cello and a bunch of drums that littered the stage were a clear indication that we were in for an eclectic treat!

The guys of the three piece band from LA  hit the stage close to 11:45pm with witty frontman Austin Bisnow, introducing the band by name incase we didn't catch it projected behind them. A skater, a bohemian hipster and a burner, their stylish appearance is as eclectic as their sound.

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

They started their set with "Let It Burn", a highly rhythmic song about a realistic approach to the trials and tribulations that are life.  Very much Indie. Very much Folkie.  Magic Giant is not indie-folk. The blossoming band uniquely stands apart from that popular genre with layers of infectious dancey undertones. When I first listened to Magic Giant, I couldn't help but think of the indigenous inspired music of Crystal Fighters. With colorful melodies, whirling percussion, sparkling energy and a down to earth vibe, Crystal Fighters are more worldly while Magic Giant weigh more on the poppy side.

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Between the first and second song, the charming lead singer expressed excitement for being back in SF, playing their very first headlining gig here after opening for The Revivalists at The Fillmore back in February!
They popped with enthusiasm, playfully interacting with each other around the stage as they played, and carrying on with friendly banter. The kinetic energy in room built up as they played their already released hit single, "Set It On Fire" off of their yet to be released debut album In The Wind. 

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

The fluidity of transitions between all the different instruments each band member played was quiet impressive. Just about every song was delivered with a new or different instrument. Whether it was the addition of a harmonica, horizontal playing of the cello or Bis pounding a floor tom while he sang, their sound micro-adjusted from song to song.
I must say, the flurry of drums and percussion really stood out through out the night.




Their vibrant vibe prevailed as the set-list offered stuff we may have heard before as well as brand new stuff we had never heard as described by Bis. Kindered fans commenced in joyful engagement along to every song all night. There was no way of telling if they'd heard it before or not by the outpouring positive reaction.

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

 Magic Giant's palpable happiness extended into humbleness as they mercilessly thanked Aaron Axelsen for having them, Armors for opening for them and everyone who was at their SF headlining debut. With a fun and majestic sound, Magic Giant is en route to being one of the biggest break through bands on the wave of new alt-indie. 

In The Wind is out as of today!

Magic Giant at Popscene 5/12/2017
photo by Marc Fong

Saint Cupcake in Portland!

As I explored Portland last month, I found the cutest little cupcake shop in what's known as the Hawthorne District, called Saint Cupcake. The little shop's shabby-chicness was just as cute as the assortment of cupcakes they offer!

I really enjoyed their use of varied cake stands to showcase their cupcakes. It's not the traditional display that you see in most bakeries or cupcake shops: shelved in a display case. It's clean and open, inviting you to see the whole cupcake, not just the frosting. 

The first day I stopped by the shop, the Confetti cupcake caught the attention of my sweet tooth. 

Pillbury's classic Funfetti cake mix and the frosting that came with it had the yummiest chunky sprinkles mixed right in. It's been years since I've seen a cake or cupcake like that since Pillsbury changed it's Funfetti formula: the frosting's sprinkles are now packaged separately so you can add them and it's just not the same!

I decided I'd come back because my adventure around town had just begun that day but by the time I made it back the Confetti cupcakes were all sold-out! Determined to get one, I returned on the last day of my vacation and, wha-la! It's true what they say, the third time is the charm. It's easy to to see Saint Cupcake makes everything fresh from scratch:  All of the cupcakes  there are so cute in an almost artisan fashion.

I love that they call their mini-cupcakes dots and wound up leaving with FIVE dots.

Intrigued by the flat frosting on the seemingly classic Chocolate with Vanilla Buttercream flavor, I decided to get it. 

 Big Top is a vanilla cake with chocolate chips with vanilla cream-cheese frosting which is tinted with a different color each day depending on the mood of the shop and topped with rainbow sprinkles. There were a couple reasons why I decided to try this cupcake: 1. I never had a cupcake with chocolate chips in it, a muffin, yes but not a cupcake. 2. the days I went into Saint Cupcake the frosting on Big Top was seafoam, my favorite color!

The Confetti cupcake is vanilla cake with pastel colored sprinkles baked right in topped with a swirl of cream-cheese frosting with the same pastel sprinkles mixed in it.

Fat Elvis is such a creative flavor and name that I couldn't leave Portland without having had one! Banana cake with chocolate chips with a peanut butter fudge frosting garnished with a crispy banana chip....what?!?

The lemon curd on top of the Lemon Sparkle caught my eye. I really liked the name (who doesn't like a little sparkle?) and a dear friend who's the inspiration of the cupcake element of this blog, loved all cupcakes but lemon was one of her favorites. So, in honor of Robin, on impulse, Lemon Sparkle was the 5th dot I got.

I didn't eat them all at once but all of them did have that taste of freshness. You know the one: the cake is fluffy to the bite, it's butteriness dancing on your tongue, the creamy frosting isn't rough around the edges but silky smooth or rich and thick (depending on the cupcake). 

I liked them all but my favorites were the Fat Elvis and Big Top!

I didn't realize that Fat Elvis has chocolate chips in the banana cake when I bought it, so they were a delightful surprise! The banana flavor isn't too strong or too subtle. Compared to the super decadent peanut butter fudge frosting the cake is light.
This frosting might be the thickest frosting I've ever eaten and my new favorite! It's 80% peanut butter, 20% fudge and 110% percent delicious! A great representation of one of the King's favorite sandwiches in cupcake form. 

It's like it was meant to be, me trying this cupcake to review for my music and cupcakes blog!

I knew there was chocolate chips in the vanilla cake before  taking my first bite of the Big Top dot because I could see them!
The cake itself is super buttery and dare I say it...moist but it isn't dense like a lot of buttery cakes tend to be. The frosting is the creamiest cream-cheese frosting I've ever tasted! The little twists on this otherwise standard vanilla cupcake make it anything other than vanilla in a big way!

The vanilla cake of the Confetti cupcake isn't as buttery as the vanilla cake of the Big Top cupcake but it is more dense. It's cream-cheese frosting is thick and not too sweet or cheesy and the sprinkles aren't as sugary or waxy as the OG Pillsbury ones were. Aside from the pop of color throughout the cake and frosting, the Confetti Cupcake was rather plain tasting but still a lot of fun!







The last day of my Portland vacation was bitter sweet thanks to Saint Cupcakes' tasty little treats!

At $1.50 per dot the price was on point! If you make it to Portland and have a hankering for a cupcake, Saint Cupcake has you covered! They have a few different locations around town.