Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018

It had been 4 years between albums from New Zealand's multi-instrumentalist, singer/song writer, fasionista Kimbra and about the same amount of time had past since the last time she played a show in SF. That all changed when she released her third studio album, Primal Heart earlier this year and set forth on tour in support of it which found her playing at The Regency Ballroom in February. A few months later she released a less electric, more introspective version of the same album, Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined. 
And now, she's back on the road, this time with an acoustic show. Kimbra played a three night residency at The Chapel December 2nd, 3rd and 4th and contributing writer Michael Pettett was at her third and final sold-out show in the city to tell us how it compared to the last time she played here. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 


As Kimbra blossomed into the music scene with her first album, VOWS and making a guest appearance on Goyte's single "Somebody That I Use d to Know", we immediately saw the shear, raw talent that she possess.  With an electric sound and notably exposing her influences by showcasing a live rendition of Nina Simon's "Plain Gold Ring", it was obvious that Kimbra had a plan to seemingly take the world of jazz influenced pop by storm.

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

The Golden Echo, her triumphant follow up to VOWS, gave us maturity in a way that didn't stray too far from her original sound, allowing fans to relish in ability to write hooks and phrases like none other. Her poetic prose left you feeling an array of emotions unlike most contemporary pop artists today. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

With her third release, Primal Heart we are given a new perspective. Almost what seems to be a step backwards into the realm

of commercialized pop, yet we find ourselves feeling the same emotional weight that Kimbra knows how to deliver best. It wasn't until she released Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined that I shifted my perspective about the record, Primal Heart. 

Initally I was displeased with the record itself, mostly feeling a lack of inspiration for the material on the record which paled in comparison to her first two. Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined however, give us the Kimbra we originally fell in love with. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

As expected, Kimbra set out in the road and subsequently sold-out three nights at The Chapel in San Francisco's Mission District. With a two piece band consisting of Zach Tenorio (Arc Iris) on Piano, and Spencer Zahn (Kimbra, Dawn) on upright bass, the three of them harmoniously occupied space on the stage and perfectly complimented one another, giving  Kimbra the stage to fly. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

To say that she's talented is an understatement. And to say that she's captivating live is almost insulting. Kimbra brings an energy to her performances like no other performer that I've seen and she was explosive on stage at The Chapel. Their sparse set up on stage and the show being a seated one made the intimate night with Kimbra feel like we were at a small jazz club back in the prohibition era.

It's rare that to find an artist in the public eye as she is, willing to fold inward, back into a place of vulnerability to release a record that showcases an array of abilities including poring out emotionally into studio recordings.  You can see direct responsiveness in the fact that she sold out three nights of shows in a row, during her second run in San Francisco this year.  

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

Now that Kimbra is touring on the release of Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined, we can see that polished pop princess practically broken down on stage in front of us. Her connectivity to the crowd is unrivaled and now that she's touring acoustically, it's even more so. 

 Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

Eye contact, articulation,  discussing the importance of regrouping as a civilization to connect and not focus on social media so much are the types of things you can expect to encounter on this tour.  Not to mention her romper was unbelievable! She must have been in 8 inch platforms! 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

In my opinion, it's shows like this that can truly expose the real artists, the people who actually sweat and cry from their artistic process. Kimbra is that. She embodies everything about her own art and will surely give you an experience unlike anything you've ever seen before on this Reimagined tour of hers. 

review written by Michael Pettett 

photos by Marc Fong 

Kimbra @ The Independent 10/20/2014

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

New Zealand-born, Australian-based songstress, Kimbra performed in San Francisco for the very first time to a sold-out crowd at The Independent on October 20th.

 

 

 

 

The musical taste of the 24th year old singer/songwriter/musician is unique to say the least: with her soulful ballad singing style and an experimental funk, electro-pop fusion inspired by the liking of prog rock and metal, Kimbra's sound stretches across the spectrum.

 

 

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beaming in a cape of gold which she soon shed to reveal a structured shiny silver dress seemingly made of sheets of reflective metal, she mirrored an imaginative image of the name of her 2014 album, The Golden Echo but it was her fiery smile and bubbly spirit that really shined.

 

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

 

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

 

 Keyboardist Ben Davey and Synth mixer Fegan Wilcox from her first album Vows were missing but the familiar faces of drummer Stevie McQuinn and guitarist Timon Martin were joined by two new bandmates and the five of them jive exceedingly well live. Exploring the multifaceted genre of pop music, songs from her first album have a more modern, soulful spin while the new stuff weighs in heavy on the pop platform with her signature Kimbra twist.

 All of her songs remain youthful and fun with a mature appeal.



Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

 

 

Meticulous melodies colorful with vigorous drums and rhythmic guitar were brought to life by

Kimbra's age defying bellowing vocals juxtaposed  with her composed frenzy of charactercher-ish expressions. 

Shout outs to San Fran sprinkled the set which was dominated by catchy jazz inspired melodies which carried the theatrical pop songs, old ("Settle Down", "Two Way Street", "Something in the Way You Are", "Cameo Lover") and new ("Teen Heat", "Carolina", "90's Music", "Goldmine", "Rescue Him", "Nobody But You").

 

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

Kimbra at The Independent 10/20/2014
Photo by Marc Fong

 

 

 

Kimbra definitely knows how to put on a show. She relentlessly impresses beyond her undeniable musical capabilities with an effervescent crowd interaction and endearing showmanship which will surely lend a hand in selling out the remaining shows of The Golden Echo Tour.

Kimbra residency at The Chapel December 2nd, 3rd, 4th

In 2011 "Somebody That I Used to Know" launched Australia's Gotye and New Zeland's Kimbra into one hit wonder stardom, here in The States anyway. Since then the now 28 year old diva has released three albums: VOWS (2011), The Golden Echo (2014) and Primal Heart (2018). The last of which is a far cry from her retro, doo-wop debut as she's moved into the realm of experimental. 

A couple of months before the release of Primal Heart earlier this year, Kimbra played an illuminated, visual show at The Regency Ballroom on Valentines Day. Months later the fashionable songtress released, Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined, a 4 song acoustic EP of songs from the synth soaked album. And now, she's touring in support of it. 

Three of the eight shows in the U.S are at The Chapel in San Francisco. Starting on December 2nd Kimbra brings her acoustic set to a venue with an elegant acoustic aesthetic with two nights of sold-out shows. Tickets are still available for the third and final, intimate, reimagined evening with Kimbra. It will be interesting to see what she brings to the stage this time around. 

My Go with Gotye

Earlier this year I was more familiar with the music video for the song "Somebody That I Used to Know" (featuring Kimbra) than I was with the single itself let alone knowing who the artist was. Before I knew it I was on a plane from SF to DC about to hit the road as the Assistant Tour Manager for Gotye on their first tour of the US!

I had a lot to learn and a short  time to do it; first thing first was how to correctly pronounce Gotye (Go-Tea-Yay) then within the first 5 minutes of meeting the tour manager I learned the most important rule of life on the road which is do not take a shit on the bus, ever. Knowing how to tell military-time as was real important, too!

Derived from Gauthier, the French equivalent of Walter or Wouter Gotye the band consists of bassist Lucas Taranto, keyboard/synth-wizard Tim Sheil, Michael Iveson on drums, guitarist  Ben Edgar and of course Gotye himself, Wally De Baker. These boys are truely a band of friends and the friendships extended to throughout the entire crew! From stage techs, audio techs and guitar techs to light techs and video techs the band may consist of 5  but there was a total of 13 mates on tour who made up what and who I came to know as Gotye.

                                   Photos courtesy of Marc Fong Photography: 4/18/2012 @ The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Along with getting to know and work alongside the Gotye gang, I also go the privilege of working with the supporting act and other half of "Somebody":the young, beautiful, talented, stylish and extremely driven Kimbra.

                                  Photos courtesy of Marc Fong Photography: 4/18/2012 @ The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

The 19 show tour brought me all across the country to destinations and venues I otherwise may have never visited:

 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC                                 

- Tower Theater, Phillidelphia                                                            

-Terminal 5, New York                                                                      

- Webster Hall, New York                                                                 

- House of Blues, Boston

- Corona Theater, Montreal

- Kool Haus, Toronto

- University of  Michigan

- Aragon Ballroom, Chicago

- EPIC, Minneapolis

-  Ogden Theater, Denver

- The Vogue Theater, Vancouver

- The Crystal Ballroom, Portland

- The Showbox, Seattle

- Coachella Music Festival, Indio CA

- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco

- The Nokia Theater, Los Angeles

- Coachella Music Festival, Indio CA

                                                   

The 9:30 Club's decedent chocolate cupcakes were the tastiest post-show treat, Terminal 5's mech manager was a darling (and is now Kimbra's tour manager!), Webster Hall reminded me of the Great American Music Hall back home, The House of Blues in Boston was filled with history and beautiful art, I even got to visit good ol' Canada and by the time we got to Coachella Gotye had hit #1 on the Billboard charts! 

Photo-Op with Wally

Needless to say the entire experience was a highlight in and of itself but weaving through thousands of people  with Wally to see M83 at Coachella was something else: I was watching an amazing performance with an amazing musician, an amazing man. It blew my mind.

Photo-Op with Lucas

When I stopped to think about where I'd been, where I was, where
I was about to go and what I was doing I could hardly believe it myself: I was doing what my dreams are made of and never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be on tour with such wonderfully humble rockstars.

Being on tour is hard work: long days turn into show nights turn into rushing on to the bus before rolling out to the next city in another state, often with no time to shower and I absolutely loved it. After being on the road with the band and crew for over a month the day came when it was time to go home:I felt like Dorthy saying goodbyes  to my colleagues who by that point felt like family and just like that I was back home.





Currently on tour in their native Australia, I couldn't be more happy to hear that Gotye has been nominated for three Grammys: Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (for Somebody I Used To Know featuring Kimbra), and Best Alternative Music Album (Making Mirrors) plus their hit track "Somebody" has been named the UK's biggest-selling single of 2012 so far! As the boys would say, "BOOM! SLAMMIN!"

SF's Dirty Ghosts play in SF

Popscene was poppin' with new music Thursday night spinning  Settle Down by Kimbra, Secrets by Silver Swans, Take a Walk by Passion Pit and Let's Go by Matt & Kim before San Francisco's own Dirty Ghosts dominated the pint sized stage.

 

Singer-Guitarist Allyson Baker's virile vocals kick started the show belting out  Pretty Face, the ninth song on Dirty Ghosts' debut LP Metal Moon.With out brushing her bangs out of her eyes the Joan Jett protégé rocked on with the riff heavy indie-rock song Ropes that Way, had fun with bassist Erin McDermott during the new wave-ish track Shout It In and seemed to find their groove during the post garage rock song 19 in '71.

 

 

Dirty Ghosts might be wet behind the ears but they have a polished grunge sound you'll want to hear and you'll be able to at this year's Treasure Island Music Festival!

Photos by: Nikki DeMartini

Best Shows of 2018

2018 was a pretty big year for this little ol' blog and a busy one at that. Sweet Sound Bites'  6th year anniversary was in March, we were approved to cover two festivals (Our Music Fest in Berkeley and The Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa), we covered some awesome shows and there was multiple contributing writers this year! Being approved to review a show is always exciting and it's very rewarding to be able to give friends the opportunity to review shows. 

Here's my list of the best shows I was lucky enough to attend this year:

10. G-Eazy @ The Fox Theater Oakland, March 1st, 2018 

G-Eazy @ The Fox Theater Oakland 3/1/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

It may not have been the smartest decision to go to a show the night after returning from being in a Costa Rican Rain Forest for 9 days, working at a Music and Yoga festival but...it was G-Eazy. I'm not familiar with much of his music but I am familiar with easy on the eyes G-Eazy himself and by the sounds of the blood curdling screeches from ladies at his show in Oakland, I am not the only one. 

The handsome Bay Area rapper preformed the one song I do know and enjoy by him, "No Limit" and that alone made it worth it.

St. Vincent @ The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium 1/22/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

9. St. Vincent @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, January 22nd, 2018

I never got on the St. Vincent bandwagon but the amount of buzz that surrounded the 2018 re-worked version of her 5th album, 2017's Masseducation as Massseduction lured me in. I signed up to work her sold-out show in San Francisco and am happy that I did. Her neon pink latex one piece and thigh high patent leather boots with furry pink arm cuffs, choker and matching pink electric guitar, she was like a modern day Barbarella meets Fembot.  Standing in front of huge projections screens, her band was completely hidden so it was just her with her electric guitar that you saw on stage.

I hadn't seen that before, a solo artist hiding their band at live shows to keep up with the appearance of being solo. (Kimbra did the same thing a few weeks later at her headlining show at The Regency Ballroom). Her robotic nature on stage played into the theme of both of her new albums which was pretty neat for a "rock show" and when her electric guitar ripped through the crowd it was killer. Her very visual show included "Los Ageless" and "Masseduction" which of course, were very cool to see live. 

8. Cherry Glazerr @ Coachella, Sonora Stage, April 21st, 2018 

Cherry Glazerr @ Coachella, Sonora Stage 4/21/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Cherry Galzerr was the only full set I saw at Coachella while working the consecutive weekend festival in the desert. It was weekend 2 and they played on the Sonora Stage, a small stage tucked inside with an underground punk-rock scene feel.  It was so nice to be able to get out of the glaring sun and away from seas of millennial selfie takers into a dark, dank room with music so loud it made your ear drums ring. There weren't too many people there that afternoon, so my coworker and I were able to get right up front. It was my first time seeing Cherry Glazerr and they totally rocked! They even brought female wrestlers who fought it out on stage as the band slayed the end of their set. I can't wait to see Cherry Glazerr on their headlining tour in 2019! 

7. HAIM and Lizzo at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, April 6th, 2018

The season opener at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley this year was a wet one! But people braved the rain,  filled the outdoor arena with plastic ponchos. It was my first time seeing  HAIM and Lizzo  and the energy from the crowd before the show even started made me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. A playlist over the house PA was on a loop and every time "Dance with Somebody" came around the whole place filled with people singing along. 

Lizzo @ The Greek Theatre in Berkeley 4/6/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

HAIM and Lizzo fans literally belted out Whitney Houston's 1987 hit every time it came as if it doing Karaoke. It was something else and one of those magical moments when you witness first hand the power music has to bring complete strangers together in happy unison.

 Lizzo's opening performance was probably the best opening act I saw all year. She was vivacious as she performed all of her singles, keeping up with her two back-up dancers who's leopard print outfits matched her own. 

As soon as the HAIM sisters hit the stage they were so gracious: seeing everyone out in the cold, getting wet but sticking around to see their show brought one of them to tears. They dominated the stage with their collective drumming, guitaring and Joe-cool attitude. Both acts made it a point to connect with their fans that night and that's always one of the best parts of any show. 

HAIM @ The Greek Theatre in Berkeley 4/6/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

6. Sleigh Bells @ The Shoreline, August 7th, 2018 

This Summer Sleigh Bells toured with Pixies and Weezer and I made sure to get to The Shoreline Amphitheater early enough to catch the opening act, the act I was most excited to see, Sleigh Bells.

Sleigh Bells @ The Shoreline Amphitheater 8/7/2018
photo by Marc Fong

From the looks of it, there was a lot of people there but the majority were in the super long lines for merch when I arrived. I've been a big fan of Sleigh Bells since their 2010 debut, Treats and I've seen them at multiple concerts and sold out headlining shows before. However, when I saw that the seated section in the Amphitheater was bare before their set I wasn't that surprised. 

Weezer has been around since the early 90's and Pixies have been around since the mid 80's, so Sleigh Bells were new to a lot of people there that night. That's one of the reasons I thought this show was so cool: Weezer essentially took Sleigh Bells under their wing, bringing the brat-punk band on this tour that was sure to sell out shows, inevitably getting Sleigh Bells more exposure to grow their fan base. That and I love Sleigh Bells, they always slay with an energy charged show and thanks to their bad-ass front-woman Alexis Krauss they delivered a solid opening set. Plus, what a great all around indie bill this was: Weezer with Pixies and special guest Sleigh Bells. 

5. Lizzo, Janelle Monae and Janet Jackson @ Outside Lands 2018 

Out of all of the musical acts at Outside Lands this year, three African American ladies own the show, in my book. All three played the Lands End Stage which is the main stage situated in the Polo Fields of Golden Gate Park. Lizzo played on Saturday afternoon (August 11th) and Janelle Moane and Janet Jackson played on Sunday, August 12th. (Janelle Monae played that afternoon and Miss Jackson closed out the festival). 

Lizzo @Outside Lands 2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Lizzo was as fiesty, flirty and self-loving as she was when she opened for HAIM in April. The same back up dancers were there, too keeping up with her and that spunky energy. In an eye catching daffodil yellow evening gown engulfed with tulle, she paraded around the stage flaunting a grandiose air which was just as entertaining to watch as it was empowering. She even got off the stage and perused the photo pit with a bottle of Patron in one hand and giving high fives to fans in the front row with the other hand (I was one of those fans who got a high five from Lizzo!) 

Janelle Monae played mid-day on Sunday and pretty much stole the show up until that point. Her set had back up dancers, choreographed moves, costume changes. At one point she stopped and made a motivational speech about loving each other and love is love is love and had everyone hold up their hands in the shape of a heart, filling the Golden Gate Park Polo Field with hearts from everybody to everybody. She played her single "Pynk" off of her 2018 release, Dirty Computer and wore the same vagina pants that are featured in the songs' music video which was definitely a highlight for me. 

Janelle Monae @ Outside Lands 2018
photo by Marc Fong 

Miss Janet Jackson took the Main Stage on Sunday night to close out Outside Lands 2018. Isn't it weird to think that women hardly ever headline music festivals? 

Beyonce was the first woman to headline Coachella just this year (technically it was Lady Gaga who was the first woman to headline the coveted festival in the desert in 2017 when Bey had to bow out because she was pregnant with twins). 

In it's 11th year, Janet Jackson was the first woman to headline the Outside Lands Music Festival. She danced, she sang, she paid tribute to her brother Michael and she looked good doing all of it. 

4. Juliette & The Licks @ Cornerstone Berkeley, July 19th, 2018 

Juliette & The Licks @ Cornerstone Berkeley 7/19/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Juliette Lewis is a bad-ass who has been in some great movies. So, when I was approved to cover the sold-out Juliette & The Licks show at Cornerstone Berkeley, I was beyond stoked to see her bad-assery live in person! I went with a good friend and it turned out that her friend was in the opening band which made the night that much cooler. Juliette wore the Evel Knievel jumpsuit she's known to ware at her live shows and she never stopped rocking. Headbanging, jumping around the stage, kicking off her shoes, screaming, growling, stage diving. Juliette Lewis plays the rockstar role well and knows how to put on a rock show! 

3. Nikka Costa @ Yoshi's Oakland, May 24th, 2018 

The last time I saw Nikka Costa was in 2012 at The Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco (which doesn't exist anymore) with my Dad. My Dad is a huge fan of Nikka Costa (did you know that her godfather is old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra?) so when tickets went on-sale for her show in Oakland  and he asked me if I wanted to go I made sure to be free that day. She played at Yoshi's in Oakland on May 24th, a few days after my Dad's Birthday. Near Jack London Square along the waterfront in Oakland, it was my first time being to a show at Yoshi's. It's really nice and clean, half restaurant half music venue so ticket holders can get a drink or a bite right there before doors open.

Meet and Greet with Nikka Costa @ Yoshi's Oakland 5/24/2018 

We had meet and greet tickets so we got to go in a little early and had our picture taken with Nikka before the show. She's very nice and was surprisingly soft spoken for the huge stage presence I know she has when she preforms live. Yoshi's hosts all seated shows and our table was in the front row, like practically on the stage. Nikka put on a rockin' show. She has such a powerful, soulful voice and she wiggles her hips so much you'd think she was Shakira. Her firecracker energy was contagious as people got up and out of their seats, dancing and singing along with her. It was a great way to celebrate my Dad's Birthday. The best part was I knew my Dad had a great time, too. 

2. Sylvan Esso @ The Greek Theater Berkeley, July 12th, 2018 

In August 2017 Sylvan Esso played at The Fox Theater in Oakland and less than a year later they returned to the East Bay. Only this time around they played a venue practically 4 times bigger, The Greek Theater in Berkeley. 

Sylvan Esso @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 7/12/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

I had been excited about the show since they announced their 2018 tour dates and was curious to see how their one-off, headlining show would compare to their set at Bonnaroo which I had seen just a few weeks prior. Both Nick and Amelia took moments through out their set to take it all in and share memories of their first Bay Area shows at Bottom of the Hill and opening for  tUnE-yArDs at The Fillmore and how they wouldn't be where they are with us, their fans.

Sylvan Esso @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley 7/12/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

I was at the tUnE-yArDs show, so it was special to experience that shared moment. When I saw them at The Fox Theater their second album, What Now had only been out for about four months so seeing them a year after their latest album came out was cool because everyone was more familiar with all the songs they played. They always deliver a genuine heartfelt show with soaring energies and dancing bodies on and off the stage. 

This time was no different.
 Amelia even wore the same amazing, tasseled sleeve bodysuit she wore when I saw them at Bonnaroo.   

1. Sylvan Esso @ Bonnaroo, June 9th, 2018

I've gotten into a habit of not really looking at the line-ups of the Music Festivals I work because on show days there's no way of knowing what your work day will look like. I did however, glance over the Bonnaroo line-up when it was announced last January and I got a little giddy when I saw Sylvan Esso on it. In Tennessee I found out that one of my dearest co-workers there was also a huge fan and so was our new co-worker, whom we both bonded with immediately, and of course this bonded the three of us even more). 

The three of us made sure that on Saturday night, June 9th  we'd be at that set in THAT tent. And we were. It might have been the muggiest day of the festival, even after the sun went down the air was thick and everyone was sticky. THAT Tent was so packed for Sylvan Esso people were spilling out of it. We weaseled our way to the stage left, viewing area and got as close as we could get. It was even hotter inside THAT tent, breathing the stale air, waiting for Sylvan Esso. And then, just when I thought my body temperature couldn't get any hotter, I couldn't be anymore sweaty or sticky and I couldn't possibly dance, Sylvan Esso started. I don't think there was a moment throughout their set that my co-workers and I stopped dancing or singing. For the most part we weren't even dancing with each other but we were...everyone there was dancing with each other. 

Sylvan Esso @ Bonnaroo 6/9/2018
photo by Nikki DeMartini

Everyone there was dancing with Sylvan Esso. They're an expressive duo and their own awe was apparent at Bonnaroo. Amelia really brought it to the stage, hair clinging to her face as she tirelessly kicked high and wiggled low, tassels blowing in the air in the wake of her dance moves. They did not sell their festival set short and it was magical. Just as soon as it started it ended, leaving us with permanent smiles for a good while after as we rode the high. We had the best time together at Sylvan Esso. I walked out of THAT tent knowing that it was probably going to be my favorite set of Bonnaroo 2018 even though there was still a one whole day of music left.



 I did not know it would wind up being my favorite show of the year, even topping their headlining show at The Greek Theater in Berkeley.
But it did. Maybe it was because I was with my girls. Maybe because it was a well deserved work break. Maybe because Sylvan Esso always bring it. Maybe because all those factors combined made it the best. 

honorable mentions:
- Matt & Kim @ The Warfield 4/3/2018 
- Eminem and Dr. Dre @ Coachella 2018 
- Bob Moses @ Envision 2018 
- Sofi Tukker @ The Fox Theater in Oakland 5/18/2018 
- The War & Treaty @ Bonnaroo 2018 
- Bishop Briggs @ The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/4/2018 
- Walk Off The Earth @ August Hall 8/26/2018 

MS MR Announce Debut Album!!!

It's been just about a year since the critically acclaimed debut Candy Bar Creep Show EP from the Brooklyn based girl/boy duo MS MR has been out  yet I still haven't been able to pin-point the familiarity of their sound, have you? Kimbra? Florence and The Machine? The Joy Formidable? Grimes?





Wherever the vague resemblance lays I for one am excited to hear more on May 14th when Second Hand Rapture, the debut LP from MS MR is released!

Coinciding with their record release announcement "MS" Lizzy Plapinger and "MR" Max Hershenow are streaming  “Fantasy,” a new track on their upcoming album.
Candy Bar Creep Show is also streaming on the MS MR soundcloud  along with bonus remixes from Twin Shadow,  Charli XCX and Chet Faker.

 

Produced by "MR" Hershenow, with additional production/mix by Tom Elmhirst, Second Hand Rapture is comprised of 12 tracks including the band’s breakthrough single Hurricane, which was named “Best New Track” by Pitchfork and it's video has  skyrocketed to over 1 million views!

 

 

In 2012 MS MR hit the road with Marina and the Diamonds and Grouplove  and this summer this “refreshingly sincere new-wave style mood pop" band plan to tour through the release of their new album.

 

Hopefully we'll get treated to some more streaming new tracks before then!

2025 Playlist

 Have I become one of those people who doesn't listen to albums? The answer here is yes and no. 

Do I listen to albums cover to cover? Yes.
Did I listen to new albums in full that were released last year to constitute a favorite album of the year list for 2025? No I did not.

Do I have an album of the year? Yes but it was not released this year.

The album that I kept revisiting, the album that resonated with me, with all of the trials and trimbulations that 2025 brought and that will most likely carry on was Idles' Ultra Mono from 2020. 2020 was of course, the final full year of the first Trump administration while 2025 was the year that the second Trump administration started.

In the absence of a favorite album of the year list for 2025, I've put together a playlist of songs that were released over the course of the year. There is no rhyme nor reason to the placement of the songs which is to say that the first song isn't my number one favorite song of the year, so on and so forth. 

1. Wavves "Busy Sleeping": San Diego's Wavves released their 9th studio album Spun last June. "Busy Sleeping" caught my ear with a sound reministent of 2010's King Of The Beach.

2. Lambrini Girls "Big Dick Energy":  If there's an album that comes close to being my number one album of last year this is it. Lambrini Girls struck big with their debut album Who Let The Dogs Out in 2025. It's the girl power movement we all need as the world around us grows even more overtly misogynistic.

3. Steve Lacy "Nice Shoes": This song is more like a spoken word poem with every nonchalant word ringing true therefore widely relateable. Steve Lacy is yet another artist from the R&B relm blending genres and taking the plunge into a more interspective and mature psyche.  

4 . King Princess "Cry Cry Cry" : The name of the 5th song "Cry Cry Cry" on King Princess's 3rd album Girl Violence caught my eye so I gave it a listen. It's indie-pop flare and bratty, blunt chorus tickeled my fancy. 

5. Drama "On The Way": I sure do love me some music from Drama. The duo from Chicago didn't drop an album but they did give us a few songs and "On They Way" was one of them. It's a little deep, a little cool, calm and dancey. It's a whole lot of Drama and I can't get enough of it. 

6. Turnstile "SUNSHOWER":  Their highly anticipated follow up to 2021's Glow On, 2025's Never Enough dropped last June. You can find Turnstile at Coachella this year which will be a real life sunshower indeed. It would be fun, and fitting, to see them play this song live at any Spring time or Summer time music festival.  

7. Idles "Doom": Thanks to the 2025 movie Caught Stealing we got a new underlying, politically charged single from Idles. Best listened to loud, "Doom" came just in time for when we the people need it most.  

8. Arooj Aftab (Khruangbin remix) "raat ki rani": The fact that this is a Khruangbin remix drew me to give this song a listen because, Khruangbin. It's seductivly romantic. Seducing with it's ethereal, cathartic sound which is difficult to describe in words but easy to understand when listened to.   

9. Andre 3000 "i spend all day waiting for the night": Andre 3000's outfit at the Met Gala last year makes so much sense after seeing the album cover art for last year's 7 Piano Sketches. This song starts with a kinda creepy intro which I am totally into. The song itself is melodramatic with pounding keys accentuated by drums. This track stuck out to me because of it's name since I too use to spend all day waiting for the night. Now, I can't wait to go to bed to wake up to a new day everyday. Andre 3000 said see ya later flutes, it's piano time.
Where will this experimental musician take us next?

10. Nine Inch Nails (TRON Ares) "As Alive As You Need Me To Be": Thanks to yet another TRON re-boot and the ceaseless EDM boom, industrial electro-rockers, Nine Inch Nails, might have never come out of  movie score hiding. With another tour up their sleeve this year and an appearance with Boys Noize at Coachella this Spring, I for one couldn't be more excited for the return of and hopefully more than a tour from NIN. 

11. Alabama Shakes "Another Life": The last time we got an ablum from Alabama Shakes was 2015. Ten years later they gave us the single, "Another Life".  

12. Miley Cyrus "Something Beautiful": The title track off her last studio album won me over with it's soulful twang and curveball by way of that gritty beat drop.

                        13. Brooke Candy "POGO": Sometimes you just need a raunchy, thrashy, hyper sexualized dance romp from Brooke Candy and she gave it to us in 2025.

14. Princess Nokia "Drop Dead Gorgeous": Off the beaten path of her usual hip-hop driven tracks as we hear Princess Nokia veering more pop on this one and I'm here for it. 

15. Die Spitz "RIDING WITH MY GIRLS": When I found out that Die Spitz is on Jack White's Third Man Records label I had to give them a listen and "RIDING WITH MY GIRLS" sold me. 

16. Choke Cherry "Secrets":

I really wanted SF's Choke Cherry to be another grungy garage rock girl band, however they're a little on the softer side. "Secrets" is my pick off of their debut album Ripe Fruit Rots and Falls which dropped last November. 

17. Mac DeMarco "Knockin": There's something about the slow tempo strumming and singing heard on side B track 4, "Knockin" from Mac DeMarco's sixth studio album, Guitar that struck a cord with me. The Canadian singer/songwriter released the album on his own record label, Mac's Label in Aguust 2025.  

18. Madi Diaz "Feel Something": Touched by the song off her 7th studio album, Fatal Optimism, "Feel Something" as an ode to everyone who's ever found themselves in a relationship with a narcasist or an emotionally avoidant person. Stripped down to her voice and guitar amplifies it's overall rawness, playing into the rawness of awakening to the realization that your own emotions have been eroded.  Being breadcrumbed along the way before finding your way back to what makes you you by allowing feeling to flow and workign through why you feel the way you do. It's a song to listen to alone, perhaps on a walk through the woods or while having your morning coffee or afternoon tea. 

19. Fred Again + Amyl & The Sniffers "You're A Star": I didn't jump on the Fred Again bandwagon when he burst onto the scene a couple years ago but I'm on it for this one. I love me some Amyl & The Sniffers and dig this punk, dance fusion. It's a PDM collab, if you will. 

20. Earth to Eve "THREAT LEVEL ORANGE":  Unlike the subject at hand, "THREAT LEVEL ORANGE" it's clever, it's smart and it's factually accurate. Lyrically delivered in more of a rapping style while the over all vibe is punk, there's so many things to love about this track from Earth to Eve.  It doesn't pretend that our democracy and basic human decency in this country is disappearing before our eyes. This isn't the only politically powered single she released last year and hopefully it won't be the last because shared like minded thinking and awareness seems to be the only sense of hope we have these days. 

21. Cardi B "Check Please":  This is the only track I've heard from Cardi B's 2025 album, Am I the Drama?.  "Check Please" is the energy I'll be carrying throughout 2026. #teamcardi #feelinglikeabadbitchallgoddamnday

22. Couch "Window": My favorite track off of Couch's debut album. A dreamy sound thanks to layered horns and melodic harmonies. It's uplifting indie song reminding listeners to be thankful for what we have. 

23. Wolf Alice "Bloom Baby Bloom": Wolf Alice returned with vigor last year with their 4th studio album, The Clearing. Frontwoman Ellie Roswell sounds stronger than ever on "Bloom Baby Boom". With vocals that are reministant of an early 2000's Kimbra, an intense build up and powerful drop to round out this solid rock n roll song. Welcome back, Wolf Alice.  

24. Wet Leg "Catch These Fists": We all fell for Wet Leg's first single "Chaise Longue" when it dropped in 2022. Three years later, their new found confidence shines on their sophomore album as they've clearly found themselves, in more ways than one, and we love to hear it. Understandably so, the feisty independent woman anthem, "Catch These Fists" is the first single off their new album.  

25. Modern Nature "Zoology": Heard about Modern Nature by chance late last year. "Zoology" is like a modern day lullaby for indie kids.

 

26. Mt. Joy "More More More": Easily one of my favorite songs of last year. With it's sutble build up and crashing beat drop, Mt. Joy's "More More More" sparks an unassuming joy.

27. Ecca Vandal "MOLLY": Straight from South Africa, Ecca Vandal's 2025 single "MOLLY" is fun, it's punky in a screamo way and if you've ever had bad news broken to you while under any type of influence, it's relateable. Plus, I love her style. Aside from her appearance at Coachella this year, I'm looking forward to more from her.  

28. Girl Tones "Again": Yet another girl group giving us their take on grungy, punky girl power. "Again" is enjoyable again and again and leaves us wanting more from Kentucky's Girl Tones. 

29. Khruangbin "Little Joe and Mary ii": I think it's safe to say I am a big fan of everything Khruangbin does. For instance, surprising us with a new album in 2025 after giving us one in 2024. I could listen to the first track, "Little Joe and Mary ii" off of their sixth studio album, The Universe Smiles Upon You ii everyday for the forseable future.   

30. Olivia Dean "Man I Need": 2025 was Olivia Dean's year partly due to this hit single of hers and for good reason. It's catchy, her voice is solid and she's not the only one searching for the man she quote unquote needs (wants). 

31. Madonna "Drowned World/Substitute For Love": I almost forgot that Madonna released a remix album of songs from her 7th studio album, 1998's Ray of Light called Veronica Electronica until my Dad gifted me the album on CD for Christmas. The first track brought me back and made me remember how much I love the original. Now I love the remix, too.  This is the other album that would be on my favorite albums of 2025 list if I had one.   

As if paying artists mere cents wasn't reason enough to cancel Spotify, up until early 2026 the platform not only supported MAGA's ICE movement but ran recruitment ads for it. Paying for premium therefore paying to hear zero ads doesn't mean they're not there. It's shocking, to say the least, to see how many people still subscribe this streaming platform.

Because of all of Spotify's fascist support and lack there of for musicians, along with Apple's MAGA investments, this playlist can be found on the new streaming platform, Qobuz. Every song might not be available yet on this new platform but it is super easy to transfer playlists from other platforms to this one. We do love conveience, right? And yes, there is a monthly payment due but it's a small price to pay for music we love.