Returning with a gently uplifting yet melancholic sigh as we wave goodbye to summer, Oakland based Rob Good (Ryli) announces his band The Goods’ full length debut Don’t Spoil The Fun with shimmering lead track April Fools. A bittersweet paean to the complexities of human connection, Good explains the song thus: “It’s about being tuggedContinue reading “The Goods – April Fools”
Tag Archives: Oakland
heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…
I was totally blown away this week by the announcement of a stunning Dandy Boy Records showcase to welcome me on what will be my first visit to the Bay Area. Yes, after following the scene for some five years and covering it here for the last two and a bit, my wife Julia andContinue reading “heavymetalkids.uk is Bay Area bound…”
Hectorine – Arrow of Love
There is a tenderness and directness at the centre of Sarah Gagnon’s songwriting that stands alone amongst the busy and beautiful Bay Area underground. Unabashed and unafraid, she wears her heart on her sleeve, wrapping her incomparable vocals around soulful dreampop melodies steeped in magic. New album Arrow of Love, Gagnon’s third under the HectorineContinue reading “Hectorine – Arrow of Love”
Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal
It’s no secret that this blog fell hard for Bay Area duo Whitney’s Playland’s 2023 debut Sunset Sea Breeze. Loaded with charm, melody and garage indie riffing, the album captured hearts from the very first listen. With Inna Showalter (Magic Fig, Blades of Joy, Modern Charms) and George Tarlson (Grandma’s Boyfriend) now joined by EvanContinue reading “Whitney’s Playland – Long Rehearsal”
Rhymies – I Dream Watching
Fresh out on the relentlessly dependable Oakland based Dandy Boy Records comes this solo debut from Seablite’s Lauren Matsui. Trading in that group’s multi-layered dreamgaze in favour of melody drenched electronics, Rhymies’ inaugural EP I Dream Watching is a giddy synth-pop triumph. From the pulsating urgency of the title track’s soaring chorus through to TheContinue reading “Rhymies – I Dream Watching”
Artsick: Sticking with you, me and community…
Bay Area fuzz pop duo Artsick recently released a vital new single to raise funds for The Trevor Project, truly the most worthy of causes. The release sent me on a voyage of discovery and I’ve been hooked on Riley Riley and Mario Hernandez’ raw and deeply real grooves ever since. Vocalist, guitarist and songwriterContinue reading “Artsick: Sticking with you, me and community…”
above me – s/t
The Oakland based DIY label Dandy Boy Records has long been my go to for the deepest of Bay Area underground cuts, and so it continues with this release from former Blue Ocean man Rick Altieri’s new solo project above me. Expanding on his former band’s experimental shoegaze soundscapes, above me’s self-titled debut incorporates drumContinue reading “above me – s/t”
Ryli – I Think I Need You Around/When I Fall
Initially brought together for a Cleaners From Venus tribute album, Bay Area based Yea-Ming Chen (Yea-Ming and The Rumours) and Rob Good’s (The Goods) collaboration quickly flourished into a winning creative partnership, the first fruits of which being this tremendous single for Dandy Boy Records. Combining Chen’s pop sensibilities with Good’s keen ear for anContinue reading “Ryli – I Think I Need You Around/When I Fall”
Ryann Gonsalves: A sense of Bay Area belonging…
Bay Area artist Ryann Gonsalves has been omnipresent on the underground independent scene this year as frontperson and key member of the bands Torrey and Aluminum. The full-hearted melodic gift that flows through both of these projects can also be explored in its starkest form across Ryann’s enchanting DIY solo album Ouch!, recently released viaContinue reading “Ryann Gonsalves: A sense of Bay Area belonging…”
R.E. Seraphin: Powering-Up the Bay Area Popscene…
The music of Ray Seraphin is somewhat of an outlier in a Bay Area underground scene renowned for its delicious jangle and fog enveloped fuzz. Giddy riffs and heart tugging solos are his trademark, brought down to earth by a keen eye for melody and an unmistakable street smart croon. R.E. Seraphin’s second album Fool’sContinue reading “R.E. Seraphin: Powering-Up the Bay Area Popscene…”
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