A year on from the comforting lofi jangle of Perfect Worlds, two newly released recordings see Tony Jay exchange the enveloping half-light of their more customary DIY pop for darker, deeper hues. Blown out and lovelorn, The Darkest Corner’s aching strum and hum sees Bay Area fog pop auteur Michael Ramos finding solace in solitude,Continue reading “Tony Jay – The Darkest Corner/Ancient Slice”
Tag Archives: San Francisco
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…”
Chime School – Give Your Heart Away
The glorious 2021 self-titled debut by Bay Area DIY jangle project Chime School provided a giddy rush of pure pop that encapsulated thirty plus years of glorious indie within its thirty minute duration. This time out Andy Pastalaniec has drawn breath, taken stock and further honed his already considerable songcraft, making new single Give YourContinue reading “Chime School – Give Your Heart Away”
Aluminum – Fully Beat
Audaciously adept at refashioning the very best melodic twists and turns of 90s alternative, Bay Area fourpiece Aluminum have truly arrived with thrilling debut album Fully Beat. Reminiscent of a time when it felt as if the right chord change could alter your entire world, Aluminum bathe their soaring songwriting in a contemporary California coolContinue reading “Aluminum – Fully Beat”
Magic Fig – s/t
Capturing the magic of the Bay Area underground in fullest flight and rearranging it into bold new shapes, the moog-bending progressive psychedelic pop of Magic Fig is a unique, all-encompassing journey into sound. A post-pandemic coming together comprising members of The Umbrellas, Whitney’s Playland, Almond Joy and Healing Potpourri, Magic Fig have embraced creative collectivismContinue reading “Magic Fig – s/t”
Torrey – s/t
There is a deep authenticity that runs through the various projects of Bay Area artist Ryann Gonsalves, and it’s that same authenticity that provides the beating heart of the new self-titled album by Torrey, recently released via Slumberland Records. Across the album’s twelve tracks, Gonsalves’ infectious melodies embed themselves artfully amongst layer upon layer ofContinue reading “Torrey – s/t”
Aluminum – Behind My Mouth
Riding a heady wave of early 90’s UK indie-dancefloor inspired cool, San Francisco fourpiece Aluminum dazzle and delight with new single Behind My Mouth. This first seductive statement from the band’s forthcoming debut album Fully Beat is a groove-laden wonder, its relentless big beat shuffle providing a fitting home for Ryann Gonsalves’ probing vocal andContinue reading “Aluminum – Behind My Mouth”
The Umbrellas – Fairweather Friend
San Francisco fourpiece The Umbrellas placed themselves firmly at the indie-pop top table with the soaring success of their 2021 self-titled debut album and its 2022 follow up 7” Write It In The Sky. Split between Slumberland (US) and Tough Love Records (UK), new album Fairweather Friend finds the band bolstered by added melodic muscleContinue reading “The Umbrellas – Fairweather Friend”
Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!
Homespun harmonies and huge-hearted melodies take centre stage on this full length debut from Torrey frontperson Ryann Gonsalves, released via Oakland based label Dandy Boy Records. Steeped in truth and self-reflection, Ouch! is a warmly infectious and highly rewarding listen. Using the sparsest of arrangements to conjure deeply affecting moments of real beauty, Gonsalves’ empoweringContinue reading “Ryann Gonsalves – Ouch!”
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