Al Harper, analemmas, and a constellation of artistry from the Bay
New this week: Psychedelic beat melange from Cheflee and the deluxe edition release of indie rock album "No Guitar" by Curling on Royal Oakie Records
Thank you to everyone who tuned into Al Harper on Lower Grand Radio last night!
Following the release of The Analemma Observation League, soft rock singer-songwriter Al Harper joined us in the cozy studio with a stripped down version of the full band (including Chris Portka on guitar and Ainsley Wagoner on keyboard). Al performed a six-song set (including a cover of “Some Day I’ll Be a Farmer” by Melanie), and then we had a ball of an interview talking about Bay Area music microcosms.
If you missed the live session, listen to the recording and interview here.
— White Crate
PSYCH BEAT MELANGE
“its all about the unlimited potential of the self.
The perception of time is a gift bestowed upon all makers of reality.
Being able to decorate this perception is one of the joys of creation.
These decorations can be as subtle as breath work or as grand as erosion.
ultimately its up to you how you want to decorate.”
Sound hypnotist Cheflee last week released Fescue June, an experimental collage of pensive piano, funky soft-touch hip hop beats, whirring whizzing synthesizer, recorded private moments with family, and more. Fans of output by local collective SMARTBOMB and the LA-based Brainfeeder roster (think Thundercat and Salami Rose Joe Louis) will discover much to love in this new work, as Cheflee applies a similarly earthy urban sound palette, warbling and orchestrating his own psychedelic beat melange. Subdued enough to enjoy in the background, but conscious and compelling enough to deserve your full attention.
You can purchase the digital album or subscribe to Cheflee on Bandcamp.
— Ronny Kerr
BUZZ WHINE SING SHRED
“Our jubilant celebration of death, birth, unemployment, sex and love, anxiety and depression, loneliness, and canine companionship.”
After 12 years of making music, Curling played in SF for the first time (Sunday at Neck of the Woods), and it might be the last local show for awhile since one of their members is based in Tokyo. But there’s plenty of Curling to hear thanks to the deluxe edition release of No Guitar, originally released last August. Bridging two continents, various indie rock stylings, and a handful of universal life themes, No Guitar buzzes and whines and sings and shreds. The band started with simple song ideas, recorded basic tracks, and then let them fully evolve in the studio environment, crafting a sonically multi-layered work with a modest spark at its core.
Issued by Royal Oakie Records, the deluxe edition release marks the album’s first pressing on cassette and CD, and includes two instrumental bonus tracks from the original recording sessions.
— Ronny Kerr
SHOW RECS
Our top show recommendations for the coming week:
[punk] Mars Kumari, Under Ego, Id & the Egos, Silakbo, Minor Sun — Mar 8 at Stay Gold Deli
[hip hop] Cin, Mr. Stranger, SundaY, Do Dat — Mar 8 at Ivy Room
[club] NO BIAS ft. Jasmine Infiniti, DJ Nico, Discnogirl, Queermom — Mar 8 at Underground SF
[club] THE STUD FUNDRAISER ft. The Carry Nation, Prosumer, Jason Kendig, Infinite Jess, Steve Fabus, Oscar — Mar 8 at Public Works
[folk] The California Honeydrops — Mar 8-9 at Fillmore Auditorium
[latin] Ritmos Tropicosmos, Combo Tezeta, Caja Magica — Mar 9 at Eli’s Mile High Club
[club] BENEFIT FOR MAYA SONGBIRD ft. Discnogirl, Boyprincess, La Femme Papi, Digital KitKat — Mar 9 at El Rio
[rock] Wife, Fuckwolf (album release), Leather Pet, Steak — Mar 13 at Kilowatt
[club] Vitamin1000 ft. Adware, bad juuju, Clearcast, Skiis, Vertigo — Mar 14 at California Academy of Sciences
[country] Country Risque (album release), Juicebumps, Half Stack, Katsy Pline, DJ Cosmo Dante — Mar 14 at Rickshaw Stop