James Wavey and White Crate present WC01, a sunny SF party ft. Aroma, Louda, Mild Universe
New music videos by Marika Christine, Cindy, Cardboard People, and Covet - plus the return of genre-busting mind and body meditations by Raven of Vaguetracks
We’re excited to announce WC01, a party on March 18 curated by Michael Bridgmon, the super talented and supremely charismatic producer-singer-songwriter-rapper-bandleader who you may know better as James Wavey.
WC01 is the first in a quarterly party series curated by Bay Area artists, and for this outing we’re being treated to live performances by Aroma, James Wavey, Louda, and Mild Universe—plus DJ sets by Tyla Wave and DJ Chatoyance. Sound by Scheherazade Soundsystem. Sup Street Food will be serving up South East Asian bites, and we’ll have beverages as well. We’re looking forward to connecting with everyone and kicking off this new community music project!
Secret sunny outdoor spot in the Mission. Location to be shared week of the event!
— White Crate
HEARTACHE IN TECHNICOLOR
“The car keeps driving but my soul is far behind
Buckle up baby, we will make it out alright”
Marika Christine—who also plays with Spacemoth, Secret Secret, and Medscool—has a new album coming out this spring, and the first single is a lovely little thing. Made up of walking piano, simple strumming, and gorgeous harmonies, “Buckle Up” says goodbye to yesterday’s heartache in vintage technicolor, and looks to the future with a mantra of a chorus that knows tomorrow will be better. The upcoming album Soft Like an Apricot is due out on Seattle’s Ghost Mountain Records in early May.
— Ronny Kerr
FOGGY SEASIDE WALTZ
“Know it won’t sound
Like a trumpet on the hillside
More like goin round
The wavering star of the b-side”
Did I get those lyrics right?* Maybe Cindy can let me know. The SF lofi indie pop group led by Karina Gill just released “A Trumpet on the Hillside” as the first single and music video from their upcoming fourth LP, Why Not Now? It sounds just like the Cindy we know and love—slow, hazy, sleepy, dreamy—a foggy waltz on a seaside bluff. Even if you have trouble deciphering the softly spoken, barely sung lyrics, you’ll have no trouble slipping into the tender grey film mood.
Why Not Now? is due out on Mt St Mtn and Tough Love on April 14. See Cindy perform tomorrow with April Magazine, Whitney’s Playland, and Black Thumb at the Warehouse.
* Nope: The artist confirmed the actual lyrics are “No” instead of “Know” and “start” instead of star”
— Ronny Kerr
SUN RAYS FOR MIND & BODY
If you’ve been following Raven from Vaguetracks the past several months, you’d notice that they’ve been dropping some really interesting work. Their musical range is impressive: From the beats-forward, otherworldly sound universe of R&B Science Fiction, to the experimental jazz, dubby fusion that is Silken Melodies, to their latest and lushest EP, Dream & Future Spirit. Raven’s brain is a never-ending well of creativity, bursting with unpredictable connections: Whether they’re working in R&B, D&B, techno, or even jazz and classical-inspired contexts, Raven has a knack for pairing the most unexpected of sounds, resulting in works that, while undoubtedly “experimental,” can still be felt deeply in the body as much as the mind.
Lately, I’ve been bingeing Dream & Future Spirit after a series of arduous days. Unlike the album’s predecessors who indulge listeners on the dancefloor, this latest EP feels like the most fantastic stretch—reaching, extending, and expanding like sun rays greeting the early morning when the world feels a little more hopeful than usual. Refreshing, regenerative, lovely.
— Elise Mills
ANTHEM TO RISE UP
It is our honor to share with you the world premiere for Cardboard People’s new music video “And Still I Rise”. Set in an empty skateboard park on a gloomy day, the electronic pop R&B single powers forward with Yunoka Berry’s soulful vibe and sultry voice, offering up enough energy to lighten up the gloom.
The dystopian surroundings provide a mirror for the song’s central imagery: It’s hard to make it in our dystopian, late-stage capitalist world, and that’s under the best circumstances. It’s a rat race and the billionaires have all the cheese. No one’s willing to walk a mile in anyone else’s shoes. Those who are struggling to pay student debt, find a steady job, or affordable housing are even less empowered to make their own decisions. Yet you can still find strength in your own story and your struggle. This song can be the anthem to inspire anyone to pick themself up and be proud of who they are, fuck what the haters say.
— Elliot Engel
MATHEMATICAL GUITAR FANTASY
“The whole concept is escaping into a fantasy realm where the songs depict different characters and their own worlds. Each song is like their theme song.”
Hailing from San Jose, instrumental math rockers Covet just released “Firebird”, the first single and music video from their upcoming third album, catharsis. Drums and bass provide the big sky blue backdrop for the trio’s frontperson and guitarist Yvette Young to strum, pick, and wail on her electric guitar the fantastical, wordless story of one of those characters. The video shows the band cruising around in a literal old Firebird convertible, but could the song be dedicated to the mythical phoenix? It’s epic enough to suit the theme.
New York’s Triple Crown Records will release catharsis on April 7.
— Ronny Kerr
LIVE
Our top show recommendations for the coming week:
[r&b] Christian Kuria, Malia, Dash George, JAMMY — Feb 24 at the New Parish
[rock] Duster, julie, Sour Widows — Feb 24 at the Regency Ballroom
[latin] Ritmos Tropicosmos, Combo Tezeta, DJ DiscoDelica — Feb 24 at the Ivy Room
[club] Lower Grand Radio 9th Year Anniversary — Feb 24 at Thee Stork Club, Feb 25 at Edinburgh Castle Pub
[club] Boy Harsher — Feb 24 at 1015 Folsom
[electronic] Mareux, NGHTCRWLR, PENDANT, 60 Juno — Feb 25 at the Great American Music Hall
[rock] Tommy Guerrero, Ray Barbee, Orb — Feb 25 at the Chapel
[rock] Tsunami Bomb, Death By Stereo, Hammerbombs — Feb 25 at Bottom of the Hill
[indie] April Magazine, Cindy, Whitney's Playland — Feb 25 at the Warehouse
[experimental] Raven Chacon and Music Research Strategies — Feb 25 at the Lab
[rock] Overwhelming Colorfast, Kingdom First, Oranger — Feb 26 at Bottom of the Hill
[r&b] Satya — Feb 26 at SFJAZZ
[r&b] SPELLLING, Pride Month Barbie, Mahawam — Feb 26 at the Great American Music hall
[indie] Cuco — Feb 27 at the Independent
[folk] Meg Baird, Chris Forsyth — March 1 at the Chapel
Want even more? Join our Patreon to get access to the full Bay Area concert calendar, featuring specially curated recommendations for upcoming Bay Area shows.
