Rare vaporwave set by SELA. plus interview recorded live on Lower Grand Radio
30 years of indie pop rises in the new Lunchbox album, a new beat tape from ET IV on ASTIG Sound, plus our weekly show recommendations for the Bay
Here’s a rarity: A live performance and interview with Vallejo vaporwave, juke, and footwork producer SELA.
We first came across SELA. almost exactly three years ago via the album You Can Keep It - Vol. 1, which one supporter on Bandcamp described as “extra slapadocious.” There’s maybe no more fitting description. In this week’s special appearance for Lower Grand Radio, SELA. joined White Crate to perform a live set of vaporwave originals, and then shared perspective in a brief interview—including a tip about one of today’s best underground rappers from Vallejo.
Listen to the performance and interview on Mixcloud.
— White Crate
INSTANT INDIE EARWORMS
Oakland-based Lunchbox are masters of the craft of infectious song-making. Pop and Circumstance showcases nearly 30 years of honing a guitar-based pop sound that explodes out of the gate with the delightful jangly energy of “Dinner for Two” and never lets up.
Song after song artfully blends their influences—bubblegum, mod, 60s and 70s SoCal bops, and classic AM radio singles—into an album of instant earworms. While “I’m Yours, You’re Mine,” “Love For Free” and “This World” are perfect soundtracks for sunny summertime days, “New Year” should be bookmarked now for your end-of-year party playlists.
Lunchbox is about to embark on a West Coast tour, but you can catch them here in the Bay at four upcoming shows:
Thursday, May 16 at Jade Cathay in San Jose with Ryann Gonsalves, Softie, and Natasha Sandworms
Friday, May 17 at Subrosa Community Space in Santa Cruz with Ryann Gonsalves, Hookups, and Racecourse
Saturday, May 18 at the Makeout Room in SF with Latitude and DJs
Saturday, June 8 at Thee Stork Club for Oakland Weekender with Chime School, Kids on a Crime Spree, Yea-Ming & the Rumours, Torrey, and DJ Kid Frostbite
— Ainsley Wagoner
MANILA BAY BEATS FOR GAZA
“I could try and evolve as an artist all I want. But if I’m not evolving as a human being first? I have to grow and become a better person, become a more well-rounded individual before I can evolve as any type of artist.”
Internationally connecting the dots of culture and freedom—from Quezon City in the Philippines to Gaza— drive-bais is a new top-tier 23-min beat tape by San Bruno producer ET IV on ASTIG Sound. Scratchy vinyl, soul samples, thrumming jazz piano, virtuousic vocals, precision hitting boom bap—it’s got everything you want from a brief instrumental hip hop journey. But it’s not just feel-good for the sake of feel-good: Featuring sound bites from Huey Newton, Angela Davis, and more, it’s a clear reflection of the artist’s political position, speaking out against injustices committed by Israel in Gaza as much as it is reminding us that international perspective and solidarity is necessary for true, lasting change.
A portion of proceeds from the tape will be donated to Students for Gaza at SFSU.
— Ronny Kerr
SHOW RECS
Our top show recommendations for the coming week:
[indie] Lunchbox, Ryann Gonsalves, Softie, Natasha Sandworms — May 16 at Jade Cathay San Jose
[rock] Aaron Space and His Terrestrial Underlings, Malaphor, Roziht — May 16 at Eli’s Mile High Club
[rock] Double Helix Peace Treaty, Julip, Arts & Crafts — May 16 at the 4 Star Theater
[rock] Pardoner, Nick Normal, Guitar, Blue Zero — May 16 at Kilowatt
[rock] Secret Secret (EP release), Indianna Hale, Half Stack — May 16 at Bottom of the Hill
[hip hop] 24kgoldn, Wyatt Woodley, Michael Sneed — May 16 at August Hall
[forest rave] WET ft. Bored Lord, Tastemaker b2b Guerrilla Pump, Obstac b2b Tom Marsi, Taraneh b2b Cherub420 — May 17 at text 4159387526
[latin] Peña (album release), Uncle Chris, Mint, Touch — May 17 at Rickshaw Stop
[club] Papa Xanny, Fawks, Mars Kasei, Black Plastica — May 17 at TBA Yerbabuena Estudio
[experimental] Earthling ft. Nico Georis, Mejiwahn, Tomu DJ, Matt & NFS — May 18 at Elk Glen Picnic Area
[punk] Ultra Q, Mt. Eddy, Same Side, Fistfight With Traffic — May 18 at 924 Gilman
[folk] Little Oil (tape release), Eli Utne, Crop Top — May 18 at the 4 Star Theater
[rock] Hook-Ups, Still Ruins, Squiggle, Fake Fruit (DJ set) — May 18 at the Great American Music Hall
[hip hop] Andre Nickatina, RBL Posse, Reign — May 18 at Neck of the Woods
[club] NO BIAS ft. WTCHCRFT, Bored Lord, VARSHA b2b RITCHRD, Farsight, Syd, Aircrax — May 18 at F8