Song Spotlight: Tashaki Miyaki's Somethin' Is Better Than Nothin' (a night at Zebulon)

I mentioned in my recent Song Spotlight of Tashaki Miyaki's "City" that it had been awhile since I last saw the band. You can read my write-up here. I can't say that this time around. I've seen the band 3 times in an 8 month period with the most recent time occurring once again at Zebulon. I wrote in that "City" article that my history with the band started in 2012. What I didn't discuss was that my history with drummer and lead singer Paige Stark goes back an additional year to 2011 when she was with the band Stone Darling. At Zebulon, I had a conversation with someone about this and that the drummer from Stone Darling went on do some high profile work. For some reason I couldn't recall the drummer's name, but with the quick help of the Internet: the drummer was Liv Marsico (currently know as Phem) who recently opened for Avril Lavingne. 

Tashaki Miyaki at Zebulon

I would say the backbones of Tashaki Miyaki can be found within Stone Darling. Though Stone Darling leaned folk while Tashaki Miyaki leans psychedelic rock, both bands have a drug induced dreamy sound. Distinct about Tashaki Miyaki is the drum focused music, this being via Paige Stark as compared to Phem for Stone Darling. The drum beat is systematic and hypnotic. The drum kit is meant to be held in prominence for this band as it is upfront and center while the two guitars and bass are off to the sides of the stage.

Though I will say that the drum kit is the primary focus for most of the songs, that isn't so much true for "Baby Don't." Stark mentioned that the song was written for her sick dog, but she wanted it to also mean something for those who have had a rough start to 2025. For that song, electric guitarist Luke Paquin takes the lead with guitar picking that imitates a steel guitar while the drums are largely put in silent mode.

Tashaki Miyaki at Zebulon

A song that I really enjoy is "Somethin' Is Better Than Nothin'," which I highlighted when I reviewed their recent Lodge Room set for US Rocker Music (you can read that here) when they opened for their buds Sunflower Bean. I get an uplifting feel with those consistent drum beats are over-layered with Stark's vocals singing out:

It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright

Tashaki Miyaki at Zebulon

Comment of the set: Can we have a little bit sexier of lighting? I hope your Saturday night is really sexy. 

Setlist: Tonight, Somethin' Is Better Than Nothin', Gone, I Feel Fine, Cool Run, Baby Don't, Wrong Way, Under the Bridge (Red hot Chili Peppers cover), City.