What a marvelous jazz set that had strains of rap and Moroccan interwoven.
Monday, February 24, 2014
LeJKeys at The Bootleg
LeJKeys is Julian Le. In the photo below, he's the guy on the keys.
What a marvelous jazz set that had strains of rap and Moroccan interwoven.
What a marvelous jazz set that had strains of rap and Moroccan interwoven.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Eliza Rickman at Hotel Cafe
Eliza Rickman is back in Los Angeles, moving back from Portland. Of course, she goes on tour so often that I half suspect she'll be out of Los Angeles more than in Los Angeles. But it does mean that we in Los Angeles will get to catch more of her. Our blessing, Portland's curse.
I had a bit of a drive to get to Hotel Cafe by her 8 p.m. set, but I made it. She was backed by strings. She did a karaoke song. I do kind of miss the toy piano.
I had a bit of a drive to get to Hotel Cafe by her 8 p.m. set, but I made it. She was backed by strings. She did a karaoke song. I do kind of miss the toy piano.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
The New Electric Sound at Silverlake Lounge
The New Electric Sound. They wear gray sweaters. Their music fills the air with joy. They make corny jokes.
Comment of the set: Go to Youtube.com to find at what Youtube is about.
Comment of the set: Go to Youtube.com to find at what Youtube is about.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
A Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks
Saving Mr. Banks. I know there is some controversy about Disney attempting to make their founder look like a saint. I suppose that criticism has some validity, but to me this movie is really about a father/daughter relationship. Bring some tissues if you catch this movie.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Gentlemen Hall at The Satellite
Gentlemen Hall. They know how to play to the audience. I'm not sure very many of us were familiar with Gentlemen Hall as they come from Boston, but they got the folks rocking.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Dwntwn at The Satellite: 2nd Time
Dwntwn. I have to say that I hardly ever see the Monday night residency bands twice (during their residency). I rotate around between the different Monday night venues, which limits my ability to see a band twice. Sometimes, though, I make sure I catch a band twice. This was the case with Dwntwn. I saw them early in January and loved them. I saw them on their last night and loved them even more.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Maxim Ludwig at Bootleg Theater
Maxim Ludwig. Sometimes too much time passes before you get to catch a band once again.
They hit the stage first on a recent Monday night and I was in love with every beat, every song.
They hit the stage first on a recent Monday night and I was in love with every beat, every song.
Friday, February 7, 2014
San Francisco Dispatch #15 (The Final One): Amnesia - Transfer, Nova Albion
This dispatch series was meant for intraffik, but I'm posting it here.
I picked a Tuesday night for my last call in the San Francisco music scene. Location: Amnesia. This was my second visit to this venue. This is the location that I feel has a misleading venue name as my imagination conjured up something far different than the Old Western themed bar that it is. This is San Francisco’s version of Harvard & Stone.
This was a solid night to pick for my last outing into the San Francisco music scene. First up, was a San Diego band called Transfer. I noticed that they played with a band that someone told me I should check out, Flaggs. They are a four member rock and roll band. If I heard correctly, they are friends with what was the evening’s residency band, Nova Albion. As I was watching the two guitarists and bassist play, I couldn’t help but come up with nicknames for them. Constant motion. Intensity man. The cool one.
I was amused when I first saw them get on the stage. The lead singer started off by stomping his foot on the stage. I’m sure he was wondering if it would hold his weight as it bounced upon each stomp. As for the bassist, at times he played the bass guitar like it was a standup bass. I suspect that Transfer hasn’t played on such a small stage in a long time. They looked cramped and at times it appeared that they were about to collide into each other.
Nova Albion was the residency band for the month of September. Their sound was a mix of 80s pop rock and fusion jazz. I always second guess myself on those types of assessments, but when the second to last song was a Tears for Fears cover song, I decided that I was at least partially right in regards to the 80s influence. They represented the final band I saw during this adventure in San Francisco. I’m happy it was them. It was good to say good-bye to the San Francisco music scene listening to a top-notch San Francisco based band.
Comment of the set: I’m being blessed with beer.
Random notes about San Francisco, the San Francisco music scene and whatever I want to say:
In my first dispatch, I made a couple observations that were not totally true. I complained about the late start of the SF music scene. I learned this was not a true statement across all the venues. There is a randomness to start times across different venues. Some start at 8:30 p.m. Others at 9 p.m. and some after 10 p.m. I mentioned that BART stopped service too early. BART goes later than I initially thought though I hated the fact that late night construction caused 20 minute delays that prevented me from getting back to my bed when I wanted.
My first encounter with Square occurred at the Rickshaw Stop. I quickly learned that Square is used extensively in the San Francisco area. Maybe as I re-adjust back to Los Angeles, I’ll learn it is used extensively here, as well.
I mentioned two awesome vegetarian restaurants in my posts: Herbivore and The Golden Era Vegan Restaurant. I’d like to add a third: Souley Vegan.
Best Pizza: Delfina Pizzeria. I had it cold and it still rocked.
Worst restaurant: I came across a handful of restaurants I wasn’t thrilled with, but I’m going to single out Toast. Why would you serve me cold hot chocolate?
The two coolest musicians I came across: Mish Way who was playing with Louise Burns and is also the lead singer for White Lung; and Sarah Parson, the lead singer for The Lower 48.
Best bands seen in San Francisco that aren’t from Los Angeles. First, Tesla Boy. Second, The Lower 48.
Los Angeles bands I wish I had seen while they were on tour in San Francisco (some played on the weekends when I was back in Los Angeles): Best Coast. IO Echo. Jail Weddings. Local Natives. Milo Greene.
The band I didn’t see, but I am intrigued to see is Mish Way’s White Lung. I’m going to repeat myself: she is so cool.
The furthest venue I walked to from the BART: F8.
The most difficult venue to locate: The Luggage Store.
Coolest non-music moment in San Francisco: Going to Daly City to see where I spent my first years of life.
My top 3 ranking for best SF music venues (within walking distance of a BART stop): 1. Rickshaw Stop. 2. Café Du Nord. 3. Brick and Mortar. Is Bottom of the Hill a top ranked venue? I’m guessing it is, but it was too far of a walk from the BART.
What I learned via reading online articles: Never ever bad mouth San Francisco. The knives come out. But let me say this, there seems to be an over-obsession with money.
Southwest. I think techies are the worst passengers when it comes to following the simple request to turn off all electronic devices. Flight attendants either needed to ask numerous times or didn’t know to ask because the passengers purposely hide the fact that their devices were still on. I don’t believe this is an unsubstantiated accusation as I’ve written extensively here on Intraffik about my trips over-seas and so have experience with other types of passengers.
Southwest comment #1: Please raise your hand if the person next to you has their cell phone on.
Southwest comment #2: If you don’t like the service, there are six exits.
Coolest Southwest moment: seeing the pilots welcome a young girl into the cockpit.
I picked a Tuesday night for my last call in the San Francisco music scene. Location: Amnesia. This was my second visit to this venue. This is the location that I feel has a misleading venue name as my imagination conjured up something far different than the Old Western themed bar that it is. This is San Francisco’s version of Harvard & Stone.
This was a solid night to pick for my last outing into the San Francisco music scene. First up, was a San Diego band called Transfer. I noticed that they played with a band that someone told me I should check out, Flaggs. They are a four member rock and roll band. If I heard correctly, they are friends with what was the evening’s residency band, Nova Albion. As I was watching the two guitarists and bassist play, I couldn’t help but come up with nicknames for them. Constant motion. Intensity man. The cool one.
I was amused when I first saw them get on the stage. The lead singer started off by stomping his foot on the stage. I’m sure he was wondering if it would hold his weight as it bounced upon each stomp. As for the bassist, at times he played the bass guitar like it was a standup bass. I suspect that Transfer hasn’t played on such a small stage in a long time. They looked cramped and at times it appeared that they were about to collide into each other.
Nova Albion was the residency band for the month of September. Their sound was a mix of 80s pop rock and fusion jazz. I always second guess myself on those types of assessments, but when the second to last song was a Tears for Fears cover song, I decided that I was at least partially right in regards to the 80s influence. They represented the final band I saw during this adventure in San Francisco. I’m happy it was them. It was good to say good-bye to the San Francisco music scene listening to a top-notch San Francisco based band.
Comment of the set: I’m being blessed with beer.
Random notes about San Francisco, the San Francisco music scene and whatever I want to say:
In my first dispatch, I made a couple observations that were not totally true. I complained about the late start of the SF music scene. I learned this was not a true statement across all the venues. There is a randomness to start times across different venues. Some start at 8:30 p.m. Others at 9 p.m. and some after 10 p.m. I mentioned that BART stopped service too early. BART goes later than I initially thought though I hated the fact that late night construction caused 20 minute delays that prevented me from getting back to my bed when I wanted.
My first encounter with Square occurred at the Rickshaw Stop. I quickly learned that Square is used extensively in the San Francisco area. Maybe as I re-adjust back to Los Angeles, I’ll learn it is used extensively here, as well.
I mentioned two awesome vegetarian restaurants in my posts: Herbivore and The Golden Era Vegan Restaurant. I’d like to add a third: Souley Vegan.
Best Pizza: Delfina Pizzeria. I had it cold and it still rocked.
Worst restaurant: I came across a handful of restaurants I wasn’t thrilled with, but I’m going to single out Toast. Why would you serve me cold hot chocolate?
The two coolest musicians I came across: Mish Way who was playing with Louise Burns and is also the lead singer for White Lung; and Sarah Parson, the lead singer for The Lower 48.
Best bands seen in San Francisco that aren’t from Los Angeles. First, Tesla Boy. Second, The Lower 48.
Los Angeles bands I wish I had seen while they were on tour in San Francisco (some played on the weekends when I was back in Los Angeles): Best Coast. IO Echo. Jail Weddings. Local Natives. Milo Greene.
The band I didn’t see, but I am intrigued to see is Mish Way’s White Lung. I’m going to repeat myself: she is so cool.
The furthest venue I walked to from the BART: F8.
The most difficult venue to locate: The Luggage Store.
Coolest non-music moment in San Francisco: Going to Daly City to see where I spent my first years of life.
My top 3 ranking for best SF music venues (within walking distance of a BART stop): 1. Rickshaw Stop. 2. Café Du Nord. 3. Brick and Mortar. Is Bottom of the Hill a top ranked venue? I’m guessing it is, but it was too far of a walk from the BART.
What I learned via reading online articles: Never ever bad mouth San Francisco. The knives come out. But let me say this, there seems to be an over-obsession with money.
Southwest. I think techies are the worst passengers when it comes to following the simple request to turn off all electronic devices. Flight attendants either needed to ask numerous times or didn’t know to ask because the passengers purposely hide the fact that their devices were still on. I don’t believe this is an unsubstantiated accusation as I’ve written extensively here on Intraffik about my trips over-seas and so have experience with other types of passengers.
Southwest comment #1: Please raise your hand if the person next to you has their cell phone on.
Southwest comment #2: If you don’t like the service, there are six exits.
Coolest Southwest moment: seeing the pilots welcome a young girl into the cockpit.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
San Francisco Dispatch #14: The Knockout - The Electric Noodle, Son Fish
This dispatch series was meant for Intraffik, but I'm posting it here.
Sick. How can one have a severe cold and cough for over a month? That’s me, of course. I blame it on the San Francisco weather. Or maybe my health is in general decline. Or maybe it was because I kept up my exercise routine as well as went out to catch the San Francisco music scene that prevented my body from over-coming my illness. Whatever the reason, I was coughing so hard over such a long period of time that I cracked a rib, I’m sure of it.
The Knockout. So this was my second time heading out to The Knockout. My first time at The Knockout, I listened to what was described as post-punk music. This specific night can be described as world music themed.
Before heading out to The Knockout, I had sushi at a place called We Be Sushi. And just to make sure my vegetarian credentials are upheld, I had the vegetarian options. I overheard two women discussing relationships. The comment of their conversation: There aren’t any good role models for couples.
It was then off to The Knockout. The first band was called The Electric Noodle. My very first thought, East Asian inspired music. The woman at the microphone, really went all in with the East Asian influenced hand and arm movements. I’m betting her home has a few Hindu images. One divergence was that instead of a sitar, there was a guitar. The guitarist wasn’t as into the East Asian style. I half suspect that he is part of a heavy metal band, as well.
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Son Fish hit the stage next. The East Asian inspired music was set to the side. The synth-style music that appears to be common place in San Francisco from the art scene of The Lab to various rock venues took center stage here. The sounds of whales communicating with each other inspired a song or two.
Noticed One: For Electric Noodle, a young woman danced away during much of the set and she too was obviously inspired by East Asian themes.
Noticed Two: the two bands/songwriters were so into their music that both sets ran over and the sound guy had to come over to let them know they needed to end their sets.
As for The Knockout, my initial opinion still stands, which was that this is dead ringer for the Silverlake Lounge.
Haight-Ashbury. It was finally time to explore an area of San Francisco that wasn’t within a half mile or so of the BART. I know I should have done this far earlier, but better late than never. It was off to Haight-Ashbury where in a 30 minute time frame I was asked three times if I needed some buds. I had a couple slices of Escape from New York pizza. It is okay pizza, but nothing to die for in my opinion. Amoeba Records was closed by the time I walked pass – seemed rather early considering the LA store is still buzzing at 8:30 p.m. I saw a small music venue called the Milk Bar, it is a venue that I’ve seen mentioned in the SF Weekly music calendar. I didn’t duck my head in to listen to any bands. Unfortunately, this venue will need to go unexplored due to the distance from a BART station. I also walked pass the numerous Victorian homes that line the streets. How much are these homes worth? Well over a million, I am sure. I started to imagine how it would be to live in this neighborhood. I then began to imagine how much a monthly mortgage payment would be and a tad bit of jealousy hit.
Southwest:
Comment 1: Separation anxiety begins now.
Comment 2: If this flight turns into a cruise, life vests can be found underneath your seats.
Sick. How can one have a severe cold and cough for over a month? That’s me, of course. I blame it on the San Francisco weather. Or maybe my health is in general decline. Or maybe it was because I kept up my exercise routine as well as went out to catch the San Francisco music scene that prevented my body from over-coming my illness. Whatever the reason, I was coughing so hard over such a long period of time that I cracked a rib, I’m sure of it.
The Knockout. So this was my second time heading out to The Knockout. My first time at The Knockout, I listened to what was described as post-punk music. This specific night can be described as world music themed.
Before heading out to The Knockout, I had sushi at a place called We Be Sushi. And just to make sure my vegetarian credentials are upheld, I had the vegetarian options. I overheard two women discussing relationships. The comment of their conversation: There aren’t any good role models for couples.
It was then off to The Knockout. The first band was called The Electric Noodle. My very first thought, East Asian inspired music. The woman at the microphone, really went all in with the East Asian influenced hand and arm movements. I’m betting her home has a few Hindu images. One divergence was that instead of a sitar, there was a guitar. The guitarist wasn’t as into the East Asian style. I half suspect that he is part of a heavy metal band, as well.
Son Fish hit the stage next. The East Asian inspired music was set to the side. The synth-style music that appears to be common place in San Francisco from the art scene of The Lab to various rock venues took center stage here. The sounds of whales communicating with each other inspired a song or two.
Noticed One: For Electric Noodle, a young woman danced away during much of the set and she too was obviously inspired by East Asian themes.
Noticed Two: the two bands/songwriters were so into their music that both sets ran over and the sound guy had to come over to let them know they needed to end their sets.
As for The Knockout, my initial opinion still stands, which was that this is dead ringer for the Silverlake Lounge.
Haight-Ashbury. It was finally time to explore an area of San Francisco that wasn’t within a half mile or so of the BART. I know I should have done this far earlier, but better late than never. It was off to Haight-Ashbury where in a 30 minute time frame I was asked three times if I needed some buds. I had a couple slices of Escape from New York pizza. It is okay pizza, but nothing to die for in my opinion. Amoeba Records was closed by the time I walked pass – seemed rather early considering the LA store is still buzzing at 8:30 p.m. I saw a small music venue called the Milk Bar, it is a venue that I’ve seen mentioned in the SF Weekly music calendar. I didn’t duck my head in to listen to any bands. Unfortunately, this venue will need to go unexplored due to the distance from a BART station. I also walked pass the numerous Victorian homes that line the streets. How much are these homes worth? Well over a million, I am sure. I started to imagine how it would be to live in this neighborhood. I then began to imagine how much a monthly mortgage payment would be and a tad bit of jealousy hit.
Southwest:
Comment 1: Separation anxiety begins now.
Comment 2: If this flight turns into a cruise, life vests can be found underneath your seats.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
San Francisco Dispatch #13: The Rickshaw Stop - Night Drive, Tesla Boy
This dispatch series was meant for Intraffik, but I'm posting it here. Note: The Queen Kwong blog post reference is over at Intraffik.
The Rickshaw Stop. On a Thursday night, the Rickshaw Stop is the place to be to catch the San Francisco music scene. I think even the ear-to-the-ground foreign tourists know this. As in my very first San Francisco dispatch, the early arrivers on this night were tourists (judging by their accents or foreign language). The night reminds me of Club Moscow: bands and dance club combined. The emphases are different; however. At Club Moscow, the emphasis is more on dancing as you’ll often see more folks dancing in the bar than watching the bands. At the Rickshaw Stop, the emphasis is on the bands. Oh, there is one additional small similarity between these SF and LA nights. Club Moscow has a large fountain in the middle of the floor – with water. The Rickshaw Stop has a small fountain – on the second floor of the venue and with not a drop of water. A nice addition at the Rickshaw Stop is that on the second floor’s backroom, there is a skee ball machine and fooseball table (though I’m not sure they work, like the water fountain). The Thursday night Rickshaw crowd is opposite of what I’ve noticed at a number of the San Francisco music venues: they don’t 10 feet stand away from the stage, they’re right up front from the first band onward. Like Club Moscow, those under 21 are allowed inside, which might be one reason why the front of the stage is a most desire real estate location. One interesting note about the Rickshaw Stop is that if you’re under 21, they mark both of your hands with an ‘X,’ using a black marker. Ink from a black marker isn’t the easiest to wash off. There has to be a better way of identify if someone is under 21. Who wants to ‘X’s on their hands for a couple days? Maybe that’s just my age talking.
What got me to the Rickshaw Stop for a second time (the first time was to see NO) was to catch Queen Kwong. There is a previous post regarding Queen Kwong so I won’t write anything more other than it was so cool to see a favorite Los Angeles band playing a night in San Francisco.
After Queen Kwong opened the night, Night Drive shifted the sound towards dance. A two piece band that hit the synths hard. Some of their songs reminded me of Depeche Mode. Their on stage style reminded a bit of Big Black Delta. “This is our last song, let’s all dance shall we.”
Over-heard by two under 21 year old women: Next time, we need to bring two guys with us. That guy just came over and grabbed me.
Tesla Boy ended the night. They’re from Moscow, Russia. They do know how to drive the anticipation level. Before the band took the stage, the crowd was already more than willing to start dancing the whole set away. The crowd was crammed at the front of the stage. The band’s music started pumping through the speakers. The crowd pressed closer. The band came to the stage. The lead singer started a single beat. The crowd had their arms raised, just waiting to start jumping. The anticipation was reaching a fevered sense of ecstasy. At the very moment where the climatic heights of the fans was reached, the band truly started their set. It was a perfect situation of a band reading their fan base. And boy did they read their crowd well. As they played their first two songs, the crowd was either dancing wildly or reaching as far as possible across the stage to connect so ever more closely to the band.
BART announcement: Don’t ride your bike on the BART. I mean you. That’s where the $250 fine hits. I’m sure you can use that for other things.
Don Pico’s Bistro in San Bruno. Their website states: Friendly Service. That comment is not a lie. While I was sitting at the table, I was approached by four different individuals making sure I was either enjoying my food or that I was pleased with the service I was getting. And yes, I am a vegetarian and this is not a vegetarian restaurant, but they do have a small vegetarian menu. Often times, non-vegetarian restaurants simply don’t know how to make a vegetarian plate, but this restaurant knocked it out of the park. I can only imagine how awesome their meat dishes are. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking out this Mexican restaurant.
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