Oakland's Actual Wolf (aka Eric Pollard) digitally released his album Faded Days on Redhouse Records earlier this month, and this weekend he's celebrating the release at Slim's, opening for North Carolina's Mipso. We think you should attend, so we're giving away a pair of tickets to the show.

To enter for a chance to win tickets to see Actual Wolf at Slim's on June 16, email russell.jelinek@thebaybridged.com with "Actual Wolf" in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email. A winner will be selected at random and notified via email.

Faded Days is less "country" than some of Actual Wolf's previous work, leaning more to a modern take on the twangier sections of the Eagles' catalog, (and I mean that as extremely high praise). It has so many wonderful harmonies, highway rhythms, and, well, fades that demand a drive with the windows down. Stream it via spotify below and download or preorder a vinyl copy via Amazon.

Mipso, Actual Wolf
Slim's
June 16, 2017
9pm, $16

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Grace Sings Sludge (Grace Cooper) and Earth Girl Helen Brown (Heidi Alexander) have been a part of some great San Francisco bands, namely The Sandwitches and The Fresh & Onlys. Tonight they're sharing the stage with their old bandmate, Fresh and Onlys' front man Tim Cohen for a great cozy show at the Night Light in Oakland.

Of primary importance tonight is the release of Grace Sings Sludge's LP Life with Dick, out now on vinyl via Empty Cellar Records. Cooper's voice is always strong and alluring, yet very dark on Life with Dick. I picture her confidently delivering her weird folk-pop as a sultry lounge singer in the world's seediest bar with a crowd of scary dudes wrapped around her finger. Here's her dark-yet-alluring visuals for "A Man Doesn't Want" followed by the full album stream:

Earth Girl Helen Brown has moved to LA, but she's still releasing albums on cassette on SF-based Empty Cellar: Mercury dropped earlier this year and Mars is set for a July release. Note that both her cassettes are 100% post-consumer recycled and she's donating all proceeds to charities dedicated to improving the environment or ending war. Last Friday she shared a video for "Earth Elevator", and I've probably watched it about a dozen times since it was released. The song is great on its own, but there's so much oddball charm in the visuals that I keep watching again and again:

Finally, Tim Cohen is always busy - he's released a solo LP already this year and a Fresh & Onlys album is set for an August 25 release. As expected, the solo album is solid and the first song from the Fresh and Onlys album is a great start. Here's a taste of both:

By the way, if you can't make it to Oakland, Earth Girl Helen Brown also performs Thursday night at Brick and Mortar in San Francisco.

Grace Sings Sludge, Earth Girl Helen Brown, Tim Cohen
The Night Light
June 27, 2017
9pm, $8

Earth Girl Helen Brown, Carletta Sue Kay, Muscle Drum
Brick and Mortar Music Hall
June 29, 2017
9pm, $10

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Oakland's Jay Stone has long been our radar for his contributions to the film Morris in America, his stellar collaboration with LA producer Monster Rally, and his early solo work. He's back at it with a new full length on the way, Calibration Of An Altered Mind, and we couldn't be happier to share you the first single from the album, "Flying Monkeys".

On "Flying Monkeys", Jay warns listeners that "Flying Monkeys don't negotiate, they just paper chase and player hate". In the verses, he quickly ruminates on subjects ranging from Dennis Rodman and Madonna to junior high nostalgias to social problems in America with a flow that is sharply rhythmic yet effortlessly smooth at the same time. Producer Micah Aza's beat has the up-front drum track and sample you'd expect from classic hip-hop beat, but somehow gives off subtle, more modern cloud rap vibes in the process. All in all, it's a solid intro to the next chapter in Jay Stone's career. Give "Flying Monkeys" a listen below, and catch Jay Stone performing live July 5 at Milk Bar for an edition of "Milk Was a Bad Choice" with LA artists Zack Villere and Mulherin and San Jose's Try the Pie.

Jay Stone, Zack Villere, Mulherin, Try the Pie
Milk Bar
July 5, 2017
9pm, $5 (Free with RSVP)

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A few interconnected musicians are celebrating new releases tomorrow night at Rickshaw Stop, and you should get excited!

Headlining the night is Kacey Johansing, who's releasing her first post-Yesway solo album The Hiding. The Hiding was largely recorded in spiritual cousins West Marin and Big Sur, and it feels like it. It's a highlight record for me this year and it should be purchased while you listen below.

Meernaa has steadily been releasing one-off singles over the past few years, with a sound defined by Carly Bond's strong vocals, surprising rhythms, and Rob Shelton's synth wizardry. (Rob has also performed with Johansing in the past). Their new single, "Marrow" is a step in a louder and more haunting new direction for Meernaa, and that's a good thing. It just went public today, so give it one of the first spins below.

Kicking off the night is James Riotto, who also engineers at Tiny Telephone with Carly Bond. He released his second solo EP, Mineral King, back in May. It's experimental and jazz-influenced and a great sonic experience.

Kacey Johansing, Meernaa, James Riotto
Rickshaw Stop
July 20, 2017
8pm, $10

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Photo: Sofia Bell

His new solo LP, Pictures of Saint Paul Street is available now via Trouble in Mind Records. With lyrics about subjects such as drunken nights, dirty streets, the current societal climate, and the high cost of being buried in Oakland, don't expect a real pick-me-up from this album. What you can expect is to know Greg a little better after listening - he finds a lot of fault in his surroundings (and himself) but also manages to paint his pictures with a touch of affection.

Ashley also teamed up with his "Western Playboys" (Nick Allen, Arlo Perlstein, and Jimi Mark) to record an EP of classic country covers that has just been released on Third Man Records. Greg sounds a lot happier on this album - almost like he's having fun, so you actually can expect to find a pick-me-up here. His style and his band fit this collection of songs so well.

Greg and The Western Playboys perform tomorrow night at Eli's Mile High Club. He says it's likely the only time he'll perform these country covers live, so come on out!

Greg Ashley & The Western Playboys, The Chuckleberries, La Dee Da
Eli's Mile High Club
July 28, 2017
8pm, $8

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The Laytcomers have been around for several years, but they've only recently begun performing their honest, lo-fi no wave influenced songs live. They began as a quartet of Fremont High School friends before half the band split, leaving Cye Husain and Ilya Shkipin to continue as a recording project for several years. During that time, they focused on recording and honing their sound before adding drummer John Lee in 2015 and saxophonist and keyboardist Sam Hardy last year, giving them the chance to explore new sonic territories with the saxophone and get out and play a show every now and then.

Their "Sharpie Head" single is their first release since adding saxophonist/keyboardist Sam Hardy and drummer John Lee. They made damn good use of Hardy's sax — it starts as a major part of the rhythm before primarily adding to the noise later in the song, while the ever-present drums make you feel like a cool kid in New York in the late '70s. Their sound is evolving from earlier works, and I like where it's going.

The Laytcomers have an album practically ready to go, and they're playing the Hemlock later this week. Details right here:

Nyre, The Daisy Chain Reaction, Laytcomers, Family Flaw
Hemlock Tavern
August 3, 2017
8:30pm, $7

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The Classical has been one of our favorites since frontwoman Juliet Gordon moved to the Bay Area in 2013. Luckily, they're releasing a new cassette, Survival of the Softest, tonight at Eli's Mile High Club. Sadly, Gordon tells me her bandmate Noah Quillec is heading back home to Kansas, so she's putting The Classical on semi-permanent hiatus after Friday night rather than bringing on a replacement. In addition to the cassette, Gordon and team are leaving us with a series of videos for the release. As expected, they're dark and fascinating.

If you can't make it to Eli's for one last crazy show with The Classical, you can also purchase Survival of the Softest via Bandcamp.

The Classical, Bourgeois Speedball, Zen Mother, IMA
Eli's Mile High Club
August 11, 2017
8pm, $5-10

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Local musician, experimental artist, and all-around brilliant guy Bill Baird has long been one of our favorites, whether he's inventing new instruments, creating an album with 11 billion possible versions, or producing hilarious art installations. Well, he's also a damn fine songwriter, which he showcases on a pair of new albums, Baby Blue Abyss and Easy Machines.

Baird tells me the albums were conceived as morning (Easy Machines) and evening (Baby Blue Abyss) experiences. "One album you play while hitting the town with your friends, the other you play the morning after, head in hands, wondering what in the hell you're doing with your life," explains Bill. "The last track of each album is designed to segue, both sonically and emotionally, into the first track of the next record. Like a snake eating its tail, or something." The two albums definitely hit the vibes Baird was aiming for — Baby Blue Abyss is the more upbeat and loud album, while Easy Machines brings Baird back to his Texan roots with strong country hangover vibes. Bill, who has been receiving a decent amount of attention across the pond, recorded portions of the albums at Abbey Road studios in London, in addition to Austin and his home studio in West Oakland. Give both albums a listen below along with a couple videos to get to know him a little better.

Baird will perform an all-acoustic show at Bazaar Cafe in SF on September 2. He'll be joined by Burner Herzog, the new solo project of Jasper Leach, and Jeffrey Manson.

Bill Baird, Burner Herzog, Jeffrey Manson
Bazaar Cafe
September 2, 2017
7pm

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If you've been to many shows in the Bay over the past few years, there's a good chance you've seen Joel Cusumano perform. He's been a member of Cocktails, Talkies, Stalls, and fronted the oddball industrial grunge-gaze DSTVV. Today we're stoked to give you a taste of his newest project, Sob Stories. Sob Stories' debut six-song 12" EP is out later this month via Emotional Response, and our first peek into the album is their video for "I Don't Know About Love."

On "I Don't Know," Cusumano has created two minutes of power pop perfection, with a hook I haven't gotten out of my head since Joel sent it our way and a ripper of a solo. Adam Widener (also of Circuits) has provided a professionally designed yet choppy and weird visual backdrop, providing an appropriately awkward setting for our song's hero to do his thing. Check it all out below.

Sob Stories has a pair of release shows planned this month, first this week in Oakland with Circuits and Portland's Bread & Butter, followed by a show two weeks later at the Hemlock with sea blite and the Saucy Jacks. If you can't pick up a copy at one of the shows, you can preorder right here.

Circuits, Bread & Butter, Sob Stories
Octopus Literary Salon
September 13, 2017
9pm, $7

The Saucy Jacks, sea blite, Sob Stories
Hemlock Tavern
September 29, 2017
8:30pm, $8

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(photo: Yasamine June

San Francisco's Latitude released their debut album L'attitude this past June, which is a jangly exploration and reinterpretation of pop and rock and roll from the '60s through the 80's led by lead singer Amy Fowler's charm. Now they're back with some sweet visuals for their track "Say What You Mean."

Shot primarily on the most picturesque small stage in San Francisco (aka The Make Out Room), the video incorporates choppy dance moves that feel right at home with the eclectic rhythms. The video was edited by the talent Fowler herself, and was shot and directed by Justin Frahm, who mans the keys in Latitude in addition to being a purveyor of fine music in his own right. (Seriously, go listen to this). There's also a mysterious tie that binds that I'll let you interpret as you will:

L'atitude is available via cassette via the always-solid Royal Oakie Records. (Side note: Royal Oakie's visual art direction is consistently some of the best around: I could spend hours pondering each of their album covers). Latitude performs Sunday night at Cafe du Nord with the amazing Danny James (backed by the also-amazing Once and Future Band) and former San Franciscan Bart Davenport. Expect good times.

Danny James, Latitude, Bart Davenport
Cafe du Nord
September 17, 2017
8pm, $10

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Photo: Caroline Hamel

According to legend, Burner Herzog was born under an Oakland new moon while Jasper Patrick Leach (Brasil and several others) was recording "Dark Places," a song on Burner Herzog's debut Wonderful American. After recording Brasil's At Paradise Park (twice), Leach had decided to return to home recording. "I became frustrated with the traditionally linear process of making rock records and realized I needed to rethink my approach," Leach explained over email. "Once I began to work in this new mode, the things that started coming out did not sound like Brasil songs."

The work of Burner Herzog explores slightly stranger and more pop-oriented sounds than Brasil, but what remains is Leach's charming persona that has been present in all the projects he's fronted since we were first introduced to him five years ago.
Burner Herzog found an all-too-perfect group to release his debut — the DIY pop masters at Death Records. Listen and click through to buy below.

You can catch Burner live a couple times over the next couple of weeks: first Thursday night at El Rio, and then early next month at his big release party at Eli's in Oakland.

Burner Herzog, Toxic Slime Records, Ziplock
El RioSeptember 21, 2017
9pm, $6 (21+)

Burner Herzog, Shame Waves, Frank Ene, Minerals -
Eli's Mile High Club
October 6, 2017
8pm, $10 (21+)

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Oakland's The World has been one of our favorites here at The Bay Bridged for quite some time, and we were quite excited to get our hands on their first proper LP, the appropriately-titled First World Record. It's available now on LP via Lumpy Records. (Note: the link may say "out of town", because of course the the most difficult band to Google is on a record label who shuts down their shop while on tour.)

Anyway, as you'd expect, the record's great. The World is generally assigned a "post punk" label, but if you ask me, they've created a sound from a completely different time: not like the past, but from some sort of alternate history entirely based upon their unique two sax and/or drum sound and playful-meets-cool attitude. I just love it.

So listen and buy, hear their interview with Marc Riley on BBC6, and ring in 2019 with them at the Hemlock, along with CCR Headcleaner.

CCR Headcleaner, The World
Hemlock Tavern
December 31, 2017
9pm, $15 (21+)

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Oakland's Mark E. Deutsch has been making odd DIY pop for quite some time now, either solo or as part of the R&B and hip-hop duo Jabari and Deutsch, and he's just released his latest album, Found Voice. Almost entirely self-recorded, it is the last album he'll release before the birth of his child.

Maybe it's the influence of impending fatherhood, but Deustch's music on Found Voice hits this odd balance of creating an aura of monumental importance from a bedroom, with a little bit of uneasy shakiness underlying it all. Listening to Found Voice, I'm feel that I'm living in time when artists created sample-based mega pop hits in the late '90s, but I'm experiencing something edgier and more precious made by a neighbor in Oakland. No shows until Deutsch gets the hang of parenting, so listen and download below.

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Photo: Michael Bordelon

Last month, Joseph Childress released his first full-length album in a long time, his self titled LP on local favorites Empty Cellar Records. Childress' most recent release before this one was the vinyl release of Rebirth, a lo-fi collection of songs he recorded in his parents' bathroom and originally released on CD-R. Joseph Childress is an entirely different experience; professionally recorded in Portland by Mike Coykendall, the new album is crystal clear, introducing new layers of folk instrumentation without losing the intimacy that is so crucial to Childress' work. Listen below and purchase via Empty Cellar.

To celebrate the release, Childress is showing off his new music at Brick and Mortar Music Hall tomorrow night with a fine collection of artists: China (the band) and Ryan Wong. Wong, who you should know for his work in Cool Ghouls, recently released his debut solo album on Empty Cellar as well. China's about due for a new album, but their debut full-length Pool of Tears is always worth a spin and their most recent live set I caught featured dueling synth and pedal steel, (which worked out brilliantly). Check 'em out right here, and for goodness' sake go see some damn fine local music on a Thursday night.

Joseph Childress, China, Ryan Wong, DJ Swiftumz
Brick and Mortar Music Hall
November 30, 2017
9pm, $10-12

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For the past several years, San Francisco's Luke Sweeney has tried to kick off the holiday season by writing and recording a Christmas song with his buddy Roberto Pagano, and he's back for another round this year. I'll let Luke himself tell the story of 2017's miraculous Christmas birth (of song):

This year, I wasn't feeling inspired. I hadn't a shred of an idea for the song until the day before our annual tradition was set to commence. I holed up in my studio for a bit and tinkered with a few melodies until I had a tiny skeleton tune to work with. The next day, I brought it over to Roberto's apartment with a few instruments. Since there are there are precious few recording studios left in San Francisco, we recorded in a half-empty flat in the Mission - somewhat mirroring the 'no room at the inn' story of the first Christmas. We put the sounds together one by one, and once the beat was in motion I pulled images from Christmastime to juxtapose them with feelings of the 'other' or outsider in the lyrics. Sure enough, the song came to life, and we were giddy as elves. We decided to film a few scenes before putting all the recording toys away, then we sent the footage and song to a wise man, like they were surprise gifts of frankincense and myrrh. That wise man, our friend Robin, mastered the track and put the pieces of footage to music to make one weird holiday music video.

It's not just a fantastically weird video, it's one helluva dose of holiday cheer and a catchy tune to boot. I mean throw in a children's choir and it would feel perfectly natural next to rock star holiday tunes such as"Happy Christmas." It's sure to put a smile on your face and make you wish for snow and holiday leftovers:

You know what else will put a smile on your face? Luke's December Thursday Night residency at Amnesia! For three weeks in December, Sweeney takes the warm Amnesia stage with some of the area's finest talent. It kicks off tomorrow night with China and Sarah Bethe Nelson, followed by Latitude and the Smokin' Ziggurats on the 14th. Luke tells me the first two installments are more about "ugly sweaters, gettin' cozy with friends and enjoying good music and company," while his final night on December 21 showcases the "SMiLE! Christmas Extravaganza" featuring a host of local musicians singing nothing but holiday tunes. If you're lucky enough to be in town, swing on over to Valencia for a special San Francisco night.

Luke Sweeney, Sarah Bethe Nelson, China
Amnesia
December 7, 2017
9pm, $10

Luke Sweeney, Latitude, Smokin' Ziggurats
Amnesia
December 14, 2017
9pm, $10

Luke Sweeney and the SMiLE! Christmas Extravaganza
Amnesia
December 21, 2017
9pm, $10

The post Premiere: Experience “Christmas in Real Time” with Luke Sweeney appeared first on The Bay Bridged - San Francisco Bay Area Indie Music.

Like your pop full of attitude, lo-fi, and quick and to the point? If so, Evil Twins are for you. With just one song on their debut over 75 seconds on their debut album, Evil Twins maximize sass per second.

Evil Twins are the brainchild of Trevor Straub (Pookie & The Poodlez, Nobunny, Unity Skateboarding) and Stevie Shakes (Unity Skateboarding) — you can learn a bit more about them in the Unity Skateboarding feature in the New York Times (!) The always wonderful Vacant Stare Records has this quick gem of an album for sale on cassette — click through after you quickly listen below.

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Oakland's Rob Miller is always doing something you should know about. As the brain behind Vacant Stare Records, he's introduced us to loads of new local bands. You can spot him on guitar with newly-minted Hardly Art signee (and Vacant Stare Alumnus) Dick Stusso, and let him bring you down in beautiful ways fronting his project Mall Walk. And that just wasn't enough, so Rob started yet another project, Dry Erase, who released their debut almost a year ago. Rob describes the trio best:

[Dry Erase] is a recording project I started early last year with Kyle Day of Beekeepers and our French friend, Marius Atherton. Kinda anarcho post-punk shit. Lyrics are written from the perspective of a ruthless and maniacal leader with a regime on the verge of being overthrown. I wrote this shit in late 2015 so I must be some type of punk Nostradamus.

I tell you about this now because Dry Erase is wrapping up a very special West Coast tour Friday night at the Knockout, and you should go check out the grainy, maniacal weirdness in person while you get the chance (remember, they're based on two continents!). They also have nice videos, and cassettes are still available via Vacant Stare.

Marbled Eye, Dry Erase, Blank Square, Part Human
The Knockout
January 26, 2017
9pm, $5-10 (I'm guessing here)

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Post Trash just released their third annual compilation of 51(!) underground-ish bands from all corners of the rock and roll genresphere. All proceeds from sales of the comp will go directly to the Maria Fund, an organization benefiting victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico.

A pair of locals are on the comp: Cool Ghouls contributed their ramblin' "CCR Bootleg" and Pardoner added the fuzzy "Bud." Check them out below, and if you're reading this across the pond, Cool Ghouls are about to embark on a nice long tour of Europe.

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Oakland's Cryderman was on our list of Musicians to Watch in 2018, and today, you get a chance to literally watch them as we suggested. The new band of Oakland musical vets is sharing their brand-new video for "Vape Pen." Shot, edited and directed by Luke Judd, we learn just how important Cryderman frontman Ryan James Holzer's vape pen really is to him. It's his best friend, his chat buddy, his transportation, and his musical instrument, and of course, his source of smoke. Go on a ride with Holzer, his band, and his oversized vape pen through Oakland and google images below:

Cryderman was formed in the summer 2016 when Holzer, who had spent much of the past decade making music with Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot, joined forces with Ryan Christopher Parks, Andrew Macy, Raj Kumar Ojha, and Joel Robinow to record their self-titled debut full-length in West Oakland. Holzer's vocals exude a combination of desperation, wit, and importance while fuzzy electric guitars with a little bit of twang provide a nod to some great '90s alt-country. Give the full record a listen and watch their debut video for "Pink Hotel" right here:

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In case you haven't noticed, it turns out Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys loves the Bay. He's signed two fantastic Bay Area bands to his label Easy Eye Sound — Sonny Smith is releasing Rod for your Love in March and Shannon and the Clams is releasing Onion February. To get you ready, Shannon and the Clams has released a trio of videos for the songs "Did You Love Me," "Backstreets," and "The Boy." As you'd expect, the songs are a delight and the visuals are all wildly different, yet exactly what Shannon and the Clams videos should be.

Onion is currently available for preorder on Easy Eye Sound and the Clams will be touring the US as part of Dan Auerbach's Easy Sound Revue, which has a pair of dates at the Fillmore, where they'll also be joined by Sonny. Should be a romantic couple of evenings!

Dan Auerbach & the Easy Eye Sound Revue featuring Robert Finley, Sonny Smith, Shannon Shaw with special guests Shannon & the Clams
The Fillmore
February 14, 2018
9pm, SOLD OUT

Dan Auerbach & the Easy Eye Sound Revue featuring Robert Finley, Sonny Smith, Shannon Shaw with special guests Shannon & the Clams
The Fillmore
February 15, 2018
8pm, $45

The post Shannon and the Clams share three videos ahead of ‘Onion’ release appeared first on The Bay Bridged - San Francisco Bay Area Indie Music.