Author Archives: Roman Gokhman
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Interview: Garifuna Collective keeps Belizean music alive
Garifuna Collective and Danny Michel perform at Brick and Mortar in San Francisco on Aug. 7, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Seven years after the death of its leader, the Garifuna Collective from Belize remains on track, with new recordings and a concert tour that brings the group to San Francisco…
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Interview: African nomad guitarist Bombino used to herd goats
Bombino, courtesy. Guitarist Bombino went from herding goats for a nomadic tribe in Niger to performing African desert blues songs about his people to the world — even though guitars were outlawed symbols of rebellion in the eyes of Niger’s government. Bombino at Outside Lands 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug.…
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Interview: The National’s Matt Berninger discusses new documentary, embracing the band’s chemistry
The National performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on July 29, 2016. Nick DeCicco/STAFF. Director Tom Berninger did not gain an appreciation for indie rock after completing a documentary about his older brother’s Brooklyn band, The National. Mistaken For Strangers, which metamorphosed into a drama about the relationship…
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Q&A: The National’s Matt Berninger on firing his brother, making ‘Trouble Will Find Me’
Matt Berninger (center) and The National, courtesy. Two weeks ago I spoke to Matt Berninger, lead singer for The National, who perform just prior to Sir Paul McCartney next Friday at Outside Lands. I have twice before interviewed the band’s bassist, Scott Devendorf. You can read a story here and…
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Radio Roman: “Colorful Kids” – Ha Ha Tonka
Ha Ha Tonka performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on March 24, 2017. Alessio Neri/STAFF. Ha Ha Tonka, the Missouri southern indie rock quartet, is back with its fourth album, “Lessons,” and judging from the lead single, it’s another upbeat, mandolin-soloing effort. The album was inspired by the…
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Q&A: Phoenix guitarist Christian Mazzalai on the year of Anglo-French pop
Christian Mazzalai (R) and Thomas Mars of Phoenix perform at Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park on Aug. 10, 2013. Roman Gohman/STAFF. Today’s Outside Lands Music Festival preview is about French rockers Phoenix. We spoke to guitarist Christian Mazzalai’s thoughts on the definition of “cool” and what he…
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A look behind the scenes at the making of Outside Lands
Outside Lands Music Festival. He won’t reveal whom, but Another Planet Entertainment Executive Vice President Allen Scott is already working to book the headliners for the 2014 Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. At this time last year, the gears were already in motion to bring Paul McCartney and…
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Central America’s Garifuna Collective is carrying out the legacy of Andy Palacio
Garifuna Collective, courtesy. Andy Palacio was one of the most interesting musicians I’ve spoken to. I was interested in his Central American culture and people, the Garifuna, because I previously traveled to Honduras and Belize several times. The Garifuna are an indigenous minority, the descendants of African slaves who…
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Interview: Phoenix returns to Outside Lands with ‘Bankrupt!’
Phoenix performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 8, 2018. Courtesy: Paige K. Parsons. When French alt-rockers Phoenix take the stage as the fourth, unofficial, headliners at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival on August 10th, the song parts each band member plays off new album Bankrupt!…
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Radio Roman: White Lies – ‘Big TV’
White Lies. Ever wonder what a child of Depeche Mode would sound like? Or if the Editors decided to speed things up a bit? Or if the National got synthy? White Lies’ third album, “Big TV,” (in stores Aug. 20 on Harvest Records) is a smorgasbord of appealing touches…
