Festivals
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INTERVIEW: Thomas Arsenault takes the long road with Mas Ysa
Mas Ysa (Thomas Arsenault). Courtesy. Thomas Arsenault knows the enchanted feeling of crossing into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge. The folk-pop-electronica composer and multi-instrumentalist, who goes by Mas Ysa on stage, has passed through the City numerous times, and even briefly lived in Sonoma. Phono del Sol, with…
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INTERVIEW: Echosmith feeling the familial love on the road
Echosmith Childhood, for many siblings, is a very competitive time. Sisters and brothers try to out-do each other, which leads to fighting, and eventually, many can’t stand being in a room together. That four siblings would get along with each other enough to commit to spending extra hours each together…
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In third year, BottleRock Napa Valley attempts to move into the black
Moon Taxi performs at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 30, 2014. The test runs are over. With a full year to plan, this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley is finally expected to reach the level producers – both current and original – had envisioned: Not only a creative win, but…
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(As you) wish fulfillment: Cary Elwes to join fans at SF Sketchfest ‘The Princess Bride’ screening
Cary Elwes in “The Princess Bride.” He may be most known for a single, legendary role in cult-favorite film The Princess Bride, but Cary Elwes is not just an actor. He’s now a best-selling author and more recently, a screenwriter. SF Sketchfest: “The Princess Bride” Quote-Along Party Screening with…
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Outside Lands: Does Chvrches’ Iain Cook want to remake the soundtrack to ‘Star Wars?’
Iain Cook of Chvrches performs at Golden Gate Park during Outside Lands on Aug. 11, 2018. Joaquin Cabello/STAFF. Glasgow trio Chvrches are big fans of Prince, so Iain Cook was over the wall, recently, to have sold out Minneapolis’ First Avenue for the second consecutive night, and for the…
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Another Planet’s Allen Scott gears up for Outside Lands’ seventh year
The seventh annual Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival (Aug. 8 to 10 in Golden Gate Park), once again produced by Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Presents and Starr Hill Presents, has some new features for fans of music, food and drink. RIFF interviewed Another Planet Executive Vice President Allen…
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Artists with Bay Area ties reflect on Outside Lands
Nicki Bluhm performs at the 2014 Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. I interviewed all but one of the artists with direct local connections to the Bay Area for a story on the Outside Lands Music Festival, which you can read here. The result was a magazine-length-worthy piece,…
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Rapper/wordsmith Watsky the first to raise his hand
George Watsky is not a household name like, say Macklemore, but that may begin to change following his performance at the Outside Lands Music Festival in his native San Francisco. After all, Macklemore was a relative unknown when he took the festival stage three summers ago. I spoke to…
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Bay Area’s Finish Ticket doesn’t blame Live 105 for dropping out of school
Finish Ticket. Courtesy. Bay Area pop quintet Finish Ticket was spending one of a handful of precious days at home— the band has been touring nonstop over the past year. Guitarist Alex DiDonato (a founding member), as well as drummer Gabe Stein and keyboardist Nick Stein were happy to share.…
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How BottleRock Napa Valley’s rebirth came to be
BottleRock Napa Valley 2014 lineup. While tens of thousands flooded the Napa Valley Expo last May for five days of music, gourmet food, wine, comedy and parties, and most of them went home happy, the two men who organized the inaugural BottleRock Napa Valley — without previous festival experience — lost millions…
