Ben Böhmer, courtesy. A mesmerizing Americana hybrid by Jack Barksdale, a punk anthem by Jack Kays, emotional English-language rock by Ukraine’s Okean Elzy, dreamy house music by Ben Böhmer, a breezy bop by Dora Jar and an alt-pop (or alt-country?) tune by Denitia make the cut. Denitia, “Don’t Let…

Hope and Tim Walz, courtesy Twitter. When Kamala Harris was choosing a running mate, a running joke was that it had to be a white guy to appeal to the nation’s white guys. I, as a progressive East Bay guy who’s actively supported women for a variety of offices…

Wunderhorse, courtesy. This week is mostly all about summery folk rock, with songs from Emily Frembgen, Theo Kandel, Joseph and TORS, but we’ve also got rock from Wunderhorse and soul from Jeremie Albino. Emily Frembgen, “Are You Listening?” – This country-tinged folky charmer is all about not being too…

SIRA* (Zina Saro-Wiwa), courtesy. This week’s edition oozes femme energy. We’re bopping and moving with Winny and BLOND:ISH, SIRA* offers an enchanting debut, Fousheé, Davey and Miso Extra explore new sounds and Sarah Klang puts us in our feels. We round out the list with Tab Benoit, who returns…

Ilona Maher of Team United States runs with the ball against Team Great Britain during the Women’s Rugby Sevens Olympics quarterfinal match at Stade de France in Paris on July 29, 2024 Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images. The Olympics are happening again and, while you may be expecting snark…

Mr. Gnome, courtesy. Post-grunge from Mr. Gnome, electronic disco from LP Giobbi and Mascolo, garage rock by Peel Dream Magazine and Genevieve Stokes, softer alt-rock by Skylar Gudasz and folky storytelling by Angie McMahon. Mr. Gnome, “Fader” — Mr. Gnome uses shredding guitar riffs and a heavy beat on…

Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris at the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 30, 2019. Gary Chancer/STAFF. Back in 2020, when Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his Vice President, I wrote a column featuring artists from her father’s home country of Jamaica. I was excited that someone…

DEFENCES, courtesy. DEFENCES and Drug Church bring the metal, Wild Pink and We Are Wolves bring us some joy, while The Backfires and StrateJacket show again that rock’s not dead. Wild Pink, “The Fences of Stonehenge” — Artist John Ross’ message with this song describes a previous Wild Pink…

Kendrick Lamar performs during Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 11, 2023. Matt Pang/STAFF. Back in 2018, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I listed my top five or so songs from every year since 1967 in this column. I then went on…

Hifi Sean and David McAlmont, courtesy Rob Martin. Warren Zeiders leads us through a country-flavored descent into the darkness of addiction before we venture into modern takes on classical jazz by Ashley Henry and Nubya Garcia. After a melancholy musing or two by Wasia Project and Luna Li, we…