Q&A
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Q&A: We Are Scientists’ Chris Cain on Berkeley food and long tours
We Are Scientists, courtesy. I spoke to We Are Scientists‘ bassist-singer Chris Cain a week after he and his bandmates, guitarist-singer Keith Murray and touring drummer Keith Carne returned from an extensive European tour and right before the band was to embark on its longest North American tour in…
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Little Daylight singer Nikki Taylor’s near-death experience in Honduras
Little Daylight, courtesy. Brooklyn synth-pop trio Little Daylight have visited San Francisco at least twice in 2013, but you may not have seen them if you’re not a fan of Bastille, whom they opened for both times. Singer Nikki Taylor chatted as she was rushing to find a quiet…
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Q&A: L.A.’s Conway on chasing musical dragons
Conway, courtesy. Los Angeles singer-songwriter Kassia Conway, whose goal is to make you want to dance to her songs, was last in the Bay Area while opening for St. Lucia. Those shows were at the Independent. When she returns this weekend, it will be a much larger venue —…
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The 1975’s Matty Healy on the truth of three chords and hair battles with Bastille
Matty Healy of The 1975 and Dan Smith of Bastille. The mohawked frontman of Manchester’s The 1975 drops the phone just as our call is connected. “Oh, for f—‘s sake,” Matty Healy cringes, and I can tell I’m not his first interview of the morning. But just as quickly the…
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Daniel Lanois on making and re-creating ‘Wrecking Ball’ with Emmylou Harris
Daniel Lanois, photo: Roman Gokhman. I’ve interviewed producer-musician Daniel Lanois three times, now, and have been able to meet up with him a couple of times. In fact, you should check out one my previous stories. He’s very thoughtful in conversation, and a great guy to get to know…
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Interview: The Kin plot their next musical robbery
The Kin, courtesy. New York rock trio The Kin really love heist movies. Brothers Isaac and Thorald Koren (who hail from Australia) and drummer Shakerleg, formerly a Big Apple subway performer, appreciate stick-ups in general. Party Corps‘ Music for Good party with The Kin in concert and in conversation with…
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Interview: With ‘Beneath the Brine,’ The Family Crest prepares for the spotlight
The Family Crest. As much as the lives of the seven musicians in San Francisco’s The Family Crest have changed since signing with Portland label Tender Loving Empire a year ago, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the pressure to succeed, now that the success of others rest…
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The Soft White Sixties love the Fillmore and have an idea… of an “idea”
The Soft White Sixties, courtesy. Interviewing a band at the same time is always a challenge when it comes time to transcribe the audio. When I met up with the Bay Area’s The Soft White Sixties at their Berkeley recording studio shortly before the New Year, I wasn’t anticipating…
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Interview: Eschewing business of music, Marissa Nadler soars with ‘July’
Marissa Nadler, courtesy. The last few years has seen a surge of musicians leaving labels to self-release albums. The frequent arguments against label partnerships have included more freedom of artistic expression, no hassle from suits and the ability to keep 100 percent of the profits. Folk singer and guitarist Marissa…
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Q&A: Louisiana’s Royal Teeth hits SF while working on new songs
Royal Teeth, courtesy. Louisiana pop sextet Royal Teeth will make its third San Francisco stop within a 12-month stretch Thursday, when it headlines at the Chapel. Still touring in support of 2013’s Technicolor debut album, Glow, harmonizing vocalists Nora Patterson and Gary Larsen (also a guitarist), bassist Joshua Wells,…
