Q&A
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Interview: The Lovemakers reunite for Valentine’s Day
The Lovemakers, courtesy. Even after their big flameout to end 2009, Oakland dance-rock duo The Lovemakers weren’t far apart. Singer-bassist Lisa Light and guitarist Scott Blonde tended bar in the same neighborhood. The Lovemakers, Midi Matilda, Everyone is Dirty 9 p.m., Feb. 14 Popscene at Rickshaw Stop Tickets: $12.…
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Biffy Clyro’s James Johnston on marriage, the peculiar name, songwriting and Trent Reznor
Biffy Clyro performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on March 28, 2017. Alessio Neri/STAFF. No matter how many hard rock musicians I’ve interviewed, I’m still surprised to learn how friendly and pleasant they are in conversation. Last week I spoke to the very charming James Johnston, bassist for…
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Q&A: Augustines’ frontman Billy McCarthy on his Bay Area childhood
We Are Augustines, courtesy. Augustines‘ frontman Billy McCarthy spent the first half of his childhood in Santa Cruz, and the second in the hills of Gold Country, past Sacramento on the way to Lake Tahoe. He doesn’t really have any one home these days, but he can see himself…
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St. Lucia’s Jean-Philip Grobler on the wildlife refuge for which his band is named
St. Lucia, courtesy. Jean-Philip Grobler was one of the most fun interviews I’ve had in recent weeks, because the South African musician gave a thoughtful answer to each question. I’m sure I asked a couple that he gets each time, but rather than read off his own press release,…
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Q&A: Alison Brie on her music ‘career,’ Childish Gambino and a ‘Community’ movie
The Girls, featuring Alison Brie. Courtesy. Actress Alison Brie has been busy. The current season of “Community” has already been filmed and is airing now. She’s got a new film opening in a couple of weeks (The Lego Movie), and she’s bringing her harmonizing trio, The Girls, to SF…
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Interview: Magik*Magik Orchestra finally gets top billing
Minna Choi (left) and Magik*Magik Orchestra, Courtesy: 7X7. For five years, Magik*Magik Orchestra has played the role of sidekick to artists from San Francisco’s The Dodos to singer-songwriter John Vanderslice to Sting. When We Were Young: Magik*Magik Orchestra with The Dodos, Geographer, Rogue Wave and more 8 p.m., Tuesday,…
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Interview: Jagwar Ma: Chefs in the kitchen and the studio
Jagwar Ma, courtesy. Australian dance rock duo Jagwar Ma is getting a bit bored of the “Madchester” comparisons. The term was popularized in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s in England, where a wave of bands like the Happy Mondays and Stone Roses mixed rock with drum machines, funk…
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Charli XCX: ‘When I record a song, I see a music video. That’s how I know whether I’m connected’
Charli XCX performs at Slim’s in San Francisco on Nov. 1, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — It’s only been six months since English pop singer-songwriter Charli XCX released her first album, yet she’s already debuted a new song and video, and will soon complete her second record. It’s…
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The Fratellis’ Jon Lawler on side projects and future aspirations
The Fratellis, courtesy. I interviewed Jon Lawler of the Fratellis a few weeks ago; my first Fratellis interview since I spoke to bassist Barry Wallace in 2007, at the height of the Scottish band’s success. They were about to open for The Police, after all. Shortly after that, the…
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Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on making songs for movies, working with Moby and Halloween costumes
The Flaming Lips have been constantly occupied lately. “We’re in the just in the last phase of doing a final mix on this little six-song that is being released with the ‘Ender’s Game’ movie at the beginning of November,” singer and frontman Wayne Coyne said. “Just got back from playing a…
