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…

Jesus Piece, courtesy Kayla Menze. This week we feature Ryan Oakes’ exploration of masked mental health issues, Joseph’s affirmation, the industry savior faire of Tdot illdude, McKinley Dixon’s mournful tribute track, the never-ending nightmare of Jesus Piece and the passing acceptance of the inevitable with Lucero and Lucy Kruger &…

The Shins perform at The Warfield in San Francisco on July 12, 2022. Chloe Catajan/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — It’s not creepy to care about certain watermarks of the early aughts indie scene. Trading lo-fi for some-fi, drifting away from unrehearsed evocations toward well-manicured moodiness, making songs for soundtracks for movies…

Joseph performs at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on April 28, 2022. Karen Goldman/STAFF. BERKELEY — Before sister act Joseph found unexpected success with 2016 album I’m Alone, No You’re Not, the sisters Closner spent several years gigging in bars by themselves, with only their voices and eldest sister…

Roman Gokhman writes about his favorite interviews of the year: Cautious Clay, Rhett Miller, Suzannah Powell, Joseph, Aurora, Joy Williams, SHAED, K.Flay, Hozier, Ivory Layne, Yoke Lore, Lumineers, Just Loud, Josh Malerman, the Dandy Warhols and JR JR. As RIFF has continued to grow, my free time has continued…

Joseph performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Oct. 20, 2019. Photos: Steve Carlson. SAN FRANCISCO — Sister trio Joseph blasted through a blistering set of rousing harmony-driven tunes to conclude the first leg of its tour supporting new album Good Luck, Kid at the Fillmore on Sunday.…

Allison Closner, Meegan Closner and Natalie Schepman of Joseph. Courtesy photo. Most bands use the time between releasing albums to recharge. But for two members of soulful Portland folk-rock sister trio Joseph, the break between 2016 sophomore breakout LP I’m Alone, No You’re Not, and the just-released Good Luck, Kid included a…

Attendees at Outside Lands on August 12, 2017. Photos: Alessio Neri. Day two of Outside Lands is in the books so it’s time for the second edition of my best and worst! See if you can pick up on the subtle theme. Best: Metallica — Not even just the show. Just…

While there was disappointment about A Tribe Called Quest’s postponement turning into a total (and mysterious) cancellation, Metallica’s spectacle of a performance more than made up for it. A band that’s been touring off and on for more than 35 years doesn’t really have bad shows anymore, but even by…

Photos courtesy: Andrew Jorgensen/Outside Lands Ten years in, the Outside Lands Music Festival has become one of the most iconic music gatherings in the U.S. Which other festival offers a top-notch lineup alongside giant lit-up cypress trees in a magical fairy forest in the middle of a bustling metropolis?…