Tag: oakland

Otoliths Drop Maeve’s Melody

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Tom Smith wrote the song’s on the latest album in between parenting naps, and the first single we’re hearing is an absolute pleasure, leaning Otoliths more into the power-pop sound that permeates the Bay Area sound. Ringing guitars in the tune are cyclical, riding up and down like like a ferris wheel, then pulled back to let Smith blast a nice little melody from the vocals. Even when thing get restrained, you can still feel that certain swagger that makes you feel good to have rock n’ roll at your fingertips. Crunchy and fun, so be sure to keep an eye out for the new LP, Lithos, out on March 20th.

Grey Causeway Prep Debut Album

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If you hang around a scene long enough, you’re bound to pick up some friends along the way, which is perhaps how Oakland’s Grey Causeway came to be; they’re a new band, but with veterans from acts like the Peechees, Smokers, Papercuts and more. On the opening track from their debut LP, they kick things off with these angular guitars that are reminiscent of post-punk forefathers. What I love about this tune is how they vocals employ a softer melody, working in contrast to those angular cuts, reminding me a lot of DC’s Dot Dash; it feels like if you grew up loving punk records, but couldn’t escape a pop infatuation. Just another home run for Dandy Boy Records, who drop the self-titled LP on May 25th.

Hectorine Announce Arrow of Love

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So as to not be too rock forward today, I pulled back a bit to offer you this new tune from Oakland’s Hectorine, which offers more of a slow-dance pop style you’ll hopefully enjoy. There’s something in this that sounds like a montage scene from 80s pop culture, whether its the trickling keyboard notes or the saxophone billowing in the distance, it’s all about the mood altering style that changes your morning perspective. If you’re in the market for something a little subtle and not quite so in your face, sink into your chair and soak up the warmth of Hectorine; they’ll release Arrow of Love via Take a Turn Records on May 23rd

Now Announce Now Does the Trick

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If there was a K Records credit card, I’d definitely be down to sign up, as the last few years, the label has been one of the dominant forces in wayward pop music, and with this new Now LP, it looks like I’ve got more money to spend. Personally, as I was just listening to Television Personalities, it kind of turns the corner and takes a more psychedelic leaning; it still feels ramshackle and on the edge of following apart, but that’s part of the beauty, as it never collapses, letting melody craftily waft into the year. The group features members of Thunder Boys and Cindy, so you’re guaranteed to have some of the best songsmiths in the underground creating new pop gems. Now Does the Trick is out on May 16th via K Records.

The Saxophones Return With New Single

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Oakland husband and wife duo The Saxophones have been gracing the pages of our site for near on 10 years at this point and they hold a special place in our ATH musical timeline. Through all of the singles and releases, To Be a Cloud from 2023 was seemingly the pinnacle of the group’s growth and evolution. But just when you think a band can’t possibly offer you more, they go and release a beauty like this new track “Burning with Desire.” It has a real loungy and chill vibe to help ease you in to this gloomy morning. Without mincing further words, I’ll just recommend you hit that play button below and enjoy.

Ryli Share I Think I Need You Video

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You might not have Ryli on your Bingo Card, but chances are you’ve heard from members of the band via their various projects; the group features Yea-Ming Chen, as well as members of The Goods/Sonny and the Sunsets/RE Seraphin…all who’ve featured on this site. In this single, the remnants of their various works shine through, as the song opens up with a slice of that Cali-pop piece of pie; I certainly love the way the vocals hang beneath that bright Western guitar jangle that runs its course. Snappy drum work keeps the pace moving forward, which allows for a little toe-tap as Chen’s voice serenades you, begging for you to be “around.” Look for this on a brand new 7″ from Dandy Boy Records, all hitting on the 22nd of November.

Magic User Announces Shadow on the Door

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Some acts want to give you one singular vibe, and I totally respect that, love that even. But, as we all transition between playlists and mixes, a good record should toy with us, much like this new LP from Magic User will. I’ve listened to the LP, and it’s got rippers and janglers…and, like the one below, a little bit of ballad work. You can hear the way the guitars wriggle beneath the vocals how this track could erupt into a powerful piece of dreampop, though I’m grateful for the restraint, especially when there’s this instrumental moment that feels like water lapping at your toes on a sunny day. If you’re looking for an album that’ll mix the aforementioned vibes, then might we suggest grabbing Shadow on the Door; it drops December 14th via Dandy Boy Records.

Hits Announce World of Dirt

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In the “File Under Things I Missed” category from Friday, we’ve got new music from Hits as they announce their newest LP, World of Dirt. There are two singles that just popped up, and they both offer a glimpse at the continuance of pop purveying within the confines of Oakland. When reading through the brief album description, they almost do the work for you in referencing Jen Weisberg, stating that this collection of songs serve as a “bed for her vocal melodies.” You can hear that in the craft, with especially when you dive into “Thorn By My Side,” which takes a minute to build on the melodic cruise of Jen’s voice, almost operating as a solo performance that get buoyed by the careful touches of Brian and Max behind her. Looking forward to hearing the whole of World of Dirt, which is out August 23rd via Paisley Shirt Records.

New Banger From Brontez Purnell Trio

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Brontez Purnell is a guy who is hard to pin down artistically as he traverses all types of musical genres along with both dancing and writing. His latest comes by way of his trio of sorts featuring this new single “If You Can’t Help Me” which takes an old gospel standard and gives it a garage pop twist. The bass on this one is a particular stand out with some heavy distortion and an almost nasty vibe to it ala TV on the Radio. I am sure you will dig it below.

This track is a B-side to a new single release featuring “Forgive Me, Phillip” on the flip.

Stream Flooded, the New EP from Parallel

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We’ve tried to hip you to Parallel recently, and today you can finally stream the entirety of their new Flooded EP, which is the second release we’re covering from Cherub Dream Records (it’s a co-release with Play Alone) plthis week. Initially we recommended “Painkiller,” but as the whole EP is now available I think I’m also in love with opener “Death or Oblivion,” which forced me to evaluate my own listening habits, as they use this track to build up the sound for well over a minute before offering any vocal morsels. Pulling back on the immediacy, the band encourages you to absorb the whole of their songs, not just the most exciting moments, ultimately making their whole EP feel like a full-length listening experience. Give a stream to the whole EP below, and grab the 12″ version HERE.

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