Tag: oakland

Circling Back to Figure Eight

Leave a comment

With all the craziness of the early Spring and getting SXSW stuff organized, one can easily slide beyond the secret gems from the underground. I should have known that Cherub Dream Records would, of course, have something brilliant, as the label’s been an incredible powerhouse for up-and-coming acts like Figure Eight. On the band’s latest 7″, there’s this brilliant deployment of space and patience, dreamily stretching over the two minute mark before the song seems to awaken and snap to with a bit of billowing noise. From that moment on, the group embrace a contrast to their quieter moments, letting the volume get cranked up as walls of ambient distortion rush across the front of your speakers. Definitely worth circling back, and its available now!

Twin Bloom Share Magazine Dreams

Leave a comment

Feels like today is all about indulging in tunes that have longevity or lasting power, which is why Twin Bloom appeal to me (not to mention their association with Dandy Boy Records!). They’re skirting around the edges of various trends, be that dream pop or shoegaze, but they are approaching it with the mentality of good old fashioned hits. In this tune, you can hear brooding post-punk riffs and elements of bent, dreamy notes too, but I keep coming back to the vocal core, which feels bright, rooted in an earnestness you’d find in a great Teenage Fanclub chorus. A fairly new act to keep your eyes upon!

Otoliths Drop Maeve’s Melody

Leave a comment

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

One comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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.

1 2 3 … 6
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com