I just watched the videos from Speedy Ortiz’s new album Twerp Verse which was released on April 27. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this may be their best album to date. It’s smart, complex, heartfelt, and the band is playing and singing better than ever. Reading the comments on YouTube (almost always a mistake) I was struck how so many dudes, mostly, seem to think that Speedy Ortiz has been going downhill since Major Arcana. I mean, I like Major Arcana, too, but Foil Deer also excellent, and don’t forget to mention the great EP’s Sports and Real Hair, and so on. I can’t help but make a connection between Sadie’s increasingly articulate voice for feminism, consent, gender equality and against racism, fat-shaming, slut-shaming, rape culture, ableism and so on, and the number of dudes complaining that Speedy Ortiz should go back to their grungy “roots” of Major Arcana. Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but I think not.
Anyway, if you’re okay with Speedy not re-making Major Arcana over and over again, give Twerp Verse a listen – you may just like it! I for one think the world is a much better place for having Sadie Dupuis and her rocking band mates in it.
Around 2015 someone told me to give a listen to a band called Joanna Gruesome. I did, and I instantly fell in love with this chaotic, gorgeous noise pop band from Wales. Their great origin story is that they formed after meeting in an anger management group. Sadly, brilliant vocalist and songwriter Alanna McArdle announced her departure from the band shortly before I was to see them in San Francisco. At last Ms. McArdle has joined a new band called Ex Vöid with Owen Williams (also from JG) as well as Laurie Foster, Kester Davies and Jon Coddington (according to Brooklyn Vegan). Ex Vöid’s first single Boyfriend pairs McArdle & Williams’ vocals with with great guitar hooks. You’ll want to listen to it over and over. They’ve got a 3-song EP on Bandcamp, and are currently on tour with Waxahatchee in the UK. Girlbandgeek says check it out!
Hey people of earth. I caught up with my backlog of concert reviews, so that means it’s time to let you know about some upcoming shows in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. With no further ado:
Friday, May 25 Diet Cig will appear at the Crepe Place in Santa Cruz. Show time is 9pm. I was so sad when their February show was cancelled because Alex was sick, so I was thrilled to see that they were able to re-schedule. Diet Cig are Alex Luciano on guitar/vocals and Noah Bowman on drums and they are as infectious as they are minimalist and lo-fi.
On Tuesday, June 5 I’ll be seeing Yo La Tengo for the first time at The Fillmore auditorium in SF. This band has been around for 20+ years and I just had the feeling I should probably check them out. They’re sort of a music geek band, and they demand a certain amount of ardent listening to begin to reap the rewards. But they’ve got a lot of heart and soul, and I’m looking forward to this show. They’re also playing on June 6.
Speedy Ortiz is touring behind their new album, Twerp Verse. They are playing Saturday, June 9, at the Starline Social Club in Oakland CA, and the following day at Café du Nord in San Francisco. I’m going to the Oakland show. It will be my fifth Speedy Ortiz show! I’m not really a fanatic, but I like them, and I want to see the new songs live, so I’ll be there!
Belle and Sebastian are playing the fabulous Fox Theater in Oakland on Monday, June 25, with Japanese Breakfast supporting. I’m not actually going to this one, but I bet it will be a great show for fans of either band.
Snail Mail at the Starline Social Club in Oakland on Wednesday, June 27. I am highly anticipating this show. The creative force behind Snail Mail is Lindsey Jordan, who sings, writes the songs, and plays guitar. She has mad skills, and is getting a lot of attention, despite her young age. I recommend checking them out!
On Thursday, June 28, 2018, The Go Gos play The Fox Theater with Pottymouth opening! I think it would fun to see the Go Gos, but I really love Pottymouth, and it would be so cool to see them on stage at the gorgeous Fox Theater. However, I’m seeing Snail Mail the night before, and Oakland is a 2-hour drive from my home, so it’s not happening for me. Hopefully Pottymouth will play another show in the Bay Area soon!
I just stumbled onto this while buying tickets for Diet Cig (see above). Quintron & Miss Pussycat will be playing at The Crépe Place in Santa Cruz Saturday, June 30. Quintron & Miss Pussycat were one of the standout performers at last year’s Burger Boogaloo, so I’m stoked they’re coming to one of my local venues.
And finally on September 19, Margaret Glaspy takes the stage at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco. I discovered Margaret Glaspy about a year ago, and missed my chance to see her. So I am definitely planning to catch this very talented singer-songwriter.
I really feel that there’s no better way to enjoy music than live, especially in a small venue. I encourage you to get out and support your favorite artists!
