GEMINI CLUB @ POPSCENE - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - 01.17.13

Gemini Club plays Cassini Mission live in San Francisco

What a way to start off the new year!  I have not been going out to shows for the past few weeks due to the plague I caught on New Years, so when leaving the house to head to Popecene to see Gemini Club - there was already a great buzz in the air!  It was going to be a great night! 

Last time I saw Gemini Club it was June 2012  and I was not living in the bay area yet.  I was in San Francisco with Capital Cities who were headlining Popscene that night, and standing outside the club, I over heard front man Tom Gavin talking mad shit on Los Angeles (my home), so I called him out & we became fast friends!  I then hung with effects/sample master Gordon Bramli where he told me stories of being hit by a car or a bus or something of that nature, a hospital visit and a fresh wound all bandaged up that kept opening up when he would hit the drums!  It's interesting....the things people talk about standing outside clubs!  And how brilliant is this industry of music we work and live in....we all have friends who know each other, so on and so on.  So last night I was extra excited to see my new Chicagoan pals who I had not seen since the summer, and to maybe do a little dancing! 

Popscene was sold out!  By the time Gemini Club took the stage, the room was so packed I could not even make my way up front to take pictures - so I stole the ones below from Showbeams.com - thanks guys!  The set was amazing of course - there were a few bumps at the start with some sound issues, but once they got into stride they were unstoppable!  "Cassini Mission" was sick - the video above is this song live from the June 2012 Popscene show), and "Show My Hands" OMG I am totally obsessed!  Gemini Club's Here We Sit EP that came out last year is amazing and was well represented at this show, you should pick yourself up a copy HERE! 

Gemini Club will be on tour in select cities through March, and then will be hitting SXSW in Austin, TX......and we're all going to do pickle back shots!

DISCLOSURE @ THE INDEPENDENT - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - 10.30.12

There is nothing more exciting than seeing a band premier live in the city you live, in my case that's San Francisco at the moment!  I have been talking nonstop about this electronic dance DJ team Disclosure made up of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, and this fall they embarked on their first US tour, and I was lucky enough to be in a city they visited. 

The buzz is out on Disclosure!  When we arrived at The Independent there was a line down the street and even though it was raining, people were super excited to have scored tickets to the intimate show!  The place was packed, but we managed to find a great spot on a riser stage right were we danced the night away!  I was very happy to see Disclosure's set-up on stage: I am a huge fan of a live drummer so sometimes when it's just a DJ with a computer I tend to get board.  They had computers, drum machines, sample pads, live percussion gear and all sorts of bells and whistles!  After seeing that I knew we were all in for a treat!

The set was sick!  After a while, and a few cocktails, I stopped paying attention so much and just danced and danced and danced!  Disclosure's upbeat groove and steady dance beats take a hold of your mind - they get into your brain and all you can do at that moment is dance - but isn't that the goal for any electronic artist?  Disclosure is a true testament to the ever evolving style of new indie electronic music!  Keep a look out for these guys I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of them to come in the next year!

ST. LUCIA @ THE FOX THEATER - OAKLAND, CA - 10.23.12

St. Lucia might one of my favorite new bands of 2012!  Their tropical 80's dance vibe is so fresh and cool, yet is does not have that overly happy feeling that I can't stand.  They have managed to have an edge that's sexy and fun without getting dark. 

I was fortunate enough to catch St. Lucia in Los Angeles this summer @ The Echo - not sure how much longer we will be able to see them in venues of this size....seeing as how they were on tour with Two Door Cinema Club, and early next year they will be heading out with Ellie Goulding.  

On this night at The Fox Theater, I really thought St. Lucia should have been the main support band.  Earlier in the day I spoke with Two Door Cinema Club, and asked them what musician or band were inspiring them at the moment, and their answer was St. Lucia.  Seeing these two bands back to back would have made the night, but I can't complain too much because St. Lucia's set was amazing!  They played all their songs from their self titled EP that was released earlier this year, and honestly I cannot pick a favorite.....but "All Eyes On You" sticks out for sure! 

I met with frontman Jean-Philip Grobler where we talked about St. Lucia's evolution, touring, the record, upcoming plans, all the normal things - but what really struck me was how grateful he comes off, very charming without being pretentious, calm and funny with a constant smile.  He was so wonderfully detached from the "scene" and talked about 80's pop bands and writing jingles, and you always know when he likes something because his eyes and smile doubled in size - and being easy on the eyes is always a bonus.  I usually don't like to do interviews because I am industry - not a journalist - but I am glad we had a chance to talk one on one....it pretty much made my day.   

St. Lucia will be included on many of my top 10 lists for 2012, and not listening to their EP would be a huge mistake!  Stream it above and then pick it up on iTunes HERE!  You can also see them on tour - if you are in the bay they will be playing the Wintersalt Festival December 29.