Ghostly International is a label that prides itself on the juxtaposition of music and art branding. Created by Sam Valenti IV when he was 19 yrs old, the label was realized through Valenti's experience as a DJ, interest in live performances, and art history background. With the incorporation of art, and expression, the label encouraged exploration. In the beginning, Tadd Mullinix, best known as...
More >
It’s not cheap to fly, and it’s definitely not cheap to fly out a whole seven piece band from New Zealand. This should say something about the promoter’s faith in Fat Freddy’s Drop, the Kiwi jazz, dub, reggae, and soul band that is making its first tour to the US. Though the group formed in the early 90s, they’ve just released their second album, Dr. Boondigga and The Big BW. While many
More >
For all those Bay Area folks, check out my man Mickey Darius on the 1s and 2s. He'll be spinning dusted hip hop gems, and funk blends. Seriously, the man has got taste in music that SFCritic will embrace. Not to mention, Triple Crown provides free beer for like 30mins, and then it's $2 pints. Want to stretch your legs, chug some beer, and get down--hit up Ground Sound tonight. Read more at www...
More >
Sea Wolf's new video for "Wicked Blood" has just premiered. If you remember, when SFCritic reviewed Sea Wolf's show at Bimbos, this song stood out amongst the others from his new album. With black and white filming, the video retains Sea Wolf's artsy, poetic style. Featuring mummies, zombies, and an astronaut werewolf this video was perfect for the Halloween scare, though it's not really all ...
More >
In support of her new album, Don't Stop, Annie will be DJing in select cities (including San Francisco on Nov. 12th). After three years in the making, Don't Stop is set to be released on Nov. 17th. The album finds her collaborating with Timo Kaukolampi and Richard X - both appeared on her first album, Anniemal – and introduces a host of new friends like Paul Epworth (known for his work with Bloc
More >
Last week, SFCritic made a post concerning the continuing debate between dancehall performer, Buju Banton and the LGTBQ community that is protesting his music. The debate concerns the LGBTQ's proposed boycott of Buju Banton's performances in the US as a result of a statements, and particularly a song Banton made in the past, which has lyrics describing how to kill gay people.After posting this ...
More >
The Raveonettes emerged in 2001 from the acclaim of Rolling Stone's editor, David Fricke, and were later described by the magazine as the "Next Wave" of contemporary music. Four albums later and a bad record label situation, the Danish duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, are now touring in support of their new album, In and Out of Control. The lo-fi sounding group, have never been afraid of co
More >
I recently discovered The Cataracs, a Bekerely, CA based hip hop? group. This is not a recommendation, as much as a joke in a care package delivered to you on this Friday morning. There isn't really much I need to say beyond take a listen. Describing the video's typical freak getup of girls on roller skates around a pool, auto-tuned voices, and two white? guys poppin' champagne like Mega Dons, ...
More >
This group of Kiwis (from New Zealand) create one of the most unique and compelling reggae, dub, and improvised jam music I've ever heard. Having gained an international following about five years ago, they often perform in Europe, but hardly ever in the US (but they're coming to SF!). Accordingly, few Americans know the band, which is sad, because in all sincerity, they're more than worthy of ...
More >
By Eve MarcellusThe stage was set for The Sounds performance to be a good time. The lineup was everything you could ask for in terms of glamorous, retro-influenced rock and the Warfield provided a super-luxurious backdrop for the whole thing. Semi Precious Weapons, Shiny Toy Guns, and Foxy Shazaam: the names of the opening bands alone spell out a party. With all the talent and fun onstage, ho...
More >
It's true. It's coming. The buzz is building. Madvillian, the duo of MF Doom and producer Madlib, are back in the studio putting together their sequel to one of the most highly received underground hip hop albums of the last decade. J. Rocc gave a little leak on his show, which is featured below. Check it out:Read more at www.SFCritic.com
More >
(Pictured above Beanie Sigel for Sprite)In the last two decades the perception of advertising using hip hop music has gone from sell-out to underground support. The first commercial merging began with Sprite Soda during the early 90s. During this campaign, Sprite placed some of the biggest names in hip hop in their commercials, including Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Nas and AZ (See below or click...
More >
Buju Banton is touring the US, and during his stop in San Francisco he met with a group of LGBTQ activists to discuss their boycott. In his meeting Banton stated, "This is a fight and as I said in one of my songs, 'there is no end to the war between me and &%$&%$ and it's clear.'" In a video of protest, Lorri Jean discusses the issues.To find out more about the meeting in San Francisco, take a loo
More >
With two different days of full of treasures, SFCritic put together a recap of the events, people, and performances for this year's Treasure Island Music Festival for betterPropaganda. If you've heard enough about the festival, don't worry just look at the photos--they're amazing. Here are some examples below, and links to Day 1 and Day 2.Day 1http://betterpropaganda.com/content.aspx?id=1230Day...
More >
Photo of Seth Olinksy by Victoria SmithThe musical process is unique for every band. As a journalist, often we're asked to explain, or conceptualize a band's sound within a context (genre, comparison, etc). In truth, there is nothing worse, because no artist strives to make music like someone else. When speaking with Seth Olinsky of Akron/Family, this couldn't be more true. Seth told me when pe...
More >
One is the loneliness number, so then two is the best way to enjoy the Treasure Island Festival. Just look at all the twos: 1) We gave two different bands, 2) both playing on different days (2 days), 3) two sets of questionnaires, 4) which we collected at two different points (pre- and post-performance), 5) with the hopes that together they would give two different perspectives, 6) on two very...
More >
By Eve MarcellusTwilight hysteria is alive and well, y'all. And while this certainly has it's disadvantages (Robert Pattinson over-saturation, the books and movies keep coming out, etc.) something good has to come out of it eventually. And, finally, something may have in the New Moon soundtrack. While the last go round tween fans were dazzled by songs from bands whose appreciators tend to be of...
More >
Killer.Jim Jones is a mad man. I had to play his set back twice, just to see if I was high the first time, *cough, but wow. "Cupid shoots arrows, but this girl makes my heart bleed..damn, cuz you don't know what she do to me, she could kill my soul only thing left is a eulogy." If I wasn't already psyched enough for this after the RZA and Mos Def tracks, this is by far the best clip! Jim Jones,...
More >
After seeing Where The Wild Things Are, I've decided to follow anything Spike Jonze related. Then I discovered this short,We Were Once a Fairytale that Jonze did featuring Kanye West. The short tries and humanize (successfully to a degree) Kanye's ego and life. Fortunately, Kanye isn't asked to say many lines beyond "Where's the bathroom," or "I'm Kanye," or "This is my SONG!," but nonetheless,...
More >
Women in hip hop don’t have it easy, just ask anyone in the business. Keeping it real is difficult when most female rappers are anything but. Dolled up into sex objects, or shot up with testosterone, hip hop is seriously void of real females. Maybe this explains one of the reasons Kid Sister’s album has been so heavily anticipated. She’s not trying to impress anyone with something she’s no
More >
What is this? The MOG Music Network is MOG's community of the best music blogs from around the internet. The network is growing rapidly and we're always looking for more great music blogs to add to our roster, so if you think your blog should be part of the MOG Music Network, APPLY HERE!
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
