Review | Music Junkie Press

Muchachito vibrates Eastside Luv Wednesday night in a “total hoot”

April 8, 2019

Patrick O’Heffernan ( Boyle Heights) eights, CA) HEastside Luv Wine Bar, one of the focal points of the Mexican-American culture in LA, was vibrated down to its foundation Wednesday night by a Spaniard, Muchachito Bombo Infierno. Standing at the end of the bar with his personalized acoustic guitar and an amplified zapeteado platform, he bought his frenetic energy, stomping rhythms and howling humorous lyrics to the raised stage of ESL’s long bar. It was a not-to-be-forgotten night – or, as one fan said to me, a total hoot. Presented by Sunset Eclectico, la’s homegrown Latino fusion music, arts and dance promotor credited for bringing such talents as Flor Amargo and Mono Sound to La audiences, Muchachito put on a nonstop, rocket-fueled show that lasted forever – actually around 2 hours – and migrated from the stage to the dance pole at the other end of the bar and down to the floor where he sang, stomped, and laughed, surrounded by a forest of flashing cellphones. Muchachito (Jairo Perera) started as a singer and guitarist [Read More]

Noah Kahan captures the heart of fans at Fox Theater in Oakland with stellar set

March 28, 2019

It is so rewarding to see an artist progress through their music and to see their fanbase and popularity grow. We had the pleasure of catching Noah Kahan perform last night at the Fox Theater in Oakland, as he is out on tour opening for James Bay. We first met Noah in San Francisco as he opened for Milky Chance at The Independent, a small intimate venue. He was a new artist on the Republic Records roster and had only played a handful of shows. His song, Young Blood boasted over a million streams in the first month, it currently has well over 9 million streams! We had the chance to chat with him briefly after his show in 2017 and you can check that clip out below: Oakland Show Fast forward to last night at the Fox and the crowd went wild when Noah hit the stage. It was great to see such a warm reception for an opening act. Noah performed with a full band and truly delivered a full bodied rich [Read More]

SHOW ALERT: James Bay at Fox Theater, Oakland March 27

March 18, 2019

We are just about a week away from the rescheduled James Bay Greek Theatre concert. James was set to perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on October 7th, 2018. The show was unfortunately cancelled and rescheduled for March 27th, 2019 and has been moved to the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA. You don’t want to miss this show as James continues to deliver high energy crowd pleasing sets that will have you begging for more. You can head over to https://thefoxoakland.com/events/james-bay-3 and pick up tickets. In case you missed it, James recently released his new song, Peer Pressure ft. Julia Michaels. The infectiously catchy track has been on featured on our daily playlists. Check it out below: We hope to bring you coverage of the upcoming Oakland show. For now, check out photos by our Rockin Ryan of James 2018 performance at BFD. Make sure to visit his social media sites and stay up to date on the latest news. Information & Links: Website: http://www.jamesbaymusic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesbaymusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamesbaymusic Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jamesbayofficial Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbaymusic

SJae’s debut EP, FIRST: listen and enjoy

March 12, 2019

Patrick O’Heffernan I am always curious – and sometimes a bit apprehensive – when a music producer decides to put out a personal record. Many producers are good musicians and songwriters, but a smaller number actually have the voice, the songwriting and music chops, and the feel for a personal album. FIRST, the debut album by long-time producer SJae (Sammy Jay) shows clearly that she has the songwriting and musical chops plus an extraordinary feel for what works and what grabs a listener. FIRST is an expansive display of her talents and a musical and emotional delight. SJae was the UK’s first female music producer – and she excelled in a very tough business for a woman…all the way to a Mercury nomination, the UK equivalent of a Grammy. After a decade in the UK, she moved to LA, America’s music capital and a very competitive environment for anyone of any gender. But despite the competition, she continued to excel to the point where she has been called “the best in the business” by [Read More]

Magic Giant, Castlecomer, and Weathers bring the party to August Hall in San Francisco

March 2, 2019

San Francisco – It was standing room only as Magic Giant took the stage with their opening song “Glass Heart”. The indie folk band from Los Angeles continued playing hits such as “Jade”, “Hide Away” and “Disaster”. The engird was contagious. Austin Bisnow continued to use every part of the stage to get the crowd to the energy and feel he wanted to feel. The highlight of the night was when Austin Bisnow asked the fans to make a path down the middle of the audience area. Fans much abide by his request and had fellow bandmates, Zambricki and Brian Zaghi follow him to the center of the audience. While Magic Giant were in the center of the crowd and Austin asked the fans “to come in closer” as they began to play “The Great Divide”. It was a unique experience as the entire fans came together as one while singing along and swaying to the music in unison. The Austin asked the audience to pull out their flashlights as the fans lit up the [Read More]

AM TAXI’s new album, Shiver By Me, is sure to warm you up!

January 30, 2019

With the arrival of the Polar Vortex, it has sent extreme frigid conditions across America. Hopefully those affected are curled up at home. If so, we have the perfect album to warm you up! AM Taxi have just released their new album, Shiver By Me and it is spectacular from start to finish. It delivers exactly what we have been craving; their infectious blend of punk rock that is sure to rejuvenate your spirit. We were first introduced to AM Taxi and were mesmerized by their performance at Slim’s in San Francisco opening for The Spill Canvas. With the release of their new album, we can proclaim that we are just as hooked as that first night. They have returned with a sound that is addictive in every sense of the word. Check out one of our fave tracks, Harpoon, that just screams that addictive AM Taxi sound: As many bands come and go experimenting or changing their style and sound to become unrecognizable, and more seem to stray from what everyone loves. Not AM Taxi. [Read More]

Freshly Cut: jazz, blues and something extra in The Strands debut album.

January 30, 2019

Patrick O’Heffernan Freshly Cut, the debut full length album by The Strands, will not only excite their local following, but introduce the wider world to Amanda Campbell’s languid pop/jazz and incisive love lyrics that manage to simultaneously chronicle ordinary life and higher principles. While evoking the smooth performances of the band’s beloved live shows, branded by Amanda Campbell’s slender swaying body and undulating voice and Paul Campbell’s perfectly pitched bass, the album expands their sound and emotional valence. Nine songs in all, and each one precisely crafted and accurately pointed to the listeners’ hearts and minds. “The Time is Right for Love” moves gently forward with a delicious hook that tells of the importance of timing and patience in romantic growth, while “Change of Heart” speaks to the same of romantic termination. In both , Campbell is talking both to the listener personally, as if they are in her personal drama, and to a wider audience grooving on the physicality of her notes. The pace picks up perceptively with “Everything Can’t Always Go [Read More]