B.A.R.F. Rules Everything Around Me

B.A.R.F. (Bay Area Record Festival)

THEE PARKSIDE, SAN FRANCISCO

27 September, 2014

B.A.R.F., AKA the Bay Area Record Fair, once again left its indelible imprint on San Francisco. Featuring over 30 local record labels, including Slumberland, 1234Go Records, Moon Glyph, Crime On The Moon and non-label co-conspirators such as BFF.FM, the fair commandeered the street outside Thee Parkside, leaving the venue open for a parade of live music throughout the day. Given the daytime schedule, it was the perfect opportunity to throw the dog in the car and take a road trip. Started by Father/Daughter Records and Professional Fans, the community building affair, now in it's second year, was the recipient of a fall "heat wave", in so much as it can be in SF. Catching up with old friends, meeting new, and putting actual faces to internet friends, all the while browsing the stacks and crates made for the perfect day. No word yet on next year's plan, but mark a calender for that late September sweet spot.

Papa Slumber (Slumberland Records) holding court

Pro Fan Gregory working the scene...

Bogart digging in the crates...

BFF.FM on hand, broadcasting live...

making friends...

Pro Fans Marisa (left) and Katie (right)

Washington Square rep shows off her very own cover design

Post Graduation: The She's In San Francisco

THE SHE'S

TAMBO RAYS

WEBSITE

NECK OF THE WOODS, SF

31 AUGUST, 2013

Continuing the quest to turn over new corners of San Francisco, the most recent road trip unveiled the delightful Neck Of The Woods, billed as "The Bay Area's longest continually running music venue", on Clement in Inner Richmond. As presented by SF-based Professional Fans, this, their 8th showcase, seeks to fill a gap for local artists. Recent high school graduates The She's have been spending their post-grad summer hitting stages to hone material for their next LP. As evidenced by an appearance at this year's Noise Pop Festival, opening for Portland's Thermals, they are comfortable onstage beyond their years, and seemed even more so on this evening, noting the proximity of the venue to their homes. After dodging feedback screeches through the early going, they settled in to a smooth set, heavily weighted with new tunes, but highlighted by a bittersweet take on the title track of their last LP, Then It Starts To Feel Like Summer. It was during the coda that the joy in their playing together was wholly apparent, and that first and foremost, this is a group of friends. It will be interesting to see how they handle life's curveballs, and just what they'll get up to next, but one gets the feeling that they'll be around for awhile.

Oakland's Tambo Rays owned the middle slot, jacking the night to life with a set heavy on their most recent, Rest Your Mind On The Sky. Following the current template of expanding from a bedroom project to a full-blown band, the Tambo Rays had energy to burn, and set a high bar to follow.

 ProFan Gregory set the tone for the evening, hitting the decks for the non-sports fans in attendence, dropping the perfect set for this road-weary traveller. Website led off the evening with a short set. They built up steam, and struck a chord with the crowd on their final track. While still in their formative stage, they had enough presence and verve to mark for future watching, especially their bassist, who added muscle to their sound.