Interviews with Bay Area up-and-coming bands
On Baghdad by the Bay, March 19th: Interview with The Hollyhocks, Custom Kicks, Minor Kingdoms
April 19, 2012 8:00pm
The Hollyhocks
thehollyhocks.com
Dan Jewett and his pal Kristin Sobditch layer on guitar dreaminess, while bassist Yuri Jewett and Kristin share their sonic stories. The Hollyhocks will take you on a journey through a forest of lush instrumentation. Along the way, you will stumble across some pretty female harmonies and they will invite you inside to stay warm. But don’t be fooled, their lyrics are darker than you think. Good thing drummer Jason Silverio leaves behind enough beats and breadcrumbs for you to find your way back home.
After a year in the studio, The Hollyhocks, working with producer Allen Clapp (Orange Peels), have completed their debut album Understories. The album features an eclectic mix of interwoven, layered guitar combined and lush female vocal harmony that have made the Hollyhocks favorites locally. Inspired by such artists as the New Pornographers and Throwing Muses, the band took the time to sonically grow together before setting out on last year’s recording adventure with Clapp. The results are obvious as the songs range in texture and intensity, but always capture that unique hint of Oakland flavor with a pinch of optimism and a dash of darkness.
Custom Kicks
facebook.com
The Custom Kicks are a punk band with a power fop feel. Their sound is directly influenced by bands such as The Rezillos, The Dickies, and The Zeros. Although fronted by Guitarist, Kate McClure, all members sing in both English and Japanese. Members include Adachi Herouki on Bass (member of local acts The Pleasure Kills/Basements XOXO) Miki Kodoma on Keys (XMember of Japanese Thrash/Metal band Little Princess) and Jordan Christensen on Drums (XMember of Riverboat Gamblers) They most recently released a 7″ on Silver Sprocket.
Minor Kingdoms
minorkingdom.com
Minor Kingdom was born in a Minneapolis bedroom in the fall of 2007. What started as a solo recording outlet for frontman and songwriter Kristian Melom quickly grew to a collaborative platform, housing over twenty rotating members. Assembled around a unique cast of professional musicians; the group fuses elements of post-rock, folk, and blues to create an eclectic genre they can call their own. The music has recently drawn comparisons to other artists: Wilco, Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon and Bonnie Prince Billy among others.
Over the past four years Minor Kingdom have released two albums, toured the Midwest and gained national exposure playing for local radio stations. The project has recently relocated to San Francisco, CA where Kristian is planning a solo West Coast tour to support the group’s latest release entitled “Don’t Worry Baby.”
thehollyhocks.com
Dan Jewett and his pal Kristin Sobditch layer on guitar dreaminess, while bassist Yuri Jewett and Kristin share their sonic stories. The Hollyhocks will take you on a journey through a forest of lush instrumentation. Along the way, you will stumble across some pretty female harmonies and they will invite you inside to stay warm. But don’t be fooled, their lyrics are darker than you think. Good thing drummer Jason Silverio leaves behind enough beats and breadcrumbs for you to find your way back home.
After a year in the studio, The Hollyhocks, working with producer Allen Clapp (Orange Peels), have completed their debut album Understories. The album features an eclectic mix of interwoven, layered guitar combined and lush female vocal harmony that have made the Hollyhocks favorites locally. Inspired by such artists as the New Pornographers and Throwing Muses, the band took the time to sonically grow together before setting out on last year’s recording adventure with Clapp. The results are obvious as the songs range in texture and intensity, but always capture that unique hint of Oakland flavor with a pinch of optimism and a dash of darkness.
Custom Kicks
facebook.com
The Custom Kicks are a punk band with a power fop feel. Their sound is directly influenced by bands such as The Rezillos, The Dickies, and The Zeros. Although fronted by Guitarist, Kate McClure, all members sing in both English and Japanese. Members include Adachi Herouki on Bass (member of local acts The Pleasure Kills/Basements XOXO) Miki Kodoma on Keys (XMember of Japanese Thrash/Metal band Little Princess) and Jordan Christensen on Drums (XMember of Riverboat Gamblers) They most recently released a 7″ on Silver Sprocket.
Minor Kingdoms
minorkingdom.com
Minor Kingdom was born in a Minneapolis bedroom in the fall of 2007. What started as a solo recording outlet for frontman and songwriter Kristian Melom quickly grew to a collaborative platform, housing over twenty rotating members. Assembled around a unique cast of professional musicians; the group fuses elements of post-rock, folk, and blues to create an eclectic genre they can call their own. The music has recently drawn comparisons to other artists: Wilco, Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon and Bonnie Prince Billy among others.
Over the past four years Minor Kingdom have released two albums, toured the Midwest and gained national exposure playing for local radio stations. The project has recently relocated to San Francisco, CA where Kristian is planning a solo West Coast tour to support the group’s latest release entitled “Don’t Worry Baby.”
