Mission Mission

Mission swing dance promoter Christopher Lee posted this great video of the local Gypsy Jazz group Gaucho playing at Tartine Bakery last night. Bet you didn’t know they have live music, right? Gaucho has been playing there 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 6-8pm for years. In the evening, the line isn’t so bad when people aren’t fighting over that morning bun.

In this video they are joined by a visiting NYC singer, Tamar Korn. She does that awesome 30s “operatic jazz singer” thing that is so rare these days. The tune is Honeysuckle Rose by Fats Waller. Have you listened to the lyrics to this song? It’s filthy.

Ah, “Garage Psych”. Aren’t you curious as to why people are lining up around the block for this shit? Allan, Kat, and I tried to check out this dude Ty Segall with thee Oh Sees at the Eagle last week. On our way, we walked past a pair of flustered girls saying, “…I mean, who would wait for an hour in line for a show here?” Not a good sign.

Well if you were like us and gave up only to go home and watch youtube clips of Aziz Ansari as RAAAAAAAANDY, here’s your second chance: Ty is doing a solo set at The Knockout at 6pm. That’s too early for most of the yuppies just getting off work in Mountain View, so you’ll probably score a sweet spot in the front.

Here’s a clip of Ty Segall doing his one-man band thing:

Speaking of thee Oh Sees, anyone want to start an all-Asian Oh Sees cover band with me? “Thee Ah-Sos”. Ok, no more Asian humor. I’m no Margaret Cho.

While not quite as bad as recounting your teenage diaries to strangers, the idea of someone judging your taste in music can induce squeamishness in even the most confident would-be DJs.

Nonetheless, the San Francisco Mixtape Society wants you to put those fears aside and check out its inaugural event at the Makeout Room on Sunday, January 31 from 4-6pm.  They propose a “Secret Santa” gathering where everybody who brings a mixtape leaves with one created by someone else.  Of course, there will be JUDGES and prizes to entice along the way.  No word yet on whether the $2 Pabst and $3 well happy hour prices will be in effect, but early indications are favorable.

USBs and CDs are acceptable, but Cassettes are marriageable, apparently.  We’re letting you know about this early so you can get to work!  The theme is “Cities vs. Towns,” but I already suspect my extensive ABBA collection will be the deciding factor here.

<image by fitacola.com>

I came across this screengrab of a Yahoo! Answers question on fatpita.net and chuckled:

Reminds me of a  great conversation I had with some dude at the Eats Tapes show at the Kitsch Gallery on Saturday.  Said gent explained to me that though the music had slowed for a moment, the DJ would soon pick a specific theme to fixate on and slowly build it faster and louder, until it exploded into a party and we all went crazy dancing.  That’s how techno works.

Oh, and Allan was right.  Eats Tapes are awesome.

Some seriously shreddin’ classical players are playing tonight at Amnesia, of all places!

First is Phyllis Chen, virtuoso classical/experimental pianist. Did I mention she plays her pieces on the TOY PIANO?

Next, German cellist (and apparent hottie) Johannes Moser. If the youtube comments on this guy are true, he’ll melt your face AND your heart:

Between this and Classical Revolution, there has been an increasingly strong presence of classical music in the mission. It seems as though a lot of those conservatory students are in need an outlet that isn’t playing Pachabel’s Canon at a wedding and are taking it to the dives.

Say here’s a tip: bring a date that you’re trying to impress with your “sensitive artiste” side. At some point during the show, gently close your eyes and mime some conducting movements with your hands. If that doesn’t seal the deal, try shaving off that goddamned beard.

Amnesia is on Valencia b/t 19th and 20th. Show starts at 9pm and costs $7-$10.

I’ve been looking for this song all week, and finally found it just now deeep in some Google search results, on SF Weekly’s All Shook Down of all places. Jay posted it on his blog a couple summers ago saying something like that it was just a modest little experiment. It’s an oddity in that it’s got a girl singing most of the vocals and is kind of upbeat and sweet: “In Heaven” by Jay Reatard is here.

Photo of Jay Reatard at 12 Galaxies by ElectrikCandyland (from the set Bands).

Previously:

RIP Jay Reatard

RIP 12 Galaxies

Local rock ‘n’ roll band My First Earthquake is putting its money where its name is, for for the remainder of January they are sending all proceeds from sales of their album Downstairs to Haitian earthquake victims.

AND, it’s pay-what-you-will style, so you can help the Haitians a lot or a little, and either way you walk away with some music. Pay up!

Hella bands tonight at the Lab. Contrary to the info on the flyer, the official roster is: Boyz IV Men, Date Palms, Work, Raccoons, Glass Cake. Bearded DJ Triste Tropiques will be spinning the only bands that matter: SF bands! There will also be FREE COOKIES; no word yet on what kind.

This is all in celebration of DarDarDar‘s 1-year anniversary. DarDarDar is a great site that lists bay area shows that you care about. It’s the cleanest, most bullshit-free calendar there is and I highly recommend it. It’s way better than flipping through the SF Weekly or combing through each venue’s lousy web site. The site owner is also a Dreamdate bro and tasteful photoblogger.

“Dar” is short for the last syllable in “Calendar”. That fucking word was my death blow at the 6th grade Stanislaus County Spelling Bee. I let a lot of people down that day. If only I could give back that pizza party the principal had in my honor.

Quinn DeVeaux leads an awesome Ray Charles-style Rhythm and Blues Band, complete with a trio of long-gloved hot girl backup singers (the Quintettes, naturally). Check out their performance on the awesome Chasing the Moon video podcast here.

Tonight at 8:30 he’ll be doing a special solo performance of his bluesy originals for FREE at Bluesix on 24th and Treat. Bluesix shows are always loads of fun. It’s a great listening space and the nights there usually end up as wicked house parties.

And after that, don’t forget to go next door to Taqueria La Vallarta this evening to check out their delicious taco bar and fascinating mural.

One of the best shows I ever saw was Jay Reatard at the Knockout a few years back, back when the stage was on the lower level. His set lasted all of maybe 18 minutes, but that didn’t bother me because I was busy getting my face melted off.

Jay was always good to the Mission, playing unannounced shows and blowing minds left and right. Sucks that he’s dead.