This Saturday: You Are Plural

I’d be feigning objectivity if I didn’t just say this outright: You Are Plural might be the band I’m most excited about right now. They’ve released a total of one recorded demo song, and when I heard it a month or two ago, I knew they were on to something phenomenal. The piece (because it really is more of a “piece” than a song) is tentatively titled “Broken Arrow,” and I would venture to say that it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before. The cheeky tag on their Facebook page used to cite the band as the love-child of Chopin and Enya, an obscure construct that, though initially a little off-putting for even the most open-minded indie rock enthusiast, is right on in the best of ways. Who am I kidding, though, just listen:    

Convinced? If their live set is anywhere near as exciting as their debut EP is shaping up to be, you won’t be disappointed. In case you didn’t guess, You Are Plural is a duo — Ephriam Nagler mans the Wurlitzer electric organ, with Jen Grady (who also plays bass for Two Gallants frontman Adam Stephens) on the cello. Can’t get enough of the intricately entwined vocals and soaring melodies? Do what I do, and listen to “Broken Arrow” over, and over, and over. Most of all, though, show up this Saturday, October 2nd — 12:30pm at 1701 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. They won’t be playing another show around here until probably next year, and you don’t want to have to spend the next 3 months wringing your hands in regret, do you?

This Saturday: David Berkeley

We were sure excited a few weeks ago to get word of a new face in our neighborhood–David Berkeley. The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter has resided all around the country, but he’s recently decided to pack up and move to California, to raise his family in the city that only seems appropriate for his namesake. Likewise, we couldn’t think of a better way to welcome him than to have him play the Beehive.

Berkeley has truly made his mark in the music world; Just last year he appeared on a star-studded compilation album featuring Thom Yorke, The National, Michael Stipe, and the late Vic Chesnutt, to name just a few. His blend of sensible folk structure and inward-looking affectation is arresting and intimate, making him a worthy counterpart to the previously mentioned personalities, and garnering comparisons to other soft-spoken soloists such as Damien Rice or Ryan Adams.

You can check out all the great music that Berkeley has recorded from a number of different outlets. You can hear mp3s on both his official site and his Myspace page, not to mention a delicate, carefully arranged studio session on Daytrotter that is definitely worth hearing. He’ll be at the Beehive at 1701 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley this Saturday, September 25, at 12:30pm.

This Saturday: Grand Lake

We’ve had a hectic week at Beehive, what with our first Locavore dinner on Tuesday, and getting ready for our “official” grand opening this Saturday, September 18th! City councilman Darryl Moore will be speaking at noon, and afterwards we’ll have the farewell-East Bay performance from Oakland’s Grand Lake! They’re a terrific group, and we’ll be sad to see them go, so come out, grab some fry bread, chocolate, or whatever suits your fancy, and celebrate the first show of our Fall concert series. We haven’t had time to write much of a preview, but here’s some listening material if you want to get prepared (all tracks are from Grand Lake’s new album, Blood Sea Dream, now available on iTunes):

Grand Lake’s ‘Pete And Pete’ Cover

Maybe you were introduced to it by your friends, your older siblings, or your kids — either way, if you’re even a casual connoisseur of ’90s pop culture, you’ll always have a special place in your heart for The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The Nickelodeon show followed the exploits of two red-headed suburban siblings and the zany town that they lived in. Though that might not sound like much, I’d bet half of American children born from 1979-89 could dish on the imprint that this clever little program made on their eager young minds. Now the members of Grand Lake, who I’m guessing fall squarely into that demographic, have taken the music of Pete & Pete and made it their own. The band just posted their version of the show’s theme (a Polaris song called “Hey Sandy”) to their Bandcamp for free download. Head over there to get it for free, or listen here. It’s been creating quite a buzz in the blogosphere, too — they got a nice write-up on Strangers In Stereo, and made the weekly playlists on Largehearted Boy & Consequence of Sound, not to mention an appearance on the Urban Outfitters blog.

ANY CHARACTER HERE

Grand Lake’s new album, Blood Sea Dream, is available now [iTunes]. They’ll be at the Beehive on September 18th, which is also our “official” grand opening and Grand Lake’s last show for some time! More details to come. Happy Labor Day!

This Saturday: King Baldwin

King Baldwin

September 4, 2010

12:30pm ~ FREE

1701 San Pablo Ave.

ANY CHARACTER HERE

ANY CHARACTER HERE

King Baldwin is a San Francisco 4-piece with an imaginative flair and wildly diverse influences. In their own words:

“…King Baldwin is a rock band based on the music of Alexander Eccles (aka “King Baldwin”, a “fictional” Eastern European duke who lives in a castle, loves David Bowie, and writes songs all day long). We perform as a 4-piece rock band with Alexander on keys, Gabe Turow on drums, Theo Winston on guitar, and Jared Milos on bass. We play all-original groove-heavy music that relies on melodies you can sing along to. Our musical backgrounds are an eclectic blend of classical, jazz, afrobeat and funk; we’re influenced by bands like the Talking Heads, Lou Reed, The Sea and Cake and Fela Kuti. King Baldwin performs regularly around San Francisco, lately at the Bottom of the Hill and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.”

ANY CHARACTER HERE

You can hear/download tracks from King Baldwin’s two EPs from their website. Music starts around 12:30pm, but come early just to hang out with us!

An Interview With Man/Miracle

Our recently announced Sept/Oct schedule includes some of my all-time favorite bay area bands. But, of those  favorites, Man/Miracle is up there with some of my most favorites. If that didn’t make any sense, then just  listen to this:

Man/Miracle first caught my attention last year when I saw them open for Tempo No Tempo at the Rickshaw Stop in SF. This spring, I wrote them up on NPR’s Second Stage feature. When I was hired on to the Beehive staff, they were the first band I thought to book for the market. They’ll be at the Beehive October 16, and there’ll be a more complete concert preview on the blog the week before, but I thought I’d share an interview that the band just did with the folks from At The Sinema.

Check back tomorrow for a preview of this Saturday’s concert: King Baldwin.

[Photos + Video] The Ferocious Few Played The Beehive Market

photos by Isaac Seigel-Boettner

Saturday started off a little differently than it ended. We eased our way into the morning with a cup of coffee and soothing old soul records from the likes of Joe Tex, Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions, and even a little from the more contemporary Mayer Hawthorne. By 2PM, the scene had changed. The wind had whipped up and the sun was beating down (on my now sunburnt neck) as I stood over the mixing board for an avalanche of amped-up rock’n'roll, a.k.a. The Ferocious Few.

Midway through their set, singer-guitarist Francisco Fernandez told the crowd, “this next one’s about two very expensive things–gasoline and cocaine.” As far as I know, these were hardly the kinds of things on the minds of the audience on this beautiful afternoon, but as the duo launched into the halted, shapeshifting strains, you couldn’t help but feel like they were definitely doing something right. The nagging wind kept kicking up, threatening to dismantle tents and stir up vendors. Many listeners hovered on the sidelines, in favor of a shady place to sit, but there were others that had obviously come to get their fill of as much free concert as possible, perched directly behind the monitors or documenting the show dutifully. The band playe quite a range of songs and, through all their grit, even dabbled in a bit of nostalgia, with a ballad about their hometown of San Francisco. Other highlights included the obligatory fist-pumper “Kathleen” and the seamless segue between “Porcelain Doll” and “Cryin’ Shame,” my two personal favorites:

Click the link below for more photos from Saturday’s performance.

Announcing: Beehive Locavore Wine Club Dinners

Beehive Market invites you to our fall series of Locavore Wine Club Dinners every Tuesday beginning September 14th at 7:30 pm at our studio, 2607 Seventh St, Suite A, Berkeley, 94710.

Meet local vintners and enjoy the bountiful harvest with friends and neighbors.

Chef Silva pairs three wines made with three courses made with organic ingredients produced by farmers and ranchers at Beehive Market. (We are very happy to accommodate vegetarian diets – please request a vegetarian entree when reserving you place.)

September 14, 2010 Menu
Baby Lettuce and Frenched Green Bean Salad with Stone Fruit Vinaigrette and Pepper Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini
-Wine Pairing: Chenin Blanc

Oven Roast California Halibut with Confit Potatoes and Smoked Tomato Sugo
-Wine Pairing: Grenache/Syrah

Sling Coffee Petite Bread Puddings with Salted Caramel and Sweet Cream
-Wine Pairing: Late Harvest Syrah

In 2003, winemaker Matt Smith launched Blacksmith Cellars in Alameda with the release of his 2001 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, an elegant wine that celebrated the artistry, craftsmanship, and tradition of great independent winemaking. Two years later, Matt’s first white wine, the 2004 Monterey Chenin Blanc, won a 4 Star Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition. Matt loves to work with new varietals. Over the years he’s added classic grapes such as Syrah and Chardonnay to Blacksmith’s line-up, as well as lesser-known gems, such as Torrontes and Verdelho, and a pair of exceptional proprietary blends: “Adamantine” and “Hephaestus.”

Chef John Silva, pictured above, has always had his hands on one type of food or another. Growing up, he experienced the feeling of growing his own vegetables on the sunny slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains as well as tilling the deep red dirt of Oklahoma during the summers. He took his first kitchen job when he was 16 and hasn’t looked back.

All dinners are $70/person.  Space is limited.  Reservations by credit card.  510-644-9517   beehivemarket@gmail.com
www.thebeehivemarket.com

Mark your calendars for future Beehive Locovore Wine Club Dinners!
Sept 21—Irish Monkey Cellars
Sept 28—Periscope Cellars
Oct 5—Eno Wines
Oct 12—Stage Left Cellars
Nov 2—Urbano Cellars
Nov 9—Aubin Cellars
Nov 16—Two Mile Wines
Nov 23—Rock Wall Wines

The Beehive’s September & October Schedule Is Here!

We’ve been working tirelessly to craft a schedule that includes some of the most exciting up-and-coming local acts, and we’re proud to announce our early fall lineup! So, without further ado, Sept./Oct. at The Beehive:

Check back each week for features on every one of these bands, and exclusive peeks into the music of The Beehive Market! In the meantime, follow what we’re up to on Twitter or Facebook.

This Saturday: The Ferocious Few

The Ferocious Few
Saturday, Aug. 28
12:30pm ~ FREE
1701 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley
I’m Attending (Facebook)

Greetings from your music coordinator at The Beehive! If you’re not familiar with us, you might be surprised to find out that the Market is not just a weekly bazaar of farm fresh produce, organic street food, eco-crafts, and other green lifestyle products. We’re also a venue, bringing in some of the best local music that the SF Bay Area has to offer to one place– every Saturday afternoon, for free. After only a couple months, we’ve already had some great performances, and we’ve got a very exciting fall schedule in the works. We’ll be announcing the full lineup through October later on this week, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I’d like to tell you a little more about who exactly is coming to The Beehive this weekend. I’ll be here every week to give you a recap of the past Saturday’s show and a preview of what’s to come for next weekend. Also, keep an eye out for our “Live @ The Hive” podcast, where we’ll archive audio from select events. Most importantly though, come out and visit us! The music is free and, judging by this weather, summer is only just beginning! This Saturday we’re proud to present The Ferocious Few:

I first saw The Ferocious Few by accident. Ambling down the streets of Oakland’s First Friday event, Art Murmur, I was magnetically drawn toward a big crowd gathering around some street performers in front of Mama Buzz Cafe. The sidewalk was in gridlock; and in spite of all the art, food and drink, these buskers were proving to be one of the main attractions. The group of enthusiastic onlookers was transfixed, as the two guys churned through hours of rollicking, high-octane anthems. Francisco (guitar/vocals) and Daniel (drums) are outdoor music veterans, though. They’ve been on busy national tours and played local clubs all over the area, but they’re also just as likely to set up on a street corner, with a portable amplifier and sparse drum kit, and tear it up for anyone who’s interested.

Recordings hardly capture the raw energy that these two bring to the table. The Ferocious Few swim in the wake of illustrious acts such as The White Stripes, who breathed life into a classic blues-rock sound and provided an inspiring model for power duos around the world. As with their contemporaries in duos like SF’s Two Gallants, there’s something special about seeing the interplay between two close-knit musicians, each with a profound understanding of the other’s musical personality. For more, check out their Myspace page.

The band will start around 12:30pm this Saturday, Aug. 28. We’re at 1701 San Pablo Ave. (parking lot at the Berkeley Adult School). Head over early to pick up some produce while we spin some old soul 45′s, or just grab a delicious lunch and post up for The Ferocious Few.