“drivers license”: navigating inadequacy, adolescence, and white Disney pop Silayan Camson March 9, 2021 Opinion When I think about the white Disney pop stars I grew up with, I recall Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift playing both roles in the “You Belong With Me” music video which shook my whole world. The drastic shif...
A tribute to SOPHIE Noah Larsen February 1, 2021 Creative Writing, News, Uncategorized “I hope you don't take this the wrong way But I think your inside is your best side” On January 30th, 2021, Sophie Xeon (known professionally as SOPHIE) tragically passed away at the age of 34. T...
Eden Ariel’s debut EP Altars is a New York City dreamscape Noah Larsen March 11, 2020 Album Review, Reviews Hailing from New York state by way of Manhattan, Eden Ariel lets her environment take up a character of its own in her lyricism on her new EP Altars (2020). Opening track “City Rain” is a love story about ...
The grooviest of nights with Thundercat at the Fox Oakland Tovah Popilsky and Daniella Ivanir March 10, 2020 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Previews, Multimedia, Photos 1 Comment On Friday, March 6th - amid the global Coronavirus panic - a sold-out crowd still gathered outside the flashing red ‘Fox’ sign awaiting the mystical bassist by the name of Stephen Bruner -- known more ...
King Princess delivers queer realness with debut album Cheap Queen Daniella Ivanir November 24, 2019 Album Review Mikaela Straus, known better as King Princess, recently released her debut album Cheap Queen (2019). The queer pop icon has racked up a lot of attention since dropping three singles last year: “1950,” “Pu...
(Still Not) Over It: Summer Walker’s drops her debut album Sanjana Sanghani November 19, 2019 Album Review I had been awaiting a full-and-loaded album from R&B/soul artist Summer Walker for what seemed like way too long. So when Over It (2019) was finally released in early October, it's all I listened to for at ...
Sara Bareilles live at the Chase Center: An 8th grade memory, relived Sanjana Sanghani November 9, 2019 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Reviews Picture this: an 8th grade singing performance. Me, an awkward 13-year old wearing an Aeropostale shirt, nervous and sweating in front of the crowd. I had chosen to sing “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles, which...
mxmtoon plays a charming show at the Great American Music Hall Emma Jaeger November 5, 2019 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Reviews, Photos, Reviews Oakland native mxmtoon, aka Maia, played a sold-out show at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco this Halloween. The show, framed by an intimate venue, featured many of the songs from Maia’s debut a...
Steve Lacy debuts Apollo XXI at the Fillmore Annie Nguyen November 2, 2019 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Reviews, Multimedia, Photos, Reviews LA-based artist Steve Lacy played a sold out show at San Francisco's Fillmore last Saturday performing his debut album, Apollo XXI (2019). Upon crunching down a Red Delicious Fillmore apple during intermission,...
Boss ass bitch – Lizzo’s lesson on empowerment Makaila Heifner April 28, 2019 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Reviews, Photos Within five minutes of stepping into the venue I was complimented on my outfit, a group of friends offered a shot, and had four new Instagram followers. The non-stop kindness and friendly attitudes persisted th...
“She’s the one” was written about me: first musical crushes Madeline Rohner April 18, 2019 Columns and Opinions “I’m on Fire” by Bruce Springsteen is quite frankly the sexiest song ever written, and if you don't agree I fundamentally don’t understand you. Bruce Springsteen has, as long as I can remember, remained...
I’m a sucker for the new Jonas Brothers single: the latest release after a six year hiatus Michelle Castillo March 3, 2019 News The highly anticipated new single “Sucker” by the Jonas Brothers has many long-time fans feeling reminiscent of their elementary and middle school days. The last time the band released any mus...
How-to escape a music rut Madeline Rohner February 13, 2019 Columns and Opinions A new year is upon us, which means it's time for a fresh start. I'm sure by now you have listened to your Spotify 2018 yearly roundup and re-experienced all the painful emotions that go along with it. If this i...
Choker’s new three-part miniseries is an experimental amalgamation of various genres and immense talents Anthony Vega February 8, 2019 Album Review What captivates me the most about being a supporter of up-and-coming artists is when you find one like Choker, one who you just seem to know is going to be someone someday. I felt the same way about Kevin Abstr...
The new class of pop: Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, & Carlie Hanson Rebekah Gonzalez December 1, 2018 Concerts, Festivals, and Live Reviews, Photos, Reviews, Uncategorized It’s easy to be unimpressed by pop stars. The media often approach them with intense cynicism. Pop stars are assumed to have limited musicianship and pop songs are referred to as “guilty pleasures” and en...