Gallery by Sara Valenzuela
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Dua Lipa at The Fillmore Silver Spring
Photos by Lilli Banks
The Sherlocks’ Last Night in America November 9, 2017
Review and photos by Lilli Banks
November 9, 2017
DC9 Nightclub, Washington, D.C.
From Sheffield, England, The Sherlocks took a trip to North America to promote their new album. Their indie alternative music has thousands of people shouting the lyrics to their songs and selling out venues throughout United Kingdom. Building their fanbase, they opened for bands such as Kings of Leon and The Libertines and soon to open for Liam Gallagher on his European tour in 2018.
After seven years of being a band, the two sets of brothers released their debut album, “Live for the Moment” in mid-August of this year. The album featured singles from years prior and new tracks that hit #6 in the UK charts.
With the success of their album, they set off on a UK, European, and North American tour. They performed in the US back in March of 2016 for SWSX in Texas, but their first headline tour was this November, starting in Toronto.
The band kicked off the set with their song, “Last Night” and the crowd was immediately enticed. Although it was the last night of tour, they never let their energy falter. Their tunes “Blue” and “Will You Be There?” roared through DC9 Nightclub bringing those from the downstairs bar and staff.
“Turn the Clock,” arrived on the setlist and the acoustic guitar was brought out. The crowd was thrilled to hear a slower song that showed another side of the band.
Kiaran, the lead singer and guitarist, took a moment to say, “We’re ending our first tour in Washington, D.C. just how we wanted it,” which made the crowd yell with happiness and cheering.
As the upbeat songs came back, pairs of friends danced in the crowd with the beer in their hands. An older adult was front and center, mesmerized by the band. Andy, the bassist, had a huge smile on his face seeing how the crowd was reacting to them.
The band knocked the night and tour out with Chasing Shadows. Soon enough, this band will be filling venues of the USA and we’re excited to see them progress!
The band will be returning to the USA in January 2018 to the West Coast. The first date on January 16th in Los Angeles at The Echo.
You can find tickets and dates for their return here.
Their debut album streams on Spotify and iTunes/Apple Music.
Follow The Sherlocks on social media!
Tropicalia 2017 Recap
Words by Corynne Fernandez and photos by Kayla Fernandez
Separating itself from other California festivals, Tropicalia was a true testament to unity through diversity. From their unequivocal lineup that was composed of acts like Los Tigres Del Norte and King Krule, to their seamless-execution of the So-Cal tropic theme, and the highly sought for free-tacos, the festival was a success on all parts with minimal hiccups along the way. We had the chance to cover some of the most anticipated new acts and document their performances below. Thank you to the media team at Tropicalia for being the sweetest group of people as well!
Current Joys:
Ringing in the day’s festivities, was Current Joys. While festival goers made their way in, the crowd for their set was in full force, igniting mosh pits and echoing the group’s lyrics throughout.
Surf Curse:
The band comprised of Nick Rattigan, lead singer from Current Joys, and Jacob Rubeck, carried the same energy through their set. With co-singer, Rattigan, never missing a beat and Rubeck equally interacting with the frenzied crowd, the duo played hits like Doom Generation, Freaks, and Goth Babe.
Jorja Smith:
Perhaps one of the most anticipated new artists was England native, Jorja Smith; most of the crowd at the Dia De Los Puercos stage had been waiting from the start of the festival for her set. Even with little movement, Smith and her accompanying band captured not only her audience but onlookers from other stages and the infamous taco lines, playing brand new songs from her latest EP, as well as fan favorite, Blue Lights.
Inner Wave:
We had the chance to catch Inner Wave—a favorite of Lucid Dreams (check out our interview here)—while they played at the Mota Stage to their largest crowd. For many, it was the first time hearing the band, while others had flown from out of state solely to see the group. Needless to say, Inner Wave did not disappoint, and elicited a retrogressive synergy with songs like Bower, Discipline, and American Spirits.
The Buttertones:
Amongst all the acts, the best dressed had to be the collective Buttertones, in which they set the tone for their signature surfer-soul discography, and paid homage to the tailored looked that characterized the 50’s and 60’s. Throughout the entirety of the set, not one sun-kissed head was still, and the 5-piece thrived off what the crowd gave so enthusiastically. What set the Buttertones apart was their use of sax in combo with their unique rock, doo-wop additions, creating an ambience unlike any other.
Cuco:
Our first introduction to the main stage also happened to be our first introduction to rising Latino-heartthrob, Cuco. His fanbase was larger than life and vocalized their appreciation during every song which varied from melodic tunes in both English and Spanish. Still coming into his own onstage, the somewhat sheepish energy added to the overall dream-filled performance with the occasional tempo shifts.
Yellow Days:
As the sun was setting, there was no better time for emerging UK artist, Yellow Days to come on and soundtrack the hazy sunset with his fuzzy jazz-inspired riffs and languorous gritty vocals. Being his first show in the US, he amassed a vast crowd of devoted listeners and new-comers alike, all enthralled by every raw bellow.
King Krule:
Amid the stellar lineup, long-awaited act, King Krule, made his way to the center of the blue-lit main stage and delivered his characteristically violent yet tender harmonies that set the crowd aflame, which seemingly went on for miles. Despite a set delay, Archie (performing under the name King Krule) left little for the audience to yearn for, performing a variety of songs from his debut LP, 6 Feet Beneath the Moon, and his new album, The OOZ, for which he is currently touring.
Kali Uchis:
One of our favorites from Tropicalia, was Columbian female-artist, Kali Uchis; gracing the stage in her Selena-esque ensemble, Uchis, brought an experience unique to her performance. Looking around, there was not one person that wasn’t belting the lyrics to songs like Melting, Speed, and Loner among the diverse sea of people. Kali delivered not only with her own work, but also covered Al Green’s RnB classic, Let’s Stay Together, and sang her feature in Tyler The Creator’s, See You Again.
Bane’s World:
Closing out the night as one of last sets, was the subdued and dream-ensuing Bane’s World. Like many of the other acts at the fest, this was the group’s first run at a festival and while their set neared midnight, that did not stop festival-goers from swarming their stage, swooning for every note. Different from their defining hazy tunes, the band also jokingly covered Radiohead’s, Creep, and fellow Long Beach natives, Sublime’s, Santeria. With playful interjections and shy lulls, Bane’s World left the crowd—certainly all the ladies—in a trance and grasping for more songs as their set was cut short. Read our interview with Shane of Bane’s World here.
Peach Pit at DC9 Nightclub
Photos by Lilli Banks
Gallery of the “chewed bubblegum pop” band, Peach Pit, opening for Diane Coffee at DC9 Nightclub.
DC Loves Pickwick!
Words and photos by Sara Valenzuela
The indie-R&B band, made in Seattle, took the DC9 and captivated the audience with a spectacular show. The audience made it clear, DC loves Pickwick! The crowd was enthusiastic and very loud, the loudest I’ve ever witnessed at the intimate U Street venue.
Pickwick recently released their sophomore album ‘LoveJoys’ featuring singles like ‘Turncoat’ and ‘In Time’. This album is a great follow up from their 2013 debut album ‘Can’t Talk Medicine’.
Listen to Pickwick:
Keep up with Pickwick!
Homeshake at Pico Union Project
Gallery of the very intimate solo show for Homeshake.
All photos by Kayla Fernandez
The Flaming Lips + Mac Demarco Photo Gallery
Photos by Kayla Fernandez
Last Saturday night The Flaming Lips and Mac Demarco performed at The Shrine in Los Angeles. These two energetic acts left the crowd amazed and wanting more. Their unique styles and amazing stage presence is truly something special.
Photographs by Kayla Fernandez
Photographs by Kayla Fernandez
Inner Wave Interview + Photos
Interview and words by Corynne Fernandez
On the day they released their third album, Underwater Pipe Dreams, we sat down and chatted with the guys of Inner Wave, who have been quickly making a name for themselves and gaining a dedicated group of fans all over. Read below as we talk about their sold-out album release show, the process of making their long-awaited album, and favorite records at the moment.
Pictured above left to right: Luis Portillo (drummer), Elijah Trujillo (lead guitarist), Chris Runners (keyboardist), Jean-Pierre Narvaez (bassist), Pablo Sotelo (vocals and rhythm guitar)
You guys have been together since you were teenagers, how was the band formed and what’s the meaning behind the name ‘Inner Wave?’
Elijah: In 6th grade, Pablo and I both played guitar and we met Jean-Pierre and Alex (old drummer). Jean got a bass and Alex got a drum set which resulted to jamming.
Pablo: As for the name, I made a list of like two hundred names and I showed all my friends the list of potential band names. Inner Wave was the one everyone liked the most.
This album was three years in the making, how did you guys come to the decision it was complete?
Pablo: We ran out of money. Haha no— we finished it once before about a year ago, it was completely done and mastered in the studio ready to go, but something was off. We had this really strong idea on how the process should be, we wanted it to become very collaborative — it was, but we also wanted that in the recording process, so we worked with somebody new, but we became too focused on the process instead of the music. By the end of it we did what we wanted to do but it wasn’t the vibe we were hoping for so we redid it again in the garage.
Why the name Underwater Pipe Dreams?
Pablo:It was initially a joke, for the playlist of songs that we had. Then I felt like it made sense with the themes that were happening with the album. The expression of ‘pipe dreams’ is something that will probably be a long shot and not work out. That’s how the process for the album started to feel like after a long time. On a personal level, we all went through a lot of different things within the three years, so it’s like we slowly morphed into the name that started off as a joke. With ‘underwater’ it was kinda like an ode to Lil Ugly Mane, (rapper from Virginia) his work is really low-fi but also interesting. His whole persona and how he does things musically is very intriguing.
Your new record is reminiscent of the alt rock sound that defined the early 2000’s, like that of The Strokes, making it a shift from your other material. Lyrically and musically what inspired you this time around?
Pablo: Initially we listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye—I don’t think a lot of people would think that because inspirations don’t always translate through our songs. The lyrics come from personal experiences, this summer I tried a bit – not that I didn’t try harder before I wanted to improve that aspect of it more. It was the first time where I wrote the lyrics before the music; they would end up as poems.
What song are you most proud of off the album, and what are you all most excited to play live?
Chris: There is this song called ‘Conversations’ that Jean mostly wrote. It has a Bohemian Rhapsody vibe to it; it’s a really long song with many moving parts. It’s one of those songs where you have to listen to and understand all the elements in the song.
Luis:I would go with ‘Discipline’;that’s a track with a heavier Tom Groove in it and that part specifically, is one of the most challenging for me to play.
Elijah:I also agree with ‘Discipline’—that one for me is a banger. It gets so intense and it makes me extremely excited to play live.
Pablo: For me, it would either be ‘Discipline’ or ‘Conversations’ because I think those are the two songs that have a lot of moving parts and have the potential to be amazing live.
A lot has been leading up to today, have you guys done anything special to prep for it tonight?
Everyone: We like to do some ritual sacrifices.
Pablo: We tried to do something special with the stage production for the show, so hopefully it all works out the way we planned. *
*Update: It did!
Can you give us a day in the life of Inner Wave?
Chris: We meet up every day at 8:30pm and practice, no matter what we do in that day we always meet up at that time.
What venue would you love to play in the near future?
Chris: The El Rey, because I’ve been going to that venue ever since I was a kid.
Everyone: Red Rocks would be tight, the atmosphere is absolutely crazy.
What are your guy’s all-time favorite albums?
Elijah: Marvin Gaye’s “In Our Lifetime”
Luis: “InnerSpeaker” by Tame Impala
Pablo: That one record from Madvillain.
Chris: “Blonde” by Frank Ocean and “Mista Thug Isolation” by Lil Ugly Mane
Out of all the places you’ve toured, what would be your most memorable gig to date and why?
Everyone: The Rickshaw.
Chris: The crowd was packed; the venue had air conditioning and let us smoke in the greenroom. Also, when we were waiting to play, there was a line going around the block.
First concert?
Pablo:The first concert I was brought to was this contemporary Christian Latin American guy named Marcos Witt, but the first concert I bought tickets for was Queens of the Stone Age. It was actually a benefit concert, and so they had other acts like the Last Shadow Puppets and some other surprise guest.
Luis:I grew up around punk music, so my brother would play shows at The Knitting Factory in LA and I would always hang around him.
Chris: The first concert I got brought to was Maroon 5; it was when Songs About Jane came out and the first time I ever smelled weed before. The first one I bought tickets to was Erykah Badu.
Elijah: The first one, my dad took me to see a Led Zeppelin cover band. The first one that I paid for was FYF Fest a few years ago, the year that The Strokes played.
Now that the album’s out, what are you guys looking forward to come this year and into next year?
Pablo: Long naps and a lot of sleep—maybe take my dog for a walk.
Everyone: SXSW!
A message to all your fans?
Pablo: Keep on rockin
Chris: Y’all thanks!
Elijah: Huge thank you to everyone!
Pablo: Felt a lot of love this year—it’s intense, so thank you!
Gallery of the Inner Wave Album Release Show below:
(All photographs by Kayla Fernandez)
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Pinky Pinky Interview
Interview by Corynne Fernandez
Photos by Kayla Fernandez
Up and coming all-girl band, Pinky Pinky, composed of Anastasia Sanchez (lead singer and drummer [19]), Isabelle Fields (guitarist [18]), and Eva Chambers (bassist [18]) sat down with Lucid Dreams amid the party-filled Echo Park after their set for Echo Park Rising. Listen along to hear us chat about their upcoming EP, South African urban legends, and Jimmy Carter!
Listen here!
Photos of Pinky Pinky’s Set at Echo Park Rising
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afterlifemagazine.com 