All Photos: Geoffrey Smith

If you’ve been keeping up with us over the past 8 years, our love for French Touch and disco is no secret. Something in the water in France is enabling producers to churn out the funkiest, danciest tunes the world has to offer. The French flavor got a little bit more interesting over the past couple years as a result of the union between Polocorp and DJ Peter Pan to form: POLO & PAN.

With a genre dubbed “Space Jungle,” you know that I am IN. They use these tribal and elemental sounds mixed with a futuristic and airy touch which comes together in an eclectic way I’ve never heard before. They also dabble in circus music samples that just adds to their weirdness which I can’t get enough of.

The show itself had all the aspects of a perfect 2 person live show. 4 CDJS (2 each), a mixer, 2 keyboards, and 2 mics. They would switch off between mixing, playing the keyboard, and singing. Simple. Effective. Elegant. They couldn’t have had a better crowd either (see video below). The show sold out almost instantly so all the passionate fans were ready to give them love and were properly warmed up thanks to nu-disco behemout Jean Tonique, who I also had been dying to see. You better keep an eye on these guys, because big things are guaranteed in their future. They’ll be back to SF for Treasure Island Music Festival in October!!

It’s been a long time coming for me to experience a Desert Hearts party for myself. For years, my tribe has been a part of the movement, and the movement has since made its way to the bay. I don’t think they, or anyone for that matter, could have dreamed up a better inaugural entrance to the city of fog. Everything about the Desert Hearts crew and the fans they attract remind me of raving before it broke into. Not trying to come off high-nosing, but it felt very different ten years ago…I felt those feelings on the block party they threw for us, and they have a fan in me because of it! See for yourself below:

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One of our favorite crews and vibe setters are ditching their desert dwelling ways for one night, and that night is this Sunday at the Great Northern in San Francisco. Over the years, the Desert Hearts family has blazed a trail of pounding bass lines and beautiful people. As their cult following continues to grow, so do their parties. This Sunday will be no different. In their words:

The music, theme camps, art installations, performers, the food, the people, the LOVE ???? – taking over the FULL BLOCK where the iconic The Great Northern sits (plus the main and upstairs rooms).

This is going to be a party for the books at the Great Northern. The whole place turns into a proper block party, and there’s not a chance we’d miss it. Peep the Desert Hearts crew closing their fest below:

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Australia is in no shortage of musicians that shake the world with their musings. While Tame Impala has led the charge for the country’s psychedelic rock scene, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have been holding their own. Hailing from Melbourne, the eccentric group has managed to release 13 studio albums since 2012. Are they machines? TBD. Their style or the way they produce their songs reminds me a lot of what I love about Thee Oh Sees.

Your chance to see their energetic live performance, where they get much of their acclaim, is coming up if you’re in the Bay Area. They come to the historic Warfield Theater on Saturday June 2nd.

Inspiration can come from wherever you let it. Somehow, the comforting and soothing sensations of psychedelic surf-rock inspired a group of individuals from the 300 person town of Burton, Texas. After Khruangbin recorded their debut album in a countryside barn, they’ve touched souls from around the world with their semi-instrumental take on the genre. As it turns out, they were all too scared to sing on their own music, with the goal being to keep the attention on the music itself. Mark and Laura sing together in their songs to maintain that psychedelic feel that makes them so charming.

After playing festivals around the world and touring with the likes of Leon Bridges and Father John Misty, they’ve reached critical acclaim while winning the hearts of anyone who let’s them occupy their ear space. Their music being on the more relaxing side intrigues me as to how they will translate it live. Well, this week they play two sold out nights at the Fillmore, which just so happens to be one of my very favorite venues in San Francisco. Sample their debut LP below. Just start at the top, sit back, and ride the Khruangbin wave.

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Jordan Rakei, UK’s multi-instrumentalist young gun, is making his way to the Bay Area next week to flood the halls of The Fillmore with his sultry jams. Having accolades which include collaborating with Tom Misch and Disclosure while being a Nina Tune label mate of Bonobo, who he also toured with, you know something special is-a brewin’.

He has all the flavors of UK dance music and garage, but mixes it with R&B, jazz, and soul in a way that has us confidently awaiting his booming success. Rakei reminds me of the potential I saw in Sam Smith, but less poppy, more edgy, and ready to be discovered by the masses.

Take this special opportunity to see him at one of the world’s most storied and magnificent venues next Thursday on March 8th. Be sure to listen to his latest album Wallflower, which I included below. My favorite song is “May.” I get the chills just thinking about it…He’s able to take such a beautiful, uplifting chord progression into a booming, bass-filled chorus that has me closing my eyes and getting lost every time. Seriously can’t wait for this show.

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One of the most influential beat makers of our generation is making his way back to the Bay this week. His Beatz & Pieces Vol. 2 album straight up changed the game. That kind of soul, funk, and energy was in a realm of its own then and even still today. It’s a go-to album of mine whenever I’m traveling, because anyone, no matter where you’re from, what you do, or what you like, you can vibe with it. It just feels right, man.

He’s been criticized by some of his fans for veering too far away from what he started, but I honestly can’t blame him for wanting to explore the possibilities out there. Who wants to be pigeon holed? I sure as hell don’t. And hey, it brought him to his new RE:COIL EP, which is also the name of the tour. The “old” Gramatik is still very much there, it’s just evolved, and we’re going to see it live on Thursday! Check out the EP below.