Listen to new local music at home, then hear them in person
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Apr. 19, 2024) — We’re a third of the way into 2024, and we already have a bunch of great new local music. Allow me to put a handful of recently released albums and EPs from Bay Area artists on your radar.
“Daybreak” by Skinny Hendrixx. This is the debut hip hop album from lyricist and vocalist Jesse Ray, aka “Skinny Henrdixx.” Chock-full of guest rappers, singers and producers, “Daybreak” pays homage to Ray’s roots as a fan of early ’90s rap, employing wordplay, picture-painting, storytelling and the advanced lyrical techniques for which the emcee era was known. Ray explains this all comes from his affinity for the “underground” hip hop era: “There was a subculture of hip hop that was anti-mainstream and was focused on content. It was all about the message and quality writing. I believe in my message and want it to be heard and understood, more than wanting it to sound cool.” Skinny Hendrixx will be performing with his band the Earthtones on April 20 at Vinnie’s Bar & Grill for the Planting Seeds’ 25th Anniversary Show and 4/20 Celebration.
“Here It Is” by Tay & the JangLahDahs. You won’t catch me trying to pin a genre label to Tay & the JangLahDahs, especially after spending time with their delightful new album. The opener, “Enthusiastic Insanity,” feels like an alternative rock song with elements of prog. It’s immediately followed by the whimsically paced “Fire! Pt. 1,” which at times sounds like something you’d hear in a zany 1940s radio ad. The nine-track “Here It Is” offers elements of jazz, country and swing, with some trippy soundscapes. Across the 44-minute journey, expect to hear horns, violin, banjo, ukulele, synthesizers and guitars, often waltzing along as songwriter Tay Robin sings of dystopia and hope. Tay & the JangLahDahs will be performing April 25 at Kilowatt Bar in San Francisco.
“Chika Di” by Chika Di. No stranger to this column, Concord’s own Diana Trujillo has released a number of fun and inspiring singles under the name Chika Di over the last few years – enjoying plenty of success with each. In February, the Colombian-born singer-songwriter released her first full-length album. It offers 10 richly produced songs that blend different styles of Latin pop with traditional Cumbia to produce irresistible rhythms, memorable melodies and all-around good vibes. Catch Chika Di performing with her band at a Cinco de Mayo food fest on May 5 at Ohlone College Newark Center.
“S/T” by Still Ruins. There’s a new new wave rolling through the Bay, and fans of post punk, dream pop and shoegaze are here for it. No matter what word salad you choose to describe the genre, the Oakland trio Still Ruins demonstrates how to indulge in the nostalgic sounds tastefully on their debut EP. With its shimmering guitar tones, gently moaned male vocals with celestial reverb and signature keyboard voices of the era, any of the four songs on “S/T” could slip right into the score of some of your favorite ’80 films. Still Ruins will play May 16 at the Elbo Room Jack London in Oakland.
“hole” by Mathew Antony. Sometimes the best way to convey what you’re feeling is without saying anything at all. On the new EP from San Francisco pianist Mathew Antony, we get four short, sweet instrumentals performed with no accompaniment. Something about the way the performance is captured – maybe the placement of the microphone(s), the production work afterward or perhaps it’s just a very nice piano being played – but there’s a pillowy softness that makes the soothing 11 minutes of tranquil music that more sedative. For that reason, I’d say “hole” might connect with fans of ambient music as much as it might with fans of solo piano work.
Find more recent releases from Bay Area artists at ConcordRockCity.com.
Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.
Read more “Beat of Diablo” columns by Dave Hughes.
Dave Hughes
Dave Hughes is a local music advocate with an extensive network of independent artists. He produces and hosts a local music program on KVHS called The Beat of Diablo, every Sunday at 7:00 PM on 90.5 FM. Dave also catalogs local music releases at ConcordRockCity.com.