Live This Month: January 2015

If you haven’t adopted too many resolutions, consider adding this one to whatever you’ve already got lined up: resolve to go see more live music in 2015!

As this month’s podcast shows, January offers plenty of killer concert offerings, including a number of local bands with new albums. Tiaras is comprised of former members of stellar groups Ganglians and Blasted Canyons—the new band is more than just a sum of those parts, though, soaring on a dynamic, melodic sound. Happy Fangs has been building a buzz around SF for a while now, and the trio’s debut LP, Capricorn, delivers punchy, energetic noise pop. And while the Soft White Sixties don’t have a new record, the ascendant rock and roll group is sure to thrill during their Wednesday night residency at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall all month long.

Cult of Youth describe their latest album, Final Days, as “post-industrial Pet Sounds,” a nod to how dense the group’s gloomy post-punk sounds. On the folkier side of things, Natalie Mering provided vocals on Ariel Pink’s Mature Themes, and her commanding voice is front and center in Weyes Blood. Mering just released her second LP under that moniker, The Innocents, on Mexican Summer. Finally, we don’t normally include a lot of string groups on the podcast, but, then again, most string groups don’t have as much of an interest in indie rock as the Portland Cello Project, whose latest album, to e.s., is a mix of Elliott Smith covers and new works inspired by Smith’s music.

Enjoy the podcast—and then go see some concerts!

About the bands:

The Soft White Sixties – “Lemon Squeezer”
Performing at the Brick & Mortar Music Hall every Wednesday in January.

The Vaselines – “Last Half Hour”
Coming to The Independent on Jan. 27; Loch Lomond opens the show.

Tiaras – “Thought I Could Know”
The SF band plays the Hemlock Tavern on Jan. 7 and El Rio on Jan. 8.

Sugar Candy Mountain – “Soak Up the City”
Topping an all-local show with Fine Points, Li Xi, and DJ Royal Oakie on Jan. 28 at Leo’s.

Monster Rally & Jay Stone – “Recollection”
The duo headlines Leo’s with Queens D. Light and Kid Trails on Jan. 24.

Lord RAJA – “Spilt Out In Cursive”
Touring with Beacon, both bands arrive at the Rickshaw Stop on Jan. 28.

Kendra McKinley – “Convince Me”
The singer-songwriter performs at The Fillmore with Rainbow Girls, The Hot Toddies, and The She’s on Jan. 31.

Happy Fangs – “Contagious”
Happy Fangs’ album release show takes place on Jan. 31 at the Rickshaw Stop; also performing: The Trims and Survival Guide.

Chain and the Gang – “Devitalize”
Playing with Flesh World and Skate Laws on Jan. 14 at the Make-Out Room.

Cult of Youth – “Empty Faction”
The band headlines the Elbo Room on Jan. 24, alongside performances by Hive Mind and Skander and a DJ set by Ning Nong.

Portland Cello Project -“Between The Bars”
On Jan. 24, the band performs at The Chapel.

Balms – “Golden Hair”
Opening for O and Annie Girl & the Flight on Jan. 15 at the Rickshaw Stop.

Helms Alee – “Pleasure Center”
On Jan. 28, the band’s tour with Marriages arrives at the Hemlock Tavern; Glaciers will open the show.

Weyes Blood – “Land of Broken Dreams”
Coming to the Hemlock Tavern on Jan. 27 with Meg Baird.

Phosphorescent – “You Can Make Me Feel Bad”
Phosphorescent’s Matthew Houck performs a solo show at the Great American Music Hall on Jan. 22.