Whether out of necessity or by design, the best venues for live entertainment in the San Francisco Bay Area are all speakeasys. While Venture Capitalists co-opt the term to temp tourists and techies, the City's beleaguered creatives gather in open Secret. At konservatories south of market, mission churches that need to be found or any living room open to the invitation, the DIY undergroung mentality is a necessity across genres and cultures in a city that sees small and mid sized venues closing on the regular. But underground is where the seeds are sewn, and in an outer Richmond living room in mid September I witnessed plentiful signs of an abundant harvest.
Unfortunately I missed all or most of Gaku, Chris Mendoza and King Willow (formerly Sestra), each worth checking out when you get a chance. Special guest Gnarlo Guthrie took off his metaphorical mask and revealed himself as Field Medic one of San Francisco's most innovative young artists espousing the virtues of a freestyle life. Always be free styling. The gangly troubadour has busked his way from sidewalks at Powell station to the stage of the Great American Music Hall, but still finds time to spread his personal mantra in front of a bay window in the avenues. Backed by a 90's cassette boombox and flipping the bird to the Grim Reaper on behalf of all of us, Field Medic wants us to know when everything really truly matters, its still ok to just be chill.
John Elliot's got money on his mind. A number of his newest songs delve into the corrupting influence of money on politics, neighborhoods and individuals. As a songwriter, Elliott is a 49'er with an internal dowsing rod. He'll spot a shiny turn of a phrase, one that the rest of us might dismiss, and he digs and digs until he reveals the gold mine that was apparently there the whole time. Super Duper.
Harlow's Monkeys is a fun house mirror version of King Willow. Tommy P's latest full band incarnation deliver their All-American Folk Stomp with a finishing glaze of soaring harmonies. The candy coating covers a pill of pain and penance, as the trio collectively work through the existential difficulties of living in a city that used to be built for them. Unrequited love in the avenues, ambiguous flings on the road and the act of growing up are painted in chiaroscuro terms, stark and impactful. Simultaneously clear and yet hiding ambiguity in the aggressively applied fields of darkness. Also there's burritos.
Was it Awesome? Yes. How do I know? I was there, but for the skeptics among you, there is video evidence.