Sunset Promotions

LET YOUR FREQ(o) FLAG FLY!

robbiekowal — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:38:56 +0000

LET YOUR FREQ FLAG FLY on HOWWEIRD WEEKEND

Freq Nasty Nickodemus Eskmo Love and Light

HowWeird Street Faire is this Sunday and it may be time to recognize an event that has quietly not only hung on but improved every year. With LoveEvolution on indefinite hiatus, and Bay2Breakers becoming more of a public fight every year, HowWeird seems to be one of the few events that is allowed to let its the electronic freak flag fly. Yes, this is sad commentary on a town that has led the charge for many an electronic music trend including Acid Jazz, Deep House and Bass Music. It’s been precisely cutting edge events like these that have made the Bay Area a leader in this movements and SunsetSF wants to salute Brad & Joegh and the others at HowWeird for their years of struggling to “Keep SF weird”

We will be celebrating in the best way we know how, with TWO huge events that present exactly the kinds of artists you have come to associate with these movements. On Friday, its our SEVENTH ANNUAL FREQO de MAYO event. A benefit for the Janky Barge artcar, this year’s Freqo boasts its most well-rounded lineup yet, including trailblazers like FREQ NASTY, NICKODEMUS, EL PAPACHANGO and DIGITAL RUST. Freqo goes down at Public Works on Friday. On Saturday, we head to Mezzanine with two artists who are re-imagining the West Coast sound. While the “Bass Music” movement is oft associated with dubstep and occasionally lumped in with a metal-like “brostep” scene, there is a backlash afoot to show a more intelligent and positive side of this music. Ninja Tune phenom ESKMO is as intelligent as they come; a multi-instrumentalist who happily shares his parts and production packs with anyone who asks. LOVE & LIGHT hail from Reno and have been as overt as their name would suggest in their commitment to turning Bass Music towards positive sounds and themes. On Sunday, we will be out in the streets with the rest of you letting our Freak… er Freq Flag Fly

FRIDAY, MAY 11 at PUBLIC WORKS
SunsetSF and the Janky Barge present the 7th Annual
FREQO DE MAYO
featuring a legendary lineup!
FREQ NASTY
NICKODEMUS
EL PAPACHANGO DIGITAL RUST
MOTION POTION, GROUND CONTROL
HONEY KNUCKLES, U9LIFT, LOKAE ,
MYCHO COCOA, MATT HAZE
SPRING is here and we know what that means. The annual Freqo de Mayo benefit for the Janky Barge. Freqo has featured the likes of Bassnectar, Adam Freeland, and Tipper and is back with maybe its strongest lineup yet. Bass music pioneer Freq Nasty will play an event that he probably should have invented joined by upcoming glitch-hop phenom Digital Rust. Freqo always means a trip south of the border and for that we welcome back two legends of future world funk, Nickodemus and El Papachango. They will be joined by the cream of the Janky Barge crew for a two-room getdown that should shake walls and souls. We recommend you buy advance for this one.

SATURDAY, MAY 12 at MEZZANINE
SunsetSF presents NINJA TUNE hero

ESKMO
plus special guests
LOVE AND LIGHT
U9LIFT, DJ DIALS

As if the weekend wasn’t already nutzo, with Freqo on Friday, we proudly present to you a Saturday show that should blow the roof off of Mezzanine. Ninja Tune phenom ESKMO makes his first appearance on the Mezzanine Funktion1 stacks. In the past few years, this San Francisco homie has made international news with his unique blend of scratch sound-crafting. A frequent collaborator of AMON TOBIN, and a possessor of the alter ego WELDER, Eskmo is as creative as they come. He will be joined by LOVE AND LIGHT, a Reno duo that has more of both of their namesakes to fill a room. On a mission to push bass music back towards happier tones, L&L have been making serious waves of late and we can’t wait to hear them in this room. Rounding out the bill will be local heroes U9LIFt and DJ DIALS. Tickets are available in advance HERE

JUNE 30 : NICK THAYER @ MONARCH
Old SunsetSF friend Nick Thayer will abuse Monarch’s Void soundsystem on June 30. Coming to SF hotter than ever with a #1 Beatport EP support from Skrillex’s OWSLA label.

SILENT FRISCO : DAFT PUNK vs RADIOHEAD
Silent Frisco’s monthly stomp at Santa Monica’s Central SAPC continues with our most ambitious theme event yet : RADIOHEAD vs DAFT PUNK. Spread the word to SoCal peeps

PHOTOS: Silent Frisco in Arcata

robbiekowal — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:19:55 +0000

Silent Frisco made its first journey North to Arcata in April 2012 to rock out at Sunset at Moonstone Beach with Random Rab and a host of other Djs.

Check out the rest of the gallery HERE

Dancing Queen

PHOTO: Tipper @ the Fillmore

robbiekowal — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:13:45 +0000

Tipper at the Fillmore

Will Bailey / Rack n Ruin photos by Cudunko

robbiekowal — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:29:12 +0000

Photos from Rack n Ruin / Will Bailey on 4.13.12 at Monarch – by Cudunko (click here to see more of these)

Rebirth Brass Band Photos by B. Greenwood

robbiekowal — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:11:58 +0000

Photos from the Rebirth / Extra Action / Honeydrops show at Mezzanine on 3.24

Check out this amazing set of photos by B.Greenwood

(Good Friday) 3 GOOD THINGS in SF MUSIC

robbiekowal — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:03:20 +0000

3 GOOD THINGS IN SF MUSIC for GOOD FRIDAY:
1: ALL SHOOK DOWN in SF WEEKLY – When most print pubs are laying off writers and becoming “aggregators” it seems, our local rag is doubling down on original talent and content. Today for instance, they run an awesome interview with GWAR. And thats just the tip of the iceberg for SF’s definitive music blog run by its definitive music print pub. http://bit.ly/HhU37R

2: PEOPLE IN POWER WAKING UP TO THE IMPACT of NIGHTLIFE: After last month’s Economic Impact Study, there should be no doubt the economic benefits, and potential political potential of our arts culture. The study (commissioned by supe Scott Weiner) estimates the nighttime entertainment industry contributes $4.2 billion to the local economy, employs 48,000 people and pays $55 million in taxes to The City. THIS DOESN’T EVEN INCLUDE THE FESTIVALS, STREET FAIRS etc… http://bit.ly/HnZj9y

3: CMAC ADVOCATEs, SFEC REGULATES, and CLUB SCENE PERCOLATES: The infrastructure for entertainment in SF has never been better. Two-year old nightlife-advocacy organization CMAC (www.cmac.org) successfully repelled at State crackdown on SF clubs. Likewise, credit the SF Entertainment Commission, who does an admirable job of bringing rationality to an oft difficult. licensing and regulation process. The result is an environment of clarity and fairness for those who wish to do business in music in SF. Are there problems? Yes, specifically, NIMBYS still throw wrenches in the gears at other city committees (see “SAVE TUPELO” http://bit.ly/I2P1ef and the Rec & Park staff seems committed to raising rates and unfounded fears. But for the first time in recent memory, these folks are the exception.

QUANTIC VIDEOS / BEATS PHOTOS / HONEYDROPS & LYNX Preview

robbiekowal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:33:55 +0000

LYNX performs last Friday with BEATS ANTIQUE at the Fox Theatre in Oakland

Check out the rest of Jason Mongue’s amazing gallery (HERE)
Catch LYNX this Saturday at Brick & Mortar Music Hall (tickets)

The stage view from last Saturday’s QUANTIC & ALICE RUSSELL show at Mezzanine.

Check out THREE AMAZING VIDEOS || Check out our photos from Facebook

FRIDAY, APRIL 6
at the NEW PARISH (Oakland)
SunsetSF Recommends
THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS

It is a truly beautiful thing when a local band does all the right things and is rewarded for them. In the studio, on the stage, or on the road, the California Honeydrops represent their namesake state with such class and talent that one would think they are running for musical governor. Last weekend, they did nearly the impossible : UPSTAGE REBIRTH BRASS BAND. Ok, almost. But over 2 huge nights at the Independent and Mezzanine, the Honeydrops showed a lot of new people why they are the real deal, making, and playing some of the sweetest soul music the Bay Area has ever seen. Here’s your chance to catch ‘em playing 2 big sets.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7
at BRICK & MORTAR MUSIC HALL
SunsetSF Recommends
LYNX
MATERIALIZED
Lynx is a true talent, with a voice, songwriting talent, and production skill that has seen her crisscross the United States countless times in the past decade. A frequent collaborator of some of the brightest lights in the West Coast Music movement, from Bassnectar to Beats Antique to Jamie Janover, Lynx is busting out on her own and the results have been spectacular. She will be joined by a band that put out one of the Bay Area’s finest records in 2011, Materialized. Featuring Mighty Dave Peliccaro on keys and Dale Fanning on drums, these have made a habit out of churning out massive grooves with a tiny setup. The combination adds up to a big night of emerging artists in a terrific new live venue. GET TICKETS HERE

FRIDAY, APRIL 13
at MONARCH
SunsetSF presents UK superstars
RACK n RUIN
WILL BAILEY
GROUND CONTROL, KONNECT, COMMODORE 69
For years, we have prayed for a small venue with bigtime sound and the gods of music have finally answered. MONARCH, a brand new 2-floor SOMA space featuring San Francisco’s first and only VOID sound-system (you have to see and hear it to believe it) has opened to rave reviews and is being runned by a rock solid team that includes DJ M3, and staff from Om Records and Blasthaus. For our first foray into this amazing new spot, Sunset will bring two artists who should test the limits of said void soundsystem, UK bass music phenom RACK n RUIN and electro/tech house superstar WILL BAILEY. Tickets are still available HERE.

Sunnytidings 3.30.12 : Rebirth & Beats Antique

robbiekowal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:31:15 +0000

HUGE BAY AREA WEEKEND!

After last weekend’s amazing Quantic/Alice
Russell/Fort Knox5/Thunderball/AGFA show at Mezzanine, we barely get a
chance to take a breath as weekend promises to be one of the biggest in
recent memory. On Friday, we host BEATS ANTIQUE (above) at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. Also on Friday, Rebirth Brass Band rocks the Independent (the Friday show is sold out, thank you). Also on Friday, Silent Frisco will be on hand to support Adnan Shariff as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his “Forward” events at Mighty. On Saturday, Silent Frisco will be on the streets of Palo Alto to support the Super Happy Block Party hackathon. Finally, Saturday night we welcome Rebirth Brass Band for their first play ever at Mezzanine and this show is NOT SOLD OUT. So get a ticket now and come out to play…

FRIDAY 3.30 at the FOX THEATRE (Oakland)
BEATS ANTIQUE

FILASTINE

THE LLOYD FAMILY PLAYERS

Sunset has been working to shout out the good word
about Beats Antique for years now. From a tiny, post-OLF show at Poleng
Lounge, to the surprise smash shows at the Independent in January 2010
to two HUGE performances at Sea of Dreams NYE, there are few acts that
we have stood behind more solidly than this East Bay gypsy-rocktronica
outfit. Why? Because Beats Antique encompasses everything that we love
about the Bay Area arts community. They are cutting edge, rooted in the
past and incorporate a wide variety of media convergence into their
performance. They are also passionate, joyous and often flat-out wild on
stage. This Friday’s show at the Fox will be a homecoming of sorts for
an act that will push 250 tourdates before 2012 is over. Catch them if
you can. LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

SATURDAY, MARCH 31 at MEZZANINE

REBIRTH BRASS BAND with special guests
EXTRA ACTION MARCHING BAND, CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS

Its hard to overstate how big a deal it is for the Rebirth Brass Band family that they won a Grammy Award in 2012. In the annals of music, there are few acts whop have started so small, and overcome so much to rise to such stature. Rebirth began, as most New Orleans brass bands do, playing for tourists on Bourbon street when still in high school. In the past 22 years they have overcome the death of several bandmembers, the destruction of their city and a stroke that nearly took the life of founding bandleader “Tuba” Phil Frazier. Through that time they have gone from a rebellious answer to the staid, uniformed jazz bands that used to markl the New Orleans brass band scene to the standard bearers of the entire movement. And they have done it the right way, constantly innovating, constantly touring, playing as many as 7 nights a week. Their live performances have set the standard for excitement, electricity and fun for an acoustic-based act. In that time, Sunset has done more than 50 shows in the Bay Area and elesewhere with this group of men, we quite sincerely consider our family. On behalf of our entire Bay Area family, we ask you all to congratulate them on their recent ascension to the Grammy pantheon and join us in welcoming them back to San Francisco this weekend. The Independent show (Friday) IS SOLD OUT, but there are STILL TICKETS LEFT for the Mezzanine show on Saturday, and it’s going to be a doozy. They will be joined at Mezzanine by Bay Area favorites EXTRA ACTION MARCHING BAND and the CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS. GET TICKETS SOON!.

SXSW Recap & Video / Alice & Quantic…

robbiekowal — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:41:37 +0000

SATURDAY, 3.24 at Mezzanine
QUANTIC (live)
feat ALICE RUSSELL
FORT KNOX 5 vs THUNDERBALL
ALL GOOD FUNK ALLIANCE
One of those rare shows that only comes around every so often. Not two, not three, but five of the defining voices of 21st century funk & soul in one room on one night. 5 artists who have pushed dance music in heretofore untraveled directions. Quantic will perform live with his new band, featuring soul diva Alice Russell. Fort Knox 5 and Thunderball will play a 2.5 hour DJ set and All Good Funk Alliance will close it out. This show may sell out, so GET TICKETS NOW!

SILENT FRISCO @ the CENTRAL (LA)

feat. MOTION POTION & iDIOT SAVANT
Just a week after thrilling thousands in the woods of Texas, Silent Frisco heads back out West to hit the streets of Santa Monica. This month we welcome LIB Woogie Stage impresario Jesse Wright, featuring his 4-turntable project iDIOT SAVANT. Playing a delicious blend of house and techno, Idiot Savante will face off against Silent Frisco resident Motion Potionplaying a set of filthy breakbeats. After two months of themed out music of the Michael, JB, LCD and Talking Heads ilk, the shackles are off and Silent Frisco is free to unleash the lasers. This show has sold out two of the last 3 months so we recommend you BUY ADVANCE

SCENES from SXSW 2012 : This
was how it began, with Radiohead in a tiny hall. SunsetSF founders John & Robbie
watching one of the greatest bands in the world. In the next two weeks
they would stand less than 10 feet away from another one, Bruce
Springsteen & the E Street Band performing with the likes of Tom Morello, Jimmy Cliff & the Arcade Fire.
But the clear purpose of our venture to Austin was to throw down for four nights. Once with the legendary Roxy Theatre LA at the amazing AustinRox night. And then there was Silent Southby 2012, where we overcame the rain, the powers that be, and all manner of other obstacles to create a corporate-less oasis in the midst of a branding maelstrom that has clearly gone too far. More than 70 Djs, dancers, perfomance artists, mimes and the legendary gamelatron performed for three huge nights.

CLICK HERE to WATCH OUR SILENT SOUTHBY 2012 VIDEO

PRESS: Silent Frisco in SF Weekly

robbiekowal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:47:30 +0000

There were more curious wallflowers than hula-hooping dancers yesterday as the wireless headphones-assisted dance party Silent Frisco took over the second floor of the Macworld conference. (It continues today from noon to 6 p.m. with DJs Motion Potion and u9lift). For Sunset Promotions, which takes Silent Frisco to locales like Ocean Beach and Treasure Island and plans an ambitious schedule of events this year, it's a huge opportunity to turn people on to the joys of a dance party, without the elements that can be barriers to entry for many (late night hours, intoxication, loud noise).