URBAN VINYL Issue XI
Zipper Club • Royal Teeth •
• Irontom • Run River North • The Naked and Famous • • Niall Horan • The Chainsmokers • • The Lumineers • SWIMM • Rooney •
About
Founded and launched in February 2016 by Sophie Hsu, Urban Vinyl Magazine is an independently-run outlet that harmonizes a passion for music and food. Started in New York City and now currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area where both music and food are at their best, the artists and restaurants featured on the site and the upcoming issues are individually handpicked in order to reach a diverse spectrum of sound and taste. Created by a music lover and a foodie, the aim is to provide high quality content for fellow music lovers and foodies.
LISTEN. EAT. EXPLORE.
Sophie Hsu • Founder • Photographer •
Thank You • Katie • David • Kyle • Chloe •
• Editor-In-Chief • Writer • Layout & Design • Content •
Stay Connected
• Bert • Teri • Jenna • Celise • • Michael • Scott • Claire • Maddie • • Julia • Alyssa • Izzy • Danielle • • Angel • Brandon • Rich • • Elias • Nick • • Zipper Club • Royal Teeth • • Irontom • Run River North • • The Naked and Famous • • Niall Horan • The Chainsmokers • • The Lumineers • SWIMM • Rooney •
@urbanvinylmag @urbanvinylmag
• Of course, to my readers! You make this happen! •
On• the Cover Zipper Club • • The Fillmore, San Francisco • • December 18, 2016 •
urbanvinylmag.com
• And most importantly, my family and friends for always supporting my photography and my love for • All social media icons by Good Stuff music. •
For booking and inquiries: sophie@urbanvinylmag.com No Nonsense •
1
• This issue would not have been possible without all of you! •
Contents
Main Artist • Zipper Club • 25-30
Featured Artist • Royal Teeth • 17-22
Live Shots • Irontom • 3-4 • Run River North • 5-6 • The Naked and Famous • 7-8 • Niall Horan • 9-10 • The Chainsmokers • 11-12 • The Lumineers • 13-14 • SWIMM • 15-16 • Rooney • 23-24
2
• The UC Theatre, Berkeley • November 11, 2016 •
Irontom • Los Angeles, California • • Zach Irons • Harry Hayes • Dyl Williams • Dane Sandborg • Daniel Saslow •
@IrontomBand
Irontom’s sound in 3 words (Harry): Dark Insanity Games
Favorite song to perform live:
@irontomband
We can’t pick a favorite. They are all a blast!
Favorite food and/or drink: Candy and Sprite
/irontomband 3
Favorite spot in SF: Alcatraz
• Harry Hayes •
• Daniel Saslow •
• Zach Irons •
• Dane Sandborg •
• Dyl Williams •
4
• The UC Theatre, Berkeley • November 11, 2016 •
Run River North • San Fernando Valley, California • • Sally Kang • Daniel Chae • Alex Hwang • Jennifer Rim • Joe Chun • John Chong •
@RunRiverNorth
@runrivernorth
/runrivernorth 5
• Sally Kang •
• Alex Hwang •
• Jennifer Rim •
• Daniel Chae •
• Joe Chun •
• John Chong •
6
• Fox Theater, Oakland • November 30, 2016 •
The Naked and Famous • Auckland, New Zealand • Los Angeles, California • • Aaron Short • Jesse Wood • Thom Powers • Alisa Xayalith • David Beadle •
@TNAF
The Naked and Famous’ sound in 3 words (Aaron): “Rock ‘n’ Lol”
Favorite song to perform live:
@tnaf
“No Way” has always been a band favorite, and we’ve never played a set without it.
Favorite food and/or drink:
On this tour, everyone is about the healthy morning smoothies on the bus. That’s food and drink in one.
/tnafofficial 7
Favorite spot in SF:
The highest point of every hill cos’ it means the only walking you have to do is downward.
• Thom Powers •
• Alisa Xayalith •
• Aaron Short •
• David Beadle •
• Jesse Wood •
8
• SAP Center, San Jose • December 1, 2016 •
Niall Horan • Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland • @NiallOfficial
@niallhoran
/Niallofficial 9
10
• SAP Center, San Jose • December 1, 2016 •
The Chainsmokers • New York, New York • • Drew Taggart • Alex Pall •
@TheChainsmokers
@thechainsmokers
/thechainsmokers 11
• Drew Taggart •
• SAP Center, San Jose •
• Alex Pall •
12
• Great American Music Hall, San Francisco • December 6, 2016 •
The Lumineers • Denver, Colorado • • Neyla Pekarek • Wesley Schultz • Jeremiah Fraites •
@thelumineers
@thelumineers
/TheLumineers 13
• Wesley Schultz •
• Neyla Pekarek •
• Jeremiah Fraites •
14
• Slim’s, San Francisco • December 13, 2016 •
SWIMM • Space Coast, Florida • Los Angeles, California • • Chris Hess • Adam Winn •
SWIMM’s sound in 3 words: @SWIMMmusic
Moist, Damp, Dank
Favorite song to perform live: “Groupie”
@swimm_music
/swimmmusic 15
Favorite food and/or drink:
Blood orange San Pellegrino w/ tequila; Pad Thai
Favorite spot in SF:
Dolores Park is pretty chill, but I haven’t spent a whole lot of time in SF, so I’m sure there are better spots.
• Chris Hess •
• Adam Winn •
16
• Slim’s, San Francisco • December 13, 2016 • @RoyalTeethMusic @royalteeth /royalteeth
Featured Artist • Royal Teeth •
royalteethmusic.com
2017 will mark seven years of Royal Teeth spreading their passion and love for music, via their gentle, yet dancey sound. Formed and based in 2010 in Lafayette, Louisiana with members also from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Royal Teeth put forth the musical talents and charisma of Nora Patterson, Gary Larsen, Thomas Onebane, and Josh Hefner. The EP, Act Naturally, which was self-released in 2011, marks the spark of their ever-growing musical career, and was followed by their debut record, Glow, released on August 13, 2013, via Dangerbird Records. Focusing on touring while writing for the past few years have led up to the band’s latest EP, Amateurs, which came out on November 18, 2016, via Round Hill Records. Aside from having performed on major TV shows such as American Idol (Fox) and Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC), the band has shared their sound at numerous festivals, including the CMJ Music Marathon in 2011 and 2013, Bonnaroo, Firefly Music Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Voodoo Music Experience. They have additionally toured with musical artists such as The Summer Set, American Authors, and The Colourist. Having recently wrapped up The Groundswell Tour supporting Rooney alongside SWIMM, Royal Teeth made a stop in San Francisco at Slim’s on December 13, 2016. Despite his busy schedule, vocalist, guitarist, and percussionist Gary generously contributed some time to discuss the most memorable moment for him in creating Amateurs, what the “Royal Teeth” chocolate bar would consist of, and even a question he would want to get asked in an interview.
17
What’s the story behind the formation of Royal Teeth? Thomas and Josh have been playing music together for about 10 years or so. I met them about 7 years ago in Lafayette, Louisiana. I would watch their band play, and it inspired me, so I felt pretty lucky to get the chance to play with them. We met Nora shortly after. She said that she had never been in a band, but we loved her voice. She decided to give us a shot, and the rest is history.
What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with? I started on bass. I started a band with my friends, and that was the only instrument that no one played, so I did it. That mentality seems to have stuck with me because I like doing whatever the song needs. I’ve done guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, keys, and vocals for Royal Teeth sets.
You recently released a new EP, Amateurs. What was the most memorable moment in creating it? I love working in the studio. One of my favorite parts of this job is realizing that you have made something special. I remember working on a song called “Is It Just Me”. We were working on the chorus, and I’ll always remember the moment we had it. It was a huge release of joy.
18
• Gary Larsen •
19
• Thomas Onebane •
• Nora Patterson •
• Josh Hefner •
20
Which song (released or unreleased) are you most proud of? I think that changes over time. I’m very proud of the success we had with “Wild”. I’m also really proud of our new single, “Kids Conspire”. It shows our growth, lyrically and musically.
What happens before you go onstage? Is there a Royal Teeth pre-show ritual? Sometimes we sing, and sometimes we just goof around for a bit. I like to keep the mood light before we go on so we have more fun. Royal Teeth shows are full of energy and love.
Out of all your songs, my favorite is “Heartbeats”. Can you touch on the inspiration and creation of that track? That song is a cover by The Knife. We recorded it on our very first EP before we signed a record deal, and it went over so well that we still play it every night.
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or food in San Francisco? Any places back home in New Orleans? I’m not really sure of any specific places in San Fran. I’ve heard that there is pretty awesome ramen there, so I might try to find that. New Orleans has some of the best Creole and Soul food, so you’ll want to take a nap after.
21
If there were a chocolate bar with the name “Royal Teeth”, what type of chocolate would it be, and what would it have? We are a pretty sweet band, so it would have to be milk chocolate. I also think our shows are refreshing to concertgoers, so let’s add some peppermint to it.
What can listeners expect in terms of upcoming projects and/or shows? The plan is to finish out December with Rooney, and then we are about to announce a new set of dates in January. They can find everything on our website, royalteethmusic.com.
What’s a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what’s the response to it? Can I buy you a coffee? My answer is yes, please!
22
• Slim’s, San Francisco • December 13, 2016 •
Rooney • Los Angeles, California • • Boaz Roberts • Kim Vi • Robert Schwartzman • Tyler Johnson • Sean Sobash •
@rooneyband
@rooney
/rooney 23
• Boaz Roberts •
• Robert Schwartzman •
• Kim Vi •
• Sean Sobash •
• Tyler Johnson •
24
• The Fillmore, San Francisco • December 18, 2016 • @ZipperClubMusic @zipperclubmusic /ZipperClubMusic
Main Artist
• Zipper Club •
zipperclub.com
With a fresh, upbeat sound resembling that of 80s Rock, Zipper Club is off to a successful start of their musical career. Produced by James Iha, co-founder and former guitarist of The Smashing Pumpkins, Zipper Club ties the musical energy and talent of Mason James (vocals, guitar), Lissy Trullie (vocals, guitar), and Damar Davis (drums). Currently based in Los Angeles, California, (with Lissy hailing from New York City), the band released their debut single, “Going the Distance”, on June 24, 2016, via Epic Records. Shortly after, their next single, “Small Town”, came out on September 9, 2016 (also via Epic Records). Aside from performing at The Satellite in LA for a 5-week Residency in August 2016, the band has performed alongside musical acts such as The Griswolds, Bishop Briggs, and Tears for Fears. Closing out 2016 on a national tour with The Sounds and My Jerusalem, Zipper Club stopped to share their infectiously catchy sound at The Fillmore in San Francisco on December 18, 2016. While on the road, Lissy kindly took some time to dive deeper into the formation of the band, recommend a place for food in San Francisco/New York City, and shared a little on what to 25 expect, in terms of new music.
What’s the story behind the formation of Zipper Club? We had a lot of mutual friends in the music scene. We met in Union Square in New York, hit it off, and decided on the spot that we needed to make a record.
What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with? That’s a very specific question because I started playing the xylophone early on, but I started actually making music with a guitar when I was 11.
You recently released a new track, “Small Town”. What was the writing, recording, and producing it? “Small Town” is a song that Mason and I wrote together at Mason’s house. The meaning of “Small Town” is hard for either of us to talk about because neither of us grew up in one but it’s really about the sentiment of longing and being young and wanting to break free of the norm and find something new and different. It’s about feeling like you don’t belong, as if there is almost a threat; there’s an angsty desire to find something else like another town that is right for you. We recorded it with James Iha, and it was awesome; we love the way it came out.
26
• Damar Davis •
27
• Mason James •
• Lissy Trullie •
28
Which song (released or unreleased) are you most proud of? I personally really like “Breath” because it’s our most intimate song. It’s our most vulnerable song.
What happens before you go onstage? Is there a Zipper Club pre-show ritual? It’s kind of boring. Mason and I do vocal warm-ups, and make tea. We pace around, and stretch a lot. I clap, weirdly. It stretches out my hands and gets them warmed up. We try to find a happy medium between nerves and excitement.
Out of all your songs, my favorite is “Going the Distance”. Can you touch on the inspiration and creation of that track? Mason and Lissy - “It’s a song about constantly moving places but going nowhere.” “ ‘Going the Distance’ ” is our account of the apathetic feeling arising from a meandering trip.”
What’s your favorite restaurant and/or food in San Francisco? Any places back home in Los Angeles? I’m from New York; we have a Mission Chinese at home, and I believe it is from San Francisco.
29
If there were a chocolate bar with the name “Zipper Club”, what type of chocolate would it be, and what would it have? I’m allergic to nuts, so it would be a nut-free dark chocolate bar, frozen…. with ice cream, caramel, and sea salt. Definitely made in a nut-free facility.
What can listeners expect in terms of upcoming projects and/or shows? Our full-length is being released in the New Year, so that’s exciting. Listeners can expect to see us on the road pretty much forever, so expect to see us in your town over and over again. It’s like Stranger Things as if the kids formed a Synthpop band.
What’s a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what’s the response to it? We’ve been asked this question before; I can’t remember what I said.
30
LISTEN. EAT. EXPLORE.
urbanvinylmag.com