Agouti
Agouti are the psychedelic mind offerings of Carmen Caruso. Agouti hails from San Francisco, CA. Their first single, Summertime, was recorded in Carmen Caruso’s basement, amongst analog keyboards, old tape recorders, and home-made organ cabinets and is available on Spotify and Soundcloud.
Arellano
Robert Arellano is an Austin-based singer-songwriter and a former member of legendary Austin bands Retarted Elf, Atlantics Soul Review, Velvethead, and Shining Path. Arellano’s new album, A Perfect Display of My Soul, is now available on all the major music services.
Chuck Prophet
Yep Roc released Chuck Prophet’s 15th studio record, “The Land That Time Forgot,” on August 21, 2020 to wide acclaim.
Associated Press: “Serves as an argument for albums as delivery systems even in 2020. His wise-guy tenor hasn’t changed, and is the perfect match for lines like, ‘You’re headed for prison, you know.’ But retro horns and chiming guitars provide sunny support.”
American Songwriter: “Chuck Prophet’s witty wordplay shines…even his love songs cut with a clever knife… Prophet’s idiosyncratic voice has always been expressive and distinctive, but the low key instrumentation brings his vocal strengths to the foreground.”
American Songwriter on “Best Shirt On”: “Smooth and fine tuned, there’s nothing charged up or abrasive on the lo-fi ‘Best Shirt On,’ yet its message comes across loud. It may just be the anthem we need during these challenging times.”
No Depression: “If you allow yourself to be swept away, The Land That Time Forgot will reward you for it endlessly.”
Louder Than War: “Chuck Prophet’s fifteenth solo album is yet another out there masterclass in storytelling.”
Rock and Roll Globe: “Fresh perspective and an easy sound custom made for these uncertain times”
WMOT – On The String: “[The Land That Time Forgot] is sonically spacious yet never lagging in groove.” “He’s a gamer, a lifer, a 57-year-old veteran whose story is worth a good tell.”
Datebook / SF Chronicle: “…delivered with his usual mix of dry wit and noir-ish grooves.”
Twangville: “For those of you who haven’t heard of him due to being under a songwriting rock somewhere, The Land That Time Forgot is a great introduction to his skills and passion. For those of you who are fans, the album is just exactly what you need right now.”
The Arts Desk: “Rock’n’roll’s spirit is mother’s milk to Prophet, imbuing everything he touches.” “Prophet’s ironic drawl is always heartfelt, his lyrics full of foolish, low-rent or moon-grabbing gestures.” “Chuck Prophet has become a Zen rock songwriting master, rolling out a series of unassuming classics. His touchstones are mostly dead wastrels, his style wry, low-slung and romantic.”
Uncut: “A prolific solo career that shows no signs of abating… The Land That Time Forgot is especially poignant for our times.”
Mojo: “Prophet is one of rock’s great raconteurs… timeless.”
Americana Music Show: “For those who haven’t experienced Chuck’s showmanship, guitar playing, singing, and songwriting, humor, there is hope after the pandemic…The production is clear and clean while reimagining pop sounds of the sixties radio”
Listening Through The Lens: “Driving bass, swirling keyboards and crashing guitar plus vocal harmonies courtesy of Stephanie Finch. “Marathon” channels the dance-a-thons of the Great Depression.”
The Poke Around: “Sultry and smooth, yet somber—before we even start to think about what “Nixonland,” the newest single released from alternative folk artist Chuck Prophet, means on a thematic level, the music alone reignites our excitement for the forthcoming new album it’s featured on, The Land That Time Forgot.”
New York Music Daily: “…one of the most exhilarating, purposeful lead guitarists in rock. He’s also a vastly underrated songwriter.”
Explica: “A record of prints and details, of memories and experiences, of looks and memories. A record of poignant nostalgia. A record of past and present that will leave a future mark.”
WDIY: “Chuck Prophet continues on a string of great records containing his offbeat and infectious rock and–sometimes zany–roll. A welcomed voice in these indeed troubled times.”
Jupiter Noise
Jupiter Noise is a four piece post-punk band from San Francisco. Members have been part of the Bay Area music scene for over a dozen years, playing in bands such as Cast of Thousands, Cervantes, Pebble Theory and several others. Recommended if you like The Pixies, Wire, Gang of Four, Hüsker Dü. Their debut record will be coming out in mid-2018.
Fine Points
Fine Points is a San Francisco psych rock band featuring Bay Area locals Matt Holliman and Evan Reiss (of Sleepy Sun), Joshua Unger and Owen Kelley (of Cash Pony). Their second album will be coming in 2018 on Dine Alone Records.
Sleepy Sun
Sleepy Sun is an American psychedelic rock band from San Francisco, California consisting of vocalist Bret Constantino, guitarists Matt Holliman and Evan Reiss, and drummer Brian Tice.
Strange Cities
Strange Cities formed in San Francisco from the ashes of several Bay Area bands: In Letter Form, Murder of Lilies, and I Am Animal.
Their debut EP was recorded by Beau Sorenson at tiny telephone in San Francisco and will be coming out in 2021.