10 April 2024

BISS List 4.10.24: Spotlight on The New Mastersounds (4.20) + Best of BISS this Week

Hiya BISS Listers!

Welcome back to another edition of the BISS List, your weekly dose of musical delights! As we dive into the upcoming shows and updates from the music scene, we’re also taking a moment to celebrate the special bond that makes life a little sweeter. That’s right, today, April 10th, marks National Siblings Day, a day dedicated to honoring the unique relationships we share with our brothers and sisters. Hug or call one today!

Get ready to groove as we bring you the hottest show picks in funk, jam, soul & groove straight from my calendar for the week, along with the Best of BISS across the Bay Area and beyond. We’ll also include all the other delightful offerings we provide every week here on the BISS List like our song pick of the week and spotlight on an amazing upcoming show!

Last week: Before delving into this week’s schedule, let’s quickly recap some highlights from last week’s performances. Yes, they are ALL from Friday, 4/5. While I may not be a professional, it certainly captures that raw live vibe. However, to maintain a polished look this week, I’m also including photos and a review from our friend Gabriel Barkin. Interested in sharing your documentary skills with the BISS List community? You can share your standout moments by mentioning @bisslist on Facebook and/or Instagram, or drop us a line at biss@bisslist.com. Your input enriches our collective experience and ensures the continued flow of music appreciation!

4/5: Andy Frasco @ The Fillmore * FB Pics & Vids * IG Reel *
4/5: LAZWELL @ The Boom Boom Room * FB Pics & Vids * IG Reel *
4/5: Infamous Stringdusters @ Sweetwater (by Gabriel Barkin) * IG Photos * Full Review *
4/5: Dogs In A Pile @ The Fillmore * FB Pics & Vids * IG Reel *
4/5: The Massive @ The Boom Boom Room * FB Pics & Vids * IG Reel *

This Week (my personal plans): I hope to see some of you at one or two of these shows, or feel free to explore the Best of BISS selections and craft your own musical adventure!

4/10: Will Bernard and Freelance Subversives (*WIN*) @ Sweetwater Music Hall: Will Bernard is a highly respected and versatile guitarist and bandleader known for his work in various jazz styles, from straight-ahead to funk and free improvisation.
4/11: DJ Williams (*WIN*) @ Madrone: D.J. Williams, (formerly of KDTU), based in Denver, CO, is an acclaimed guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer whose illustrious career has taken him around the world. He has ignited stages with his band’s fiery performances, ranging from intimate clubs to renowned festivals.
4/12: Circles Around The Sun (*WIN*) @ Sweetwater Music Hall: Circles Around The Sun is a first-of-its-kind band that has continued to trail-blaze the instrumental cosmic disco space for nearly a decade, shapeshifting through several iterations.
4/12 (Late): Sgt. Splendor + Boom Squad (*WIN*) @ Boom Boom Room: Sgt. Splendor epitomizes the fusion of groovy funk and scrumptious, slippery blues, embodying the essence of alt-funk and desert roots.
4/13: David Nelson Band w/ special guest Jay Lane (*WIN*) @ The Chapel: The David Nelson Band blends elements of folk, rock, and improvisational jamming to create a dynamic musical experience rooted in Americana traditions.
4/13 (If I find a cheap ticket 😜): Black Crowes @ The Fox: The Black Crowes are a legendary Southern rock band known for their bluesy, soulful sound and powerful live performances.
4/13 (Late): Fourth Position + JeNes N The Juice (*WIN*): Fourth Position is a dynamic fusion ensemble blending classical instrumentation with contemporary genres, renowned for their innovative compositions and electrifying performances. JeNes N The Juice is a dynamic fusion band blending infectious rhythms with soulful vocals, creating an electrifying musical experience.
4/14: Rock Out with RetroBlakesberg @ Contemporary Jewish Museum: Come together to explore RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped with an afternoon of music, photography, and fun with your community at The CJM. Enjoy live music by RetroBand, featuring Lebo, Steve, and Ezra from ALO; Grahame Lesh; Mookie Siegel; and more special guests.

As always, check out the Win Tickets page and don’t forget there is always more on the Full Calendar.

Coming up this month! Mark Your Calendar for these incredible live music shows (& events) that you absolutely can’t afford to miss but also be sure to check the Best of BISS for a whole lot more!

4/16 & 4/17: Brittany Howard @ The Fillmore
4/20: New Mastersounds (*WIN*) @ The Fillmore: Be sure to check out the Spotlight below to hear what they told me about their return to the amazing Fillmore stage!
4/28: Deadhead Seder @ Golden Gate Bistro

But wait there’s more! Explore this week’s funky song selection of the week, “Roller” by Polyrhythmics, in the #ListenToThis section below!

Keep grooving to the rhythm, discovering new sounds, and embracing the harmony of each beat.

#seeyouattheshows,
~Pamela aka Miss BISS

SPOTLIGHT ON MASTERS OF FUNK & GROOVE

The New Mastersounds + The Lucky Strokes

April 20th @ The Fillmore

The New Mastersounds are back for their first US tour in 5 years! This British four-piece brings the heat with their fusion of funk, jazz, and blues. They’ve been grooving audiences worldwide for 25 years with an impressive discography under their belt, including their brand new record Old School. Get ready for a smokin’ live show from this BISS List fave.

We reached out to the band to ask how they feel about coming back to play on the legendary Fillmore stage again. Drummer Simon Allen told us: “This will actually be our fourth time at the Fillmore. It’s a legendary venue where some of our musical heroes once graced the stage: Aretha, Black Sabbath, Santana, and Van Morrison are some of the acts that spring to mind. And it’s one of the few US rooms that people in the UK might have heard of, so it’s a useful name to drop back there to impress people who have never heard of the band. We just want everyone to leave the place buzzing with the joy and the energy that we are putting out on stage and to have made a connection with each other through a shared appreciation of that experience.”

Make sure to get there early for an extra dose of Eddie Roberts with The Lucky Strokes!!

*Check out all of our Featured Shows.

LISTEN TO THIS

Listen to “Roller” by Polyrhythmics, from the album Filter System (Released 2023)

“Roller” is a smooth, funky ride that showcases Polyrhythmic’s instrumental prowess and knack for crafting irresistible grooves. We talked to guitarist Ben Bloom and he told us that “‘Roller’ is designed to get cha party started. After a long dark pandemic, we wanted to start the Filter System release cycle with a tune that inspires us to get out and go! Live, this tune really takes off with a steady, driving pulse that activates the dance floor.”

You can catch Polyrhythmics live at Golden Road Gathering, May 17-19 at El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville — we’ve got a mega giveaway with two Golden VIP packages! And again at For the Funk of It, Aug 9-12 in Belden. Can’t make it to the festivals? Polyrhythmics will also be at Ivy Room (*WIN*) on May 16th and Moe’s Alley on May 17th.

Why should you “Listen to This”? – BISS (Because I Said So). Check out the complete Spotify playlist with all weekly songs! #moretocome

*Got some new music we should listen to? Submit it for review!