On August 15th, The Pencil Sharpener interviewed Thor and Goat of Thor and Friends at the Independent. On the way to the venue, the Pencil Sharpener found a lamp in mint condition that Thor and Friends kindly stored in the dressing room for the duration of the show.
News Archive

Looking to spend 20 hours next weekend head-banging to an amalgamation of boundary-pushing hip-hop, dance, and indie artists? Treasure Island Music Festival (TIMF)—a two-day festival occuring on October 13th (Saturday) and 14th (Sunday)—is one step ahead of you.
Takin’ Back the Bay is a music festival that will be hosted at 924 Gilman on Friday, October 12th through Sunday, October 14th to raise awareness and funds to stop gun violence in America. This all ages event will have a diverse array of performances every night, as well as a voter registration booth. Proceeds will go to nonprofits working to stop gun violence.

Johnny Marr revives the post-punk age with a reminiscent performance at the UC Theatre.

Blood Orange transcends cultural boundaries at Oakland’s beloved Fox Theatre. Not just a concert, but a musical performance of love and beauty.

The Pencil Sharpener interviewed This Is Not Your Fest (TINY Fest) founders/organizers Danielle and Marie. TINY Fest started as a direct response to a local Oakland pop punk fest, as Danielle and Marie, after calling out one of the organizers for sexually assaulting multiple women, experienced exile from the pop punk scene, bullying, and stalking from the perpetrator. All proceeds from the four-day festival will go to Bay Area Women Against Rape.

Local saxophonist and bandleader Donny McCaslin enters the KALX spotlight for a phone interview as DJ Jon the Reptilian focuses on his early musical jazz career including his collaboration with the late David Bowie.

Check out the Weblog's featured design for August 2018.

Soccer Mommy is the project of twenty-one-year-old Nashville native Sophie Allison. DJ yan yan caught up with the indie rock artist to chat about her transition from bedroom recordings to professional production, the ditziness of Geminis, and cartoon characters.

The Pencil Sharpener interviewed Go Kurosawa of Kikagaku Moyo at Outside Lands on August 11th. There is no doubt in the Pencil Sharpener’s mind that the interview was worth the multiple modes of public transportation it took to get to Golden Gate Park from the East Bay.