BARtab :: Live Music
Ivo Dimchev: gay singer/songwriter's Bulgarian rhapsodies
Ivo Dimchev, an openly gay HIV-positive performer who hails from Bulgaria, stands his ground in his music and performances, proudly letting the world know exactly who he is.
All aboard: Chunx and Funx of Gravy Train!!!!
Known for its explicit and humorous queercore rap style, Gravy Train!!!! (yes, 4 exclamation marks) ascribes to a shock value code of ethics.Two of the band members talked about their reunion in advance of their Mosswood Meltdown gig on July 2.
John Waters hosts Mosswood Meltdown
Filmmaker and "filth elder" John Waters will once again host the 2023 edition of the hip, queer, punk music festival Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland. He shared his love of punk music and style.
Divas defined: Black Music Archive explains singing styles
In videos on the Black Music Archive, Milik Kashad explains the intricacies of mostly Black women singers in opera, pop, R&B and other genres, while answering questions about singing styles.
Q-music: Pride sounds all year long
Even after you're over the rainbow, new music from Jake Shears, Rufus Wainwright and Passion Pit will have you humming along down your own yellow brick road.
Q-Music: solos and sides
Big name musicians (Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant and Ben Folds) depart from their traditional band mates for new solo albums, and one unusual super group (The No Ones) includes alumni from several bands.
Country music crossovers
Country music artists are regularly crossing genre boundaries, some even recording covers of Stephen Sondheim musical numbers. Here are four new outstanding audibly artistic diversions.
Katya Smirnoff-Skyy celebrates 18 Years at Martuni's
J. Conrad Frank's character Katya Smirnoff-Skyy was custom-made for a specific reason: to host cabaret and sing live. This week Katya celebrates 18 years hosting Katya Presents at Martuni's piano bar, a passion project that became an institution.
Spotlight on Pride at Lyon & Swan: four gay performers are featured now through June
To celebrate Pride month, the queer-owned Lyon & Swan supper club has booked a remarkable slate of four local gay artists, all worthy of broad attention, to play the intimate room.
Tales of Taylor: Ann Talman's musical memoir at Feinstein's
Ann Talman first met Elizabeth Taylor in January 1981. The writer-performer brings her musical reminiscences of La Liz, "The Shadow of Her Smile," to Feinstein's at the Nikko on Friday, May 12.
Q-Music: rolling in retro
Reissues of classic albums by Elton John, A Flock of Seagulls, Little River Band and Stephen Stills include multiple extras.
Q-Music: Say gay playlist
Singing about LGBT and Q love, musicians in folk, pop, rock and jazz Y La Bamba, Caroline Rose, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Eric Reed, Mathew V and Pigeon Pit should be on your new playlist.
In the Spotlight: singular talents hit local stages
A breakout glam rock cabaret star; a character actress who plays a whole cast of characters; Broadway's standby success story of the year; and a show tune interpreter like you've never heard before.
Romeo Void's Debora Iyall: a timeless punk diva
Romeo Void's lead singer discusses the band's history and the release of "Live From Mabuhay Gardens, November 14, 1980."