Arts & Culture :: Music

Q-Music: Testosterock: bar bands and guy tunes with flair

Q-Music: Testosterock: bar bands and guy tunes with flair

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 21, 2020

Springsteen-inspired bands Steve Earle and the Dukes, Iron City Houserockers, plus Chicano Batman and other rocking groups' latest CDs are reviewed.

Rufus Rules: an interview with Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Rules: an interview with Rufus Wainwright

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 14, 2020

For those who have been counting (and patiently waiting), it's been 12 years since Rufus Wainwright has released an album of original pop music. Rest assured that with 'Unfollow the Rules,' Wainwright doesn't disappoint.

SF Opera Summer Season online

SF Opera Summer Season online

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 7, 2020

Missing SF Opera's summer performances? Tune in on Friday, July 10 at 7:30pm for a 90-minute free digital broadcast showcasing the many musicians, performers, and luminaries who would have shaped our summer season.

Q-Music: Iggy Pop's 'Lust For Life,' 'The Idiot' re-released

Q-Music: Iggy Pop's 'Lust For Life,' 'The Idiot' re-released

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 7, 2020

When it comes to Iggy Pop's solo work, he has yet to top the two he released in 1977: 'The Idiot' and 'Lust For Life,' each one newly reissued in expanded, double disc, deluxe editions, both produced by David Bowie.

Kent James, aka Nick Name: April 30, 1964 - July 3, 2020

Kent James, aka Nick Name: April 30, 1964 - July 3, 2020

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 6, 2020

Kent James, also known as the punk-influenced rock music frontman Nick Name, died at his home in Palm Springs on July 3, 2020. The gay singer-songwriter lived in San Francisco for a few years, and performed at local nightclubs.

Sylvester's 'Step II' rereleased, short documentary airs

Sylvester's 'Step II' rereleased, short documentary airs

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 3, 2020

Disco icon Sylvester's 'Step II' album has been reissued, and a short online documentary tells the story of his fabulous yet too-brief career and life.

Q-Music: Quarantine Pride playlist

Q-Music: Quarantine Pride playlist

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 30, 2020

Brittany Howard, Tom Goss, Jake Blount, Sarah Peacock and Maxx Mann offer diverse music with their own unique queer edge.

Eric Himan offers song tribute to the 'Local Gay Bookstore'

Eric Himan offers song tribute to the 'Local Gay Bookstore'

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 30, 2020

In one of the more creative stay-at-home projects, gay singer-songwriter Eric Himan offers a sweet tribute to the collective history of our "Local Gay Bookstore."

Meet the two Tims: SF Gay Men's Chorus director's memoir

Meet the two Tims: SF Gay Men's Chorus director's memoir

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Jun 30, 2020

In his memoir 'A Tale of Two Tims: Big Ol' Baptist, Big Ol' Gay, Tim Seelig shares the story of his incredible life, from his roots among devout Southern Baptists, to his work with what is perhaps the most famous gay chorus in the world.

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, others support Pride Lives' virtual Stonewall Day

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, others support Pride Lives' virtual Stonewall Day

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 26, 2020

Pride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization for the LGBTQ community, held its third annual Stonewall Day, with pop star and presidents joining in.

Out, loud and proud: an interview with SONiA

Out, loud and proud: an interview with SONiA

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 24, 2020

Baltimore native, out musician, activist, and even a bit of a mystic, Sonia Rutstein, better known to her fans and followers as SONiA of disappear fear, has a musical gift for everyone, her new 12-song CD compilation "Love Out Loud."

The father of Hi-NRG: Patrick Cowley's illustrated diary recounts the music innovator's short, shining, sexual life

The father of Hi-NRG: Patrick Cowley's illustrated diary recounts the music innovator's short, shining, sexual life

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Jun 23, 2020

As the main creator of the Hi-NRG music genre, Patrick Cowley briefly thrived on the dance music charts with originality and ferocity. Cowley's posthumously published diaries document his short life in 1970s gay dance and music scene.

Q-Music: Pride inside — a queer quarantine playlist

Q-Music: Pride inside — a queer quarantine playlist

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 23, 2020

Music from Marty Thomas, Kesha, Rachael Sage, Green Day, Shopping, Game Theory, The Third Mind and other musicians touch on colors of the rainbow.

San Francisco Opera cancels 2020 season

San Francisco Opera cancels 2020 season

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 16, 2020

San Francisco Opera announced the difficult decision to cancel its Fall 2020 Season due to the ongoing pandemic. Nearly 40 music productions and programs have been put on hold or cancelled, while online programming continues.