Arts & Culture :: Music

Monster's mash: Kevin Simmonds' poetic look at opera diva

Monster's mash: Kevin Simmonds' poetic look at opera diva

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Oct 26, 2021

Kevin Simmonds, in his short but wonderful book, 'The Monster I Am Today: Leontyne Price and A Life In Verse,' provides the reader with a poetic insight that is lyrical, loving and romantic.

Music, menus & motion: Mill Valley Film Festival faves

Music, menus & motion: Mill Valley Film Festival faves

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Oct 12, 2021

The Mill Valley Film Festival returns for its 44th year October 7- 17, with in-person and online screenings. A few notable features: documentaries about Leonard Bernstein, Julia Child, and The Velvet Underground.

Q-music: pushing boundaries

Q-music: pushing boundaries

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Oct 12, 2021

The 'Red Hot + Free' double album packs in the talent, Mike Maimone's newly redone songs bring gay tones to his rockin' repertory, and the late Karen Black's 'Dreaming of You' is finally released.

Ellen Foley: from rock epics to Night Court and back

Ellen Foley: from rock epics to Night Court and back

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Oct 5, 2021

From her duet vocal on Meat Loaf's hit single "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" to her performance in the "Black Boys/White Boys" number in 'Hair,' plus her acting gig on 'Night Court,' Ellen Foley's talent spans genres and decades.

Lil Nas X unleashes 'Montero'

Lil Nas X unleashes 'Montero'

  • by Tim Pfaff
  • Sep 28, 2021

Lil Nas X continues to strut his out gay stuff with what the industry welcomed as his "debut album," 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name),' after all the individual tunes dropped in spellbinding —some called them explicit— music videos.

Deaf & LGBTQ artists collaborate for an inspirational song

Deaf & LGBTQ artists collaborate for an inspirational song

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Sep 25, 2021

Los Angeles contemporary choral ensemble Tonality, in collaboration with performers and creators in the deaf community, have created a music video for Alex Wurman's song "No, Child. No Child."

50 years in 50 weeks; 1995 rocked

50 years in 50 weeks; 1995 rocked

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Sep 23, 2021

Extra Fancy front man Brian Grillo may have been the most prominent out gay rock singer of the year. The band headlined the 1995 Folsom Street Fair in one of several queer rock moments of the year.

Rufus Wainwright: gay singer-songwriter unfollows the rules

Rufus Wainwright: gay singer-songwriter unfollows the rules

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Sep 7, 2021

Last year, Rufus Wainwright released his eighth pop music studio album. It was significant because it was his first in 12 years. He'll perform at Satatoga's Mountain Winery Sept. 12.

Notes, worthy: opera, classical and chamber concerts this fall

Notes, worthy: opera, classical and chamber concerts this fall

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Aug 31, 2021

Musical institutions in San Francisco and the Bay Area are emerging from the pandemic to offer new fall seasons, both in-person and online.

Oakland Symphony Music Director Michael Morgan dies

Oakland Symphony Music Director Michael Morgan dies

  • by Cynthia Laird
  • Aug 23, 2021

Michael Morgan, a gay man and the longtime music director and conductor of the Oakland Symphony, died August 20 at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. He was 63.

'Wicked in Concert' to air on PBS Aug. 29

'Wicked in Concert' to air on PBS Aug. 29

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Aug 21, 2021

Broadway's return will be celebrated on August 29 with 'Wicked in Concert,' a musical event featuring the songs from one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history.

Q-Music: Greetings from Vinylville: Barbra pleases, Morly music

Q-Music: Greetings from Vinylville: Barbra pleases, Morly music

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 18, 2021

With the vinyl LP arrival of her new album 'Release Me 2,' the compilation follow-up to 2012's 'Release Me,' comprised of previously unreleased material, Barbra Streisand has entered hipster territory.

Romanovsky and Phillips: gay music duo's fascinating, groundbreaking history

Romanovsky and Phillips: gay music duo's fascinating, groundbreaking history

  • by Michael Flanagan
  • Aug 10, 2021

Incredible as it seems, it has now been more than 20 years since Romanovsky and Phillips called it quits. Part of the reason it seems so amazing is that accolades continue to pour in about them all these years later.

Q-Music: family jewels: Songwriting siblings, sons and daughters

Q-Music: family jewels: Songwriting siblings, sons and daughters

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Aug 4, 2021

Sons and daughters, sisters and brothers of prominent musicians have long shared their own talents. Our music columnist offers a few new bests.