.Local Licks

This week we review BOATS, CopperWire, Evie Ladin Band, and Sharky Coast.

BOATS, Bleaving. This is the brand new release from Aaron Ferguson. Loosely associated with acts like Elephant & Castle and as well as the Mapzzz blog/label, BOATS explores some smooth, Bay-to-LA G-funk instrumentals. Bleaving is cool and effortless, another building block in an increasingly prodigious Oakland beat scene. It’s possible that BOATS borrows a bit from talented LA producers on the Brainfeeder and Proximal labels; but if so, to great effect. (Dollops Music)

CopperWire, Earthbound. CopperWire is a concept project — a “hip-hop space opera.” Its themes nod toward Sun Ra and P-Funk, but the music falls more squarely into current trends in rap and R&B. It incorporates the science-fiction nerdery of Deltron 3030, the weirdo avant-groove of Shabazz Palaces, and even echoing the extra-terrestrial obsession sprinkled throughout the recent material of Lil Wayne. All rolled together, it makes a lot of sense. (Porto Franco Records)

At Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell St., SF) on Saturday, May 5. 9 p.m., $12, $15

Evie Ladin Band, Evie Ladin Band. In the tradition of great country and bluegrass troubadours, Oakland’s Evie Ladin delivers minimalist folk that relies on pure, easy hooks and straightforward harmonic structure. Her banjo-playing, in both a solo and group setting (as part of The Stairwell Sisters) has graced clubs locally and nationally. This new, self-titled album (with band) is probably her best to date. (self-released)

Sharky Coast, Pizza Dreamz. Getting its start in North Bay house shows, this young garage-rock duo is making a splash in the East Bay as of late, moving its set-up-and-go show to backyards, co-ops, and legit venues in Oakland and Berkeley. Like a young, even more whipping-snapping version of Thee Oh Sees or Ty Segall, the duo rips through an eight-minute, one-track, multi-song medley on this debut demo. (self-released)

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