Best of 2022, pt. 1, with Spanspek organizer (and Werebear singer) Cristobal Carrillo
Plus, a new release from Eighteen Hundreds and Fashawn's mom on the phone with Snoop Dogg
Cristobal Carrillo has made a long habit of scouting local talent as one half of the Spankspek Music and Arts Festival and its associated blog site. The festival ran in Orosi for 10 years and was known for putting on immerging acts.
These days, the musician (see Macondo, Werebear) carries on the tradition with the periodic Spanspek Spotlight series on Instagram.
Here, he breaks down some of his favorite releases to came out of the area in this year.
“Good afternoon! I write this to you in the thick of Christmas. Stress abounds, so it’s nice to a quick break to share some favorite picks of the year.
I wasn’t as deep into the local scene as previous years, so it feels like a lot of releases passed me by. I still managed to fall in love with a few tracks:
Dying Suns (Fresno, CA) — “Starcade”
Well played and well crafted, Dying Suns made a quick leap to being one of Fresno’s top bands with their Starcade EP. A potent mix of alt country and psych rock that goes down super smooth.
Brim (Visalia, CA) — “When Evening Comes,” from the album “California Gold”
A nice bit of California sunshine from the mastermind behind Westing (formerly Slow Season) and super group Sun Umbra.
Eighteen Hundreds (Fresno, CA) — “88:88”
Anyone that truly knows me, knows that I am a petty man with jealousy in my heart Which is why it brings me no pleasure to say that the arch rivals (in my head, alone) of my current band (alterlatino quintet Macondo, who you can follow on Instagram at @macondo_band and who’s debut album “Voices” you can stream online everywhere) have been releasing a string of amazing singles since the pandemic started.
This year was no different, seeing the debut of “88:88”, a lovely song featuring everything the band does best: reverb drenched guitar, dreamy melodies, and pulsing percussion.
Now that they’ve got a complete lineup again, I can only hope there will be more music and shows from the group in 2023.
New Old Man (Fresno, CA) — “Twist the Knife”
I sit here in admiration of one Joshua Tehee, for he has devoted the last few years nurturing every creative impulse he’s got, continuing to front punk band It’ll Grow Back, while playing guitar for the Downwinders, assisting with the Todd Williams solo project Victim of Propaganda, and releasing numerous singles with his solo project New Old Man.
“Twist the Knife” is his latest, a dagger to the heart that’s dirty and mean. Reminds me of Depeche Mode at their most evil. I dig it.
Fats LaBell (Fresno, CA) — “Lowe Ave.”
The true stand out of the year for me was the solo debut of master drummer and multi-instrumentalist Antonio Montanez. Under the moniker Fats LaBell, Montanez unleashed an indie soul classic with the fantastic “Lowe Ave.” EP, paying ode to Chicano forefathers while paving new ground in the burgeoning Souldies movement.
The album art encapsulates everything good about Chicano culture: the family, the music, the facial hair, and that cool tree from “Blood In, Blood Out.” Make with the full album Montanez!
Standout track? My fave is “Away,” primarily because of the fantastic left turn it takes when someone gets blasted by a shotgun.
Other notable releases:
Daze Baby (Hanford, CA) — “Blooming Cover” (fave track: “Midnight Rose”)
Bad Spring (Fresno, CA) — “Feel It”
Fantasy Fields (Fresno, CA) — “Got a Feeling”
The Downwinders (Fresno, CA) — “Heavy Metal” (fave track: “Pinched Out”
Puppet (Fresno, CA) — “Darkside”
Bigfoot and the Moon (Visalia, CA) — “Got No Soul For Sale”
New music alert: “Second Sun,” Eighteen Hundreds
Speaking of Carrillo’s rival band, Eighteen Hundreds are dropping a new single on Wednesday.
“Second Sun,” is based on the Dark Reflection Ritual and is, ostensibly (and maybe also actually) “about getting possessed by a mirror demon,” says the band’s singer/guitarist Tomas Galvan.
The release comes just in time for the holidays and in advance of the band’s performance at Tioga Sequoia’s Brew Year’s Eve party (which also features Angellvroo, Stereosity and Jasmine Crowe).
Uncle Snoop says; ‘Hello, mother, how you doing?’
Here’s reason 1,432 to love Snoop Dogg; This clip Fashawn shared out on Instagram earlier this week.
In it, the Fresno rapper is chatting with Snoop on his GGN Podcast when he gets call.
“Don’t you hate that,” Snoop says, Fashawn’s phone audibly buzzing.
“It’s gotta be someone important, though.”
Fashawn explains that it’s his mother calling, and that she would love to say hello.
“You gotta take that call,” Snoop says.
He does, and the ensuing interaction is just so good.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM (its a Christmas themed show this week). If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com