For years, unsigned artists across the country have flocked to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest for a shot at national recognition. With this year’s winner soon to be announced, CapRadio contributors continue the grand tradition of rounding up our favorite entries from Northern California. 

Camilla Covington's Picks

Camilla is a Sacramento born-and-raised R&B/Bedroom pop/Hip-hop artist. She is passionate about poetry and the solidarity of the Sacramento music scene.

Aviva Le Fey | Murphys

Opening with a wide shot of a smokey California skyline, Aviva Le Fey starts her submission on a somber, sober note. She personifies Earth, listing an index of grievances and existential distress. The chords at Aviva’s fingertips brighten as she tickles the strings of her guitar, her lyrics turning to the existence of infinite parallel timelines.

“and if every possibility is happening concurrently, then one of them must be ... just fine.”

The mood of the song swells until the finale, and the release of the conclusion is absolutely euphoric. I wonder if Aviva chose to film before blue skies to juxtapose against our current reality of near constant wildfire smoke. I was equally enamored after my first, third, and 20th listen by how Aviva Le Fey simplified the universe in just 120 seconds.

Aviva released an album earlier this year, find it here.

Longboy | Sacramento

The timidness of Sacramento band Longboy only enhances their sweet sound and melancholy storytelling. Lead singer Viv begins the pastel-toned break-up song with vivid images of the final scenes of a relationship, gently supported by bandmates Matt, Ryan, Chris and Keaton. The title, “You Ain’t In the Right, but You Ain’t Wrong,” becomes the skeletal structure of the story, following each of the three stages of the separation: resentment, denial, and accountability. Ranging from symbols of obsoletion like dusty track awards and old DVDs to waves of the ocean, the lyrics are deeply personal and specific. By the end of this ode, I feel sad yet safe, the bittersweet residual feelings of a challenging break-up for the better.

Visit their website and watch their feature on Good Day Sacramento

Troi Roberson | Redding

On my first listen to Troi’s molasses voice and her first lyric, “if I gotta work one more hour”, I could already feel a lump forming in my throat. Bound together by finger drumming only on each second and fourth beat, the pleas of exhaustion hum from deep in her stomach, softened by a skillful falsetto and sympathetic harmonies. This hymn reminds me of spirituals, songs that our enslaved ancestors would sing for solidarity, comfort, prayer, and to soothe the never-ending repetition of their labor. “If I Must Labor” shakes the earth with each step, making a heavy impact with its straightforward, a cappella execution.

Subscribe to Troi Roberson's Youtube channel here

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Andrew Garcia's Picks

Andrew Garcia is the Weekend and Fill-in Host for News and Modern Music at CapRadio. In a previous life he was a musician and in a pre-pandemic life he could be spotted at many concerts in the Sacramento and the Bay areas.

JMSEY | Sacramento

Over the course of two and a half minutes South London raised JMSEY reveals his bandmates one by one, slowly adding layer upon layer through his raspy, soulful, English accent. The track is funky, bombastic, and absolutely begging to be played live in front of a rowdy audience. At its heart, this is an endearing love song, with talk of a shared ice cream and rainy days in, watching movies with someone you care about.

JMSEY and his band’s style jumps off the screen and demands you to dance. Maybe next year we'll see that cello in the background put to good use. 

“STYLE” has a new music video out, which you can watch here.

Bob Gemmell | Fair Oaks

Meditative and skillful, Gemmell creates a trance-like accompaniment to the roadside scenery. Gently led along by quiet percussion his lyrics reveal a thorny metaphor and rumination on a tumultuous year and a half under the pandemic. Gemmel refers to this song as, “my message of weary hope”.

“America, After the War” represents all I need when it comes to Americana, a guitar and a story worth telling. 

For more Bob, visit his website bobgemmell.com

Patrick LeMieux | Oakland

Over the past 18 months my stay-at-home hobby became playing synthesizers. It’s one of the reasons I find myself completely in awe of “Radio Tune”, created and performed by author, game designer, Assistant Professor at UC Davis and wrangler of colorful patch cables Patrick LeMieux. 

Waves of melodies, basslines, beats and samples ebb and flow through one another, creating textures that are rich and full of life. That sound amid the visual chaos of wires, knobs, buttons, and lights keeps me listening again and again.

For more in the ‘Patch Notes’ series visit Patrick LeMieux’s YouTube channel.

 

Mother Muerte | Vallejo

Legend has it if you play “Rio Azul” alone in a dark room, the mystical sounds will pry open a portal to a more sinister and groovy dimension than our own. 

This is my second year in a row writing about Mother Muerte. Unlike 2020, Chelsea Salanoa’s guitar and voice are backed up by live percussion accompaniment and I love what that adds to her already unique sound.  

Jose Cadenas’ wide ranging percussive excellence adds to the experience of journeying through a sweltering and beautiful desert oasis. Let your mind wander with this one.

For updates on their music, follow Mother Murte on Facebook.

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Jennifer Reason's Picks

Jennifer is the Midday Classical Host at KXPR and a pianist with a passion for performance. Away from music, she can be found outdoors getting lost in the backcountry, or found anywhere delicious foods are served.

Lillian Frances | Sacramento

From the fantastic sparkly silver confetti sculpture, the baby blue satin and white lace caught in the breeze, the slightly dirty tennis shoes and an electric guitar that matches, this video has all the trappings of Lillian Frances. I was curious about the aural treats within this optic smorgasbord and it  turns out she was speaking directly to the experiences of performing artists everywhere, myself included. Not being able to rely on music during the pandemic, when before it was a staple in our lives; taking the stairs, the hard work it takes to make it anywhere in this business; the endless to-do lists, and so on, all delivered in a standing ovation performance.  Preach, Lillian!

Follow Lillian Frances on Twitter 

Tony Brisson | Sacramento

I love coffee, local coffee in particular, and I love the Chocolate Fish. I found it disarming to be included as he gets his drink and tests some prep chords. It makes the video feel all the more honest by not being too polished. His guitar feels like a steel string out of a clangy old western, but it’s full especially in this delightful modern setting. His lyrics are clever and edgy, reflecting on the protective persona and social masks we all wear, and taking them off to allow for vulnerability at a time when literal face coverings (and keeping them on) is such a hot topic. Oof. 

For more videos, follow Tony Brisson on Instagram

 

Blondillion and Jivemind | Chico

I admit when this video started I had zero idea what to expect. I certainly was not expecting them to break into the kind of timeless sound they brought to this song. The lyrics take me back to the era when cassette tapes and VHS dominated media ... back when there was a literal rewind button. The group’s lyrical rewind button speaks to a second try at love, at figuring out the otherwise forward-momentum life and a chance to go back in time if we’ve “forgotten the words.” If only! And speaking of buttons, do yourself a favor and hit the pause button while you’re at it — there’s a treasure trove of little fun details to find in that room. 

For updates on their music follow Blondillion on Instagram

Erin Frances | Woodland

Immediately I’m hit with a Macbook, a midi keyboard and … wait, an oboe?! Color me intrigued. There’s an innocent little sister quality to her greeting so I was completely surprised by the creative, mature performance. Erin pulls from multiple genres, and lyrically she’s equal parts brave, confident and searching. Unpredictable melodies blend with seamless production and lyrical notes from an unexpected and challenging instrument, and an effective combination of powerful vocals and half spoken words. There are so many different elements in this gem about self love. Sit back and let her guide you through this important exercise (And call me with your interpretation of that ending when you're done).

Find more of Erin Frances' music on Bandcamp 

Rainbow Girls | Bodega

This video is just ... SO FUN. First of all it’s just a great song. It’s got melt-you-where-you-stand harmonica playing, swoon-worthy harmonies, and just a delicious folksy acoustic sound (Is there maybe a hint of Janis Joplin meets girl band in there?). Then you add the bright colors and the delightfully sarcastic facial expressions. Tie it up with Erin Chapin’s lyrics and you’re set to have a seriously good time here. Each and every sentence packs a serious punch and provides relevant commentary to chew on as you smile your way through this song. The journey the camera goes through is exactly the final raucous touch the video needs. Time to go search out the rest of their discography as fast as possible.

For more Rainbow Girls, visit their website rainbowgirlsmusic.com 

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