What’s up?

I’m in my second semester at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, and I realize I’ve been so busy that I never posted about the first semester. I have two things I’d like to share:

(1) In August, I went to the Museum of Modern Art on a “Free Friday Night” and the line literally wrapped around the building. Needless to say, it was ridiculously crowded when I got inside. Despite all the bustle, I fell for the designs by Revital Cohen. Her works contemplates how new technology will alter human behavior. They’re playful pieces, which you might be able to tell by their names: “Artificial Biological Clock” and “Phantom Recorder.” In the fall, I wrote this piece about Cohen’s works at MoMA.

(2) I wrote my first article on an architecture and design related subject. It was a new challenge and I had fun tackling it. This semester I’m taking a class called “the Physical Structure of Urban Cities,” so I was obviously inspired. The article I wrote, titled “A Larger than Life Word Search,” is about the new Queens’ Glen Oaks Library by the architect duo known as Marble Fairbanks. The Library’s innovative design considers the importance of shared public space as well as how we search for knowledge with evolving technology.

BlackMahal: Punjabi funk hop with a dash of humor

For my final Bandwidth column for the San Francisco Chronicle, I interviewed BlackMahal, a San Francisco band that spans many musical genres. The band has proclaimed its music to be "turban groove".

Pod people: The Bay Bridged wants you to listen to more SF tunes

I like to listen to podcasts while I’m painting my nails or doing the dishes. For my last Lights Out column for the San Francisco Bay Guardian, I wrote about the Bay Bridged’s podcast.

A list of articles written by me in June

• The Mumlers: Band nerds have gone wild. San Francisco Chronicle; June 30, 2011.
• Pick: Group Doueh. San Francisco Chronicle; June 30, 2011.
• Bill Orcutt: experimental noise guitarist. San Francisco Chronicle; June 23, 2011.
• Lights Out: Taking the Royal Baths. San Francisco Bay Guardian; June 23, 2011.
• Vice City: Michelle Broder Van Dyke considers the seven sins of SF. The Bold Italic; June 16,2011.
• Sioux City Kid plays at Great American Music Hall; June 16, 2011.
• The Soft White Sixties play anthemic rock. San Francisco Chronicle; June 09, 2011.
• Lights Out: Truly, Deeply, Sweetly. San Francisco Bay Guardian; June 06, 2011.

Here's a list of pieces I've written recently

• Omori: Communicating through synth-driven jams. Bandwidth, San Francisco Chronicle; Thursday, June 2, 2011.
• Hail Seitan: Michelle Broder Van Dyke makes her own meat. The Bold Italic; Tuesday, May 31, 2011.
• Dominant Legs: Pop band crafts upbeat love songs. Bandwidth, San Francisco Chronicle; Thursday, May 26, 2011.
• Four for Popfest: Four Bay Area luminaries headline highly anticipated shows at this annual music festival. Lights Out, San Francisco Bay Guardian; Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
• S.S. Records Anniversary: 'Hobby' label turns 10. Nightlife feature, San Francisco Chronicle; Thursday, May 19, 2011.
• Heavy Times: The Sandwitches' sophomore release, Mrs. Jones' Cookies, sounds timeless despite the band's old-timey vibe. Lights Out, San Francisco Bay Guardian; Wednesday, May 11 2011.

Don't forget

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Nick Waterhouse & the Tarots: rhythm and longing

Last Saturday, I went to Guerrero Gallery and saw Nick Waterhouse with his band the Tarots and his back-up singers the Naturelles. It was a nitty-gritty performance, in all the right ways. Last week, I also got to interview Waterhouse for the Chronicle, and found out how rhythm and Rooky Ricardo’s records inspire him. Read more here.

Waterhouse seems to be on a roll. Check him live at 111 Minna Friday (4/22) 8 pm, $5. And also, at the Knock Out next Saturday (4/30) 10 pm, $7.