East Bay Express | Rachel Swan

For Valerie Orth, the Music Is the Messagenew

How activist burnout fueled a young singer-songwriter.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 12-08-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Taylor Eigsti: Daylight at Midnightnew

At 26-years-old, pianist Taylor Eigsti has advanced from child prodigy-dom to young lion-dom with relative ease, toured with James Moody and Gretchen Parlato, and garnered accolades from Dave Brubeck. A

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 12-02-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Taylor Eigsti

Oakland's War on Funnew

As the city ramps up enforcement of cabaret laws and permit fees, Oakland clubs worry about survival.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-24-2010 | Recreation

Tags: Oakland Police Department

The Best Music of 2010new

From Arcade Fire to E-40 to The Walkmen, our critics recommend the best albums of the past year.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-24-2010 | Music

Tags: Jason Moran, Grinderman, Meklit Hadero, Dwele

Cult of Ghostfacenew

Zealous fans and a top-heavy entourage dominate the rapper's recent performances.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-18-2010 | Concerts

Tags: Rza, Ghostface Killah, Gza, Wu-Tang Clan

Crafting the Unwomannew

Goth cellist Erica Mulkey brings new music technology into the craft realm.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-10-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Erica Mulkey, Heavy Sugar Duo, Unwoman

Katy Stephan Goes Smallnew

Local cabaret singer recasts herself by writing a song a week.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-03-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Katy Stephan

The Snuggie Goes Dumbienew

Local rap video wows the infomercial blankie company.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-03-2010 | Performance

Tags: Akil Fadil, Human Mirror, Jesse Meeker, Snuggie

Birds & Batteries: Panoramanew

Mike Sempert has one of those chalky, quavery, drawling, nasal, rough-hewn voices that we so often associate with modern rock.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 11-03-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Birds & Batteries

The Inscrutable Gretchen Parlatonew

Jazz singer's deadpan persona belies her sweet, mellifluous voice.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 10-27-2010 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Gretchen Parlato

Self Storage and the World of Hoardersnew

In the Seventies, self storage was all about relocation. Now it's a lifestyle -- even for some homeless people.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 10-27-2010 | Culture

Tags: Homeless, Hoarders

Jazmine Sullivan: Love Me Backnew

It wasn't that hard for Philly singer Jazmine Sullivan to supplant her nearest competitors as the next heir to Mary J. Blige. She's young, and gritty-voiced, and closer in sensibility to a rapper than a traditional balladeer.

East Bay Express | Rachel Swan | 10-27-2010 | Reviews

Tags: Mary J. Blige, Love Me Back, Jazmine Sullivan