Mike Chouinard

Mar 17, 2025 | kalx.berkeley.edu | Mike Chouinard

Oakland’s Fox Theater thumped like a giant beating heart on the night of Wednesday, March 5th, when it hosted Belarusian post-punk doomers Molchat Doma, along with Los Angeles-based synth-punk duo Sextile. I was thankful to have my earplugs in when the show started — Sextile was LOUD. The soundwaves of bass boomed across the concert hall and pulsated through my body like mini explosions. Sextile’s brand of post-punk involved high-energy beats and bouncy dancing, not unlike goth-infused EDM.

Feb 17, 2025 | kalx.berkeley.edu | Mike Chouinard

It’s Tuesday night at Horsies Saloon, which means Carly Scena takes the stage. She opens her notebook, lyrics penciled in, and welcomes us all into “Tender Tuesdays.”We’re lined up almost single file down the long, wooden bar. In the hole-in-the-wall on 19th Street, with a certain equestrian hint. There are horses crocheted over the door and oil paintings of stallions along the walls. Chili pepper-shaped string lights bathe everything in a red glow.

Feb 14, 2025 | kalx.berkeley.edu | Mike Chouinard

As Tuesday ends and Wednesday begins, the weekly Midnight Express show brings you one hour conjured up from the mind a KALX DJ. You might get rare remixes of an artist, great covers of bad songs, or the top ten tracks about bears. Tune in on Tuesday, February 18th, at 11:59pm for a two hour Midnight Express show. The Berkestir will present a tribute to Michael Ratledge; keyboardist extraordinaire.

Feb 10, 2025 | kalx.berkeley.edu | Mike Chouinard

DJ Penny Royal has hosting duties for KALX Live! on Saturday, February 15th. And your entertainment for the evening? The aburdist dance music of Oakland’s Naked Roommate. Preview the night with their 2024 release through Trouble In Mind; Pass the Loofah. And mark your calendar for the next chance to catch them in person as they play The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz on February 22nd.

Feb 8, 2025 | kalx.berkeley.edu | Mike Chouinard

To see a show at Rickshaw Stop is to stop at a wall with no sign in the shadow of Davies Symphony Hall, the grand venue down by the Civic Center in San Francisco. The wall is a giant octopus that extends up two stories, and its tentacles wrap around the door, on which there is a piece of printer paper taped that says Karen y Los Remedios tonight. The stage inside is ringed with velvet curtains; flower lights spin across the walls.