RIFF Magazine

In 2016, Roman Gokhman and Nick DeCicco launched RIFF, bringing together their extensive experience as journalists. Their friendship dates back to 2004 when they both worked at a daily newspaper in California's Gold Country. Gokhman was known for chasing stories, while DeCicco started as a copy editor and later became a writer. Their shared passion for music led them to cover it more extensively after relocating to the Bay Area. Roman contributed to several publications, including The Bay Area News Group, which encompasses the Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, and Contra Costa Times, over a five-year span, before exploring various Bay Area music blogs and national outlets. Meanwhile, Nick worked at the Daily Republic in Fairfield, California. Recognizing a gap left by struggling newspapers, they brainstormed for a couple of years before establishing RIFF. Our editorial team consists entirely of journalists, many of whom are familiar names from newspapers, television, and radio. Our contributors include musicians and seasoned professionals from the music industry, ensuring expert insights. Additionally, our operations team hails from the tech sector, focused on engaging audiences in fresh and creative ways.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Benson Boone delivers summer anthems on ‘American Heart'

1 week ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

Singer-songwriter Benson Boone is a confounding mixture of influences. He’s bombastic and theatrical showman in the vein of Freddie Mercury, and yet somehow he’s also a relatable everyman. There are the loud stage outfits and, of course, the cool acrobatic flips. But peel back all his layers and you’ll find an impressively strong vocalist budding with potential.
Interview: Allen Stone influenced by Stevie Wonder, his faith

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Roman Gokhman

Whenever Seattle soul crooner Allen Stone happens to find himself in San Francisco at the beginning of a week, he makes time for Motown on Monday. Typically held at Madrone Art Bar near Alamo Square, this is where you can go to hear a DJ spin some classic R&B. Stone, who will be in town Sunday and Monday, performing at the Great American Music Hall, remembers the first time he was taken to MOM, as it’s known. A DJ transitioned from Stevie Wonder to Bobby Womack. “Dopest mix ever,” Stone said.
ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young recognizes the simple pleasures on ‘Talkin to the Trees’

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Sam Richards

{{CODEcustom-music-ad}}Even almost six decades after Buffalo Springfield’s first album appeared, Neil Young continues to make new, relevant music. And though after all that time, and some 50 studio albums, it gets ever more difficult to come up with an original sound or profound thought, Talkin To The Trees offers a fairly fresh take on the things people live, learn and appreciate as they grow old.
REVIEW: Mumford & Sons make rousing return to Berkeley's Greek

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Jane Hu

BERKELEY — On the second stop and third show of their Rushmere Tour, Mumford & Sons on Monday reaffirmed their place in the contemporary folk-rock landscape with its blend of heartfelt lyricism and rousing, anthemic rock. It was a triumphant return for the British band, which survived a seven-year hiatus and the controversial departure of Winston Marshall since its last time on the road. Mumford & SonsDivorce 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10The Greek, BerkeleyTickets: $70 and up.
Divorce - RIFF Magazine

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Jane Hu |Marcus Mumford

{{CODEcustom-music-ad}}BERKELEY — On the second stop and third show of their Rushmere Tour, Mumford & Sons on Monday reaffirmed their place in the contemporary folk-rock landscape with its blend of heartfelt lyricism and rousing, anthemic rock. It was a triumphant return for the British band, which survived a seven-year hiatus and the controversial departure of Winston Marshall since its last time on the road. Mumford & SonsDivorce 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10The Greek, BerkeleyTickets: $70 and up.
REVIEW Coldplay unlocks 'Music of the Spheres' at Stanford Stadium

3 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

PALO ALTO, Calif. —It was at times unorthodox, but the opening night of the North American leg of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour was a joyous triumph. The first of two sold-out nights at Stanford Stadium, the show also marked the first standalone concert at the stadium that has also hosted the Olympics, World Cup and the Super Bowl. The U.K. band’s performance was a visual spectacle and a finely tuned artistic mastery on a grand scale.
REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar and SZA hold ‘grand’ spectacle at Oracle Park

4 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

SAN FRANCISCO — The victory lap for Kendrick Lamar seems to keep going and going. From a definitive victory in a rap beef against Drake to the Super Bowl halftime show, Lamar’s Grand National stadium tour feels like icing on a cake. His show at Oracle Park with SZA on Thursday wove the music of both together as the two bounced back and forth and sometimes came together over the course of two and a half hours.
REVIEW: Stray Kids find a home in the Bay at Oracle Park

1 month ago | riffmagazine.com | Roman Gokhman

SAN FRANCISCO — It was impressive enough that K-pop superstars Stray Kids could sell out Oakland Arena a few years ago, but on their current dominATE World Tour, the octet is selling out stadiums, including Oracle Park on Wednesday and two gigs at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles later this week.
Anand Wilder, Night Tapes, Avery Tucker, The Sophs: Tuesday Tracks

1 month ago | riffmagazine.com | Rachel Alm

We’ve got a lot of exciting new music for you this week! Rock by The Sophs, soul music from Mega, funk by sullvn, folk rock from Wilby and Avery Tucker, dreamy trip-hop by The Night Tapes, country from The Band Loula and psych-pop by Anand Wilder. Sullvn, “Rooftop” — San Diego collective sullvn brings us a joyous funk explosion on “Rooftop.” It’s all about the excitement of meeting someone new and feeling like you want a night to last forever.
BottleRock Day 3: Noah Kahan, Cage the Elephant, 10 other Sunday highlights

1 month ago | riffmagazine.com | Ben Siegel

NAPA — BottleRock’s third and final day carried through much of the momentum built by the first two with youthful energy that could be felt throughout the festival grounds. The early part of the day saw attendees making their way to the silent disco or roller rink, or getting just the right shot for an Instagram post. Folk-pop singer Noah Kahan, whose career exploded due to social media attention in 2023, closed out BottleRock with an enthralling set.