[Event Review] Gabriel Gárzon-Montano and Kali Uchis Bring the Soul to The Warfield (SF) 9/18/19

Nearly a year and a half ago, I had the opportunity to see Gabriel Gárzon-Montano perform in an intimate venue here in San Francisco. The crowd was small but the atmosphere was deferential to the rising R&B star. Reserved, soulful artistry was the theme of that show, held shortly after the release of Gárzon-Montano’s sophomore album Jardín.

This week, Gárzon-Montano played a much different show at the Warfield in San Francisco. Larger venue, larger crowd; an eager yet uninitiated group more rabidly interested in the headliner of the night, Kali Uchis. Nevertheless, Gabriel Gárzon-Montano put on an intense spectacle. The performance featured interpretive dancing, multiple costume changes, and even a shirtless stint. The set was condensed to include just his most popular songs, like “6 8”, which kick-started his rise in popularity. Gárzon-Montano did his best to match the energy and performance style of the evening’s fiery headliner, but did so in his own way. It was an interesting experience to see transformation of his performing style, reflective of his growth and flexibility as a performing artist.

The audience seemed quite appreciative and genial to Gabriel Gárzon-Montano, but the main draw of the evening was undoubtedly Kali Uchis. Between sets, the all-ages crowd was chanting her name in anticipation. During some songs, Kali only had to hit the accents and runs; enthusiastic fans sang all her lines for her. One of the highlights of her set was an electrifying cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”, a late 70’s jam that surely everyone has heard at some point in their life. Throughout the night, Kali wooed the audience with her singing chops, seductive dancing, and charismatic likeability.

 

If you’re a fan of either artist, check out their upcoming tour dates here. More shots from the evening below:

Related items:

[Event Review] Gabriel Garzón-Montano Delivers a Passionate San Francisco Debut

     …

Gabriel Garzón-Montano at The Rickshaw Stop

Saturday May 13, 2017

Following the release of his debut full-length album Jardín (see our review here) in January, it was only a matter of time before Gabriel Garzón-Montano shared his creation with fans in person. After kicking off his tour to start the month of May, Garzón-Montano introduced himself to San Francisco’s music scene at the Rickshaw Stop this past Saturday. The sold-out crowd enjoyed 75 minutes of passionate soul-baring as Gabriel gave the crowd his all. 

With the help of drummer David Frazier, Gabriel Garzón-Montano delivered an incredible musical experience in the intimate, hazy ambiance of the Rickshaw Stop. Highlights included GGM’s sensual crooning on “Six-Eight”, and the funky vibes of popular song “Crawl”. He relied heavily upon a participatory audience during the show, one that was very excited to engage in clapping, snapping, and singing along to Gabriel’s call-and-responses. Furthermore attendees were delightfully treated to a bilingual set. After interlacing a song or two in Spanish throughout his repertoire, Gabriel’s encore was nearly entirely in Spanish with the exception of first track “Bombo Fabrika”.

Garzón-Montano took us through a musical journey of his entire discography, and then some. With his masterfully-crafted music and soulful approach to showmanship, we continue to have high expectations for this artist in the future.

Future tour dates can be found here— don’t miss a chance to see Gabriel Garzón-Montano live! Continue reading

Related items:

[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 70: New Year, New Vibes

artworks-000195689243-uj5hic-originalMusic Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 70: New Year, New Vibes

 Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week we were ambushed by quality music across genres and, in this episode we share just a few of our favorite discoveries mixed in with some slightly older cuts you may have forgotten about. Oh, and also, brand new music from Jamiroquai! Continue reading

Related items:

[Album Review] Gabriel Garzón-Montano – Jardín

Gabriel Garzón-Montano
The Game

Musical identity is a nebulous concept that has a significant impact on how listeners interpret, relate to, and appreciate music. It is an amalgamation of many characteristics–only one of which is the sound itself. It determines how we categorize and, often, immortalize musicians (i.e. Biggie and Tupac forever enshrined as icons of a classic era in hip-hop). The release of a debut album is an artist’s single best opportunity to assert their artistic persona–a musical first impression is as important as any. Take Kanye West’s The College Dropout, or Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon Pt 1; two hugely popular albums that put soon-to-be breakout stars’ skills and talents on full display. In a similar vein, Gabriel Garzón-Montano’s debut LP, Jardín, is a bold declaration of Garzón-Montano’s ingenuity– one that gives him the potential to be a mainstay of today’s crowded music landscape.

Brooklyn native Garzón-Montano is the son of Colombian and French immigrant parents, and his heritage certainly contributes to his musical identity. He cites his father’s Colombian roots as a source of inspiration. That appreciation of salsa and cumbia manifests itself in the funky and rhythmic nature of several tracks on the album. Garzón-Montano attributes his original love for music to his mother–a classically trained musician who passed those skills down. The two contrasting influences mix beautifully on “Bombo Fabrika,” a track that features cello accompaniment alongside a syncopated groove that subtly commands you to dance.  Continue reading

Related items:

Sunday Night Soul [Vol. 16]

Good evening ninjas. It’s the first weekend of March, which means spring is right around the corner (although the snow outside my window would seem to indicate otherwise). Tonight also happens to be Oscars night, and since your favorite movie/actor/composer didn’t win that award you so desperately wanted them to (sorry again, Leo. There’s always next time), you’ll have to begin the healing/venting process somewhere (probably through Twitter). Well, we’ve  got the soundtrack for both transitions right here, with another excellent edition of Sunday Night Soul. This week’s lineup features some incredibly beautiful numbers from a multitude of talented artists. I know we say that just about every time, but efforts from Owl EyesGabriel Garzón MontanoSunni Colón, abhi//dijon, Olsen, Chiara, Saint Pepsi, Olivia Louise, Gene Noble, Black Atlasskuma, Beshken and Giraffage really struck a chord with us this week. Of course those weren’t the only ones we liked, so we’d suggest digging through immediately to figure out what your favorites are–trust us, it’s tougher than it sounds.

’Jeremy Passion – Aloha For Now (Cover)’
’Gabriel Garzón Montano – Everything Is Everything’
’Tom Misch & Carmody – We Used to Know’
’Abrahamblue – she. (made of old damaged files)’
’Abrahamblue – no clue.’
’Owl Eyes – Something About Us (Daft Punk Cover)’
’Sunni Colón – Voyage/Lightyears (demo)’
’Jordan Rakei – Chris Dave + Bob Marley’
’IDҰLL – Trouble’
’Olsen – Together Ft. Mark Borgazzi’
’Tei Shi – Nevermind The End (Saint Pepsi Remix)’
’RKCB – Comatose’
’Chiara x Skye Chai – Promise’
’abhi//dijon – Twelve’
’FREDDY WINTER X DAMI SAHEED – RAINBOW DREAMS’
’TOKiMONSTA – The World is Ours’
’Olivia Louise – Skin Deep ( produced by Moteleola)’
’Pharrell – Know Who You Are Feat Alicia Keys’
’William Bolton – Let’s Stay Together (prod. Times New Roman)’
’Teedra Moses – All i Ever Wanted’
’Ginette Claudette – Better Love feat. Rico Love’
’Emerson Brooks – Beg (prod. By Alex Isaak & Emerson Brooks)’
’Tony Collins
Love Someone’
’Gene Noble – Imagination’
’Dawn Richard – Dark Horse (Unicorn Remix)’
’Jhene Aiko & Raekwon – The Worst (Ted Smooth Mix)’
’Huntar – Expectations’
’Göld Spex – Colorblind’
’Jon E.K. – Those Eyes’
’Erik Hassle – “Innocence Lost (feat. Tinashe)”‘
’Boss Miller – So Far From Home (Prod. by Dweezy James)’
’Vindata – All I Really Need (Featuring Kenzie May)’
’Black Atlass – Jewels’
’Duncan Gerow – Miguel + Timbaland = Sure Thing’
’Raphael Saadiq Ft. D’Angelo – Be Here (aywy. & TEME rework)’
’Seyoncé – Crazy In Love’
’Pharell Williams Feat. Daft Punk – Gust of Wind (Harrison Edit)’
’Paul Couture – O.A.K (One of A Kind )’
’Jesse Boykins III – Plain (prod. by Machinedrum)’
’Tom Misch – You Got Me Flying’
’kuma – If Only You’
’esta. – ThankYou’
’Sango – Icebox 2.0 (Omarion X Craig David)’
’Arµ 2 – Right Here (REMIX)’
’MNEK
Don’t Call This Love (Sh?m Rendition)’
’Justin Bieber – Hold Tight (PHNTM Remix)’
’Jeremih – F. U. All The Time (Illo Remix)’
’Shivum Sharma – Flicker (SoulCircuit Remix)’
’Doja Cat – SO HIGH (Beshken Remix)’
’Mapei – Don’t Wait (Giraffage Remix)’
’Mincha – Lovin’ (SevnthWonder Remix)’
’Raleigh Ritchie – Stronger Than Ever (MJ Cole Remix)’
’Bok Bok ft Kelela – Melba’s Call’
’The Weeknd – Or Nah (Stwo Edit)’
’Hasta – Love U More’
’Milo Mills – Ocean Gang’
Related items: