iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 07/10/2026

October 06, 2026 - Hiss Golden Messenger @ Little Saint Third time catching a Hiss set (second time catching one in this room). Roughly half of the setlist was dedicated to the new album, but I'm fine with that. Grabbed a poster since I already had all the albums available at the merch table.

Hiss Golden Messenger performing as a five piece, on stage at Little Saint in Healdsburg, CA.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 07/10/2026

October 06, 2026 - Sam Amidon @ Little Saint I don't believe I've encountered Sam before. I've seen his wife in concert on multiple occasions, but despite his long musical history, I'd never seen him. Glad MC was able to make it happen.

Sam Amidon performing solo, on stage at Little Saint in Healdsburg, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 02/10/2026

October 01, 2026 - Dean Johnson @ The Pearl This was basically a warm up for Hardly Strictly. Two full sets, just Dean, and an audience which contained about as many bodies as the total population of the city the event occurred in.

Dean Johnson performing solo, on stage at The Pearl in Locke, CA.

110

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 01/10/2026

Just once I would like to get a promotional e-mail from (((folkYEAH!))) that has the basics right, like ticket links that point to the correct show or photo captions that refer to the correct artist.

A promotional e-mail from folkYEAH! promoting their upcoming Father John Misty/Damien Jurado bookings by providing the following text blurb. "Stephen Malkmus is a singer and guitarist in the groups Pavement, The Jicks, and the Hard Quartet and was a member of Silver Jews. A graduate of the University of Virginia and a tennis enthusiast, he lives in Chicago."

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 19/09/2026

The promo merch for this one does not disappoint. @remedygames.com

Merch items that were manufactured to promote the upcoming release of "Control Resonant" by Remedy Entertainment. At the top left is a black ceramic coffee mug with the Federal Bureau of Control emblem across the front. At the bottom right is a metal tin containing breath mints. The label identifies them as "Contained Sample: Mold Mints" along with a case file number, barcode, and simulated mold around the edges of the tin.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 18/09/2026

September 16, 2026 - Chelsea Wolfe @ Curran Theatre Amazing set in a lovely theater. Was surprised to hear Vex pop up in the set list. Was even more surprised at the unplanned encore performance of Culling.

Chelsea Wolfe performing with a four piece, on stage at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 18/09/2026

September 16, 2026 - Jonathan Hultén @ Curran Theatre What a surprise this turned out to be. I knew him as a death metal guy. Not as ambient folk. I found his set to be utterly hypnotizing.

Jonathan Hultén performing solo, on stage at The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 17/09/2026

September 15, 2026 - The Tear Garden @ The Independent Never thought I'd ever get the chance to see cEvin and Edward perform a live set of their collaborative work, but now I can cross that off my bucket list.

The Tear Garden performing as a four piece, on stage at The Independent in San Francisco, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 17/09/2026

September 15, 2026 - Anthony Xavier Jackson @ The Independent Once he locked in (around the middle of his second number) I was on board with the material. I don't know that I'd ever want to listen to a recording of it, but I expect I'll circle back around and pick up some of his written work.

Anthony Xavier Jackson performing solo, on stage at The Independent in San Francisco, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 17/09/2026

I kept my Amoeba spend relatively light this time. Two things I've never seen before, one that I've seen but never heard, and one that just had too good of a price to pass up. Was also amused to see a couple friends in the store being recorded for a "What's In My Bag?" segment.

Top left is "Lync", a Pedro The Lion 7" (2024). Bottom left is Jason Molina/MJ Lenderman split 7" with a demo recording of "The Last 3 Human Words" on the front and a cover of "Just Be Simple" on the back (2025). Top right is "Bare Bodkin", a CD comp of work by Leslie Medford's bay area psych rock outfit The Ophelias (2022). (Not to be confused with the Spencer Peppet fronted indie rock outfit from Cincinnati.) Bottom right is a four disc box set of "Challengers" by The New Pornographers (2007).

120

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 15/09/2026

I don't think there was anyone involved in this transaction who doesn't have an active Bluesky account.

My two Green Apple Books on the Park purchases. "Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine" by Kristina Ten and "Enshittification" by Cory Doctorow.

111

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 14/09/2026

Recent music mail. Both divisive releases, and in my opinion, both great. The Chelsea Wolfe 7" appears to be scented with something from the Heretic line. 'The Veil', if I had to guess. The 7" pack in with Nate's album has 'Chesnut' as the A-Side and 'Dust in the Wine' as the B-Side.

Recently received copies of the Chelsea Wolfe - 'The Dark / Death Is Not The End' 7" and the This Is Lorelei - 'The Singer in My Band' LP (Dinked International Edition)

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 08/09/2026

Today's music mail. Excited to break open and listen to the new Sylvan Esso. Wasn't expecting that until next week.

Sealed copies of three US Dinked Archive Edition reissues ("Bossanova" and "Trompe le Monde" by the Pixies, and "Mother Earth's Plantasia" by Mort Garson), one recent Pictoria Vark LP - "Nothing Sticks", and an early copy of "Ow ∞" by Sylvan Esso.

031

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 03/09/2026

Yesterday was a scheduled power outage, so I left the house and worked from the office. After that wrapped, I still had no power, so I took myself to a movie ("Coyote vs. Acme") and did some used record shopping. Not a bad haul for $30.

Recently acquired used copies of the VMP Edition of "Yours Conditionally" LP by Tennis, the "Short Movie" LP by Laura Marling, and the RSD 2009 "Pikul" EP reissue by Silversun Pickups.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 31/08/2026

August 30, 2026 - Mini Trees @ The Starlet Room Second time catching these folks. This time I got to see them as the headliner rather than as an opener, with a longer set and more polish. Love the new LP. Glad to finally have a physical copy for the shelf instead of just a digital download.

Mini Trees performing as a four piece, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 31/08/2026

August 30, 2026 - Coral Grief @ The Starlet Room This is my third (maybe fourth?) time seeing Coral Grief play. Still great, still somehow touring with no album at the merch table. Is the latest one out of print? Or was there just not enough room to bring it after packing so many t-shirts.

Coral Grief performing as a trio, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 31/08/2026

August 30, 2026 - Sab Star @ The Starlet Room First time encountering this project. They won me over immediately. Bonus points to the lead singer who spotted my @livinghour.bsky.social shirt after the set and complimented it.

Sab Star performing as a four piece, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 31/08/2026

August 29, 2026 - My New Band Believe @ The Starlet Room Went into this one blind after bailing on the event I initially came to town for. Their live sound and song structure borrows heavily from Rush and Matthew Sweet. Not something I would have predicted based on the material I'd heard online.

My New Band Believe performing as a five piece, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 25/08/2026

I also picked up a copy of the new Zoh Amba release after their set.

My copy of 'Eyes Full', the most recent Zoh Amba LP.

020

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 25/08/2026

August 24, 2026 - Courtney Barnett @ Channel 24 The last time I was able to catch her set was in 2018. I hadn't been keeping up with her music, so this seemed like a good chance to get caught up with her material. Great set, didn't pick up the new LP at the show but it is now on my list.

Courtney Barnett performing as a trio, on stage at Channel 24 in Sacramento, CA.

Courtney Barnett performing as a trio (plus Zoh Amba), on stage at Channel 24 in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 25/08/2026

August 24, 2026 - Zoh Amba @ Channel 24 My initial response to this band was confusion. The vocal style was in direct conflict with the music style (Imagine Big Thief covering Sonic Youth). But over the course of the set, they managed to warm on me, and by the end I was fully on board.

Zoh Amba performing as a trio, on stage at Channel 24 in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 22/08/2026

August 21, 2026 - Natalie Hagwood @ Theater 5150 I was surprised to hear that Natalie had quietly been putting together an album worth of her own music. I was even more surprised to hear she had put together a full band to perform it. I look forward to picking up a copy once it becomes available.

Natalie Hagwood, performing with a seven piece band, at a house show in Sacramento, CA

110

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 20/08/2026

Well, that was more of a pain in the ass than I expected it to be. I'll find out if I did it right in a couple hours after the first charge cycle has completed. I miss the days when changing a phone battery was no more difficult than changing a flashlight battery.

An open, half disassembled Pixel Pro 6 phone sitting next to a recently replaced battery.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 17/08/2026

Physical copy finally showed up in the mail.

My copy of the 'Lost Weekend' LP by Phoebe Bridgers, with accompanying lyric book. The color is advertised as 'Far Side of the Moon' color, and is an interesting swirl of black, green, and blue.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 10/08/2026

I also picked up one of these, more as an art piece than anything else, given the wear and tear.

A worn used copy of the 12" Trashcan Sinatras 'To Sir, With Love' single, one of the final releases by GO! Discs in support of 'A Happy Pocket'. Bought mostly for the Side B etching of the kangaroo from the LP cover.

010

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 10/08/2026

Catching up with music mail.

My recently received copies of the two new Robyn Hitchcock LPs 'The Confuser' and 'Live At Acheron', the new Sweeping Promises LP 'You Say I Romanticize', and the new Trashcan Sinatras LP & 7" 'Ever The Optomist' and 'A Bewildering And Implacable Fear'.

130

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 09/08/2026

August 08, 2026 - Alela Diane @ The Center for the Arts I've seen Alela many times over these past two decades, but never with a full band. I'm not sure how much of this was planned and how much happened spontaneously. Shannon Lay got quite the musical workout as she was also the opening act.

Alela Diane performing as a six piece band, on stage at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 07/08/2026

August 06, 2026 - La Luz @ Harlow's Was thrilled when I walked into this show and spotted Mayya in the room. Was even more thrilled when it turned out she was taking over the role of La Luz bassist. She's always been a bay area musical badass.

La Luz performing as a four piece, on stage at Harlow's in Sacramento, CA.

120

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 07/08/2026

August 06, 2026 - Spacemoth @ Harlow's I think this was the sixth time I've been lucky enough to catch Spacemoth. I know it is only the third time they have come through town, but it is nice to see they have started to develop a following here.

Spacemoth performing as a trio, on stage at Harlow's in Sacramento, CA.

120

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 06/08/2026

August 04, 2026 - Pacing @ Jade Cathay Everyone was a bit tired and loopy by this point in the evening, but I think entropy only enhances a Pacing set.

Pacing, performing as a duo, in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

Pacing, performing as a trio, in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

Pacing, performing as a duo (plus Josaleigh Pollett), in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

130

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 06/08/2026

August 04, 2026 - Josaleigh Pollett @ Jade Cathay Given the option to either drive three hours toward the PNW fire to catch the Chico stop, or drive two and a half hours toward Micro Center to catch the San Jose stop -- I chose San Jose. Worth every minute.

Josaleigh Pollett, performing with a trio, in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

Josaleigh Pollett, performing with a trio (plus Pacing), in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

191

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 06/08/2026

August 04, 2026 - Strog @ Jade Cathay Salt Lake City slowcore with a side of math-rock. No album for me to buy yet, but I've added them to my follow list to keep tabs on what they do next.

Strog, performing as a duo, in the dining room at Jade Cathay in San Jose, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 03/08/2026

August 02, 2026 - June Swoon @ Cafe Colonial Decided to sneak in one more June Swoon show on this run, because I could.

June Swoon performing as a four piece, on stage at Cafe Colonial in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 03/08/2026

August 02, 2026 - Julian Never @ Cafe Colonial Haven't seen Julian Never play since 2023 when they opened for Dummy. Happy to see there is a new LP out now. Didn't pick it up at the show, but I'll order one before the month is over.

Julian Never performing as a four piece, on stage at Cafe Colonial in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 01/08/2026

Might have to break my 'bring one thing to the show to get signed' rule for this one given how rarely I manage to cross paths with @brosaleigh.bsky.social. I have until Tuesday to decide...

My copies of the four Josaleigh Pollet LP's. 'Strangers' (2017), 'No Woman Is The Sea' (2020), 'In The Garden, By The Weeds' (2023), If I Let It Quiet (2026).

120

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 01/08/2026

July 31, 2026 - Pete Bernhard @ Cafe Colonial And it has been seventeen years since I last saw Pete turn in a set of solo material. (He may have forgotten that local show he did with Jason Webley and Garrett Pierce back in 2009, but I still remember.)

Pete Bernhard performing solo, on stage at Cafe Colonial in Sacramento, CA.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 01/08/2026

July 31, 2026 - Dandelion Massacre @ Cafe Colonial It has easily been eight years since I last saw these folks perform. Glad they are back, this town can always use more quality folk punk.

Dandelion Massacre performing as a four piece, on stage at Cafe Colonial in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 30/07/2026

Yeah. I'll get right on that. I really need to preserve those photos and videos that don't exist in the cloud storage I don't have, and that got deleted yesterday ... and the day before ... and the day before ... and tomorrow.

An image showing the continuing series of 'We've blocked your account! Your photos and videos will be deleted on MM-DD-YYYY, Renew your subscription' spam in my mailbox.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 29/07/2026

Nice. I still have my original. #58. The inserts have long since disintegrated, but the rest is still intact. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do for a modern edition (and to having a nice digital copy for the archive).

My personal copy of the first (self titled) Negativeland album from 1980, with handmade cut-and-paste artwork.

010

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 29/07/2026

Not sure why this little spider decided my food container was a good spot to begin spinning a web, but it least it made for a convenient means by which to move it outside.

Tiny spider, attempting to build a web in the bottom of an empty Tupperware container.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 27/07/2026

July 26, 2026 - The Band Cope @ The Golden Bear Third time seeing these guys. Still great, and I was happy to see they had physical media, not just stickers and download codes. Sure it was media I already owned, but I still bought it to store in the physical music library.

The Band Cope performing as a trio, on stage at The Golden Bear in Sacramento, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 26/07/2026

July 25, 2026 - Bloodsugar @ Sudwerk Brewing I'm not sure if this is the third or fourth time I've seen this band. Glad to see they've developed enough of a following to allow them to headline, just wish they'd had time to restock their merch before anchoring this gig.

Bloodsugar, performing as a four piece, on stage at Sudwerk Brewing in Davis, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 26/07/2026

July 25, 2026 - June Swoon @ Sudwerk Brewing I'm always glad when Juli and company come to town. I'd originally planned to catch them next week, but decided to bail on my SF plans and stay in Davis for the duration of the afternoon.

June Swoon, performing as a four piece, on stage at Sudwerk Brewing in Davis, CA.

110

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 26/07/2026

July 25, 2026 - Brendon B @ Sudwerk Brewing The only history I could find on this musician were a handful of month old tracks on YouTube music. I'll have to continue digging because I am curious to hear more.

Brendon B, performing solo, on stage at Sudwerk Brewing in Davis, CA.

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 22/07/2026

Music mail. Had to chase these around a bit, because my local post office appears to now be staffed entirely by trainees and temp workers.

As of yet unopened copies of the new Yard Act LP - 'You're Gonna Need a Little Music' and the new 7" from The Shins - 'The Living End'.

000

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 22/07/2026

July 21, 2026 - Pigeon Pit @ The Starlet Room I haven't kept up with the music scene in Olympia so these folks weren't on my radar (but should have been). They delivered an effective blend of raw emotional honesty, artistry, and catharsis. Think Neutral Milk Hotel without the tedium.

Pigeon Pit performing as a four piece, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 22/07/2026

July 21, 2026 - Propolis @ The Starlet Room Bought my ticket for this one well before the oppressive summer heat made leaving the house unappealing. Forced myself to go in spite of the heat, and was not disappointed. Folk punk is alive and well in Michigan.

Propolis performing as a four piece, on stage at The Starlet Room in Sacramento, CA

100

EricFate @livemusicaficionado.com · 20/07/2026

Nothing screams editorial integrity like misidentifying the band in the photo caption.

An image from the KQED website showing a picture of the band Wednesday performing at Mosswood Meltdown, over a caption that misidentifies them as Vivian Girls. https://www.kqed.org/arts/13991817/mosswood-meltdown-2026-review-photos-oakland-punk-festival

100