The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine

The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine

The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University

Xpress Magazine

The X-Tra band performs as a concert-goer listens at Thrillhouse Records on December 2,
2023 in San Francisco, Ca. (Tam Vu / Xpress Magazine)

Not-for-profit Music

Zackery Stehr, Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2023

On the corner of Mission and 30th streets, sits a record shop — the door and outside window filled with collages of stickers and posters. Inside, the space is filled with even more stickers, posters...

Physical music in a digital world

Physical music in a digital world

Sydney Williams, Social Media Editor
December 13, 2023

A power switch is flipped on, revealing the low hum of a turntable, ready to play a carefully picked-out record. Once the record is placed on the platter of the turntable and the top of the turntable is...

Broken TV with HydeFM painted over on the screen at the HydeFM radio/DJ office onthe corner of 16th and Mission Street in San Francisco, California. (Ryo Kojima/Xpress Magazine)

Alternative Radio

Div Lukic, Content Editor
December 7, 2023

In a baby blue jumpsuit and orange beanie, Denis Makhlin is dressed as a sailor from Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” He grabs the microphone and reiterates the name of the DJ...

Chloe Little sits in their red rolling chair while they pose and hold their guitar inthe corner of their bedroom studio, In San Francisco, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. This isthe place where Little sits to record and produce their music. However, their space is also usedfor their poetry and art, the right corner of their desk is filled with piled up novels andcomposition books.

To Be an Artist

Div Lukic, Content Editor
November 6, 2023

Chloe Little sits on the edge of a red rolling chair in the corner of their bedroom studio, flanked by MIDI keyboards and audio cables. Beside them sits Babytron, a modular synth made from a plastic baby...

Patrons enjoy the vibrating bass of techno music at Vitamin1k’s Techno Night at Underground SF on October 21, 2022. This was the collective’s first techno night and it was met with an astounding crowd. (Anessa Bailon / Xpress Magazine)

Underground Vibrations

Ximena Loeza and Anessa Bailon
April 11, 2023

This podcast accompanies the story "Underground Vibrations" by Ximena Loeza. Podcast Transcript Ximena Loeza: The nightlife in San Francisco has always been a big draw to the city, and post-pandemic,...

Michael J. Payton Press Photo. (Courtesy of Michael Payton)

The Michael J. Payton Story

Angelina Casolla, Senior Reporter
October 14, 2022

In the summer of 2002, Ja Rule’s “Down 4 U,” the second single off the compilation album “Irv Gotti Presents: The Inc.,” was number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Fascinated by its sound, Michael...

The band Hate plays at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge on Oct. 7, 2022. DNA Lounge has three sides – one with a DJ and dancing, one with live performances of bands, and a pizza parlor dividing the two. (Joshua Carter / Xpress)

A night out in San Francisco — Without the Bubbly

Caroline Van Zandt, Copy Editor
October 14, 2022

San Francisco is packed with things to do for all age groups. Googling “what to do in San Francisco” might set your laptop on fire. Yet, some college students under 21 struggle to find fun nightlife...

Photo of Ritty Bo taken by Keni Orozco

Female artists in the Bay Area show resilience through music

Nia Coats, Staff Writer
December 18, 2020

At one point in time, which now seems like forever ago, the art scene in the Bay felt like one big family. There were parties nearly every week. With the pandemic, creatives that once thrived off coming...

Pictured, Taylor Lee Cook. Provided by Taylor Lee Cook

What musicians have gained in the era of COVID-19

Erica Gray, Staff Writer
December 11, 2020

Matthew Gilbert, a Stanford University graduate student researching musicology, moved back home with his parents in San Diego when shelter-in-place orders were issued in March as a response to the rapid...

Carlos (Solrac) and Beto Concha (Oteb) mess around on a keyboard and turntable in an indoor set up on Nov. 5, 2020. DJs Oteb and Solrac have gained attention overseas with their song Amante, which was produced along with Bay Area producer Clayton William and Trinidad artist Braveboy. (Jun Ueda / Xpress Magazine)

Bay Area twin DJs release their most streamed song amid pandemic

Dan DeJesus and Jun Ueda
November 21, 2020

Bay Area DJ duo OtebNSolrac, consisting of twin brothers Beto "Oteb'' and Carlos "Solrac'' Concha, felt the loss when the statewide shelter-in-place first happened in March. With clubs shut down around...

Rising Star Kiyomi steps into the Bay Area music scene

Rising Star Kiyomi steps into the Bay Area music scene

Christian Cabang, Multimedia Editor
November 17, 2020

Union City’s own Kiyomi is bringing a new type of R&B into the Bay Area scene. After releasing her debut EP in February 2019, “Solara Sunsets,” the young, rising artist is paving her way into...

Exploring sound healing during lockdown

Exploring sound healing during lockdown

Christian Cabang, Multimedia Editor
November 2, 2020

Finding Solace: Music is a universal language. There’s no question about it. A special power comes from rhythms, sounds and melodies of drums formed in repetition that convey emotion and allow it...

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The student-run magazine of San Francisco State University
Music