Cindy: 18 Songs from San Francisco…
To celebrate the release of their forthcoming LP 1:2’, our 134th Dinked Edition - we caught up with San Francisco-based four-piece Cindy to talk about inspirational songs from their neck of the woods. All killer, no filler.
For your consideration: 18 Songs from San Francisco (or geographically/spiritually nearby).
Rays, Fallen Stars
I first heard Rays play at The Knockout -- which is kind of home away from home for many many SF bands. Cindy played our first real show (our very first was a house show) at The Knockout to a nearly empty room some winter Wednesday night. This is one of my favorites off of this record.
Semi Trucks, Windowsill
Cindy got to play with The Pesos at HIT (a DIY space that's central to the well being of a lot music in SF over the last few years) and one of the members of that fine band went on to invent Semi Trucks. They are in LA, but connected over the miles through friendship and music.
Candies, Another Drink
I managed to get a Candies tape from its talented maker at a show outside a sandwich shop, late Covid-era, where he was playing guitar in another of his many projects.
Teenage Chain, side A mixtape 2015
Before there was April Magazine, there was Teenage Chain.
The Cherries, Leaves
Before there was Tony Jay, there was The Cherries.
David Novick, The Air
David is also one of the people behind San Francisco's Warp -- a band I love and have included on other playlists. The first time Cindy played at HIT was to celebrate the opening of a joint art show. David brought small paintings and I brought big collages. There was a massive bootprint strangely high on the gallery wall but, day of the opening, I found the right toxic cleaning product to get it off.
The Reds, Pinks & Purples, Pictures of the World
Whenever I see a parked car in some kind of visual rapport with the surrounding block, I think of Glenn's album images. This song feels to me like it reports on the aftermath of words, so it's quiet in the way that images can be.
Dummy, Daffodils
This is a great track off of Dummy's upcoming record. Dummy is based in LA and were booked on a bill with Cindy in March 2020. Though the show got cancelled, I felt lucky to have been connected with Joe of Dummy and even got to hear some of the new record in sneak-preview.
Hits, Trotting Lemmings
Jen's also a very fine painter. I first met Jen, Brain and Max of Hits when they played a tape release show at Adobe Books -- an SF institution. That's also when I first met Kevin who runs Paisley Shirt Records, the SF tape label that first released Cindy's record, Free Advice.
Pardoner, One For Weston
… Because they're really good.
Christian Singles, Back The Way I Came
Rob is also one of the members of the band Blues Lawyer. His songs are smart in a good way.
Vacant Gardens, Three Herons
I got turned on to Vacant Gardens following the thread of what Glenn Donaldson makes.
Mister Baby, Warm Body
I know no one who is as simultaneously hilarious and intent as Katiana, the woman also known as Mister Baby. She's also a member of April Magazine and an excellent film maker.
Blue Ocean, Maggie's Bind
Cindy has had the pleasure of playing with Blue Ocean, and I love seeing them play live. This particular song is a favorite to see because it looks like they're having a really good time.
The Umbrellas, Visions
You've probably heard, or at least heard about, the new Umbrellas record. I love this EP too, and this is my favorite track on that one.
Sad Eyed Beatniks, Donut World on 9th Ave
This album is a collection of songs about spots in San Francisco. So you get a little look into a place, but maybe more so into the mind and heart of the man who made them.
The Snogs, Sunflowers
While The Snogs may have formed in Santa Cruz, they are now in Daly City, which is basically San Francisco, so I get to see them play more often.
Telephone Numbers, I Took A Walk (BZC version)
A dreamy song that feels like part of SF, sometimes, in some places, on some days.
The last few copies of Cindy’s 1:2 are available to preorder now from the following Dinked Shops; Action, Bear Tree, Crash, Drift, Friendly, Jumbo, Monorail, Normans, Piccadilly, Pie & Vinyl, Reflex, Resident, Sister Ray, South, Transmission, or Vinyl Tap.