Temp: 59.0F
More info

Best Of | Letters to the Editor | Sitemap | Snapshots | Custom Publishing | Subscribe | Alameda Magazine

 Feed

Subscribe to Oakland Magazine : Oakland Magazine Subscribe to Oakland Magazine : Oakland Magazine Subscribe to Oakland Magazine : Oakland Magazine Departments Subscribe to Oakland Magazine : Oakland Magazine Subscribe to Oakland Magazine : Oakland Magazine Print Edition

Where It's At

Favorite Haunts of The Hollyhocks

Tim Porter

     Fresh out of the studio come the Hollyhocks, an Oakland-based indie band with fresh vocal harmony and sharp guitar melodies, with a debut CD, Understories. Members Dan and Yuri Jewett, Kristin Sobditch and Jason Silverio recorded the album in the living room of the Jewetts’ northwest Oakland house — “I love recording this way,” Yuri says — on the Mystery Lawn Music label.

     The new release hits the airwaves in May, and the band will be hitting the road soon after for Pacific Northwest and southern California tours. “All we’ve ever wanted to do was go on tour,” says Dan Jewett. Here, Dan and Yuri Jewett share some of their not-so-secret Oaktown haunts:

Leo’s Professional Audio, Oakland
Leo’s is an institution for the East Bay musician. The Accessories Department (called the Roadie Department back in the day) has everything you need from guitar strings to an old-school EBow. Ask for Mark. 5447 Telegraph Ave. (510) 653-1000, www.leosaudio.com

Encuentro
Chef Lacey Sher is married to our drummer Jason Silverio and she co-owns this fabulous vegetarian restaurant in Jack London Square. Not only is the food amazing, but some of the guest musicians that played on our album like to hang out there. Going to Encuentro always feels like home. 200 Second St., (510) 832-9463, www.encuentrooakland.com

The Trappist
Oakland has so many good places to drink beer these days — like Linden Street, Commonwealth and Beer Revolution — but we still love to meet friends at the one that started it all. Be sure to ask for favorite ‘traptenders’ Ray or Julia. 460 Eighth St.,
(510) 238-8900, www.thetrappist.com

Wally’s Café, Emeryville
We live in Longfellow, an Oakland neighborhood that borders Emeryville, and Wally’s is an affordable Mediterranean spot just over the border. The owner gives you a bowl of lentil soup while you wait for your order, and the falafel here is spicy and delicious. 3900 San Pablo Ave., (510) 597-1303

Redwood Regional Park
One of our favorite parks with quiet spots under the redwoods, great hiking and panoramic views that will make you sigh. 11500 Skyline Blvd.,
(888) 327-2757, www.ebparks.org/parks/redwood
 

The Hollyhocks has a CD release show scheduled June 8 at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., San Francisco (www.makeoutroom.com), where the band will be playing with John Moremen’s Flotation Device. Purchase the album at: thehollyhocks.com/music.