Churches
Caleb Nichols endeared himself to many rock fans in the East Bay by combining anxious, self-effacing, melancholy lyrics with well crafted balladry — which, together with his autobiography (a perfectly hewn “coming out” narrative about growing up gay in Los Osos, California), made him stand out among hipsters, albeit in a fairly innocuous way. The band name “Churches” could be seen as a provocation, except that it’s not: Nichols is not a pious person by nature, but he often writes about existential angst and a desire for salvation. It’s not “church” in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely church in the abstract. Moreover, he’s got a fabulous cast of backing musicians, including drummer Pat Spurgeon and bassist Dominic East. Churches performs alongside Talk Hot, Cerfs, and Dempsey at The Night Light on Friday, Sept. 28. 9 p.m.,. $5-$15 TheNightLightOakland.com — Rachel Swan
Amendola + Blades: the good kind of cafe music
