Our event series curated by Bay Area artists and collectives continues this Saturday, July 13 at El Rio with WC05 by Text Me Records. The Mission District label has been one of our favorites for awhile, with recent releases getting tons of White Crate love including Boysareout by Jammy, Tundra by Ricky Lake, and, of course, Can’t Eat Clout by La Doña.
Text Me Records was formed by producer and engineer Patrick Brown, who has worked with the likes of Toro y Moi and KFlay out of Different Fur, one of San Francisco’s most historical and famed recording spaces. Patrick and his team don’t just have their ear to ground when it comes to finding the freshest talent from the Bay, they also guide each artist through the process of releasing music and bringing out the best in their craft.
Ahead of WC05, we spoke with Patrick about how Text Me got formed, how he selected the artists for the Text Me-curated event, and, of course, if he could give us a list of his favorite Bay artists beyond the Text Me roster. He delivered.
Get tickets to WC05 here.
How did Text Me Records get started?
Around 2016 I started burning out on producing/engineering, the all-encompassing grind of it was becoming really unhealthy physically and mentally. It felt like an uphill battle without much of an end goal besides just working forever. At the same time I was having these conversations with a lot of musicians who were playing in multiple bands and doing session work trying to scrape a living, which was very much on par with what I was feeling personally. So I formulated the idea of a publishing company where we could help get songwriters set up to earn lifelong royalties for their work, and officially formed Text Me in 2017 utilizing the studios at Different Fur as a homebase.
What does Text Me look for in artists for its roster?
We’re drawn to unique energy. People who are very much themselves and own who they are.
How did you select the artists for WC05?
Honestly pre-pandemic we had a couple monthlies and used to throw shows regularly in both SF and Oakland, but it’s been awhile since there’s been a good old-fashioned Text Me hoedown. And we’ve never done anything at El Rio which is surprising because it’s one of my favorite spots, especially in the summer. I thought I’d bring out some of our artists who are either in the middle of dropping new music or are working on new albums like Louie Elser, Ricky Lake, Jammy, and Tia Nomore.
La Favi is an artist from the city that I’ve been listening to non-stop lately and I was stoked to get her on this bill. And Drew Banga was just an obvious choice to close out. No one is bringing energy like Drew, so it’s gonna be a fun one.
Beyond the Text Me roster, who are some local artists you’re most excited about?
Well, La Favi obviously. Brontez Purnell’s No Jack Swing album is one of my favorites. That new P-Lo Kool John goes very very hard but that’s no surprise. Qing Qi is a beast, we have a song with her and Stoni we should drop. Frak is talented as hell. I fuck with what Family Not A Group is doing, SundaY especially, and what Baghead has been putting together with A-1. Bosslife Big Spence! I’d love to do another show with him. AroMa is a genius, I’m still listening to that Qamp song “Jane Fonda” with Casey Cope nonstop. And on the rock tip one of my favorites Swiftumz just dropped a new one on Empty Cellar that I’ve been listening to a lot.
Beyond the Bay, what are some artists / releases / songs you’ve been listening to?
Wagwan Delilah, Cam’Ron.
Do you believe the Bay Area is currently in a music renaissance?
I think in common use people often take “renaissance” to mean like a boom or extremely productive time, but it also means rebirth. So yeah I’d say we are. The Bay is in a very strange place both politically and economically, with the fake moderates and tech oligarchs trying to spin our local governments into a capitalist haven all while systematically attacking the culture that drew most people here in the first place, and I think the artists have been fighting to keep the energy alive.
That being said, rebirth is inevitable and culture can’t be destroyed because it always bubbles up. What we’re seeing right now is that left curve of the next bell, so I have nothing but good feelings about the future of Bay Area music.
Do you have any hopes or predictions for the local music scene?
No predictions, but I hope we bring back scrappy house parties and small venues. Also start serving coffee or energy drinks at shows. Mark the prices up crazy amounts idgaf, I need caffeine.
See Ricky Lake, Jammy, La Favi, Tia Nomore, Drew Banga, and Louie Elser at WC05 this Saturday, July 13 at El Rio.
