CaliRoots 2017: A Photo Diary

Special thanks to Justin Crom Photography for providing BAM's photo coverage of this year's California Roots festival.   Synrgy: Check out our exclusive interview with Brian Zach, lead singer of Cali Roots' opening band, Synrgy, Here!   Skank Roots Project:   Zach Deputy:   Common Kings:   Matisyahu:   Stick Figure:   Jesse Royal: Check out our exclusive interview with Jesse Royal Here!   SOJA:   Tyrone's Jacket:   Darenots: Check out our exclusive interview with Darenots Here!   Tribal Theory: Check out our exclusive interview with Nico of Tribal Theory Here!   Protoje: Check out our exclusive interview with Protoje Here!   Alborosie:   Yellowman:   Iration:   Easy Star All Stars: Check out our exclusive [...]

June 23, 2017 By Read more...

BAM Sits Down with Protoje

Modern reggae star Oje Ollivierre, better known as Protoje, has established himself as a cornerstone of the modern Reggae scene in recent years.  Known for hits like Rasta Love, his work has not gone unnoticed by the Reggae community.  In sitting down with Protoje, the first of his qualities that is noticed is his modesty and his commitment to prioritize the integrity of his music over fame.  A truly genuine person, his music reflects his views in an intimate [...]

June 12, 2017 By Read more...

BAM Weighs in with the Heavyweights: Interview with DARENOTS

For anyone who has not yet heard of Darenots, please do yourself a favor and Check Them Out Now.  The Toronto based band has been quickly gaining popularity in the midst of their American tour, and have been “sending it” every step of the way.  In meeting Darenots at CaliRoots, we had a chance to see just how genuine their chemistry is, and why we should all be looking forward to their new album, Strange Love, dropping on June [...]

June 7, 2017 By Read more...

BAM Interviews Landon McNamara

The native of the North Shore of Oahu, Landon McNamara, has lived a life dictated by the philosophy of following his passion.  Formerly, Landon has made a career as both a professionally ranked surfer and a professional model, and now has been making strides in his new career as a professional musician.  With his music reaching the heights of both the iTunes and Billboard Reggae charts, he is surely a musician on the rise worth keeping an eye on.  [...]

June 6, 2017 By Read more...

Jesse Royal agrees, “West Coast is the Best Coast”

Originally from Kingston Jamaica, Jesse Royal has traveled the world spreading his wisdom and Rasta faith along the way.  This year, he played Monterey’s Cali Roots festival for the first time in his career, in an experience he passionately described as a “blessed time”.  In talking with Jesse, we learned very quickly just how genuine of a person he was, and how authentic his music is to his being.  Take a look as we explore what inspires Jesse to [...]

June 5, 2017 By Read more...

Interview with Synrgy’s Brian Zach

Longstanding Reggae band Synrgy has been in the music scene for quite some time, and in their tenure, they have created more than a few stories to tell.  The journeymen of their craft have lived all over the west coast from Oregon, to California, and now reside in Mexico, but no distance is large enough to keep them from playing at this year’s Cali Roots in Monterey.  Synrgy was the band charged with the honor and responsibility of being [...]

June 3, 2017 By Read more...

10 Things to Know About ID10T Fest 2017

If the San Francisco Bay Area is known for anything, it’s self expression and doing what makes you happy.  With this considered, it is no surprise that the Bay has been a proud advocate of Nerd Culture.  In recent years, nerds have gotten cooler, that’s just a fact.  Thankfully, this year ID10T Fest is opening their doors and giving us a weekend long Music/Comedy/Comic/Everything else you could want extravaganza in the heart of the Silicon Valley hosted by Internet [...]

June 2, 2017 By Read more...

Exclusive Interview with Tribal Theory’s Nico Tuilesu

Since 2005, Nico Tuilesu and Tribal Theory have been defining and redefining themselves within the Reggae genre.  While proudly representing themselves as well representing the forces that shaped them throughout their lives, they have never strayed from making music which they felt to be legitimate to their beliefs. Recently, we were able to speak with Nico, the band's Lead Singer and Founding Member, and learn a little about his influences, his defining moments, and why he and the rest of [...]

May 19, 2017 By Read more...

BAM’s Exclusive Interview with Sam Johnson

From a young age, Sam Johnson knew he wanted to be a musician, and ever since moving to San Francisco he has been making a name for himself in the local music scene.  From performing on the streets of Fisherman's Wharf to packing local venues, he has come far in a short time, and continues to loves what he does more and more each and every step of the way.  Join us as we bring Sam Johnson into our studio on this [...]

May 3, 2017 By Read more...

The Damned Celebrate 40 Years in San Francisco

Article by: Nick Gumas Photos by: Paul Windsor   1976 was by no means an uneventful year for music. Of course this was the year we at BAM opened our doors for the first time, but outside of our own world, music itself underwent a renaissance unlike ever before.  Elton John was topping charts worldwide with his new hit single Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, The Band performed for the final time and went out with a concert so legendary that it prompted Martin Scorsese [...]

May 2, 2017 By Read more...

Top 5 Bands To See at Cali Roots

California Roots (Or “Cali Roots” as it’s commonly known) has long since been a staple in celebrating California’s proud history of reggae music.  Since it’s inception in 2010, countless reggae superstars from Pepper to Ziggy Marley have called this stage in Monterey, California home.  With the enormous list of bands set to perform this year, figuring out which bands to prioritize can be a little overwhelming, so we at BAM have compiled a list of the top five bands [...]

May 1, 2017 By Read more...

Sleaford in America: Brexit and the 2016 Election

Article by: Nick Gumas Photos by: Paul Windsor Sleaford Mods, a Post-Punk duo from Nottingham U.K. are known for their politically charged messages and blunt lyrics.  For the last decade, they have been touring well beyond just their home town with their own brand of forthright and explicit music that always reminds us to question the powers that be and to think for ourselves.  Coming from a working class background themselves, the duo of Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn inspire dialogue [...]

April 28, 2017 By Read more...

The Damned Comes To The Bay!

If you’re a fan of the U.K Punk scene, then no doubt you remember The Damned, and I know its safe to say the modern Punk scene would not be the same without their influence.  With songs like New Rose, Neat Neat Neat, and Love Song, The Damned paved the way for a whole new wave of music.  The Damned were the first UK Punk band to tour in America, and truly set the standard for DIY Punk.  Described [...]

April 4, 2017 By Read more...

BAM Exclusive: Bay Area’s Own Caroline Sky on The Voice

If anyone has been keeping up with NBC's The Voice, then Caroline Sky is a name you're used to hearing by now.  At only 16 years old she has powered her way through the first few rounds of this competition, and willed her way to this point in the show so far.  We recently sat down with Caroline to hear from her and her experiences on The Voice in this special edition of BAM Radio.     Special thanks to NBC and Caroline [...]

April 3, 2017 By Read more...

Art. Compassion. Humanity: The Bob Rabbit Project

ARTICLE BY: NICK GUMAS PHOTOS BY: BAHRAM AHMADY The first time I met Rob Rigolfi was almost like a scene from a movie.  When I first walked into his studio, Rob was on top of a ladder and preoccupied setting up a video projector.  When he heard me enter the room, his focus immediately shifted to making sure I felt at home.  Eager to meet me, Rob leapt down from the rafters, immediately shook my hand, and proceeded to give me a tour of [...]

March 26, 2017 By Read more...