The Mother Hips with guests The Coffis Brothers

Twenty-five years into a celebrated career is an unlikely time to switch things up, but The Mother Hips have never been ones to follow convention. For their brilliant and exhilarating new release, “Chorus,” the California stalwarts turned their recording process on its head, laying down elaborate studio demos to serve as a detailed roadmap for the album a full year before official recording sessions began. It was a step that offered both the time and the space to fully realize their music like never before, and the result is the most refined and cohesive album in The Mother Hips’ catalog, one that marks the beginning of what promises to be their most creative and prolific chapter yet.

Singer/guitarist/songwriter Tim Bluhm co-founded The Mother Hips along with fellow guitarist/singer/songwriter Greg Loiacono while both were studying at Chico State in the early 90’s. Performing at frat parties quickly gave way to club shows, regional touring, and national buzz, and before they’d graduated from school, the band was signed to Rick Rubin’s American Recordings on the strength of their debut album, “Back To The Grotto.” Over the ensuing two-and-a-half decades, they would go on to release eight more studio albums as they cemented their status as architects of a new breed of California rock and roll, one equally informed by the breezy harmonies of the Beach Boys, the funky roots of The Band, the psychedelic Americana of the Grateful Dead, and the soulful twang of The Byrds. Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “one of the Bay Area’s most beloved live outfits,” their headline and festival performances became the stuff of legend and helped them earn dates with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams and The Black Crowes. Rolling Stone called the band “divinely inspired,” while Pitchfork praised their “rootsy mix of 70’s rock and power pop,” and The New Yorker lauded their ability to “sing it sweet and play it dirty.”

Twenty-five years on, the journey continues with more joy and meaning and depth for the band and their fans than ever before.

Jamie and Kellen Coffis, born and raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California, don’t tend to overthink their music. Nothing in their repertoire is overwrought or outstays its welcome. This is pure roots rock, focused on melody, harmony, rhythm and mood. There are echoes of The Byrds, Tom Petty and The Jayhawks, and from years of touring, they have honed their sound into shimmering, high-energy rock and roll. They’re positioned in a long line of sibling duos that stretches back to the Delmores, the Louvins, and the Everly Brothers.

On their fourth full-length studio album The Coffis Brothers sought out the help of Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips to produce In The Cuts. Recorded at 25th Street Studios in Oakland at the beginning of 2019, and finished over several months at Bluhm’s home studio in Fairfax. In The Cuts is a 12 song rock and roll album that marks the latest installment in The Coffis Brothers’ catalogue. All songs were written and sung by Jamie (vocals and keys) and Kellen (vocals, guitar), and were performed by Kyle Poppen (lead guitar), Aidan Collins (bass, backing vocals), Sam Kellerman (drums and percussion), and Tim Bluhm (backing vocals, and guitar.)

The brothers, Jamie and Kellen formed the band in 2010 along with childhood friend and neighbor Kyle Poppen. In 2011 the band recorded and released their debut full-length self-titled album which was followed up with their Single, Waiting For You in 2012 and their second full-length album in 2014 titled Wrong Side of The Road, all of which were produced by Andy Zenzcak at Gadgetbox Studios in Santa Cruz. Following the release of Wrong Side of The Road, Aidan Collins joined the band on bass guitar ahead of recording their third album, Roll With It (produced by Andy Zenzcak at Barefoot Studios, 2017.) The following two years consisted of constant touring of the West Coast with Sam Kellerman on drums prior to recording of In The Cuts.

Seating is not provided; this is a lawn venue. You may bring LOW festival chairs, blankets, tarps, etc. to sit on. Food, beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase. Outside food and drink may not be brought in. SFF will not be selling water in single-use bottles, so patrons are strongly encouraged to bring their own empty reusable water bottle; there is a free H20 filling station in the venue. If the weather is exceptionally hot, a misting station will be in operation. Dogs are not permitted in the venue, except for service animals.

SFF will be following all OHA public event guidelines in place at the time of the concert.

**To purchase youth (17 and under) tickets use the 'Best Tickets Available' option.