Localized Appreesh is our weekly thank-you column to the musicians that make the Bay. To be considered, contact emilysavage@sfbg.com.
Doe Eye, aka Maryam Qudus, is perhaps the most local of Localized Appreeshers. (That is, despite her current traveler status while studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston.) The lady with the big brown eyes and soulful voice is a true blue, born-and-raised San Franciscan. And she often uses the city as her muse.
The ooh-ooh pain of hazy torch hit “I Hate You” off last year’s Run Run Run EP is likely about a former lover, though it could easily refer to this push-pull foggy city we inhabit. “Darling,” she coos repeatedly, “it hurts to love you.”
Her full-length is due out later this year. This week she headlines Cafe Du Nord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjGN2Mbqky0
Year and location of origin: I’m a solo artist, so I’ve been songwriting since I was a kid. But the origin of Doe Eye was February 2011 – Union City, Calif.
Name origin: My friend gave me the nickname “doe eye” because of my freakishly large eyes.
Personal motto: “Eat cake for breakfast”. I have a sticker of it on my journal – where I write deep philosophical thoughts. Helps lighten the mood when I write.
Description of sound in 10 words or less: Dreamy and epic.
Instrumentation: Lead vocals, two guitars, keys, two cellos, violin, bass, trumpet, drums and two-to-three back-up vocalists.
Most recent release: My EP titled Run Run Run in August of 2011 – available for free on doeeye.bandcamp.com.
Best part about life as a Bay Area musician: The Bay Area music scene is crackin. It’s the best it has ever been. Having huge support systems like LIVE 105 and so many great venues like Bottom of the Hill, the Independent and Cafe Du Nord. San Francisco is my favorite city in the world, so I find myself influenced by the city a lot.
The weather, the Bay Bridge, the people – all of it. I love it.
Worst part about life as a Bay Area musician: I fly back and fourth a lot between the Bay Area and Boston because I study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. I hate loving the Bay Area so much and not being able to be here. There is always so much going on in the Bay – shows, events, that I have to miss.
First album ever purchased: I grew up listening to a lot of rap – which doesn’t really influence my music much. My older brother was a huge influence for that. I honestly don’t remember what my first album purchase was – but I do remember listening to a lot of 2Pac.
Most recent album purchased/downloaded: Beach House, Teen Dream. For some reason, I never listened to Beach House until now. A lot of people have been asking me lately if my music is influenced by Beach House so I decided to listen. Uh – yeah I can see why they would ask that. The really reverbed-out dreamy sound – that’s my forte. Teen Dream is an amazing album. I can’t stop listening to it. I can’t wait for their next record.
Favorite local eatery and dish: Delarosa, Eggplant Panini – yum.
Doe Eye
With the Bins, Minor Kingdom
Thurs/22, 9 p.m., $10
Cafe Du Nord
2170 Market, SF
(415) 861-5016
www.cafedunord.com