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The Little Ones release Morning Tide

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The demeanor of the Little Ones' music aptly matches the band's name - innocent, effervescent, and light-hearted. The L.A. band hit the ground running earlier this year with their Terry Tales & Fallen Gates EP, and are now set to showcase their fresh guitar pop in a full-length effort.

Morning Tide comes out on October 7th via Chop Shop Records, which will be joined by a fall tour supporting the Walkmen (You & Me). This tour pairing simply oozes the possibility of a thrilling, energetic live show, so be sure to check out the following dates and mark your respective calendars:

10/02 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
10/03 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
10/04 Tallahassee, FL - Club Down Under
10/05 Orlando, FL - The Social
10/07 Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree
10/08 New Orleans, LA - Republic
10/09 Houston, TX - Walters On Washington
10/10 Austin, TX - The Parish
10/11 Dallas, TX - Pontiac Garage at the House of Blues
10/12 Memphis, TN - Hi Tones
10/13 Nashville, TN - The Basement
10/14 Newport, KY - Southgate House

In the meantime, take a listen to the title track from the forthcoming Morning Tide, which is chock-full of thumping rhythms and sunny hooks:

Morning Tide - The Little Ones

More tracks can be heard on the band's MySpace.

TK Webb and the Visions tour, stream, mp3

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Next week's New Album Tuesday*, September 2nd, will include a release from TK Webb and the Visions - TK Webb being a man of his own volition and the Visions being members of Love as Laughter and Blood on the Wall. To get a taste of this new TK Webb effort before you head off for Labor Day weekend festivities and New Album Tuesday rolls around, check out Ancestor as it streams in full over at Nylon Magazine online. There's also your standard mp3 ("Teen is Still Shaking") making the rounds, which you can download here and now:

Teen Is Still Shaking - TK Webb & The Visions

The riffs on "Teen is Still Shaking" are big and bluesy, with shades of fuzz balancing out the strums of old timey folk. The result of this fusion is unusual but extremely likeable, especially when mixed with Webb's Bob Dylan-esque vocal storytelling. It's really interesting stuff, overall.

Check out the tour dates while you're at it - because what's a new album without a tour? Honestly?

08/29 - Wescott Community Center - Syracuse, NY
08/31 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
09/01 - The Brick- Kansas City, MO
09/02 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO
09/04 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
09/05 - Ash Street Saloon - Portland, OR
09/07 - The Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA
09/08 - The Clubhouse - Phoenix, AZ
09/11 - Rudyards - Houston, TX
09/12 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
09/13 - Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA
09/14 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
09/15 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, DC
09/16 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
09/17 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY
10/24 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY

* those funny things we call albums still come out Tuesdays - an easy thing to forget in our digital age.

The Independent hits 1,000 performances

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

San Francisco is home to a variety of wonderful music venues, from the tiny dives (the Hemlock, Red Devil Lounge), to the large and majestic (the Fillmore, the Warfield), to the giant and impersonal (Bill Graham Civic). One of our most solid mid-sized venues, the Independent, has become known for its friendly staff, stellar sound and lighting systems, excellent layout, and above all, the extensive lineup of bands and musicians that have graced the stage over the years. Here, have a taste of Independent history:

Ween
Erasure
LCD Soundsystem
The Go Go’s
M.I.A.
TV on the Radio
Tegan & Sara
The B-52’s
Vampire Weekend
Talib Kweli
Silversun Pickups
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Michael Franti
!!!
Chris Robinson
Les Claypool
Girl Talk
Stephen Marley
Hot Chip
Regina Spektor
Tortoise
De La Soul
The National
Rogue Wave
STS9
Two Gallants
Mike Doughty
Comedians of Comedy
Collective Soul
Lemonheads
The Be Good Tanyas
Band of Horses
Dengue Fever
Wolf Parade
Devil Makes Three
Stella Comedy
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Old 97's
Mountain Goats

And really, that's just a sampling of what the Independent has been proud to host. To cap it off, the 628 Divisidero venue will host !!! (Chk Chk Chk) this coming Wednesday, August 27th, for its landmark 1,000 performance. Local favorites Sugar & Gold are set to open, along with DJ Jay Sonic. Doors at 7:30, show at 8:00, tickets are $20. A small price to pay to be a part of Independent history.

Pics from the 2008 US Air Guitar Finals in SF

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Damn you Air Guitar. Damn you for being so ridiculously fun and stupid. What is it about dressing like Vince Neil's throw up, convulsing across a stage like a grub worm on coke, and jerking your hands around as though you were doing the unholy to yourself in a public bathroom that makes us—and by us, I mean everyone in the standing room only crowd at the 2008 US Air Guitar SF finals—cheer with reckless abandon? Perhaps this is one of those instances, which have become few and far between, where we can truly and honestly say aloud: "I can do that!" Well, NO you can't. Not with the same fervor and seriousness that many of the participants our esteemed photographer J Koshi captured. Then again, who knows, if you had a bottle of Cuervo Black at your disposal and the key to the World Wrestling Federation's wardrobe closet, it might be you, not Hot Lixx Hulahan that won the title belt.

More photos from J Koshi here

Deerhoof new album + tour dates

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Ahh yes, Deerhoof. The band with the music that's not particularly easy to swallow, but that you can count on always being original, eclectic, and inspiring. The Bay Area collective are set to Offend Maggie on October 7th, another full-length for their respectable repertoire on Kill Rock Stars.

One unusual aspect of this new album was the opportunity for fans to create their own version of "Fresh Born," the first single from Offend Maggie. The band released the written score for the song back in June, giving fans the chance to download the score, record the song, and share their versions here. The whole process boasts a great little sense of community among Deerhoof fans, so be sure to give that site some attention.

But wait, you thought that would be the only special aspect of this new Deerhoofiness? Well, you thought wrong. The band has chosen to offer a portion of Offend Maggie sales to a particular charity, and are asking fans for help in choosing said charity. They've narrowed the list down to five:

- election reform advocates Why Tuesday?
- media watchdog group FAIR: Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
- foreign policy reform proponents Peace Action West
- injustice-battling publication Z Magazine
- medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders

If you'd like to have a hand in selecting from the above list, send an email to deerhoofcharityvote@gmail.com with your top choice by October 1st. The charity that receives the most votes will be announced on October 7th, the album's release date. The band asks that you only vote ONCE, so as much as you may want to spread the charity love, please refrain from getting all trigger-happy.

As a final order of business, Deerhoof have announced the details of their fall U.S. tour. Check out the details here:

10/03 Los Angeles - Avalon *
10/04 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
10/06 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom ^!
10/07 Seattle, WA - Neumo's ^!
10/09 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge ^!
10/11 Denver, CO - Bluebird ^!
10/13 Omaha, NE - The Slowdown ^%
10/14 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^%
10/15 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall ^%
10/16 Bloomington, IN - Buskirk Chumley Theater ^%
10/17 Chicago, IL - Metro ^#
10/18 Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom ^#
10/21 New York, NY- Spiegeltent
10/22 New York, NY - Irving Plaza ^#
10/23 Cambridge, MA - Middle East ^#
10/24 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street ^#
10/25 Philadelphia, PA - Starlight Ballroom ^#
10/26 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ^#
10/28 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle ^#
10/29 Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle ^#
10/30 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge ^#
10/31 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club ^#
11/01 Orlando, FL - The Social ^#
11/02 Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^#
11/05 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues ^#
11/06 Houston, TX - Numbers ^#
11/07 Dallas, TX - Granada ^@
11/08 Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/10 El Paso, TX - Club 101 ^+
11/12 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress ^+
11/13 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse ^+

* with Okay, Happy Hollows
^ with Experimental Dental School
! with Coconut
% with Au
# with Flying
@ with Hawnay Troof
+ with KIT

Disc Makers Acquires CD Baby

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

CD Baby can single-handedly take credit for helping many underground bands actually pay rent (or at least come close). By giving independent musicians the chance to easily sell their music in both physical and digital form, this Derek Sivers-founded company circa 1997 has grown to become the largest independent music seller in the world. The system for both selling and purchasing music is very user-friendly and efficient, and it's become the go-to place for Apple iTunes, Amazon MP3, Napster, Rhapsody, et al. to obtain indie music.

CD Baby has been working with Disc Makers, a leader in CD and DVD manufacturing for indie artists and filmmakers, for a good seven years - and now they've taken the next logical business step. Disc Makers have loosened the purse strings and purchased CD Baby, which allows the company to flex its muscles and create an overall enhancement of CD Baby's already-awesome services. As stated by Tony van Veen, President of Disc Makers: "Now artists can get manufacturing, CD sales, download sales, and web hosting - through CD Baby's HostBaby division - seamlessly and more easily than ever."

Theoretically, everything should pretty much stay the same, as CD Baby will continue as a separate company, focusing on CD, distribution, and download sales. We'll see in the coming months how and if the operation of CD Baby changes and develops, but without worry, as it appears that the heart and soul of the company will remain.

Tartufi play the 2008 Rock Make Street Festival

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

There's another music & arts festival option in San Francisco if you can't quite make it happen for the fabulous-yet-expensive Outside Lands. On Sunday, August 24th, the Rock Make Street Festival will make its debut in the heart of SF's Mission District.

Presented by Tartufi (local indie band), Whiz Bang Fabrics (new local fabric store), and The Bay Bridged (local music blog/podcast), the Rock Make Street Festival is summed up nicely by name - but to elaborate, it's a free all-day local music and crafts street fair on Treat Street between 17th St. and 18th St. starting at 11:00 a.m.

The confirmed musical lineup (mostly local, and all awesome):

Tartufi
Trainwreck Riders
Silian Rail
Emily Jane White
Low Red Land
Maus Haus
Rademacher (Fresno)
French Miami
Settler (San Jose)
Man/Miracle

In addition to two stages of music, this free seven-hour party will feature local independent arts and crafts vendors selling their wares (50 vendors have been confirmed thus far, ranging from fashion, to textiles, to art pieces, and jewelry).

This festival encompasses DIY spirit, from the independent bands and vendors to the local, hard-working organizers/sponsors. To boot, it's in one of SF's hippest neighborhoods and is less than 1/2 a mile from the 16th & Mission BART station.

In other Tartufi-related news, the band was recently crowned Best Indie Band of 2007 by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. Well, that's sort of old news, actually. But in newer info-land, the band will be playing at Slim's on September 18th, along with Low Red Land and Built for the Sea, to debut new material from their upcoming album, Nests of Waves and Wire.

The Rumble LA - Nico Vega, Black Gold, Dikta, and DJ MiCHAEL

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Inspired by the greatest relay in US swimming history—a feat that magnified the power of the team spirit (how effen amazing was that?)—Future Sounds, Aquarium Drunkard, The Owl Mag, and SonicLiving got inspired to rally together (minus the Speedos, thank God) and serve up The Rumble. Already one of the hottest indie rock dance parties in San Francisco (7x7), The Rumble is a sure to induce goose pimples on even the hippest of indie scenesters.

Witness the live glory of Nico Vega (MySpace Records), Black Gold, and Dikta, while DJ MiCHAEL blazes the the decks.

You can thank Aquarium Drunkard, The Owl Mag, SonicLiving, Future Sounds, TankFarm Clothing, and 3 of Clubs for the brilliant idea.

RSVP here: SonicLiving

12 Galaxies Closing August 28th

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

It's a sad, sad day for San Francisco music venues. It was announced yesterday on SF Weekly's All Shook Down blog that the Mission's beloved 12 Galaxies will officially be defunct come August 28th.

According to Jennifer Maerz's post, "Robert Levy, owner of 12 Galaxies since the club opened five years ago, says the financial climate is too rough for him to continue to keep the space open. It's some sad news for music lovers, as there have been some amazing shows at 12 Galaxies over the years - from Lightning Bolt to Jay Reatard to Kelley Stoltz, not to mention the fact that it removes one of the bigger venues in a neighborhood packed with young music fans."

The folks over at the Bay Bridged have also commented on this sad piece of news: "We've seen some incredible shows at the 12 Galaxies including Von Iva, Sugar & Gold, Lemonade, Black Fiction and even the very first band we featured on The Bay Bridged, Continental. With the closing of the Make-Out Room to music earlier this year, it's getting harder and harder to check out live music in the Mission."

We agree - 12 Galaxies, a classic dive with tons of indie charm, will definitely be missed. In its five years of operation, the venue has managed to host a wide variety of acts, both local and otherwise, always eclectic and never uninspired. Here's hopin' that these tough economic times will improve sooner rather than later and 12 Galaxies will be brought back to life.

Honeycut's Bart Davenport and his new Palaces

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Bart Davenport is known for two things:

1) His work as frontman of Honeycut, a local trio of dudes who play mod, Prince-like tunes, soulful and funky and full of hip hop loops and hooks. In fact, "Exodus Honey" reached a Holy Grail of sorts in 2007 when it was chosen to play in an iMac commercial.

And 2) His very own solo work. The singer-songwriter already has three solo releases under his belt: 2002's Bart Davenport, 2003's Game Preserve, and 2005's Maroon Cocoon. The next edition of his solo-dom will be Palaces, out on September 9th via Antenna Farm Records.

While his early work is steeped in more subtle neo-folk, Davenport's new stuff is dreamy and anthemic, all wrapped around rich, classic analog. In fact, his warm bedroom-pop style likens him nicely to another local musician, Kelley Stoltz, who collaborates with Davenport on this new record. For every hook that brings back memories of 60's rock, however, there's a modern touch to Davenport's music that makes it all the more affable. Take a listen to "Jon Jon" here and now, to wet your whistle before September 9th rolls around:

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Power to the Peaceful 2008 on September 6th

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Power to the Peaceful Festival - where hippies meet, well, more hippies. And what else could we possibly expect from our local Leader of Hippies, Mr. Michael Franti? It's just another September of Power for this music, arts, and yoga festival that's taken over Golden Gate Park for the past 10 years, and founder Franti + Guerilla Management are set, once again, to make it a success.

Taking place September 6th at GGP's Speedway Meadow, this FREE festival continues to dedicate itself "to educating attendees on issues of social justice, non violence, coexistence and environmental sustainability," and will feature a variety of international musicians/artists, renowned keynote speakers and over 200 exhibitors/vendors.

On September 6th, musical guests include:

Michael Franti and Spearhead
Ziggy Marley
Warren Haynes
King Britt
Cheb i Sabbah
and a variety of DJs

That night, the Mezzanine will host the official afterparty, featuring music by Michael Franti & Spearhead, PTTP All Star Jam Session with special guests, plus live DJ sets, all for $15.

Also in conjunction with the festival, September 7th will be a day of yoga at Yoga Tree Castro, hosted by Power to the Peaceful Yoga - you can check out the schedule and other details here. Price breakdown: $35 for one class, $55 for two, $80 for three, $110 for all four.

Additionally, Conscious Alliance will host a Food Drive, so if you plan to attend the fest, bring non-perishable food items (10 is the encouraged number) in exchange for a PTTP Food Drive Poster. All donations will go to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank.

In short, the Power to the Peaceful Festival is a whole mess of music, education, art, empowerment, and more, so mark your calendars and pack the patchouli.

Monotonix schedule tour

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Generally speaking, our favorite bands are ones that not only produce listen-worthy albums, but also manage to successfully transform their music in a live setting. Many bands become known for the live shows, and word spreads far and wide about creative light shows, guitar-slashing styles, sweaty dance moves, and the occasional nudity (Google "Kevin Barnes naked" for an excellent example).

And then there are the bands that put on an absolute shitshow - a performance of ridiculous proportions, where all caution is thrown to the wind and the musicians give new meaning to the phrase "stage antics." Enter the Monotonix. This Tel Aviv trio will break down audience boundaries and do everything in their power to leave you dirty, violated, and absolutely enthralled. Maybe you'll find yourself covered in beer, or maybe singer Ami Shalev will make out with you. Either way, if you're a person that doesn't move a muscle during a rock and roll show, you're more likely than others to be singled out; therefore, stubbornly standstill concert-goings may want to stay home and boot up their iTunes instead.

Check out the Monotonix tour dates here and now. The band are promoting their April release of Body Language, so pick up a copy while you're at it:

09/08 Seattle, Washington. Bumbershoot 2008
09/08 San Francisco, California. 12 Galaxies
09/08 Oakland, California. Stork Club
09/08 Chico, California. Crux Arts Collective
09/08 Portland, Oregon. Satyricon- Music Fest North West
09/08 Chattanooga, Tennessee. JJs Bohemia
09/08 Urbana, Illinois. The Canopy Club (Pygmalion Music Festival)
09/08 Madison, Wisconsin. Forward Fest
09/08 Chicago, Illinois. The Hideout (HIDEOUT BLOCK PARTY)
09/08 Indianapolis, Indiana. Melody Inn
09/08 Bloomington, Indiana. Bluebird
09/08 Minneapolis, Minnesota. Uptown Bar and Cafe
09/08 Olympia, Washington. the Brotherhood
10/08 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Conservatory
10/08 Austin, Texas. Mohawk w/ El Paso Hot button
10/08 Houston, Texas. The Mink
10/08 Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Spanish Moon

Amplive Remixes Tokyo Police Club

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

A sweet, sweet remix was posted today at that Pitchfork music website that's so popular these days. Amplive, a local favorite, took Tokyo Police Club's "The Baskervilles" (from 2008's Elephant Shell) and remixed it into electro-hip hop oblivion.

For reasons I don't quite know how to explain, Amplive (of Zion-I fame) has a gift for turning hip indie rock into truly excellent remixes. See: the Rainydayz Remixes. His spin on Tokyo Police Club also brings in Aesop Rock and Yak Ballz, adding new hip hop layers to Tokyo Police Club's already hyper-infused tune. "The Baskervilles," in its original form, is solid yet not what you'd consider prime for re-creation. With Amplive's live drum additions and sludgy bass line, however, the song's new form goes from good to (for lack of a better expression) completely batshit awesome. Read the P4K article here.

And as a bonus, Amplive created a how-to video on this particular remix process, which we've taken the liberty of posting here:

Catch Amplive and experience his mad skills in person at the Owl Mag's 3-year anniversary party, taking place August 8th at the Independent, $12, 21+ (along with Wallpaper, Hottub, Vitamin Party, and Kenan Bell).

Foxtail Somersault Compete for Spot at Lollapalooza

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

San Francisco's own Foxtail Somersault are currently vying for a very lucrative opportunity. They're one of 5 finalists in Last Band Standing 2008, a competition in which hundreds of bands have been fighting for the chance to perform at this year's Lollapalooza. Here's a quick breakdown of the overall competition:

Round 1 - Bands who chose to participate worked themselves silly from May 19th - June 22nd to generate as many votes as possible. At the end of the round, the Top 100 bands with the most votes got the chance to move on.

Round 2 - Celebrity judges chose their top 20 bands from the list of 100 to move onward and upward.

Round 3 - The top 20 bands were allowed to upload two more mp3s. The votes were then reset, and the semi-finalists had from June 30th - July 13th to collect as many votes as humanly possible. Then, the top 5 bands with the most votes broke through to the final round.

And that takes us to Round 4, which takes place tomorrow night, June 30th, at the Double Door in Chicago. Celebrity judges will choose the winner, an audience vote will determine the runner-up, and both bands will storm the Lollapalooza grounds come August 1st.

Starting at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night, Foxtail Somersault will share the bill with .Sub, ArtOfficial, Lapdance, and the Melismatics - all performing with gusto for the win (ftw!).

So, if you're in Chicago or surrounding areas, stop by the show (it's free!) and clap your hands. And for those of us back in the Bay, let's think lots of positive thoughts for our Foxtails, a local favorite for their dreamy, shoegazy post-rock. Fingers crossed!

You could perform at the TI Fest

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

If you're in a band (or know someone in a band) and would like the opportunity to play at the 2008 Treasure Island Festival, you best listen up. This is the chance for one band/artist to open for Saturday's bill of electronic, dance and hip hop acts (including Justice, TV on the Radio, Goldfrapp, Hot Chip, Aesop Rock, Amon Tobin and Foals), and one for Sunday's bill of indie rock artists (including The Raconteurs, Tegan & Sara, Vampire Weekend, Spiritualized, John Vanderslice) - HELLO!? Need we say more? In fact, go to this website and bookmark it, make it your homepage, pray to it every day, sleep with it open next to your head instead of your teddy bear, etc. etc.

imeem, one of today's leading social media networks, has officially launched Mutiny and Mayhem, a nationwide search for two talented acts to perform at the second annual Treasure Island Music Festival. Bands/artists who are interested in performing must submit their original performances via the festival's official imeem page by July 28th, after which a panel of judges representing imeem, Another Planet Entertainment, Noise Pop, and San Francisco music venue The Independent will select 10 finalists for each day of the festival. From here, these finalists will be opened up to the public (i.e., imeem users) to vote and therefore choose who gets to perform at the mighty TI Fest. Voting will be open until August 17th, and the winners will be announced on August 18th.

The official rules, for quick reference: "The Mutiny and Mayhem competition is open to both signed and unsigned artists. Acts must be registered with imeem to enter and must submit performances for consideration via the official Treasure Island Music Festival imeem page: official imeem page. The page includes a full list of official rules governing the Mutiny and Mayhem competition."

Darker My Love set up 2 SF/LA residencies

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

I've been hearing some debate recently over whether or not Darker My Love have stopped being a joint Los Angeles/San Francisco band and become (*gasp*) just L.A. And whether or not that really matters in the long run can also be thrown into the debate, but since we appreciate our local scene here at the Owl, it's important to recognize. However, in looking at Darker My Love's upcoming tour dates, it appears that the band is still splitting time between the North and the South, as they've set up alternating summer residencies in both major cities.

And just in time for the band to get tired of driving up and down I-5, they'll set out on a September tour supporting the Dandy Warhols.

July 17 - San Francisco, CA @ Popscene
July 18 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
July 24 - San Francisco, CA @ The Rickshaw Stop
July 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
August 5 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
August 7 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

w/ Dandy Warhols

September 9 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ First Avenue
September 10 - Madison, Wisc. @ Barrymore Theatre
September 12 - Chicago, Ill. @ Vic Theatre
September 13 - Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
September 14 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
Setpember 16 - Boston, Mass. @ Wilbur Theatre
September 17 - New York, N.Y. @ Terminal 5
September 19 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
September 20 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Fillmore at TLA
September 22 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
September 23 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Center State Atlanta
September 26 - Lawrence, Kan. @ Liberty Hall
September 27 - Denver, Colo. @ Gothic Theatre
September 28 - Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up Aspen

So what's the occasion for both the hometown sets and sweet opening gigs? Darker My Love are, believe it or not, releasing their sophomore LP on August 5th via Dangerbird. And not to be confused with one of those more "subtle" bands, Darker My Love have named their second album 2. It's time to get ready for some more of that well-appreciated musical throwback to the Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, and the Jesus and Mary Chain – fuzzy, reverb-y rock and roll with plenty of melodic drone. Basically, it looks as if Darker My Love are primed for success, what with the much-hyped follow-up to their 2006 debut and the opportunity to open for a relatively well-known band.

If you can't wait until August 5th to hear the new stuff, you can stream "Blue Day" from this forthcoming 2 by clicking here.

12th Annual Mission Creek Music and Arts Festival

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Are you looking to utilize your life? Lucky you live in or near the City! July 16th – July 20th is the 12th Annual Mission Creek Music and Arts Festival. MCMAF brings you local music and art in dozens of venues, from visual to literary, and up and coming to cultural. And if you aren't hip to Latin rock (emo, pop, or punk, it has been ruling), this year's MCMAF is featuring Latin rock at Balazo Gallery. This isn't just some hippie or 'not much to it' outing; checking out the roster, you'll be impressed and excited to see local favorites along with artists you've been meaning to see (Jel, Tussle, The Ian Fays!). So treat yourself! A cool place to be that has our community in mind, MCMAF is for the curious, the scene keepers, the industry runners, and anyone who wants to have fun or indulge in.

For more information, click MCMAF.

Yonas Media brings back Bay Rising

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

There's nothing like a good old fashioned battle of the bands to bring out the competitive spirit. And nothing fuels that desire to pummel your opponent into the ground more than $10,000 in prizes. OK, this isn't American Gladiators, but there will be a panel of judges, scrutinizing each performance like a bunch of drugged up Paula Abduls.

For the second year in a row, Oakland-based production company—Yonas Media—brings back "Bay Rising." Bands will battle it out at two semifinal shows: scheduled for 8/4 at Cafe du Nord and 8/5 at The Uptown. The finals will be held on 8/27 at the Great American Music Hall. Prizes include a five-day recording package at Yonas Media's new Oakland Recording Studio.

All genres are welcome. Submissions end July 15. More info here: Yonas Media

RCA signs Audrye Sessions

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

East Bay darlings Audrye Sessions have officially signed to RCA/High Sea records, confirming the rumors sprouted from the underground as far back as January. Audrye Sessions have been re-recording their lush-laced rock tunes in Los Angeles for nearly a month with Andrew Scheps, who can name-drop works with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, and The Rolling Stones. The label re-release version of Braille includes a few new arrangements and three new tracks.

What's the biggest perk of being on a major label? "A record label gets you a booking agent. And the booking agent is what I care about... Touring full-time and playing everyday," says guitarist Mike Knox.

Audrye Sessions begins touring with Margot and the Nuclear So and So's in August.

Amplive tackles MGMT

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

And now for your DJ Amplive (Zion I) remix update. The Oakland producer, whose Rainydayz Remixes album—an interpretation of Radiohead's In Rainbows—caused such a legal snafu, is at it again. But this time there won't be any cease & desist letters (we assume). Fresh off the heels of a recent MGMT/Of Montreal mashup, Amplive releases a second remix from MGMT's Oracular Spectacular, and we think it's better than the first.

On the track, "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters," Amplive builds off of the song's heavy synth vibe, pushing the drums to the front and compressing the vocals, which happen to be spat by Oakland's own Mistah F.A.B. F.A.B, coming off the hype of a collaboration with Snoop for the track "Life of the Party" reveals some restraint as his tone/flow drops the hyphy for a minute and picks up on a Kanye West vibe.

You can download remixes here: Amplive/MGMT remixes

Make Air Not War

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Don't feel embarrassed about air shredding the battle axe in front of the mirror while folding your laundry. Consider that pseudo-rocking and those air arpeggios practice. Your favorite Judas Priest and Metallica songs are more relevant than ever. The US Air Guitar Championships return just in time to dethrone those wussy 'Guitar Hero' players. (No skilled bastards!) Your imaginary guitar skills could prove to be the best in the nation, that is, if you make it past the judges on June 25th at the Independent.

Round one is just the warm-up. You'll get the opportunity to get all Eddie Van Halen-like to a song of your choice for a full minute. (It'll be the longest minute of your life, but think of all the air groupies you could make.) Round two won't be as easy—a surprise tune will be thrown your way, so start studying the rock almanac. You know, Clapton, Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Satriani, Hendrix, etc. Judges will rate your stage presence, technical merit and vivacious airness.

Grab the spandex, it's go time!

2008 Treasure Island Fest. Lineup Announced

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

The 2007 introduction of the Treasure Island Music Festival was basically perfect. An incredible lineup, a beautiful location in the middle of the San Francisco Bay (literally), easy access, reciprocal stage setup (no sound bleeding here), environmentally friendly, good food, old school arcade games, booths featuring local businesses, and a frickin' Ferris Wheel. As I enjoyed one amazing set after another while looking out over the Bay and the SF skyline and not dying of heatstroke and/or getting trampled by 80,000 attendees (10,000/day is just right, thank you), all I could think was - "who needs this Coachella business?"

And of course, the nautically-themed fest will return for 2008, and it's shaping up to be just as kick-ass as the 2007 inaugural experience... if not better. As always, some local artists are representing. Just take a look at this ridiculous initial lineup:

Saturday September 20th:

JUSTICE
TV ON THE RADIO
GOLDFRAPP
HOT CHIP
CSS
ANTIBALAS
AESOP ROCK
AMON TOBIN
FOALS
MIKE RELM
NORTEC: BOSTICH + FUSSIBLE

Sunday September 21st:

THE RACONTEURS
TEGAN & SARA
VAMPIRE WEEKEND
SPIRITUALIZED
OKKERVIL RIVER
TOKYO POLICE CLUB
THE KILLS
DR. DOG
JOHN VANDERSLICE
THE DODOS
FLEET FOXES

With more TBA.

In case you didn't know, the Treasure Island Music Festival comes to us from the incredible efforts of Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment (also busy with the Outside Lands Festival). This year's edition will be bringing back the Ferris Wheel and other festival activities (like a treasure hunt – yarrr!), will feature the same flawless transportation system for getting on and off the island, and will once again aim for the "go green" method of carbon neutrality.

Tickets for the festival go on sale May 30th at 10:00 a.m. Single day tickets cost $65.00, two-day tickets cost $115.00. A limited quantity of VIP tickets will be sold as a four-pack (which includes four VIP tickets to one day of the festival, one VIP parking spot on the island, preferred viewing area, VIP Lounge with full bar and other amenities) for $445.00. Additionally, a limited number of early bird two-day tickets will be available for $99.00 through the festival pre-sale. More info can be found here.

So get your tix soon, and then make a stop at 826 Valencia for some pirate gear. Ahoy!

VH1 Taps Thriving Ivory

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Bay Area pop rockers Thriving Ivory will hit the national scene in a major way later this month as VH1 unveils the band as their latest "You Oughta Know" artist. With tunes recalling the sweeping sound of early U2, Thriving Ivory delivers the charm and grace that lend them a timeless sound. The band creates each soul-bearing song as an engaging and sweeping production, which we've heard from their debut single "Angels on the Moon," heavily rotated locally on Live 105. Thriving Ivory is set to join the ranks of former "You Oughta Know" alums Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis, and will be featured at Best Buy stores across the U.S. Best Buy partners Rhapsody America will also offer an exclusive download of a live five-song EP from the band with each purchase of the album at a Best Buy location. Let's hear for those locals!

"Angels on the Moon" debut video

Dengue Fever to play Dawn 2008

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Religion is a heavy-handed issue, if not often problematic. However, religion also represents significant history and custom, which can be recognized and celebrated regardless of one's own spiritual beliefs. So basically, even if you're not Jewish, there's quite a lot to be enjoyed at Dawn 2008, an all-night arts and cultural celebration of the Jewish holiday Shavuot at the Grand Opening of San Francisco's Contemporary Jewish Museum. This event is co-presented by the Contemporary Jewish Museum and Reboot, to both introduce the museum and to celebrate Shavuot, which commemorates the day the Torah was given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai.

Let's take a look at the lineup of festivities for the evening, which starts at 8:00 p.m. on June 7th:

"A one-night only Bay Area performance, Dengue Fever, a six-member band with its own psychedelic take on American rock sounds of the '60s fused with vintage Cambodian pop.

Conversation with special guest Jonathan Safran Foer, acclaimed author of international bestseller, Everything is Illuminated.

A unique, live performance in front of 1926 Russian Jewish silent film, "Benya Krik," by author Issac Babel commissioned exclusively for the evening."

And then you throw in theatrical and spoken word performances, premiere film screenings, visual arts, lectures, comedy, readings, open-space discussion forums, special guests, the opportunity to explore the museum's stunning facility, and the spinning skills of DJ Yossi Fine to get you up and moving, and you’ve got a truly spectacular evening, regardless of religious beliefs. I mean, who doesn't love Dengue Fever? And Jonathan Safran Foer? In the same place over the course of the same evening, I might add?

Here are the down and dirty details:

WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 2008
Doors open at 8 PM

WHERE: Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street, between 3rd and 4th streets
San Francisco, CA 94103
CJM main number: (415) 655-7800
For DAWN '08: (415) 655-7854

TICKET INFORMATION:
General Admission Tickets for DAWN '08 includes admittance, full entertainment program, and Museum sneak preview. Space is limited.
$12 Advance Tickets
$10 Community partners/ CJM Members/students
$15 General Admission at the door

Tickets can be purchased online here: Contemporary Jewish Museum or by calling (415) 655-7854.

Much much more information can be found at the event website.