Weekend Edition #10

It is a chilly Friday in the Bay Area, and I am staying warm in front of the computer, listening to Bagel Radio. I've now heard two songs from the new Pretenders record - and I have to say, I really like what I hear. I recently downloaded a whole of gang of music off Emusic, however there are a number of albums I need that the service does not have. Perhaps a trip to the record store could be in order soon, which have been somewhat difficult now that I lack proximity to one. Still, this weekend is wide open, and I love that. Perhaps a date with Hillary is in order to see Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. What do you say, babe?***This week, I was happy to see that the long awaited debut full length from The Little Ones has finally arrived. I have been following this LA band for some time now - I even interviewed them about a week before they signed with Astralwerks. The band has faced some hard times - namely being dropped from Astralwerks, but have soldiered on and I am really excited to hear this album.

MP3 - "Morning Tide" - The Little Ones

***While we are talking about LA bands that I really like, let's talk about Darker My Love. Download an entire Darker My Love Troubador set from Web in Front.***Yet another great LA band - Dengue Fever - is on Twitter. Follow them here. While you're at it, follow New and Used Records.***Our pals Rademacher recently released a new EP and are playing every Monday this month at the Echo in Los Angeles. They are keeping a Residency Diary through it all and you can read the first entry at Web In Front.***I realize that was a very LA-centric version of the Weekend Edition. I will try and think of the Bay Area more next week.

Bay Area Shows:
10/10 - The Dont's @ the Knockout
More shows listed at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
10/11 - Noise For Obama and The Smell present... A Barack Obama benefit show! w/ The Mae Shi, Bad Dudes, Bastidas, & The Widow Babies @ The Smell
10/12 - Shiloe CD Release Party w/ The Pacific, Love’s Like Smoke, Kissing Cousins @ Spaceland
More shows listed at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #9

Donald Trump endorsed John McCain - I am sure this is really going to swing the election.***I have this theory that Sarah Palin is like the "Macarena." Sure, she's hot right now, but in a few months no one will admit to having liked her.***This weekend marks the five year anniversary for Hillary and I.***I have returned to doing those media analysis/pop culture critique blog posts that I like so much. I am doing those over at David Lynch Obsessives.***Here is another video where Diddy shows his, um, swagger...


Bay Area Shows:
9/19 Her Space Holiday @ FiveTen Studio
9/19 Bart Davenport (CD Release) @ Cafe du Nord
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
9/19 The Wedding Present, Earlimart @ The Troubadour
9/20 Lobster Festival w/ The Henry Clay People, more @ The Port of Los Angeles
9/21 Lobster Festival w/ The Monoloators, more @ The Port of Los Angeles
9/21 Man/Miracle @ Mr. T's Bowl
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #8

Sarah Palin is making me want to tear me hair out. I see I am not the only one who feels this way. Still, I can't stop myself from reading everything about this election that I can get my hands on. I would say that, as an individual, I am politically engaged if not politically active. Something about election time just really turns it up a notch for me. A lot of the best coverage I am seeing right now on the internet is coming from Notes From a Different Kitchen - I suggest you check them out.***I have been drinking a lot of chai tea lately, and that coupled with cold weather, makes me feel like its almost Christmas. I realize Christmas is still a few months away, but I do have some presents from some of my favorite artists to look forward to in the coming months:

The Streets have a new record - Everything Is Borrowed - coming out on Tuesday. You can stream seven songs from it at MySpace.

Steven Soderbergh has an epic Che Guevera biopic that is making the festival rounds. No word on an actual release date, but early reviews are strong.

It seems like everyone is talking about "Love Lockdown," the new song Kanye West premiered Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards. Now comes the news the Kanye will be dropping a new album December 16, possibly entitled, 808's and Heartbreak.

***Where will I be this weekend? In the N&UR office, preparing our press campaign.***On Saturday, SF Inter.com hosts a launch party at 744 Alabama in San Francisco. The goal of SF Inter.com is to provide resources for and promoting the sharing of information amongst local bands.***Our quote of the week comes courtesy of Catbirdseat...

I don’t mean to be pessimistic, people, but trying to convince the majors that they need to change their thinking is like trying to convince your die-hard Republican uncle to ditch his beliefs and embrace Obama. That is to say: have fun banging your head against the wall.

Bay Area Shows:
9/12 Alejandro Escovedo @ Bimbo's
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
9/12 Jenny Lewis @ The Echo
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #7

On Saturday, our very own Tigers Can Bite You play a fantastic bill at Spaceland that also includes Twilight Sleep, The Shimmies, and The Delta Mirror. If you can make it, you really should.

MP3 - "Don't Fire Your Guns" - Twilight Sleep

***Since I can't make it to the Tigers' show - being on the other side of the state and all - I am going to try and take it real easy this weekend. I have been a neglectful blogger this week, as I have been working on a number of label logistics in preparation of our four releases. I have some more label tasks to work on, but I also hope to catch up on the blogs as well. Tonight, I am going to try cooking something really good; I'll let you know how that goes.***The MTV Music Video Awards are this Sunday. I love the MTV Video Music Awards because every year they are met with such anticipation and end up being a huge letdown - kind of like new Oasis albums. Still, we never learn - kind of like new Oasis albums. Regardless there is at least a reason to catch the beginning and the end - Britney Spears will be opening and Kanye West will be closing. Mr. West will also supposedly announce new album details on Sunday.***Bay Area Shows:
9/5 - Ty Segall, BUZZER, Tea Elles, Railcars, Man/Miracle @ Cellspace
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
9/6 Rademacher Record Release Event w/ Le Switch & Light FM @ Pehrspace
9/6 Twilight Sleep, Tigers Can Bite You, The Shimmies, The Delta Mirror @ Spaceland
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #6

I realize that summer is supposedly ending, but really it seems like the fun is just starting. My excitement for last weekend's Rock Make Street Festival is matched only by my excitement for Oakland's Art and Soul Festival, a three day affair that is also so close to my apartment. I'm told the food is delicious, and there are several stages of music in a number of different styles. Of course, Saturday's Art and Soul stage curated by Live 105 is what has my interest - Darker My Love (pictured) play at 1:25, and The Wombats are at 3:30. Two bands that I've really been wanting to see playing close to my apartment on a Saturday afternoon! I really don't think it could get any better than that. The Art and Soul stage is located at 12th Street and Clay.***If I were in LA, I would totally be at the F Yeah Fest this Saturday. The lineup boasts No Age, Matt and Kim, Two Gallants, and tons more. This is the fifth year for the festival, which recently received some great video coverage from the New York Times. Unfortunately, the festival's promoters have hit some hard times - having a financial backer pull out put them significantly in debt and they are accepting donations via Paypal. On Monday night, while handing out flyers outside a Radiohead concert, founders Sean Carlson and Phil Hoelting were allegedly beaten by concert security. Despite adversity, the all-ages, $16 festival is still happening.***Even if you don't wish to go outside, there is still a ton you can do this weekend. You could get to know Joe Biden, or remix the Pipettes. You could have your own iPod dance party with these jams: the Pocket remix of Beck's "Gamma Ray" [Via Pocket], Lil Wayne's "Electro Lollipop" [Via Notes From a Different Kitchen], T.I.'s posse cut "Swagger Like Us" [via XXL] and Of Montreal's "Nonpareil Of Favor" [via Rubin Recommends]. The fun don't stop.***I am so ready for a three day weekend. I plan to hit up the farmer's market after missing it the last three weeks, and hopefully I can fit in some nice quiet time with a good book and cold drink - amongst everything that keeps me so busy.

Bay Area Shows:
8/29 The Music Lovers, Harbours, Light FM @ Amnesia
8/29 Why? @ Great American Music Hall
8/30 Built For the Sea @ Bottom of the Hill
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
8/30 Shiloe @ the Scene
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #5

This Sunday in San Francisco is the Rock Make Street Festival. Basically, I have been excited about this thing since I first heard about it. The event kicks off at 11AM and will feature booths of crafts and goods from local designers, not to mention two stages with great bands like Silian Rail, Rademacher, and Tartufi. The latter helped organize the event along with WhizBang Fabrics and our pals The Bay Bridged. The event is happening on Treat Street between 17th and 18th in the Mission. For more information click here.

MP3 - "What Yr Used To Back At Home (live) - Radamacher

***This weekend in LA is the Sunset Junction Street Festival which does feature some big names (The Black Keys, Broken Social Scene), as well as some terrific local bands on the Bates Stage. The Happy Hollows play on Saturday at 12:50, while The Henry Clay People play at noon on Sunday.***Of course, this weekend is also the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. The three day fest kicks off today with Radiohead.***In non-festival news, I am feeling like a pretty crappy patriot because I have hardly watched any of the Olympics. I totally missed all of Michael Phelps's gold medals. Turns out, though, that Phelps has horrid taste in music.***Lastly, one great San Francisco band that I've been getting into recently is Geographer. The band celebrated a CD release this past Sunday at Cafe Du Nord, which I was unfortunately unable to attend. The Deli SF has both a review of the album and of the show. ipickmynose also has a review of the show, and I have to give Adrian a shout-out because he is the one who introduced my to this band. I can't wait to give this album a more thorough listen.

MP3 - "Can't You Wait" - Geographer

Bay Area Shows:
8/22 - Radamacher @ The Hemlock
8/23 - Kelley Stoltz @ 12 Galaxies for Parkerpalooza
8/23 - Birds and Batteries, the Ian Fays @ Bottom of the Hill
8/24 - Rock Make Street Festival!!!
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
8/22 - Shiloe @ Mr. T's Bowl (presented by ISGOODMUSIC.com)
8/23 - Sunset Junction Street Festival
8/24 - Sunset Junction Street Festival
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #4

OK. So I did not really even have time to compile the "Weekend Edition" yesterday. I spent another great day at Bandwidth and returned home so exhausted that I had a little dinner and promptly went to sleep. Today has been another busy day so far, and looks to continue that way. Tonight I will be at the Lou Lou and the Guitarfish CD release party. I'm keeping it brief today, so here's a quick look at what else is happening.

Bay Area Shows:
7/16 - Lou Lou and the Guitarfish CD Release @ The Complex #5
7/17 - The Bay Bridged Presents: Judgement Day, Geographer (CD Release) and Cotillion @ Cafe Du Nord
More shows at The Bay Bridged.

LA Shows:
7/17 - Amoebapalooza @ King King
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #3

As my birthday week comes to a close, a busy weekend awaits me. I've got a packed mix of work and social gatherings, so the entertainment options of concerts and film will have to wait another week.***If you are in LA or New York, you can see 88 drummers play for 88 minutes starting at 8:08 PM. 88 Boadrum was conceived by The Boredoms from Japan, who hosted a similar event (77 Boadrum) in New York last year. The Boredoms will appear at the LA event, while Gang Gang Dance will host the New York one. Click here for details, and check out the 88 Boadrum Wiki for a complete list of drummers.***One of the many highlights from the Giants game I attended on Wednesday (you know, besides Tim Lincecum's eight innings, Brian Wilson's 1-2-3 ninth, Aaron Rowand's homer and Randy Winn's four hits) was a half-inning air guitar performance. The national finals of the US Air Guitar Championships are taking place in San Francisco tonight, and a handful of the finalists were invited to AT&T Park to perform. SF Gate has the pregame coverage plus a pretty rad video. For more information on this competition, I suggest checking out the documentary Air Guitar Nation. It's also a little known fact that I rock at air guitar. That fact is well known to anyone who can see into my window.

Bay Area Shows:
8/8 - SonicLiving presents: The Owl Mag Turns 3! w/ Wallpaper, HOTTUB, Kenan Bell, Vitamin Party, DJ Amplive, Aaron Axelsen @ The Independent
8/9 - Immigrant, The Blacks, The New Centuries @ Bottom of the Hill
More shows at The Bay Bridged

LA Shows:
8/8 - N&UR's very own Tigers Can Bite You are in Hollywood tonight at the Knitting Factory, just one of many great LA shows happening this weekend.
8/8 - Karin Tatoyan, Learning Music, & Sarah Negadhari and the Sad Solids (from Happy Hollows) @ Spaceland
8/8 - Shiloe, Wait Think Fast, Sky Parade, & more @ The C.I.A.
8/9 - Magic Christian @ the Knitting Factory
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake

Weekend Edition #2

This weekend, I plan to actually see The Dark Knight so I can join everyone else in this cultural experience. Maybe I'll also check out The Mummy for a good laugh. Oh, and while everyone buzzes about that trailer for The Watchmen, you should really download the first Watchmen "motion comic" for free off iTunes - it's quite amazing. OK, this weekend, I also plan to eat lots of good food and engage in some pre-birthday celebration. I may even sing some karaoke tonight. I've also been a mover and a shaker lately, and can't wait to drop some new label news.***Check out the first Blackdrop Portraits at ipickmynose.

You can remix Death Cab's "Cath" video.

Mike Skinner has dropped a new Streets track and video!

And there's a new Of Montreal track!

MP3 - "Thin" - The Confusions

Bay Area Shows
8/1 - The New Centuries and Bug Pedals @ 366 S 1st Street in San Jose (FREE).
More shows at The Bay Bridged.

LA Shows
8/1 - Official viewing party for Airborne Toxic Event live on Conan O’Brien @ Spaceland (12:30 back bar).
8/2 - Dengue Fever @ The El Rey.
More shows at Radio Free Silverlake.