Go See April Smith at Lestat’s on 6/16
That headline is not advice; it’s an order.
Spunky little April Smith and her band the Great Picture Show will play Lestat’s Coffee House in Normal Heights on June 16, and if you go (and you’d damn well better better), she will literally knock your socks off. If you’re wearing sandals or flip flops, make sure you fasten them to your ankles.
I stand by what I said when I wrote about her back in February:
If I was only allowed to say one thing about April Smith, it’s that she can sing. Fortunately, there’s plenty of space here to gush about the Brooklyn-based belter: she also has an electric presence, she writes damn good songs, and she’s pretty much destined for greatness.
At that point, I had just watched her upstage the impossibly charismatic Langhorne Slim. Think about that for a minute. Downloads and tour dates are below…
Contest: Win Califone’s Film ‘All My Friends Are Funeral Singers’
In the early 2000s, art/folk/experimentalists Califone played a few shows in which they improvised accompaniment to silent films. The sessions were documented in the Deceleration series, and though the discs are quite good, they seemed like a different side of Califone, rather than a natural path.
Enter 2009 and All My Friends Are Funeral Singers. Tim Rutili set out to make a movie using only cell phone cameras. Things changed, ideas grew, and a feature film was born. This time, it had a Califone soundtrack and Califone stars, and the film itself had the Rutili touch. Funeral Singers is a remarkable, wildly imaginative film that — along with the band’s 2009 album of the same name — sees Rutili at a creative high point. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers premiered at Sundance, SxSW, and Sarasota film festivals. Paste magazine called it one of the highlights of Sundance, a “whimsical movie…full of fascinating characters…directed with a light, deft touch.”
To win a copy of All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, just comment below and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). The winner will be chosen at random on July 12, 2010. Califone tour dates are below…
Tortoise Play Casbah Tonight
Hot on the heels of dropping their first record in five years, re-releasing a bunch of classic albums on vinyl, and (just last week) bringing a newborn track into this world, Tortoise have hit the road. And this time (unlike last time), they’ll stop in sunny San Diego. Continue reading…
Time to Move & Shake at the Rumble
Click to enlarge
Come Saturday, you’ll feel that familiar shake ‘neath your feet and think it’s happening again. But this time, it won’t be another e-quake (as far as I know); it’ll be the sound of people stampeding to Bar Pink for The Rumble.
If admission weren’t 100% free, I’d call The Rumble the “always sold-out” indie rock showcase that rolls into America’s Finest City every month. Since there’s no cover charge, I’ll just say it’s the indie rock event that has it all: free bands, the jockeying of discs, cheap booze, me…
This month’s featured artists include San Diego’s Maren Parusel and Drug Wars and L.A.’s Chasing Kings. Throw in local celebutante Seth Combs (spinning under the stage name DJ Meth Combz), and you’ve got yourself one hell of a happening. Get there reasonably early, steal a space at the bar, order some astoundingly inexpensive drinks, and have a blast. That’s what we do, anyway. Continue reading…
Poetic Memory: Audra Mae (List)
L.A.’s Audra Mae is not your average folk singer-songwriter. With pipes that approach Neko Case and a soul like Janis Joplin, she possesses a kind of sincerity that speaks to you but doesn’t succumb to the over-sharing that plagues the genre.
She might be best known for covering Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” (and it is an excellent cover), but you don’t really get a sense of what she’s capable of until you hear a song like “Cliche.”
In anticipation of her show with Good Old War and Yukon Blonde at the Soma side stage this Wednesday, June 9, we got a chance to hear her top ten moments to seize.
Stream: Audra Mae – “Cliche”
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Poetic Memory: Sin Ropas (List)
Pool of Tears 2 by Kiki Smith
Sin Ropas, the project of former Red Red Meat bassist Tim Hurley and percussionist Danni Iosello, just released Holy Broken, their first album in five years. If you’ve ever wondered where a big part of that signature RRM sound came from — or what the band might sound like today if they hadn’t split — Holy Broken is your record. If you’ve never wondered that, but you still like fuzzy bass lines, grungy guitars, and two-part harmonies, then Holy Broken is still for you.
Both Tim and Danni were kind enough to provide us with their Poetic Memories, two lists of influences that range from “old guys singing” to Kafka. It’s a great list — one of our most evocative ever — and you can read it below.
For a sample of Holy Broken, check out “The Fever You Fake” (MP3). Continue reading…
New Bill Withers Documentary: ‘Still Bill’ (Video)
Even if “Lean On Me” has been played a billion times, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great song. And even though Bill Withers basically retired from music in 1985, the fact that he’s a great songwriter remains.
Aside from the numerous Grammys Withers has won since his retirement (thanks to re-recordings and samples taken from his songs), little news has come from the Withers camp — until now. On May 11, filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack released “Still Bill,” a documentary about their quest to track him down. Continue reading…
Social Studies to Teach San Diego a Lesson
The National show at Spreckels is over. The Frightened Rabbit has scurried away. Shout Out Louds are feeling hoarse and Freelance Whales — well, they’ll be back on Tuesday — but not until then.
Enter keyboard-driven San Franciscans Social Studies, who will play San Diego’s Soda Bar tonight. Their sound — something between St. Vincent and Fiery Furnaces — should be the perfect cure for your weekend concert comedown. Continue reading…
Contest: Win Tickets to See Freelance Whales on 5/25 (San Diego)
Our favorite musical marine mammals are playing The Loft in La Jolla on May 25, and we have two tickets to give away.
In April, Freelance Whales released their first LP, called Weathervanes, and it’s quite good. The acoustic-flavored, multi-layered album is great for singalongs or for Sunday morning detox — both methods of enjoyment work just fine. In fact, just about any method works, since it’s basically impossible to dislike these ambitious Brooklynites.
Known for their myriad musical instruments, Freelance Whales should treat their La Jolla audience to a memorable night. To sample their music, check out the above video for “Generator – Second Floor,” their first single from Weathervanes. Also check out this excellent version (MP3) of their song “Killer Whales,” as remixed by The Antlers. Orange County favorites The Union Line will open the show.
To enter this contest, just comment below and include your email address in the form (your email won’t be visible to the public). The lucky winner will be chosen at random on May 24, 2010.
Harlan T. Bobo – Errand Girl (Video)
Recently, mysterious Memphian Harlan T. Bobo released Sucker, his third album. Just like Bobo’s past efforts — 2007′s I’m Your Man and his 2006 debut Too Much Love — Sucker is a damn-near-perfect blend of old-school rock and all the good things that ever came out of the Memphis/Detroit/Chicago trifecta. Continue reading…
Caribou Needs YOU! (to Remix a Track From ‘Swim’)
Canadian electronic musician Caribou cordially invites you to butcher remix “Sun,” the lead track from his forthcoming album. Continue reading…
Review: Perfect Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll Blues Band; April 3, 2010; Anthology
Photo credit: Anthology/Paul Parks
Before the show started, Perfect Age lead guitarist Bob Margolin quipped that for a late show, 10pm “ain’t all that late.”
This was a bit of a surprise, coming from the guy who leads a band made up of Pinetop Perkins (96), Hubert Sumlin (78), Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (74), and Bob Stroger (about 70). But Margolin was right. These men — who have seen blues and jazz evolve over decades — showed little sign of slowing down. Continue reading…
Poetic Memory: Murder By Death (List)
Photo credit: Vagrant/GregWhitaker
Since Murder By Death took their name from a 1976 spoof that actually guest starred Truman Capote, it wasn’t surprising when their Poetic Memory came back consisting mostly of (goofy) movies. Everything from Big Trouble to Bogus Journey is represented in their list, so the next time you embark on a long trip, you’ll have all the materials you need to effectively plan your van viewing.
The Indiana alt-rockers just released Good Morning, Magpie on April 6, and it’s a gooder. They’ll also be playing the Casbah on April 11. Ha Ha Tonka and Linfinity — two other excellent bands — will open the show. We posted Linfinity’s Poetic Memory yesterday; Murder By Death’s list is below. Continue reading…
Poetic Memory: Linfinity (List)
New York’s Linfinity began as a solo project of Dylan Von Wagner, but it soon morphed into a full band effort to channel his creativity after “something unknown” popped in Von Wagner’s brain.
After a well-received solo release (2007′s Live at Marcata), Von Wagner assembled a full band. In 2008, Linfinity the band released a free EP called The Weeping Willow, and last year, they released the excellent Martian’s Bloom. The New York Press has likened Martian’s Bloom to “everything from Southern Gothic tropes and rockabilly to beautiful, string-laden Moorish stomps and bombastic chamber Pop.”
Linfinity will play the Casbah on April 11, along with Murder By Death and Ha Ha Tonka, and it’s sure to be a great show. Linfinity’s Poetic Memory is below. Continue reading…
Review: Brandi Carlile; March 11, 2010; House of Blues, San Diego
Brandi Carlile and her band brought the love to San Diego’s House of Blues last week, and as always, it was a great performance. Continue reading.
Poetic Memory: Tobacco (List)
Photo credit: MySpace
Tobacco, also known as the mastermind behind the O&B Best of 2009 band Black Moth Super Rainbow, is an interesting fellow. From both his personality (evidenced below) and music, one gets the sense that his brain is unlike yours or mine.
We’re eagerly awaiting Tobacco’s March 24 show at the Casbah, and you should be too. To tide you over, here is Tobacco’s Poetic Memory — a list of influences that includes everything from amusement park rides to grotesque puppets. Continue reading…
Review: Chain and the Gang with Strange Boys; February 25, 2010; Casbah, San Diego
Have no doubt about it: Ian Svenonius is one hell of a showman. (more…)
Blind Boys of Alabama to Play Belly Up Tavern on Sunday
Photo credit: Getty Images
“I can see as well as you,” says Blind Boys of Alabama leader Clarence Fountain. “There’s somebody up there watching over me.”
When the Blind Boys play the Belly Up Tavern this Sunday, March 7, you should be watching too. (more…)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Plays Birch North Park Tonight
Photo credit: Getty Images
As part of its mission to celebrate the “art form of New Orleans Jazz,” the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform at The Birch North Park Theatre tonight.
In my mind, there are really only two ways to see them — either at the real Preservation Hall in New Orleans, where jazz was born — or at a place like Birch, a restored theater originally built in 1928, when “America’s only art form” was young. (more…)
Poetic Memory: Langhorne Slim (List)
A few weeks ago, Langhorne Slim and his ridiculously good band played the Casbah. We loved it, and as with many who’ve seen him on this tour, an obsession was born.
We recently asked Langhorne and his band — Jeff Ratner, David Moore, and Malachi DeLorenzo — to reveal their Poetic Memories, and they came back with a wide-ranging and reliable list that sheds light on what they’re reading, watching, and playing. Check it out below. (more…)
The Besnard Lakes to ‘Roar’ Through San Diego (MP3)
Photo credit: Chris Gergley
The peasants rejoiced! O&B’s favorite “sonic bludgeoners” The Besnard Lakes are planning to pillage San Diego as part of their tour to support Are the Roaring Night, their new record. (more…)
Poetic Memory: The Clientele (List)
Photo credit: Andy Willsher
London’s The Clientele are coming back to the U.S. and Canada to support their new album, Bonfires on the Heath, and The Casbah is on their itinerary.
Their songs have been described as “dreamlike suburban landscapes” with a “trippy sense of menace,” and the album has been featured on year-end lists at The AV Club, Pitchfork, and elsewhere. It’s good stuff, and we’re pretty excited to see them play.
The Clientele’s Alasdair MacLean recently provided us with a fitting list of “5 Recommended Hallucinatory Children’s Books” — which is, without a doubt, the most creative Poetic Memory we’ve ever received. Full list of tour dates and Mr. MacLean’s Poetic Memory are below.
You can pick up Bonfires at the Merge store; it’s available in CD, LP, and MP3 formats. For samples of their music, check out “Harvest Time” and “I Wonder Who We Are” (MP3s).
Lilith Fair Coming to San Diego
Sarah McLachlan’s hugely successful Lilith Fair only ran from 1997 to 1999. This means that the festival has been gone for five times as long as it ever existed. Gone, but certainly not forgotten. (more…)
