Category Archives: interviews

interviews, san diego

Poetic Memory: Owl Eyes (List)

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Photo credit: Marco Covarrubias

Given that our website is called Owl and Bear, we’re generally partial to any band whose name contains the word “Owl” (also “Bear,” and, to a lesser extent, “and”). So naturally our eyes perked up when we first came across Owl Eyes. But once we started listening to the San Diego band’s exotic mix of garage, indie, and folk, it was our ears that were doing the perking.

The four tracks of Owl Eyes’ 2010 EP, O RLY?, clock in at a breezy 10 minutes, but thanks to the band’s catchy hooks and assured execution, the small songs make a big impression. You can get a live dose of all the sonic goodness this Friday, December 10th, when the trio plays the Ruby Room. In anticipation of the show, Owl Eyes let us peek into their Poetic Memory. You can check out their influences below. Continue reading…

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Poetic Memory: The Smart Brothers (List)

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MP3: The Smart Brothers – “On My Own”

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love The Smart Brothers, and those who haven’t heard them yet. The Julian-based trio played last month’s Owl and Bear-programmed SoundDiego Live event and systematically converted every attendee into a fan.

The Smart Brothers spend most of their days on the road but, when they’re not busy touring, they find time to record. Their latest full-length, Make It Last, finds the band segueing from their folk beginnings to a more rock-oriented sound. From the poppy opener “Where Did Your Run To?” to the despondent, Strokes-y “On My Own,” Make It Last consolidates everything that has made the band a local favorite: exuberant pacing, unforgettable melodies, and timeless charm. You can buy it here.

All that touring and recording can take a lot out of you, so it’s crucial to have some good songs to wake up to. Singer/drummer Lou Smart was kind enough to share with us his “5 Good Wake Up Songs For Your Alarm Clock,” and now we’re kind enough to share them with you. You can check out the list, along with the band’s current tour dates, below. Continue reading…

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Poetic Memory: Pomegranates (List)

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When your band draws frequent comparisons to established acts like The Flaming Lips, Deerhunter, and Broken Social Scene, you must be doing something right. Just ask Pomegranates, who released their third album, One of Us, last month. Thanks to its swooning production and assured energy, the record has already climbed to #7 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart.

You can experience Pomegranates’ sugary sounds firsthand on Wednesday, November 17th, when the Cincinnati band plays the Casbah. In anticipation of the show, vocalist/guitarist Joey Cook was kind enough to share some of his influences. You can check out the list and the rest of Pomegranates’ tour dates below. Continue reading…

interviews, listen, san diego

Poetic Memory: Rumspringa (List)

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MP3: Rumspringa – “Criminal Love”

L.A.’s Rumspringa just released Sway, their debut full-length. Produced by Mannie Nieto (The Breeders, Los Lobos), the album works well to showcase the band’s brand of psychedelic-surf-garage-punk. And though Sway is reminiscent of David Bowie, T-Rex, and the Stones — with a little bit of The White Stripes thrown in for good measure — Rumspringa’s sound is wholly their own. With an abundance of original melodies, great lyrics, and solid musicianship, they are clearly going places.

MTV News has called Rumspringa “One of the best LA bands […] in a really long time,” and RCRD LBL has commended them for “running feverish, fast-paced rock-n-roll trails in our head.” We saw them at The Rumble back in August and had a hell of a good time.

Rumspringa will play the Soda Bar on 11/15, and Bar Pink on 12/4. In anticipation of the shows, lead singer Joey Stevens sent us a list of influences. Check it out below.

interviews, listen, san diego, video

Poetic Memory: Dr. Dog (List)

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MP3: Dr. Dog – “Nobody Knows Who You Are”

Few bands inspire as much good feeling as Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog. The psych-rock band released its fifth album, Shame, Shame — and its first since singing with ANTI- Records — earlier this year to critical acclaim. Thanks to high-powered ditties like “Shadow People” and “Later,” Shame, Shame is a lean and assured collection of catchy, melodic tunes that cements Dr. Dog’s status as one of indie rock’s most beloved acts. The album has just been re-released in a special edition that includes four new tracks.

Dr. Dog have been supporting the album with some extensive touring that has them traipsing across the country through February. Lucky for San Diego, that tour includes a stop at the Belly Up on November 6. In anticipation of the show, keyboardist Zach Miller was kind enough to share some of his influences with us. His Poetic Memory, the new video for “Shadow People,” and the rest of Dr. Dog’s tour dates are below. Continue reading…