Owl and Bear writers’ favorite albums of 2010. Continue reading…
Category Archives: music news
Listen to Wynn Walent and Donate to Haiti
Wynn Walent is the kind of guy you’re proud to call your friend. A couple of years ago he ditched the grid to offer a helping hand to kids in an orphanage in Peru. Then, when the earthquake struck Haiti, he scraped up money from donations from friends to hop on a flight to Port-au-Prince to see how he might be able to help out. In the midst of the recent cholera outbreak there, he sent a heartbreaking yet optimistic email update (reprinted below) to his mailing list.
The reason Wynn has a mailing list, and the reason we’re mentioning him on this blog, is that he’s also an incredibly talented musician. He writes soft acoustic folk songs with earnest lyrics and an effortlessly beautiful tenor. As he mentions in his email, the music is free for download on his website, and if you choose to donate any money for it, 100% will go to needy or sick families in Haiti that he knows personally. I can vouch for him.
Owl and Bear’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2011
As a music fan, I’m waiting for the release that defines the new decade. You know what I’m talking about; every 10 years or so, a band comes out of nowhere with the perfect storm of style, lyrics, and — oh yeah — music.
The 80s had Guns ‘N Roses, the 90s Nirvana, and the 2000s gave us The Strokes. Granted, none of those bands dominated for a full 10 years, but they spawned countless imitators, some enjoyable and some terrible. That feeling of uncharted territory and danger rolled up into one is what I miss and am still waiting for. Remember when you first heard “Welcome to the Jungle,†“Smells Like Teen Spirit,†or “Last Nightâ€? I’m guessing you were instantly on board, just like I was. Continue reading…
Owl and Bear and SoundDiego Present: Miss Erika Davies and the Smart Brothers – 10/28
San Diego, have we got a treat for you. On October 28th, a day that will live on in both infamy and plain old famy, your friendly neighborhood Owl and Bear will curate its first-ever show/party thing. The hoedown will go down at Analog Bar, the recently-opened, vinyl-themed watering hole at 5th and F downtown.
The night will begin at 7pm with an hour of hosted drinks, free appetizers, and some sweet dee-jaying by the Owl and Bear writers. After that, folk duo The Smart Brothers will wow you with their incredible harmonies. If you’ve never seen The Smart Brothers in person, their performance at Analog will be a great way to acquaint yourself with one of San Diego’s most talented bands.
After some more spinning from our ruggedly handsome writers, it’s on to the main event, and boy will it be a doozy. Local siren Erika Davies will blow you away with her incredible voice and irrepressible charm. Davies has long been one of San Diego’s brightest stars, and lately that star is on the rise. Her golden voice was recently featured in a Subaru commercial and she also just signed with local label Single Screen Records, who in the coming months will release her debut LP.
We’re pleased as punch to bring you two of San Diego’s absolute best acts, and none of it would be possible without SoundDiego, who were kind enough to let us hijack their monthly live event. We do a lot of talking about music on Owl and Bear, but we’re thrilled at the prospect of finally delivering it directly to your grubby little ears. On October 28, come down to Analog Bar and celebrate San Diego with us.
RSVP on Facebook here.
“Echotone” is a Documentary About the Austin Music Scene (Video)
In conjunction with October’s Rumble — which will highlight Echotone, a new documentary about the Austin, TX music scene — we are pleased to post the official Echotone trailer. The film follows a range of indie bands and their culture over a two-year period, spotlighting everything from the musicians to the venues, promoters, and city itself. According to the filmmakers, Echotone is best described as “a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class.”
The October Rumble in San Diego (more on that later) will feature two bands from the film, as well as a sneak preview of the documentary itself. Enjoy!