Category Archives: san diego

Elvis Perkins Brings ‘Doom’ Upon Us

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Elvis Perkins has been good to us this year. In March, he released his non-solo debut, the ominously jubilant Elvis Perkins In Dearland. That same month, he treated some lucky San Diegans to a rollicking, intimate performance at M-Theory Records. And now, just when it seemed that Mr. Perkins couldn’t have anything else up his sleeve for us in the near future, he goes and announces a new EP.

Set to be released October 20th on XL Recordings, The Doomsday EP features six tracks, including the titular song in its Elvis Perkins In Dearland incarnation and a new slower version [MP3]. The EP was recorded in three days at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and will almost certainly sound “earthy.” Continue reading

Poetic Memory: Erika Davies (List)

If you’ve never heard Erika Davies, then you’ve never heard Shakespeare the way it’s meant to be sung. Her jazzy melodies scoop and flutter above delicately strummed ukulele in irresistible and intoxicating fashion. Serving up a cocktail of jazz standards and charming originals, Davies delivers an enchanting performance, anchored by gorgeous vocals and Amelie-esque charm.

Says Davies:

Before I sat to write this, I tried to recall my first memory of music. I couldn’t. It was as if I had to try and remember what it was like, exiting my mother’s slippery womb. I can, however, remember how tiny I was when singing to my first audience. How natural it felt just opening my soul to them. And how quiet everyone was, listening.

And from then on, music, it seems, has been drawn to me.

Miss Davies is currently hard at work penning her sophomore album, tentatively titled Nothing But A Note Thing, which she plans to record in January. You can catch her in two places this Saturday: she’ll be playing an early evening set at Golden Hill DIY venue The Habitat before scooting over to Air Conditioned for this year’s North Park Music Thing (formerly known as North By North Park). We’ve got Davies’ Poetic Memory list, as well as some additional tour dates, after the jump.

Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. Continue reading

Anna Ternheim – What Have I Done (MP3)

Anna Ternheim

The dark-yet-somehow-sweet “What Have I Done” (MP3) is Anna Ternheim’s first single from Leaving on a Mayday. The album was produced by Bjorn Yttling (Peter, Bjorn, and John) and will be released on August 11.

Ternheim will tour with Lonely Dear/Asobi Seksu this fall, and she’s kicking it off with a little Casbah love. If you like the MP3, check out her new video and tourdates after the jump. Continue reading

Review: Local Natives; June 20, 2009 at House of Blues; San Diego

Local Natives - House of Blues

L.A.’s Local Natives played their first show in San Diego on Saturday, and they sounded great—even though lead guys Taylor Rice and Kelcey Ayer seemed astounded that they’d pulled it off. It wasn’t because of band discord or unfamiliar material, though; in fact, Local Natives are nothing if not tight-knit and talented. Rather, the troubles that plagued the band were more ethereal—and possibly supernatural.

Fortunately, the faux voodoo vibe at House of Blues was strong enough to diffuse what the band chillingly called the curse.

Continue reading

Review: Metric; June 7, 2009 at FM 94/9 Independence Jam; Oceanside

Metric

Despite boasting a roster that overlaps with that of Broken Social Scene, Canadian quartet Metric have spent the last decade amassing a dedicated but modestly-sized fan base. Their previous albums have garnered plenty of critical acclaim but little airplay, and their new release Fantasies made it to #76 on the Billboard Top 200 but stopped short of making the band an indie-household name. And so it was that Metric, buried beneath headlining acts The Black Keys and Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the FM 94/9 Independence Jam, proceeded to blow both of those bands away. Continue reading