Video: Fleet Foxes – “Grown Ocean”

MP3: Fleet Foxes – “Grown Ocean”
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “Helplessness Blues”
MP3: Cave Singers – “Swim Club”
MP3: Cave Singers – “Black Leaf”

On May 3, Fleet Foxes released their sophomore effort, Helplessness Blues. It’s a rich, layered labor of love that finds the band shelving some of its crutches in favor of a more complex, thoughtful sound. Just like its self-titled predecessor, Helplessness Blues is receiving plenty of praise from critics, and the band’s concert tickets are selling like hotcakes. Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: Inspired and the Sleep (List)

MP3: Inspired and the Sleep – “Chops”

With bassist Max Greenhaulgh at the center of Inspired and the Sleep, rhythm and musicianship take first priority. The Carlsbad trio takes the indie aesthetic to an unexpected level by mixing dance elements with rock riffs and jazz-inspired twists and turns.

The band, originally Greenhaulgh’s project but now featuring Bryce Outcault on guitar and Hayden Stewart on drums, will celebrate the release of their debut EP, Kaleidoscope Years, at the Che Cafe on May 7.

In anticipation of the show, Greenhaulgh told us a little about his influences. Check out his Poetic Memory (below)…

Live Photos: Cuckoo Chaos, Gardens and Villa, & Shapes of Future Frames at Soda Bar, April 29, 2011

Photos by Chris Maroulakos

On Friday, two local acts and one visiting band had the crowd at Soda Bar shaking to some fine fine music. First, San Diego’s Shapes of Future Frames unleashed their Bowie-inspired space oddities on the crowd. The trio is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album, which should see release in the next few months.

Next, Santa Barbara’s fast-rising Gardens and Villa dazzled with their worldly, Local Natives-inspired rock. The synth-heavy set was a big hit with the audience, whose pleas for an encore were answered in the best way possible — with a rollicking cover of Gary Numan’s “Cars.”

Finally, local headliners Cuckoo Chaos took to the stage with their off-kilter rock. With the exception of the set-capping mainstay “Jam Song,” the five-piece stuck to their newer material. The freshly hatched songs are set for inclusion on the band’s full-length debut, Woman, out in July on Lefse Records.

Check out pictures of all three sets below. Continue reading…

Live Photos: Donald Glover and Childish Gambino at the Belly Up, April 26, 2011

Photos by Natalie Kardos

MP3: Childish Gambino – “Freaks and Geeks”
Download: Childish Gambino free EP

Last Tuesday night, Donald Glover (a.k.a. Childish Gambino, a.k.a. Mr. On-Your-Girlfriend’s-List) entertained a sold-out crowd at the Belly Up Tavern with a mix of comedy and music. The multi-talented actor/writer/rapper opened up for himself, performing a 20 minute stand-up routine before launching into an impressive set of serious hip-hop. Check out the photos below…

Live Video & Photos: April Smith and the Great Picture Show at M-Theory Records, April 25, 2011

April Smith and the Great Picture Show brought their swinging, old-timey pop to M-Theory Records on Monday. The New Jersey native and her band were surprised by the big turnout at the Mission Hills store, but they shouldn’t have been. Anybody who has heard their excellent album Songs For A Sinking Ship is most likely a fan, and hearing Smith belt those notes in a live setting was clearly an offer San Diegans couldn’t refuse.

Of course, seeing as how Smith and Co. just finished a tour opening for Fitz and the Tantrums, it’s safe to assume that Monday’s crowd wasn’t the biggest they’d ever played for. But that didn’t stop them from launching into renditions of songs like “Colors,” “Terrible Things,” and “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with enough gleeful energy to fill an arena.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth a thousand pictures — but we’re bloggers, not mathematicians, so we’ve got both for you. Check out the video for “Colors” above and the pictures of April Smith and the Great Picture Show below, which should tide you over until the next time they come to town. Continue reading…

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