Tag Archives: SoundDiego

Live Photos: Amy LaVere, Old Tiger, and Trap Gold at Bar Pink, September 9, 2011

MP3: Amy LaVere – “You Can’t Keep Me”
MP3s: Old Tiger – The Definitive Collection EP
Stream: Trap Gold – The Chooser EP

This year’s San Diego Music Thing kicked off on September 9 with a “happy hour” show at Bar Pink put on by SoundDiego, featuring hypnotic pysch-rockers Trap Gold. Continue reading…

944 Magazine Calls Owl and Bear “Favorite Local Music Blog” Second Year Running!

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We’re a modest bunch here at Owl and Bear. We don’t do what we do for the money, or the fame, or for the hundreds of thousands of beautiful San Diego babes who want to go out with us.

Instead, Owl and Bear is a labor of love: we pride ourselves on our writing, our taste, and our insanely snobby high standards. We don’t do it because anyone tells us to, we do it because it’s in our blood. Our blood. So, rather than spend a lot of time applauding our (admittedly) high-quality work, we like to let the content do the talking.

That said, we fucking rule. This month, Owl and Bear was named one of 944 Magazine‘s “Favorite Local Music Blogs” for the second year in a row! Continue reading…

Poetic Memory: The Smart Brothers (List)

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…

Owl and Bear and SoundDiego Present: Miss Erika Davies and the Smart Brothers – 10/28

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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.

San Diego Gets Smart

Photo credit: Lambfarm

If you find yourself complaining that they just don’t make music like they used to, you need The Smart Brothers in your life. Oscillating between high-energy roots romps and tender ballads of surprising depth, the San Diego duo create charming, old-timey folk just like grandpa used to make. With their finely crafted compositions and intricate, flawless harmonies, The Smart Brothers make music to fall in love with—and fall in love to. Continue reading