Things To Do In San Diego: February 28-March 2, 2011

I dunno about you, but Monday came way too soon for me. It was a lovely weekend, and while I don't have to report to a shitty cubicle for work, I am slightly buried with things I need to get done this week and next. That said, here are your listings for the week.

Monday February 28, 2011:

• Anti-Monday League Presents: Found Footage Tour with showing of Heavy Metal Parking Lot and more @ Casbah (7pm)
• Tiny Telehones, Pilots, DJ Adam Salter, DJ Ricardo Morey @ Casbah (10pm)
• Kaki King, Zoe Keating @ The Loft
• Seth Combs Birthday & Roast feat. Jamuel Saxon, Gaux Nu Vaux @ U-31
• Bare Wires, The Old In Out, Jungle Fever @ Soda Bar
• Make Believe Monday w/ Stevie & The Hi-Stax @ Bar Pink
• April Ventura @ Riviera Supper Club
• Pyrate Punx Present: Live Bands @ Ruby Room
• Michele Lundeen @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Open Mic @ Lestat's
• Fix @ Eleven
• Club MAW @ Henry's Pub
• Doug Allen, Susie Bongo @ The Kraken
• Chet Cannon @ Patrick's II
• Three Chord Justice @ Bar Leucadian
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Blaggards @ Hennessey's Gaslamp
• Califarians (acoustic) @ Hennessey's PB
• Pro-Invitational Blues Jam Hosted by Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• The Get Down @ Club Kadan
• Dave Scott @ Croce's
• Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill

Tuesday March 1, 2011:

• Everest, The Fling, Winter's Fall @ Casbah
• Silje Nes, Roll Film, Cry For Us Black Swans @ Soda Bar
• Jeans Wilder, Natures Kid, Kynan, Mystery Cave @ Tin Can
• Chick Corea & Gary Burton @ Anthology 7:30 & 9:30
• Tiki Tuesday feat. Adrian Demain's Exoticatronica @ Bar Pink
• Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
• Nena Anderson @ Riviera Supper Club
• Open Mic @ O'Connell's
• Songwriters Showcase Competition @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
• Comedy Night @ Lestat's
• Shay Blues Revue @ Patrick's ll
• New Artist Showcase @ Eleven
• Yael Meyer @ Aztec Center SDSU, noon
• Dave Booda Acoustic @ Tiki House
• Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
• Tommy Price & The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
• Blaggards @ Hennessey's PB
• Jaimie Muehlhausen @ Hennessey's Vista
• Safety Orange @ Hennessey's Gaslamp
• Doug Allen, Suzy Bongo @ The Kraken
• Think & Drink Trivia @ Winston's
• Karaoke @ Kensington Club
• Karaoke @ Cafe La Maze
• Buzz Campbell & Hot Rod Lincoln @ Valley View Casino
• Mike Gardner @ Cheers (Ramona)
• Stress Free Standup Comedy @ U-31

Wednesday March 2, 2011:

• Casbah Presents: Crystal Castles, Suuns @ House of Blues (sold out)
• YG, Bobby Brackins, guests @ Casbah
• Strangers, A Book About Elephants, tbd @ Tin Can
• Rheanna Downey, Alex Woodard, Jasmine Commerce @ Belly Up
• Funeral Party, Italian Japanese, Pretty Too Bad @ Soda Bar
• The Canadian Tenors @ Balboa Theatre
• Tori Roze and The Hot Mess @ Riviera Supper Club
• Blaggards @ Hennessey's PB
• Chick Corea & Gary Burton @ Anthology 7:30 & 9:30
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
• New Artist Showcase @ Eleven
• Save Amos, Unwynd, Time and Distance, St. Cloud Sleepers, HeartLikeFire @ Ruby Room
• Reply All: Jazz @ The Loft
• Bastard Lovechild of Rock n Roll @ The Saloon (Encinitas)
• Morning Alive, Mark Miller @ The Office
• Jess Klien, Tom Freund @ Lestat's
• Mattson2, J-Live, DJ Trumasta, Madda, Ikah Love, Stelle @ El Dorado
• Urban Underground feat. Cormega, S.P.A.M., The West Indies, Blakk Sun @ Kava Lounge
• Radio Silence, Knights of Apollo, No One Knows @ O'Connell's
• Mystique @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Club Kingston Presents: Homegrown Kush Band @ Winston's
• Bill Magee Blues Band @ Patrick's II
• Acoustic Fooks @ Dublin Square
• Northstar @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Knight Vision @ Club Kadan
• Sue Palmer @ Croce's
• Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
• Karaoke @ Chico Club
• Frankie Dee & The Funk Natra Band @ The Kraken
• Highland Way @ California Center for the Arts

new New Mexico video

I love Sundays because everything seems to slow down a bit, and on a good day, I get less than a dozen emails....compared to the three hundred or so I get on Monday (dread). Today, I was happy to see this little gem arrive...a new video from New Mexico. I love these guys sonically and they're all great guys to boot and they've definitely made their mark in the San Diego music scene and beyond.

This is the new video for "Motion Sickness"

New Mexico - Motion Sickness from Grant Reinero on Vimeo.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: The Concretes @ The Casbah Saturday March 5, 2011

The Concretes, a Swedish indie pop band, formed in 1995. Still going strong, they recently released their fourth full length, WYWH, in November last year. Touring with as many as eight members, the center piece of the band is lead vocalist Lisa Milberg (original drummer). Former vocalist Victoria Bergsman left the group and formed the solo project Taken By Trees. Side projects, time away from both the studio and touring have resulted in a somewhat different result in the Concretes’ latest album. It has been marketed as a dance record which is totally foreign to anything the band had produced previously. Upon further examination, the album still resembles a Concretes work, but the indie pop does not retain the same sheen throughout. It will be interesting to witness the band when they descend upon The Casbah this Saturday. Playing songs from their entire catalogue will no doubt keep the audience’s attention during the live performance. I have always had a soft spot for Scandinavian bands, and The Concretes, seasoned pop artists, will hopefully not disappoint at the Middletown mainstay.

Millionyoung and Blackbird Blackbird set the stage.

Watch a video of All Day below.

Sunday: San Diego Invades Austin SXSW Meetup @ URBN North Park, Noon

I dunno about you, but I just found out last week that I got a press badge for SXSW and I'm having a hard time wrapping around the idea that I'm finally going for my first time ever. It's a music pilgramage that must be taken, and I'm finally doing it. You're gonna hear a lot about me, Nima, and our roadtrip (I'll be hitting you all up for donations, too, so consider yourselves warned), but something I really wanted to do was get people together before the trip. If you're a band, a fan, a blogger, whatever, and you're heading to SXSW, or if you've been before and have stories to share or advice to give, or if, like me, it's your first time and you're already feeling hungover before a drop of Shiner Bock has even hit your lips, come hang out.

I'll be at URBN North Park having a sausage and pepper pizza and washing it down with some tasty craft beer as my BFF Kristian (pictured with my niece, Johanna) works the bar. Come hang out. We can coordinate schedules, talk about shows, figure out who is playing and where and really try to represent SD as one beautiful solid cohesive music scene and make all those other cities jealous. Seattle? Where's that? Brooklyn? Pffft. Chicago? Whatchu got??

San Diego Invades SXSW Meetup
URBN North Park
31st & University
NOON- sharp!
Facebook Event Invite

Tonight: Tomasito Cruz @ World Beat Center

I was recently chatting online with my good friend Juan Sanchez. Truth be told, he was my very first boyfriend...back in sixth grade we "went around" for the magic length of about 2 weeks and had some good times playing 7 minutes in Heaven...first kisses and such...but we've been friends ever since. Juan teaches percussion at the World Beat Center, so if you ever wanna bang a drum or conga or whatnot, he's your guy. He asked me to post about Tomasito Cruz and I didn't know what to say, so I had him write about it:

Tomasito Cruz is a world renowned percussionist, who has performed with greats like Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Arturo Sandoval, Tito Puente and the best seller instructional music books “The Tomás Cruz Conga Method”. In his first official solo release, Tomasito introduced himself for the first time as singer and songwriter, never sacrificing the amazement of his congas in this one of a kind production. It is a great honor for us to be hosting Tomasito here in San Diego, as a performer and as an instructor. During his visit Tomasito will hold group workshops and one-on-one clinicians, as well as be interviewed by local radio stations, including Jazz 88.3. The highlight of Tomasito’s visit will be his performance of his new production as “Tomasito and His Band” at the World Beat Center, in Balboa Park with opening acts “Los Curanderos” Rumba group and Latin Jazz /Timba group “Cacique”. On Saturday, the 26th of February. It will be an event to remember for all Latin music lovers!!!

For more info visit:
http://www.worldbeatcenter.org/
Tickets available online:
http://www.guarapachangueo.com/

Things To Do In San Diego: February 26-27, 2011

Doing these listings is by far the most unfun part of my week. Sorry they're late.

Saturday, February 26, 2011:

• Justin Townes Earle, Dawn Landes @ Casbah (Early show. Doors at 5 pm)
• The Coronas, Jamestown Revival, Republic of Letters @ Casbah
• Jonny Cash Birthday Party: Cash'd Out, Dave Dickerson, Pushin' Rope @ Belly Up
• The Styletones @ Bar Pink
• Misspent Warhead Premise, Red Pony Clock, Birds Ate My Face @ Tin Can
• Squirrelly Arts@ Til Two Club
• Secret Fun Club, Bumklaatt, Ghetto Blaster @ Eleven
• The Chop Tops, Hardfall Hearts, The Bandits @ The Shakedown
• Tomasito Cruz & His Band @ World Beat Center
• Booty Bassment @ Whistle Stop
• Howlin' Woods, Tin Horn Player @ Ruby Room
• Awol One & Factor, Ceschi, Cars and Trains, Left In Company @ Soda Bar
• Thee Strychnine DJs @ Tower Bar
• Monkeys In Space, Hit Dog Hollar, Theleventhour, Testing Tomorrow, Blow Me Down @ Soundwave
• One Inch Punch, The Overall, The Boss @ O'Connell's
• Rock vs Cancer feat. Angels and Airwaves, Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Justin Sane (Anti Flag), Shanti & Greg Attonito (The Bouncing Souls), Juliet Simms (Automatic Loveletter), Marko Desantis DJ Set (Sugarcult) @ House of Blues (Doors at 5pm)
• Aaron Bowen, Dan Reed, Michael Miller @ Lestat's
• SDSU Old Aztec Youth Rugby "Ruck and Roll" feat. The Heroes @ Brick By Brick
• EOTO, Dusty Nix @ Winston's
• Devastators, Bad Neighborz @ 710 Beach Club
• Gates, Valora, Kissing Youth, Fever Sleeves, Woolly Mammal, Leviathan @ Soma
• Will Love Alot @ Harley Davidson, Kearny Mesa
• At The Skylines, Southern Lights, Eyes Like The Sea, Above Me, Lorraine, Sheep Among Wolves, Before The Sirens @ Epicentre
• twenty7 @ The Loft, UCSD
• John Foltz @ Marble Room
• Gilbert Castellanos, Christopher Hollyday, Mikan Zlatkovich, Chhuck McPherson, JP Maramba @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Revolt-age @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5-7pm)
• Trampled Under Foot @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (9pm)
• Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen @ San Dieguito Methodist Church (7:30 pm)
• Raiz Musil Reggae Night @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Dilated Peoples, Spit Klub All Stars @ 4th & B
• Keiko Matsui @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• Steppin Feet (Dave Matthews Tribute) @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
• Random Rab, Scuzzy, DJ Gage @ Kava Lounge
• August Voz @ Stage Saloon (7 pm)
• The Disco Pimps @ Stage Saloon (10pm)
• Safety Orange @ El Cajon Grand
• The Leperkhanz @ Gallaher's
• Gabe Vega, Ground Floor, Blancnoire @ El Dorado
• Fukkk Offf, Deth Hertz @ Voyeur
• Cosmic Spaceage @ Spin
• Blues Jam @ South Park Alley
• Jet Set with Politik @ Fluxx
• Willie Barcena (comedy) @ Ramona Mainstage
• Silent Film: Safety Last @ Copley Symphony Hall
• Rave On: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Holly @ Poway Center for Performing Arts

Sunday, February 27, 2011:

• The Local Pyle presents Sleep Lady, Schitzophonics, Strangers, Meseta @ Casbah (Free show. Doors at 7p. Live broadcast by Tim Pyles of FM 94/9 of the Coup d'Etat, FTP, and the Local Pyle. Free food from Gaglione Brothers & Pop Chips)
• Greensky Bluegrass with Plow@ Belly Up
• Sic Alps, RTX (Jennifer of Royal Trux), New Mexico @ Soda Bar
• Interbar Trivia: Whistle Stop vs Rosie O'Grady's @ Whistle Stop (3pm)
• Night of the Cookers @ Whistle Stop (9 pm)
• Pants Karaoke with Scotty Hoopes @ Eleven
• Benefit for Sooty @ Winston's
• Filthy Sunday with DJ Schugar & Sudonim @ Ruby Room
• Amanda Miguel & Diego Verdauger @ House of Blues
• Lindsey Yung (Video Release), Terry Matsuoka @ Lestat's
• Jose Sinatra's OB-O-ke @ Winston's
• Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
• Nero, Sena @ Voyeur
• Missing Persons, Strangelove, Dirty Leslie @ 4th & B
• San Diego Drum Summit including Duncan Moore, Russell Bizzett, Bob Weller, Mark Lamson, Jon Szanto, Kevin Koch, Gary Nieves, Jake Najor, Justin DeHart, Richard Sellers, & Tim McMahon - with Rob Thorsen bass & Joshua White @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Marcus Anderson @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge Brunch (10a-2p)
• Marcus Anderson @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (8pm)
• Poison'ous @ Stage Saloon
• Keiko Matsui @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• As The Sun Sets, Fizel, Parker & The Number Man @ Kava Lounge
• Reggae Sundays @ Spin

TRANSFER TOUR BLOG - PART DEUX

We are in Copenhagen on a day off from our tour with WHITE LIES and CROCODILES at the moment. This is the latest TRANSFER tour news:

Week two wraps up to end our tour with The Bravery with our final residency show @ Hoxton Square in London. So much happens in a week's time while on the road. I guess that can be attributed to the constant motion and blur of events that transpire within it. MANCHESTER and LEEDS shows wound up an incredible showing of enthusiasm. A BIG THANKS to all of our beautiful babies who came together for us. We won't forget the parting gift from the Leeds Police, post show, when Andy was pulled over in route to our headquarters and chastised for running a red light. I think this experienced could only be summed up in his words.

THREAT LEVEL - CODE RED (in Andy's words)

"For those of you who have ever seen the movie Super Troopers, this truly could have been a scene from it. I have an over achieving officer yelling at me trying to maybe impress his female partner, I am told that "his city" doesn't tolerate drivers like me and that a night in jail being "rogered by a big black guy" is in my future should I not cooperate, listening out for the "meows" as he's yelling, I'm wondering if this is a joke as I'm being read my rights. Granted we are talking about a traffic violation that consisted of me running through a light that turned red as I was crossing........the rush hour traffic and seven car accident I caused was not my best work! Oh wait, I forgot it was actually 3am and no one was in sight, I was however too busy trying to find directions out of the city and clearly to busy to notice that Starsky and Hutch were right behind me and ready to cuss me out of Leeds.

The fact that I didn't even argue the red light I believe infuriated this super trooper to the point that he felt the need to show me on a video screen (which by the way is the coolest dash board video system I have ever seen) Admittedly we looked 'well dodgy' on the video.....a huge splitter van speeding through the intersection looking like we're on the run, seven sweaty post show band members eating kebabs, finishing drinks listening to Willie Nelson at full volume........okay so there was a reason for my lack of attention.....but hey I ran the light (kind of) and you got me. "Mr Ridley it's your lucky F*#%KING day, you have a clean driving record so I'm gonna let you go" - cool thanks sorry again for that, but not before a blistering northern ear lashing " NO listen here, If you want to drive like a F*#%KING idiot through my town, endangering the lives of people here, you're gonna spend F*#%KING time in jail being rogered by a big black man rather than trying to make money with your friends in that band" "Don't drive through here ever again like a F*#%KING idiot, get back in the van and get out of here" - during which I'm staring, just wondering if this was a set up and this is on camera, or whether I should laugh or not........... apparently not. Lets put it this way, Leeds is now a safer place without me driving through it and is certainly a safer place with the 300 lb Officer who takes great pride in cussing out me out for fun.......lesson learned and good stories for a while.... at my expense obviously!"
I will quote Andy once more to punctuate, "You, officer, are a tit"...Way to shake it, Riddler.

Topped things off with our last UK show for Club NME @ KoKo in London w/ Neon Trees.

Felt it was the best one of the batch. The venue is an incredible space and we were amazed at the support from all our wonderful fans that came through and posted up front and center for the show. FANTASTIC showing of support.

We also got footage of our favorite crazy bastard Scotsman, who has allowed himself to be whisked away on "a fookin jourrrney!". We sent our tribute to NME the week of our show and they PRINTED it! Well said, good sir…We shall do our very best to keep the perpetual motion.

THE COOKER.

The infamous photog Mr. Rich Cook will be joining us for the European leg of our jourrrrney. Action shots soon...

We have been in Paris for he last couple days. Good things...

Je suis désolé, je ne parle pas beaucoup français. Parlez-vous anglais?

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Patrick Dennis, Listening To Rocks, Swim Party, Rafter @ Casbah- 02.21.10

This past Monday, President's Day took a back seat to live music and a celebration at the Casbah. A quadruplet of local acts took up their instruments for the moderately sized Anti-Monday crowd. Patrick Dennis started things off on the main stage in front of a split set from Listening To Rocks in the Atari Lounge, followed by Swim Party and Rafter back on the main stage. More after the jump...

The early arrivals were mostly there to celebrate Listening To Rocks' guitarist Roger Morrison and his wife Sara's wedding anniversary. Patrick Dennis led off with his one man show of acoustic guitar jams, flecked with dedications to the happy couple and anecdotes about life and love. As soon as he finished his set, Listening To Rocks started up out back. Morrison, bassist Jon Kanis and drummer Brad Smith breezed through an abbreviated set of their pop rock, punctuated at the end by a duet cover from Roger and Sara. Back to the main stage where Swim Party had been busy setting up their gear and distinctive stage lighting. Guitarist/ lead vocalist Eric Tramblay, bassist (and rocking-est bartender working at Counterpoint) Alex Devereaux, drummer Petro Halkowycz and keyboardist (and photographer extraordinaire) Natalie Kardos greeted the growing crowd with a set of their indie post-rock goodness. Once they put the finishing touches on their solid set, it was back to the Atari lounge for part two of Listening To Rocks, featuring another duet from the husband and wife.

I wandered back up front to check out Rafter's sound check before the end of LTR's performance and was greeted by Rafter Roberts and Nathan Hubbard warming it up in front of an empty floor. I had the opportunity to see my first Rafter show at the Tin Can (where they performed as a three piece) about a month ago and was immediately hooked. Rafter is truly a unique individual- ginger mop that puts CoCo to shame, liberal use of a talk box, searing guitar work and stage antics for days. His most recent show was a CD release party for 'Quiet Storm' and this evening's set pulled heavily from both that and last year's exceptional 'Animal Feelings'. After dedicating his performance to the Morrisons, he and Nathan blazed through an hour or so of high-energy experimental pop-rock that you cannot help but dance to. The early start to the evening resulted in the music ending at around 11pm, which is always welcome for a Monday night.

Patrick Dennis:

Listening To Rocks:

Swim Party:

Rafter:

For more pix from the evening click here and for the rest of my concert photography click here.
_______________________
All Images copyright © Nate Vandermeulen, All Rights Reserved.
Please ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Durango Songwriter's Expo Day 2

Today was a much fuller day than yesterday. It started with sharing a 100 degree hotel room with my buddy Bob... (sigh... I'm in charge of the room temp tonight, Bob...) At 7:00, I drove to KRUZ 97.5 in Santa Barbara to do a radio interview with my good buddy Matt Stone, who runs the morning show. I played a few songs, joked around with him about music and plugged the expo. I think the best part was when an obviously hungover girl called into the station and asked for a taxi. (She turned me down when Matt offered to send me out to pick her up... probably a good choice on her part...)

When I got back to the expo, the first round of songwriting critiques was under way. I spent time in the two "pop" rooms which included critiques from Richard Harris and Adam Epstein. I had to say that I've been to many critique sessions and this one was probably one of the most beneficial. They were never condescending in any way to the writers and offered strong feedback that should be of great help to the writers. (IF they actually decide to take their critiques seriously.) I decided that later that day, I would try it with a song I didn't care much about and see what was said... (We'll get to that later. For the rest of this post, click 'keep on reading' at the bottom.)

After the critiques were done the panel discussions started. I would have to say that this was most easily the most disappointing part of my day. I was very excited to learn about "Publishing" and find out what publishers were looking for, but they ended up simply opening the floor to questions which was very ridiculous. Most people asked the most obscure possible questions that in no way related to anyone but themselves. (When panelists say, "There are no dumb questions..." I usually cringe, because it means that someone in the room is probably going to try to prove them wrong.) They would definitely do well at DSE next year if they decided to take a page from North by North Park's book and had a moderator for all panels.

The other panel on "Royalties" was also a bit of a let down. It was poorly attended and many of those who did attend decided to go to the "Publishing" first, and the questions for the panelists were asked 2 or 3 times a piece. (I also always think it's so cute how that ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC reps all seem so cordial... I always want the SESAC rep to pull some sort of a Mortal Kombat move on the other two... I guess you can see that I'm with SESAC.)

After lunch was another panel lead by hit songwriter Danny Myrick who put on one of the best panels on songwriting that I've ever been through. In the most honest and true way, he simply told everyone about his journey from childhood to becoming a hit songwriter, his struggles with songwriting and the joys of actually getting an artist to be convinced that his song was actually the song he or she had been looking for. (I honestly wish every panel had a "Danny Myrick" on it, because it was extremely obvious that he speaks from the heart like it's the only way he's ever known how to speak.

Next came the dreaded song listening... I decided to submit a country song I had written for my ex-girlfriend. There were two basic reasons I submitted to this panel: the first was because I don't really write country much and I didn't think I'd care what they said about it, and because there weren't many people in the room, so I could keep walking around like I was really cool, without people knowing I had my ass handed to me in the listening session. (I believe that means I can be called a chicken shit....)

To my surprise, I didn't do too terribly. The gentlemen who critiqued it said it was extremely catchy, and told me a few changes he thought I should make, and moved on. I believe in "Critique Speak", that translates to, "This is a hit, I wish I had written it..." (But it probably means it was "Absolute garbage, and you should quit while you're ahead, kid...")

Tonight's lineup seems like it should be another good one. The opening artists were all fantasticaly talented, and I'm looking forward to getting some sleep in a room that doesn't feel like Iraq during the summer.

Till tomorrow!
-j

Fluf at Stimy's Memorial Show at Casbah, 2/16/11

Some shots of Fluf's set at the Casbah:







You can see more in my blog post or my Facebook page.

------------
All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2011, All Rights Reserved.
It's nice to ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 25, 2011

I won't call myself a slacker because this week has been anything but relaxing, but with three different events last night and two houseguests, things got hectic and I wasn't able to get to my weekend listings. The good news, however, is that Matt P.I. (potential intern) was on it and sent me Fridays listings. I tweaked them a little and put them in format, but I have to say it looks like for his first time, he did alright. I still have to get to the weekend, but at least you can plan your night. If we missed anything, send it over and we'll try to get it up before the first happy hour beers are consumed.

Friday, February 25, 2011:

• Telekinesis, The Love Language, The Howls @ Casbah
• Mike Pinto with Shoreline Rootz, Tribal Theory and Megan Combs@ Belly Up
• The Donkeys, Midnight Rivals@ Eleven
• "Connect Four" with Broken Dreams, PCH (Piff California Herrera), DJ Mane One @ Soda Bar
• Bonkers! Dance Party hosted by Junior & Vaughn, Ume@ Bar Pink
• Rat's Eyes @ Whistle Stop
• Fireball Ministry, Night Horse, the Archons @ The Shakedown
• Space Nature, Dahga Bloom, Trap Gold, Slipping Into Darkness @ Tin Can
• The Ugly Beats, DJ Tony The Tyger @ Til Tow Club
• Long Live Logos, Two Guns, Jackson Price, The New Kinetics @ Ruby Room
• The Aquabats, GoGo 13, Buck O Nine @ House of Blues
• James Morris, Artillery Fire, Make It Last Kid, Mister Wister, This Is Confusing @ Soma
• Ruins of Abaddon, Helsott @ Tower Bar
• Art: Project Ethos @ FLUXX (7-10pm)
• Young The Giant, Kitten @ The Loft, UCSD
• Feel The Noise Electro Dance w/DJs Gabe Vega & Friends @ U-31
• Death On Wednesday, Thousand Watt Stare, Bridge 22, Eddie Rap Life @ O'Connell's
• Exit 116, Side Kick Hero@ Lestat's
• Creme de la Creme: SMOG feat Steady and Kelly Dean, Tealong, Bubblegum Sci Fi @ House of Blues, Delta Room
• Genitorturers, Hanzel & Gretyl, One Eye Doll, DJ Robin Roth @ Brick By Brick
• EOTO @ Winston's
• Boomsnap, Sunny Rude @ 710 Beach Club
• The Material, Steal The Scenery, I The Mighty @ Epicentre
• Fred Benedetti with Regina & Julia @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Rockola @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Sidekicks Duo @ Donovan's Circle of Fifths
• Mack & Malone, Samoan Irok @ 4th & B
• Gerald Clayton Trio @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• Radio Latina Fiesta Latina Live with Johnny Polanco @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
• Michael Bernier & Sheila Sondergard @ Portugalia
• Sandollar, DJ LYA @ Gallagher's
• Clay Davis Trio @ The Marble Room
• Robbie Rivera, Yusef @ Voyeur
• Zenbu Fridays with DJ Leif @ Zenbu Cardiff
• Charlie Rock & Grandmasta Rats @ El Dorado
• Jet Set with DJ Homicide @ Fluxx
• La Grange (ZZ Top Tribute) @ Ramona Mainstage

The Durango Songwriter's Expo - Day 1

Tonight was mainly a showcase of artists from all across the US playing 1 song a piece. What I learned in the first minute is that it's not about the artist at this convention... it's about the song. Many of the writers seemed nervous to be showcasing, but all were definitely talented. Of those who performed tonight the ones who stood out to me included:

Sierra Reeves - Santa Barbara
Nicolette Hayford - Nashville
Rob Drabkin - Denver
Dawnie Love - New York
Mike Moran - San Diego
Andrea Landis - Los Angeles
Dustin Christensen - Salt Lake City
Gayle Day - Los Angeles
Katrin Roush - Boston
Carl Schwizer - Utah

There is a 10:00 open mic that will probably be filled up pretty quickly, but so far everyone seems to be having a great time and the networking has been cool. I'm interested to see how tomorrow's pitch session will go and what the writers have to say about the songs that will be submitted.

That's all for now. Sorry if it's pretty boring, but check out these songwriters and see if you like em!
-j

Congress of the Cow at Stimy's Memorial Show at Casbah, 2/16/11

Some shots of Congress of the Cow's set at the Casbah:







You can see more in my blog post or my Facebook page.

------------
All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2011, All Rights Reserved.
It's nice to ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 24, 2011

Soooo much to do. While I'm glad that I was up until 6 am sorting through email and getting organized, I have to say I don't really see things slowing down at all anytime soon. Tonight alone I'll be heading to House of Blues, The Ivy, The Casbah, and FLUXX. That means the whip is cracking to get the weekend listings done for you all, so if I owe you a call, a text, a tweet, an email, or a blog post, well, it might not happen today. On to the shows...


Thursday February 24, 2011:

• Rocky Votolato, Laura Gibson, Jesse LaMonaca @ Casbah
• Marie Haddad & Greg Gibson @ West Coast Tavern
• Daydream Nation Presents: Mix Master Mike, Hyena, Jamuel Saxon, DJ Leif, Randy Vission @ Fluxx
• The Kabbs, Sick of Sarah, Last Watch @ Bar Pink
• I Heart SD Hip Hop feat. Audios, Brendan B, Id & dusty nix, Sighphur one, Destructo bunny, DJ Marsellus Wallace @ Soda Bar
• "Play It Forward" Benefit for Nu Water International feat. Knockout Bell (EP Release), Albatross, The Mashtis, Nothingful, DJ Gonzo, Room E @ Ruby Room
• Colony, Audrey Ryan, Literature, Vandersteeze @ Tin Can
• Maz Jobrani @ House of Blues
• Longstay, Justin Froese, Terraplane Sun @ Belly Up
• Dan Padilla, Hot New Mexicans, Rumspringer, Casket Life @ Eleven
• Brendan B, Audios, ID Dusty Nix, Sighpur One, Destructo Bunny @ Soda Bar
• Sheela-na-Gig @ Museum of Man
• Kellen Malloy, Mark Growden, Parker Ainsworth @ Lestat's
• Charles McPherson, Daniel Jackson @ Anthology
• The Israel Maldonado Band, Cumbia Machin @ Winston's
• DJs G*Roy & Girth w/ Chuck Prada @ The Office
• Len Rainey @ Patrick's II
• Subliminal Trip @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ Croce's
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ El Dorado
• Scott Wilson & The Contradictions, Will Edwards, Matthew Stewart, Rob Deez @ Claire de Lune
• Prairie Tenor String band @ Park Gallery
• Blitzkid, Zombie Surf Camp, Oddball, Dead Daze @ Brick By Brick
• L.E.D. Presents: Treasure Fingers, Congorock, Kingdom @ Voyeur
• Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ The Lucky Star Restaurant (54th & University)
• Bill Magee @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Mark Stuart @ Tiki House
• The Bombpops, Murderland, The Getdown @ The Shakedown
• Let It Burn feat. Syndicate, Kyle Nicolaides, live burlesque, The Timefly (DJ set) @ Queen Bee's
• The Flock of 80's @ Henry's Pub
• Allegra @ Beaumont's
• Missy Andersen @ Marble Room
• Club 80's @ Club Kadan
• Karaoke @ O'Connell's
• The Jones Revival @ Valley View Casino
• Gonzology @ McP's Irish Pub & Gril
• Vamp @ Whistle Stop
• Live Band Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
• Despite The Wolves, Canobliss @ Boar Cross'n
• Road Noises, Stone Senses @ Hennessey's Carlsbad
• Off The Wagon, Chet Cannon & The Committee @ The Harp
• Morsoul @ Davina's Cabo Grill
• Ease Up, DJ Reefah, TRC Sound System @ Gallagher's
• Generations Party w/ DJ Artistic @ U-31
• Squirrelly Arts @ Second Wind Navajo

E-Mail of The Day: Two Gallants Are Back!!

It's no secret I'm a HUGE fan of Two Gallants. In fact, I think I discovered them right around the same time I found Rocky Votolato's music and have been a fan ever since. I've been in touch with Tyson Vogel recently (trying to get a house/gallery show the week before SXSW if anyone has a space for his solo project, Devotionals. Park Gallery has not returned emails) and I'm also a huge fan of Adam H Stephens and the solo project he released last year. That's why when I saw the email below popup, I stopped what I was doing to open it. Though I'm in the midst of trying to figure out how the hell I'm getting to SXSW and how to afford it all, I have to say a road trip to San Francisco might be in order after reading this.

Dear dear old friends, fans, family. It has been too long. We are writing to announce that after over two years apart, we, two gallants, are once again one. Not that we were ever not one. But we have strayed quite a distance from the comforting light of the home fires. We have walked the dim lit alleys each with its requisite border of silhouetted doors. Watched the illusory trail of e-missives sent into the night. Necks in a permanent crick from askance browsings of online dating site profiles. But oh the hollow feeling to wake with the scent of a stranger upon the lips and the ineffable sense of longing for the way things used to be.

Two years ago we had become so caught up in the motions of it all that we no longer knew quite what we were doing and why we were doing it. Cogs in the machine. Dust in the wind. But there's nothing like a well earned absence to make the heart grow fond of itself once more. We hope that you can find it in your hearts to understand. We know that some of you have been asking when we'd be back at it again. If you didn't receive a reply from us its only because we didn't have one. Until now.

Please join us if you can in our dearly beloved hometown of San Francisco on April 23rd, 2011 at the Bottom of the Hill. You can get advance tickets starting Saturday Feb 26, 2011 here. Your presence will be extremely welcomed. For those of you who have been with us for a while and those of you who intend to, we appreciate your patience and your continued interest in the music we make.

Adam & Tyson
2GS biatch.

Tonight: Rocky Votolato, Laura Gibson, Jesse LaMonaca at the Casbah

I'm absolutely thrilled about tonight's Casbah lineup with Rocky Votolato, Laura Gibson, and Jesse LaMonaca. In case you're new to this site, Rocky has been one of my favorite songwriters for eons and every performance is nothing short of amazing, whether he's with a full band, or, like tonight, delivering a solo performance. I'm happy that over the years I can call Rocky a friend and glad that he's persevered all of these years. If you haven't picked up True Devotion, I'd recommend bringing some cash to the show because I'm pretty sure he'll have it on vinyl which is obviously the best way to hear it, preferably in a quiet dimly lit room. The show is not only Plan A in CityBeat, but it's the only plan, and for good reason. Be sure to check out the great article about Jesse, also in this week's issue, though contrary to the article, he will just be performing with Brandon Conway on guitar. His birthday is on Sunday, so be sure to wish him well, and get there early to catch his 9pm set.

This is video a playlist I shot of Rocky doing a house show last summer (awkwardly close, I'll admit). Click the right and left arrows to navigate.

Tonight: Daydream Nation presents Mixmaster Mike at FLUXX Live

I know we were all just going "Crazy" for Cee-lo Green, but Daydream Nation is already back with another great FLUXX live event for you tonight. On the bill, the legendary Mixmaster Mike who'll be supported by San Diego favorites Hyena and Jamuel Saxon (so prepare to wear your neon body paint). The event is once again hosted by Mr. Tim Pyles and should be a fun way to kick into the weekend. Tickets are only $10 in advance and you can buy them by clicking on the flyer. I hear there's an unlimited guestlist before 10:30 if you hit up Jamuel Saxon on Facebook, but you'll have to investigate that one on your own.

Remember, the Daydream Nation events are made for those of us who might not hang out in downtown's bourgie clubs, so there's a relaxed dress code. Yes, they even let me in with my hoodies. Don't be afraid to ask the bartenders if there are drink specials...usually there's a $5 beer and $6 well on the menu...if you don't want the sticker shock of paying double that for other bevvies.

3 Days at the Durango Songwriter's Expo (The Prequel)

Question: What do you do if you are laid off from your temp job, and still haven't found a suitable place to work? Also, your rent is due on Saturday, you just over-drafted, and your car is making a funny noise? Answer: The DURANGO SONGWRITERS EXPO.

Okay, maybe that's not the most responsible way to go, but I've posted my resume all over the internet, and I'm tired of using all of these website's stupid "Convenient Job Applications" that take FOREVER to load, and then use some sort of aged java that makes me enter my stuff four times, and then tell me that my resume is "incomplete" or some shit. (Sorry mom... i'm just upset.)

So when Bob Leggett of "Shout It Out Promotions" asked if I'd cover the expo for SDDIALEDIN, I felt like maybe it would be a great escape from these time consuming applications. (Nobody ever calls me anyways... I mean... how many baristas at starbucks have their master's degree...)

This year, some of my favorite writer's and good friends are being showcased. Chuck Cannon, who has been extremely influential and a great encouragement, has written tons of hit songs for Toby Keith and other artists. I met him at LeStats when I opened for him about a year ago. (Gregory Page also played that show, and KILLED!) Chuck introduced me to Shawn Mullins a few months later, and then Shawn had me open for him about a month ago. (His song "Lullaby" was one of the reasons I started writing songs.) there will also be performances from Paul Overstreet, Glen Phillips, Bill Champlin, Danny Myrick, Ken Johnson, Andi Zack, Tim Fagan and many more!

I'm very interested in what I will learn in the panels on writing, publishing, and royalties. While I feel I've learned most of what I need to know at "North by North Park"- (AKA: the North Park Music Thingy) It will be interesting to see what the rest of the world has to say about the music industry.

Look for more posts this week, until then, check out this video of Chuck Cannon!

Stimy Benefit II: Ken Club, 2.19.2011

Though I was up at Sunset Sessions on Saturday night, the second Stimy benefit was well attended and well documented. Michael has been posting some photos this week from last Wednesday's benefit at the Casbah and will be posting more, but Jason Bang sent over these videos and wanted me to share them. I'm sorry I couldn't be in two places at once, because I really would have liked to see these performances.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 23, 2011

I'm sprung on coffee so I'm just gonna post and be done with it.

Wednesday February 23, 2011:

• Sebadoh, Quasi @ Casbah
• Bridge 22 @ M-Theory Records
• DJs Duse & Grimm @ Bar Pink (Killola canceled)
• The Accoutrements, The Mice, The Black, San Deviants @ Tin Can
• Beats Antique, Inspired Flight, Wolfgang Von Cope @ Belly Up
• Bridge 22 @ Lyman Saville Theatre, SD City College
• "Show Us Your Cans" feat. French Kiss Collective @ A/C Lounge (Canned food drive for the Red Cross)
• Fierce Bad Rabbit, The Flowerthief, Priory @ Soda Bar
• Wendy Bailey and The True Stories @ Riviera Supper Club
• Jesse LaMonaca @ Hennessey's PB
• Goapele @ Anthology
• Dawn of Midi @ Neurosciences Institute
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
• Comedy w/ Dylan Boisvert @ Eleven
• Hip Hop Meets Reggae w/ DJ Artistic & Tribe of Kings @ Ruby Room
• The Wonder Years, The Greater Heights, This Wild Life, Hide The Details, Captain! Captain! @ The Epicentre
• Wrec Shop Wednesdays geat DJ Waly Mayhem & Memo RX @ The Office
• Coyote Grace, Jackson Price, Vinnie and Skinny @ Lestat's
• Special Guest, Mr. Biggs, Headshake, Austin Speed @ El Dorado
• Hangovers & Broken Hearts, 6 String Samurai, April Ventura & The Magnolias @ O'Connell's
• Daniel Jackson, Marshall Hawkins, Chuck McPherson @ Dizzy's
• L.E.D. Presents: Designer Drugs, Mustard Pimp @ Voyeur
• Scott Carter & New Breed @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Club Kingston Presents: Revival, Damon Williams @ Winston's
• Death Angel, Lazarus AD, Bonded by Blood, The Midus Touch, Helsott, Ruinist @ Brick By Brick
• 145th Street @ Patrick's II
• Acoustic Fooks @ Dublin Square
• Battle of The Bands @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
• Sister Speak @ PB Bar & Grill
• Commune Wednesday feat. Jamuel Saxon, DJ P-Star @ Whistle Stop
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Evergreen @ Porter's Pub
• Busdriver, Dark Time Sunshine, DDove & The LIE Show, Max Bundles, Pawz 1 @ Kava Lounge
• Knight Vision @ Club Kadan
• Fuzzy @ Croce's
• Ron's Duo @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
• Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
• Karaoke @ Chico Club
• We Wednesday @ U-31

Skydiver at Stimy's Memorial show at Casbah, 2/16/11

Stimy's Memorial Show was last week, I'll be posting the band shots individually over the next few days. Skydiver reunited and opened for the night.










See my blog post for more. I have a new Facebook Fan Page now, come on over and like me.

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All Images Copyright © Michael Klayman 2011, All Rights Reserved.
It's nice to ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Sunset Sessions: The Makepeace Brothers February 18, 2011

Friday morning of Sunset Sessions kicked off with an interview and performance by Cas Haley, a rural Texas boy who came in second place on America's Got Talent. We followed that with a performance by Laura Jansen, but since she was playing a keyboard that was plugged directly into the mixer, I didn't bother filming. It wasn't until The Makepeace Brothers that I decided I'd capture all of the sessions on my own.

The Makepeace Brothers are Ciaran and Finian and seriously, everything about them is adorable. They are 2 of 4 brothers, their last name is really Makepeace (their parents legally changed their names in the 70s), and they finish each other's sentences. They are originally from Ithaca but now call Venice home, and you can tell the beach influences their free spirited music.

In their interview, they talked about their work with a charity to stop sex slavery in the US and internationally and how that has lead them to get involved with several other charities. Their next performance in San Diego, in fact, will be at the post-run celebration for the Chelsea's Light Foundation on March 5th, and then in Oceanside for a Feeding The Soul event on March 26. You can tell these guys come from good stock ("growing up, we sang because we didn't have TV") and some lucky girls are gonna snatch them up and make lots and lots of babies.




In the session, they performed two songs.The first was "Breaking Down These Walls" which I loved.


Then they played "Wake Up" which was sweet but I wasn't quite so in love with because for one, there are too many "oooh-ooh-oohs" for my taste, and two, that's the guitar lick from Sublime's "Santeria", isn't it? Still, these boys are a-ok in my book and I'm sure with the help of their friend Jason Mraz, you'll see and hear them everywhere one day.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 22, 2011

I cannot believe how quickly time passes. Seriously, I have no idea how I'm supposed to be ready for Texas in 3 weeks, especially with it being my first time and all. I'm looking for trip sponsors, so if you're someone with the means to support a San Diego blogger, by all means, let me know. Tonight should be pretty awesome, kicking off with Austin's own Bob Schneider over at Anthology and then moving over to the Casbah to catch my new friends Everest. (I hope I didn't creep them out by admitting that I've been to pretty much every San Diego show they've ever played). See you out on the town. Wednesday & Thursday listings are after the jump.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011:

• Everest, Red Cortez, Maren Parusel @ Casbah
• Bob Schneider @ Anthology
• Slow Skate, Street of Little Girls, Island Boy, DJ Rob Dylan @ Soda Bar
• The Hood Internet @ The Loft
• Emersen, Vanja James, Craig Browning, Jordan Reimer @ Tin Can
• Miguel, DJ Man-cat @ Belly Up
• Woven Roots @ Winston's
• Landis, Breakhouse @ Ruby Room
• Pocket @ El Dorado
• Local Brews Local Grooves: Gayle Skidmore, Katie Leigh and The Infantry, Scott West Band, Seawall @ House of Blues
• Tiki Tuesday feat. Craig Prior @ Bar Pink
• Tommy Price & The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
• Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
• Nena Anderson @ Riviera Supper Club
• Open Mic @ O'Connell's
• Jesse Davis @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Train of Thought @ Queen Bee's
• Comedy Night @ Lestat's
• Shelle Blue @ Patrick's ll
• Trash Night w/ Shiva Trash, Phlying Saucer, Robert Meade @ Eleven
• Dave Booda Acoustic @ Tiki House
• Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
• Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
• Jaimie Muehlhausen @ Hennessey's Vista
• Safety Orange @ Hennessey's Gaslamp
• Doug Allen, Suzy Bongo @ The Kraken
• Karaoke @ Cafe La Maze
• Buzz Campbell & Hot Rod Lincoln @ Valley View Casino
• Mike Gardner @ Cheers (Ramona)
• Gene Warren @ McP's Irish Pub & Grill
• Stress Free Standup Comedy @ U-31

Are you ready for the The Hood Internet?

The Hood Internet are in town tomorrow and they are going to kick your ass, sonically of course! The mash-up maestros from Chi-Town are back in support of their newest mixtape, The Hood Internet Volume Five. For those of you not familiar with this incredibly handsome duo, think party rocking mash-ups a la Girl Talk but less ADD and more witty. What started as a casual project between STV SLV and ABX has lead to so much more, seeing The Hood take their show all over the world! They have remixed and produced tracks with the likes of Das Racist, GZA and Kid Static just to name a few and as far as mash-ups go, no one is safe from their selection! Michael Jackson vs Ratatat, Arcade Fire vs Blondie, Kanye West vs Journey, Fleetwood Mac vs Daft Punk, Ghostface Killah vs Beirut, Major Lazer vs Dirty Projectors...the list goes on and on and on.

If you have nothing better to do tomorrow, come down to The Loft at UCSD (Tuesday, February 22, 2011 / 8:00 PM) and prepare for a dance party like no other. Also, be sure to check out their website www.thehoodinternet.com where you can download (FOR FREE/GRATIS!!!) all their mixes and tracks and stream them live when you're at work tomorrow deciding if your cheap ass is going to shell out $10 to go see this dope ass DJ duo.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Telekinesis & The Love Language @ The Casbah Friday February 25, 2011

(left- The Love Language at the Belly Up, 9.19.2010)

Two distinctly different indie rock bands will bring their co-headlining tour to our city this Friday when Telekinesis and The Love Language perform at The Casbah. Each band features a multi-instrumentalist with a rotating supporting cast. First, Seattle based Telekinesis is the brainchild of Michael Benjamin Lerner, who has enlisted the production support of Chris Walla on both of the band’s LPs, the latest being 12 Desperate Straight Lines, released earlier this month on Merge Records. The sound on this album is much more upbeat than the initial self titled release. The result is much more immediate to the listener, which should also translate well in a live setting.

The Love Language, based in Raleigh, NC, was founded by Stuart McLamb, and the band’s sound is much more diverse in nature. Being more experimental is sometimes risky, but with the help of a youthful upbeat supporting cast, things works well in the studio and live setting (played Belly Up last year). Finding a unique sound in the indie music world is no small task, but the band’s growth is readily apparent on their sophomore release, Libraries. Songs go from soft to frenetic while keeping the listener’s interest. Also part of the Merge roster, there is no telling where this band is headed, but they seem to be on the right track. This Friday will be your chance to witness both of these fine bands in the cozy Middletown venue. It promises to be a truly great way to usher in the weekend.

The Howls set the stage. -Jeff Sperling

Watch a video of Dirty Thing below.

Telekinesis - Dirty Thing from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Watch a video of Heart To Tell below.

The Love Language - Heart to Tell from Merge Records on Vimeo.

This is a video Rosemary shot when they played with Local Natives at the Belly Up in September.

Sunset Sessions: Vanessa Carlton & Stevie Nicks, 2.19.2011

The internet is amazing, isn't it? I uploaded about 40 videos from Sunset Sessions, and was planning on going back to title all the videos (or con Matt the potential intern into doing it, aka Matt PI), and I wake up to find that 41 people have already watched my video of Vanessa Carlton and Stevie Nicks. How did they even find it titles 8471 or whatever? I dunno. Regardless, I've added more titles and it's pretty obvious that Vanessa Carlton has some ravenous fans because they're eating them up.

The story: On Saturday, Stevie Nicks appeared at Sunset Sessions as she moderated an album preview, Q&A and listening party, and meet and greet. We were busy recording a session, but decided to head down at the end to try and get some photos. I wasn't particularly interested in meeting Stevie Nicks. There are some music idols, I suppose, that you don't wanna meet...I'd rather keep whatever notion I have of her in my brain, and especially since I hadn't been in for the session. Just didn't feel right. But I was watching my tweetdeck in real time and enjoying all the tweets about Stevie.

Hours later, after the evening session finished, everyone moved up to the dinner ballroom for some bands and a buffet. I kept my eyes on the live search and started seeing buzzings that Stevie Nicks was soundchecking with Vanessa Carlton. After dinner I had to make sure I unloaded my cameras to my laptop in the office, but told Peggy and made sure she did her best to get us seats up close. I walked in after one or two songs and found that Peggy had the very front and center sofa. There was some anticipation as people had pretty much figured out (or looked at the tweetwall) and knew the "surprise" was Stevie Nicks. Here are the videos I shot. Apologies that "I Don't Wanna Be A Bride" isn't the full song, I started recording late. These videos are in reverse order, except "Carousel" which ended the set.

"Carousel"


"I Don't Wanna Be A Bride"


"London"


"A Thousand Miles"

Sunset Sessions: KD Lang, 2.18.2011

I see that a lot of people are landing on my site through KD Lang's fan page, but I just have too many photos and they're making the rest of my site go haywire, so instead, I'll just post the two photos I snapped.

KD Performed on Friday, February 18 at Sunset Sessions during the evening music session. We arrived early Friday and unlike other seminars or conventions, the resort felt oddly empty. I'd estimate that attendance is somewhere in the range of 500 including all of the bands, but not everyone stays the full weekend and many just attend the live music sessions while skipping the panels that take place in a smallish room that could probably hold 100 or so people. So I didn't really know the lay of the land or where and what we could do, so after some of our interviews, I heard KD Lang's voice coming through the halls. I went to this side area and caught her soundchecking with her band, with a few people scattered. Nobody really told me I couldn't be there, but where in my former life if I didn't have a pass and was just sneaking around, I'd go anywhere, now that I have NBC on my badge, there are certain rules I don't wanna break, so I watched her sing from a side door, snapped a couple pics, and was on my way.

Leter that evening she performed, but we were doing more sessions and trying to get things uploaded and whatnot, so I missed it, but I could hear through the hall and from what I could tell, the crowd was in total awe. I heard her sing "Contant Craving" and "Hallelujah" but am not really sure what else she performed. I regret not seeing her performance, as I surely would've shot some video, too. My bad, for sure.

Things To Do In San Diego: February 21, 2011

I'm really looking forward to this week for several reasons. First and foremost, my friend Nima finished his 1000 mile bike ride down the Baja Peninsula and should be back by Wednesday, if not sooner, and then we can start planning our trip to SXSW as Team Zissou. There are also some great shows to look forward to this week, including Sara & Roger's anniversary show, Bob Schneider at Anthology and Everest at Casbah on Tuesday, Sebadoh returning to the Casbah on Wednesday, and then my favorite guy with a guitar, Rocky Votolato rolls back into town and I'm really stoked that Jesse LaMonaca is getting to open the show. I'll continue posting my videos from the Sunset Sessions, so stay tuned, and check out the other stuff we did over at SoundDiego and KPRi.

Monday February 21, 2011:

• Anti-Monday League Presents Sara and Roger's Anniversary Party: Rafter, Swim Party, Patrick Dennis, Listening to Rocks @ Casbah (Doors are at 7:30, bands start at 8pm.)
• Hello Electric, Lord Juggernaut, Pilots @ Soda Bar
• Make Believe Monday w/ Stevie & The Hi-Stax @ Bar Pink
• Tribute to The Reggae Legends feat. Bunny Wailer, Don Carlos, Horace Andy, Israel Vibration, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Half Pint, Gentleman, Richie Spice, I-Octane, Cornel Campbell, Fully Fullwood Band, Tosh 1, Tribal Seeds, Quinto Sol, Bredren @ Valley View Casino Center
• Sodapalooza 4.0 feat. Good Intentions, BlueBloodRed @ Belly Up
• April Ventura @ Riviera Supper Club
• Joe Buck Yourself, The Hooten Hallers, Big Buck Hunter and The Pros @ The Shakedown
• Lord Dying, tba @ Ruby Room
• Nathan James @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Open Mic @ Lestat's
• Rock Jam DJs @ U-31
• The Pocket Rockets, Starcrossed, Con Tom, Punchcard @ Eleven
• Club MAW @ Henry's Pub
• Doug Allen, Susie Bongo @ The Kraken
• Jeff Moore's Witchdoctors @ Patrick's II
• Three Chord Justice @ Bar Leucadian
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Corey Cottrell @ Hennessey's Gaslamp
• Califarians (acoustic) @ Hennessey's PB
• Sue Palmer @ Athanaeum Music Arts & Library, noon
• Pro-Invitational Blues Jam Hosted by Mystery Train @ O'Connell's
• The Get Down @ Club Kadan
• Dave Scott @ Croce's
• Trivia Night @ Whistle Stop
• Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill

Sunset Sessions: Photo Gallery 2011

So apparently my Photobucket slideshow only allowed me to post 100 photos at a time so despite my album having 175 photos, you didn't see a bunch of them. I'm not very happy with changes to Photobucket and I hate Flickr (especially because even after going through a process to reclaim my account, I still couldn't get in), so I dunno what to do that would be the best way to display multiple photos, so I went through the 175 pictures, selected some from that album, and posted the thumbnails here. You can click them to get to the fullsize photos (I think).











More photos after the jump. (Click 'keep on reading' below')