Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, February 27-Monday, March 5, 2018



Last week I was freaking out because I was gonna be out every night last week. What I didn't factor into the equation was that I would jack my back and have spasms all week. I was able to shoot Dan Auerbach on Monday and tUnE-yArDs on Tuesday, but I was sitting for the majority of both shows and I had to have my merch gigs covered. I was finally mobile again this past weekend, and Nova had back to back slumber parties, so Darren and I enjoyed getting out for Missing Persons on Friday, and after I got to catch The Spits at Space. It was so damn cold we laid low on Saturday, but I worked on Sunday at the Irenic then hung out with Julie at the Office. Today is Darren's birthday so we had a big family dinner last night and tonight we'll be checking out Real Estate and typical fashion, he really doesn't want any attention but it's a big one so we'll keep trying to find ways to make it special. Tuesday through Monday archives are after the jump.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Mondo Cozmo Pens Blistering and Heartbreaking "The Ballad Of Vegas"

I love Mondo Cozmo. Here's a little secret: we almost exclusively listen to Sirius XMU or playlists on Google Play at home and in the car. So when I'm driving alone, I have Mondo Cozmo in the CD player and it's now been in there for maybe 8 months and it is my solace. I'm terribly sad I missed his other jaunts through town last year after his Casbah show, and if I could get up to his show in LA, I totally would, but it's just not feasible without making Nova ditch school. So I eagerly wait for him to book another Casbah show, or maybe an Irenic show, and listen to him on loop. I know I don't typically use this space for new music (because there are a thousand other music blogs who do that), this one is important and poignant and timely and beautiful. Don't tell me today's artists don't know how to write protest songs. (I mean, you saw my David Dondero videos, right?)

If you would like a FREE DOWNLOAD of this song, simply email mondocozmoPEACE@gmail.com



If you would like to support organizations fighting for common sense reform of gun legislation, here are some good ones:

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Newtown Action Alliance

Everytown for Gun Safety

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

March For Our Lives


Photos: Typhoon at Music Box, February 10, 2018

I told you how I went to Vegas a few weeks back for The National. On that trip, Jeff and I had 12+ hours in the car for the roundtrip adventure, and as such, we listened to a ton of new records, including Offerings, the latest from Typhoon. The record is amazing, and weird, and intricate, and heartbreaking, and powerful. Listening through the desert, I'd decided that I had to see what they're about live. Because the record is a cohesive story in four parts, I was curious if they'd just play the whole thing front to back. That would've been awesome, but also maybe too intense, so I was actually surprised how uplifting and fun the show was. Despite the seriousness of the record, and the amazing musicianship, the members themselves don't seem to take themselves too seriously, and the energy from the stage to the crowd and back again was easy to get caught up in. I took a zillion photos, and several of them are after the jump.


Tuesday, February 20, 2018

San Diego County Fair Performer Applications Open

I got this a few days ago and thought I'd pass it along from the people at the San Diego County Fair.


THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON YOU! APPLY NOW TO SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT ON STAGE

DEL MAR, Ca. (Feb. 16, 2018) ­– Hey San Diego – we know you’ve got talent! You have until March 13 to apply to perform at the 2018 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons|Vons. This year’s Fair runs June 1-July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Each year, the San Diego County Fair showcases the talent of local entertainers on eight stages throughout the Fair. It’s a chance for you to show off what you do best and perform family-friendly entertainment that will spread Fair-time cheer. Whether you are part of a dance group, band, Latin group, or a soloist, the Fair offers a perfect spot to showcase your talent.

March 13 is the deadline to apply to be considered to perform at the 2018 San Diego County Fair. After that date, you will be put on a waitlist. Don’t delay – apply today!

Entertainer applications are available online at www.sdfair.com/perform

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, February 20-Monday, February 26, 2018


What a week. I swear, I thought I'd never get these listings done. Last week was a great one though I only made it to Chuck Ragan and Jesse LaMonaca at Casbah before we went on our trip to Phoenix. I love road trips and the desert landscape is beautiful, but I'm not a fan of the AZ. That said, we made the best of it and Nova enjoyed being with her teammates. The Juvenile Dollinquents lost pretty handily to the home team, the Arizona Minor Assaults, but later that day beat the LA Junior Derby Dolls by nearly 250 points, so it would've been nice to see Nova on the track more than she was since we made the effort to be there. After the tournament, we did have an amazing dinner at Lou Magneti's (famous Chicago deep dish pizza) and on Sunday we went on a nice hike at Hole-In-The-Rock before driving home. Plus, I got home early enough to catch Adult Magic, Odd Robot, and Samiam at Awesomefest, and then on Monday got to see the brilliance of Dan Auerbach and The Easy Eye Sound Revue. This week is going to be bonkers, because I'm going to Tune-Yards, selling merch for Superchunk and Willie Watson, then I plan on going to Missing Persons on Friday and Bruno Major on Saturday, then I'm working Enter Shikari at the Irenic on Sunday. Yikes. I might have to reorganize because I don't do well going out that many nights in a row. Anyway, it's a great week for live music so go out and get some. Tuesday through Monday archives are after the jump.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Locachella: Coachella "Sideshow" Acts In San Diego

I'm ecstatic that San Diego is getting a good cut of this year's Coachella cake. The other day I posted the freshly announced Observatory shows, but obviously there are so many venues getting in on the action, I thought I'd make a more complete list of Coachella artists playing in San Diego before, between, or after Coachella.


  • Thursday, March 29 Declan McKenna, Chappell Roan @ Music Box
  • Tuesday, April 10 Chromeo, Phantoms @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Wednesday, April 11 Hayley Kiyoko @ Observatory North Park 
  • Tuesday, April 12 David Byrne @ San Diego Civic Theatre
  • Thursday, April 12 Angel Olsen @ Music Box
  • Sunday, April 15 War On Drugs @ Observatory North Park  
  • Sunday, April 15 Fleet Foxes, Amen Dunes @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Monday, April 16 Ibeyi @ Belly Up  
  • Monday, April 16 Jungle @ Observatory North Park  
  • Tuesday, April 17 David Byrne @ San Diego Civic Theatre
  • Tuesday, April 17 Miguel, SiR, Nonchalant Savant @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Tuesday, April 17 Boogarins @ Casbah
  • Tuesday, April 17 Kali Uchis @ Observatory North Park 
  • Wednesday, April 18 Alvvays, Frankie Rose @ Music Box
  • Wednesday, April 18 The Bronx, NO PARENTS @ Casbah
  • Wednesday, April 18 Tash Sultana @ Observatory North Park - SOLD OUT
  • Thursday, April 19 alt-J, Twin Shadow @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Thursday, April 19 Jessie Ware @ Belly Up 
  • Thursday, April 19 HAIM @ Observatory North Park 
  • Friday, April 20 Japanese Breakfast, Snail Mail, And And And @ The Irenic
  • Friday, April 20 King Krule @ Observatory North Park - SOLD OUT
  • Sunday, April 22 Ron Gallo The Nude Party, Twen @ Casbah
  • Monday, April 23 Marian Hill, Michl @ Observatory
    Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!!

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Observatory North Park Announces Coachella "Sideshows"

OMG! I have been so curious about what shows would come through for "Localchella" and I got a little heads up last night from the Observatory. All of these shows are now announced.

GRAMMY Award Winners War On Drugs are playing at The Observatory between Coachella weekends.
Photo by Shawn Brackbill Courtesy Pitch Perfect PR
  • Wed, Apr 11   Hayley Kiyoko @ Observatory North Park - Onsale Feb 16
  • Sun, Apr 15  War On Drugs @ Observatory North Park - SOLD OUT
  • Mon, Apr 16   Jungle @ Observatory North Park - Onsale Feb 16
  • Tue, Apr 17   Kali Uchis @ Observatory North Park - Onsale Feb 16
  • Thu, Apr 19   HAIM @ Observatory North Park - Onsale Feb 16
  • Wed, Apr 18    Tash Sultana @ Observatory North Park - SOLD OUT
  • Fri, Apr 20   King Krule @ Observatory North Park - SOLD OUT
  • Mon, Apr 23 Marian Hill, Michl @ Observatory North Park
Additionally, Casbah announced Ron Gallo @ Casbah on April 22. Tickets are also on sale for this one are on sale Friday at 10am

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, February 13-Monday, February 19, 2018

We were back at the Safari Park on Sunday and though we missed the new cheetah cubs, we got to see a baby rhino born just a few days earlier. We caught her nursing, then later saw her chasing gazelle, and it even looked like her mom was playing peek-a-boo with her because she was hiding in the little hut and then surprising her. After watching Dagmar's Extinction Crisis the week before and the very graphic video of Thandi, just seeing this little baby made me incredibly emotional. Over the weekend, I also had the chance to catch Typhoon and Mimicking Birds at Music Box (photos to come) and David Dondero at Soda Bar (check out his protest songs Presidential Palace of Pornography and When The Pendulum Swings). This week (besides watching endless hours of the Olympics) I'm thinking I'll check out Chuck Ragan and maybe Mary Timony at Casbah, but for the weekend we'll be missing most of Awesome Fest because Nova has a derby tournament in Phoenix. I hope everyone has a great week. Tuesday through Monday archives are after the jump.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Things to Do In San Diego: Saturday, February 10-Monday, February 12, 2018


This has been an amazing week and a shit week all at once. I got to see the phenomenal Phoebe Bridgers on Monday, then had time to catch Western Scene with my old friend Tom at the Casbah afterward. I also interviewed Patty Lynn of The Wind and The Wave and caught their show on Wednesday night. There was also some compelling TV (like This Is Us finding their stride again, or the kick off of the Winter Olympics). But it's also shit. I shouldn't let the news or stress or the messes of life get to me but I have sometimes crippling anxiety and insomnia and Friday night was the first night I actually slept this entire week (versus all nighters then 'dozing' in the daytime while Nova is at school). I'm trying to do the things like cutting late screen time or just shutting off the news entirely, but in this line of work and in this day and age it's nearly impossible. So for now it's either nighttime advil or melatonin. I need to get a normal sleep schedule. That said, I was up all shiny and early this morning so I thought I'd update the listings so they're easier to find. Saturday through Monday archives are after the jump.

Photos: St. Vincent at Observatory North Park January 27, 2018

I'm not gonna lie. I am kind of embarrassed to share these photos. I was so excited to see St. Vincent at the Observatory a couple weeks back. She's long been one of Darren's favorites and over time has become one of mine, too. I had the chance to see her a few times before, including House of Blues and the tour with David Byrne in Orange County, but this one was even better for numerous reasons-- it was on my home turf, I got to shoot, she was playing solo, I got to see her with Darren, her aunt and uncle Tuck & Patti opened the show after hearing about them for years, Nova was at a sleepover, it was a Saturday night...the reasons are endless. And then I get 50 pictures loaded in and see that the lighting was actually TOO good and got every speck of dust and hair that's just locked in my camera. I have two cats and a dog, I carry my cameras just about everywhere and not in their photo bag, so I'm just always going to have imperfections, but on someone as flawless as Annie Clark--St Vincent--they're just way worse. So my apologies, I don't use lightbox or edit my photos, you get them how I shot them. And if I don't share them then I get backed up and stop sharing altogether and it's a big downward spiral. But I'll spare you and put them after the jump. (Unless you're on mobile, then you'll just get them all in one quick burst).



Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, February 6-Friday, February 9, 2018


Last week turned out to be an exceptional one. I went to Pinback on Monday and Wednesday, Passion Pit on Thursday, Strfker & Reptaliens on Friday, Chris Doherty at Pink then The Belle Game and Wens on Saturday, and Phoebe Bridgers on Monday. That's a pretty solid week of music. We're kinda laying low right now between soccer seasons, so it's been nice not always rushing around and getting to do some fun afterschool stuff. We're looking good in February, but as bands prepare for SXSW, things stay a little slow, so don't skip the good shows when you have a chance to catch them. Tuesday through Friday archives are after the jump.