Recommended Shows in San Diego November 18-24, 2013

There are some great shows happening in San Diego this week, so be sure to see live music before thoughts turn to turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings next week. Here are some shows worth attending.

Head to Soda Bar on Monday for L.A.'s Nightmare Air and their San Diego friends Bulletins...

If you didn't get a ticket to the sold out Chvrches show on Tuesday at the House of Blues, then consult the listings for a viable alternative...

Prolific indie performer/producer John Vanderslice descends into Soda Bar on Wednesday...Kate Nash plays at the all ages Porter's Pub...

On Thursday San Francisco synth pop band Geographer play an intimate show at the Casbah...

Seattle's singer/songwriter Noah Gundersen plays to the students at The Loft on Friday...highly recommended...Rick Froberg's Obits headline the Casbah...

The Limousines and Mona team up for a great bill on Saturday at the Casbah...Screaming Females and Upset will be at Soda Bar...

Night Beats (Seattle) close the weekend with their garage rock at the Casbah...

Those on the fence (or the couch) should find something of interest musically speaking in San Diego this week. Consult the listings for all the shows.

Watch a video of Love is a Dog From Hell by The Limousines below.



Watch a video of How The West Was Won by John Vanderslice below.

Show Preview: Blitzen Trapper @ Porter's Pub Saturday November 9, 2013

Blitzen Trapper

Portland based indie folk rock band Blitzen Trapper are returning to San Diego this Saturday for a show at the all ages Porter's Pub on the UCSD campus. For those uninitiated with the band, folk, americana, alt-country and indie rock are all styles found in their music. Formed back in 2000, Blitzen Trapper recently released their seventh full length album, appropriately titled VII. This marks the group's first release on Vagrant Records. The songs really are mostly what we have come to expect, and there is nothing wrong with that. Being together as a band for over ten years is quite an accomplishment in itself. Putting out consistent quality music is something else Blitzen Trapper can be proud of. Led by singer/guitarist/songwriter Eric Earley, the band currently performs as a quintet. Because it is difficult to pigeonhole their multifaceted style, there is no mistaking their sound. When this band wants to kick it up a notch, they can compete with almost anybody. This sort of makes me wonder (and wish) they would do this more frequently. This is music that gets you moving, whether in the form of stomping your feet or clapping your hands.

Alialujah Choir, also from Portland, set the stage. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.

Listen to Ever Loved Once by Blitzen Trapper below. (courtesy SoundCloud)

Recommended Shows in San Diego November 4-10, 2013

USMC Day Nov. 10

The first full week of November shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to quality live shows of the music variety here in San Diego. A closer look reveals some events worth attending.

Canadian pop artist Matt Halverson, aka Teen Daze, headlines Soda Bar on Monday...Graham Nash plays his first of two sold out shows at the Belly Up...

Tuesday brings Active Child (Pat Grossi) to the Casbah...he plays a harp and the music is enchanting...

Casbah Presents two of L.A.'s most underrated bands, Torches & The Lonely Wild, at Soda Bar on Wednesday...well worth attending...Alejandro Escovedo drops by the Casbah for an intimate show...

Crocodiles return to their home town for a great show at the Casbah on Thursday...their latest album, Crimes of Passion, is some of their best work to date...Meat Puppets hit Soda Bar for an intimate affair...

The 7 year anniversary of SDDialedIn is official...Rosemary will be hosting a party on Friday at the Casbah with a terrific lineup...Rubblebucket headlines with The Heavy Guilt and Grandpa Drew offering support...

Portland indie/alt country faves Blitzen Trapper play an all ages show at Porter's Pub on Saturday...

On Sunday Cults are headlining The Irenic (all ages) behind their new release, Static. ...Catch synth pop artist Goldroom at Soda Bar for the late show...

Looks like a great week of music lies ahead for the adventurous music fans here in America's Finest City.

Watch a video of Save Charlie by Rubblebucket below.

Grouplove and Alt-J @ Humphreys Concerts By the Bay tomorrow, October 3, 2012

Tomorrow, October 3rd Grouplove make their return to San Diego at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay, show time 7:30 pm (tickets), with Alt-J as support.  If you were lucky enough to see Grouplove on the 91x Halloween Boo's Cruise or at Porter's Pub then you know the type of high energy the LA based quintet bring to their live shows.  If you were not able to attend  those shows make sure you do not miss Grouplove at one of San Diego's best outdoor concert venues.  Grouplove is touring their critically acclaimed debut album "Never Trust A Happy Song" a solid album including hit songs Tongue Tied, Itchin On A Photograph and my favorites Colours and Lovely Cup.  To learn more about Grouplove below is a recent in studio performance by Grouplove performed for YouTube including a Q&A.

Make sure to get to the show early to check out Alt-J who just released their debut album titled "An Awesome Wave" recorded with the great producer Charlie Andrew.  "An Awesome Wave" is a diverse alt-pop album which has received great reviews from NME, BBC, The New York Times, and Brooklyn Vegan.  I am excited to see how their electronic/psychedelic/pop/folk sound translates from album to live concert.  Click the link and give a listen to Alt-J's An Awesome Wave before checking them out before Grouplove.              
                                                                                                                            Photo by Jory Cordy

Again make sure to get your tickets in advance here

 

Crystal Fighters Tonight @ Porters Pub

Tonight, Wednesday June 6 at Porter's Pub performing are one of my favorite new bands from the UK Crystal Fighters.  Crystal Fighters released Star of Love in the US on April 24th after receiving great reviews across the seas by publications such as BBC Radio1, NME, and The Guardian.  The album is based off an unfinished opera discovered within the diary of original singer Laure's grandfather in his Basque country home, also where the album was conceived and recording  Their innovative style is a melding of techno, punk, electronic and dubstep with Basque country folklore and native Spanish instruments.  Show is at 8:00pm 15 dollars at the door or you can save a dollar and buy your tickets here.

Listen to their new single before and make sure to come to the show tonight  Crystal Fighters - Earth Island