Recommended Shows in San Diego April 1-7, 2013

The first week of April begins what just might be one of the best months of musical happenings here in San Diego. Maybe Coachella is responsible for the quantity of great local shows, but most bands are in touring mode as the festival season approaches. A closer look at the upcoming week reveals those events worth attending.

On Monday King Dude (T.J. Cowgill) brings his folksy music to the Casbah...Lindsy Stirling plays to a sold out crowd downtown at the House of Blues...The Weeks bring their raucous show to The Griffin...

The Last Bison headline The Loft on Tuesday with their high energy folk rock...

On Wednesday Phosphorescent (Matthew Houck) hits town at the Casbah on the heels of his latest release, Muchacho...Strand of Oaks opens making this the show of the week...highly recommended...

Brooklyn band Widowspeak play their infectious brand of dream pop this Thursday at The Void...

Friday kicks off with the return of Kopecky Family Band at Soda Bar...arrive early to catch opener The Eastern Sea...

British indie rockers Esben and The Witch will be playing music of a darker nature at Soda Bar on Saturday...their live performance is sure to turn a few heads...TV Girl and Vacationer rock the Casbah...

Sunday offers Thao & the Get Down Stay Down returning to the Casbah...Jaymay (Jamie Seerman) makes a rare San Diego appearance at Soda Bar... Canadian Mac DeMarco returns for a show at The Void...

Choose wisely, but be sure to enhance your well being by watching live music in San Diego.

Watch a video of Locusts from Widowspeak below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: 2:54, Widowspeak @ The Casbah Wednesday June 27, 2012

As someone who attends live music shows on a regular basis in San Diego, it is quite common to hear people (incl. yours truly) lamenting that this band or that artist has decided to not play our fair city. Granted, those comments seem to be less prevalent than in the past. One reason for the decline is the growing number of worthy venues and those responsible for booking these locales. The ability to maintain and even grow the number of quality touring bands making San Diego a regular tour stop is primarily based on the quantity of fans that attend shows. I mention this as a roundabout way of leading up to a show featuring two emerging bands slated to play the Casbah this Wednesday. Headlining is the British band 2:54, comprised of sisters Colette and Hannah Thurlow along with a bass player and drummer. These siblings have been on the radar for almost a year now, with their eponymous album being released back in May. This is music of a dreamy nature, pulling the listener in and carrying him (or her) along for the ride. The songs are easy to like and and the band will surely translate this connection in the live setting. San Diego is the last stop of the current tour.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the opener, Widowspeak, a Brooklyn three piece also touring in support of a self titled album released last August. This music is much darker yet equally as captivating on the whole.

I cannot stress how vital it is to show support to bands on the path to bigger and better things. Filling the intimate space this Wednesday at the Casbah is truly the best way to do this. A satisfying sonic and visual experience awaits those who attend this show.

Watch a video of Scarlet below.