Show Preview: Ivan and Alyosha at the Soda Bar Monday Night

The band Ivan and Alyosha initially piqued my interest due to their Literature-major-baiting band name, which is a reference to two of the four brothers in Dostoyevsky's Brother Karamazov.  And please think of me when you answer that Jeopardy question and sound smart in front of your friends.  Well my curiosity brought me to the Soda Bar a while ago and I was immediately charmed by their pop-hooks embedded in some solid folk rock.  So I came back for more the next time they were in town and wasn't disappointed again.  And now tomorrow night they will be bringing a new album's worth of songs to make your and yours swoon in delight.  All the Times We Had has been on constant rotation for me in anticipation of the show, so make sure you come to the Soda Bar Monday night.  Tickets are available here and Lemolo and Soda Pants are opening.  Check out the a live performance of their new single "Running for Cover" below.

Recommended Shows in San Diego March 18-24, 2013

Now that the insanity known as SXSW is officially over, thousands of bands disperse from Austin, TX to various locations around the globe. The upside is a number of those bands will be visiting San Diego. Let's take a closer look at the upcoming week for some quality live music events.

Imagine Dragons headline a sold out show downtown at the House of Blues on Monday...Atlas Genius and Nico Vega round out the bill...if you don't have a ticket, head over to Soda Bar for Ivan and Alyosha, a terrific indie pop/rock band from Seattle...highly recommended...

Tuesday finds Welsh rockers The Joy Formidable with their arena rock at the Belly Up (updated: sold out)...Matt Costa will be playing songs from his new eponymous album at the Casbah...

On Wednesday Matt Mondanile (Real Estate) brings his side project Ducktails to The Void...

There are many options for Thursday...Christopher Owens (Girls) is solo now, playing at The Irenic...The Deer Tracks, a Swedish duo, play Quality Social downtown...Doldrums headline an eclectic bill at Soda Bar...

Start the weekend (Friday) with a locals only show at Soda Bar featuring favorite The Donkeys...Low Volts and John Meeks Band make this the show of the night...

The Black Lips begin a two night run Saturday at the Casbah...

Natural Child finishes the weekend at Soda Bar on Sunday...gritty rock from Nashville...

March continues to be an outstanding month for live music in San Diego...enrich yourself by going to a show...or two...

Watch a video of Ivan and Alyosha's Running For Cover below.

Tuesday Night: Ivan and Alyosha at Soda Bar

Tonight (Tuesday), Ivan and Alyosha will be performing at the Soda Bar with Josh Ottum and Michael McGraw. If you haven't had the chance to see the band yet, you might want to check them out tonight. Below are a couple videos I shot last year when they opened for The Low Anthem at a museum in LA. Please excuse the chopped off head in the beginning of the video- it started to rain and I was trying to adjust the camera and stay dry.