Jeff's Weekly Pick: Kopecky Family Band @ Soda Bar Wednesday December 5, 2012

Nashville has become home to countless bands of every musical genre. Six piece Kopecky Family Band bring their brand of folk infused indie rock to San Diego this Wednesday with a headlining gig at Soda Bar. Currently on tour promoting their sophomore release, Kids Raising Kids, the band maintains an upbeat attitude which is readily evident in their music. Playing various instruments and sharing vocals on many songs keeps the music interesting throughout the record (performance). I believe this marks the first time as headliners here, and the reward is well deserved. Five years of hard work seems to be paying off, and there is no telling how far Kopecky Family Band have yet to grow in the future. Be sure to catch them while you still can in an intimate setting. Tickets for the show can be purchased here.

Sir Sly and Sundrop Electric set the stage.

Watch a video of Heartbeat below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: A.C. Newman @ Casbah Wednesday November 14, 2012

Music is, like any art form, both highly subjective and personal. It can trigger memories from the past, mostly good and sometimes bad. When I first listened to Carl (A.C.) Newman's third solo record, Shut Down the Streets, I was mentally transported back to one of my first "indie" shows at the Casbah. Wandering into the back to say both hello and thanks to Mr. Newman after his set, it became apparent I was hooked on the music of a different generation. There is little doubt Carl has achieved far greater success fronting the Canadian band The New Pornographers than as a solo artist. It is interesting to see this musician stepping away from the band and becoming more personal on his solo records. There is a consistency of power pop sprinkled with folk relating tales about all the issues we all deal with, including death. With vocal assistance from fellow New Pornographer Neko Case, the songs sometimes change rhythm but never lose their ability to keep the listener interested. Stating that I am a fan of A.C. Newman would be an understatement. I feel he is truly one the real treasures in the indie rock world. The chance to become the newest member of his fan base happens this Wednesday at the intimate Middletown venue.

Harriet sets the stage.

Watch a video of There's Money in New Wave below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick pt. 2: Jens Lekman @ Belly Up Thursday November 8, 2012

Whenever I listen to Jens Lekman I am taken back to the night many years ago when the Swedish pop troubadour performed solo in front of a smallish crowd here in San Diego. Fast forward to the present where  Mr. Lekman will be appearing alongside a full four piece band Thursday at the Belly Up. On the last leg of a North American tour promoting his third full length, I Know What Love Isn't, Jens is basically the same off kilter singer we have all come to appreciate for his unusual and honest look at love and many other topics. Lyrically he has few equals with the ability to state the obvious in ways Jens has mastered. It becomes so easy to just feel like you have known him for years, even if you are seeing him perform live for the first time. There are many singers that visit our city, but none like Jens Lekman. Those willing to make the trek to North County should be well rewarded with a memorable night of music. Worth noting is this show is presented by the Casbah.

Taken By Trees set s the stage.

Watch a video of I Know What Love Isn't below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick pt. 1: Dark Dark Dark @ Luce Loft Tuesday November 6, 2012

If the upcoming election goes as the experts predict, we might not know the results for some time. What better distraction than live music this Tuesday night. Once again, the nice folks at Sezio are presenting quite a lineup downtown at the intimate Luce Loft. Headlining will be Minneapolis five piece indie rockers Dark Dark Dark. Touring in support of the bands third full length, Who Needs Who, founding members Nona Marie Invie (vocals, piano) and Marshall LaCount (banjo, vocals) have primarily rendered what is a recurring theme, that of the breakup album. It is interesting to note the group has moved forward so I suppose love does not always conquer all. The power of this album is clearly evident from the outset, with Nina's smooth vocals overpowering (but not in a bad way) the music itself. The result is a well balanced effort which flows evenly from beginning to end. I profess to never having seen Dark Dark Dark perform live, so feel free to journey downtown for a pleasurable night of music. This is an early show (7:30) so plan accordingly. Tickets can be purchased here.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the opener, the eccentrically wonderful Emily Wells, who is also touring to promote her most recent album.

Watch a video of Tell Me below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Lord Huron @ The Casbah Thursday November 1, 2012

Ben Schneider has been performing under the name Lord Huron for a couple of years. During a visit to his Midwestern birthplace (Michigan) he penned the first songs while enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Constant touring without a proper full length album to his credit has not deterred the Los Angeles based musician. In fact, since signing to independent label IAMSOUND, Lord Huron is now armed with new songs from the recently released Lonesome Dreams. Leaning to the folk side of the indie rock spectrum, the album reveals a very polished production. The songs definitely show his talent as a songwriter. There are several styles evident throughout the album, and each subsequent listen evokes different feelings. One thing is certain: Lord Huron follows a path carved out his very own life experiences, and it is a joy when he shares a glimpse of them with the listener.

Once again, the nice people @ Sezio are presenting the live show, this time at the intimate Middletown venue. With twice the songs in the repertoire, a great night of music awaits those in attendance. Tickets can be purchased here.

Pacific Air and Jeans Wilder set the stage.

Watch a video of Time to Run below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Calexico @ Belly Up Thursday October 25, 2012

Few bands evoke the sounds of the desert Southwest better than Tucson-based collective Calexico. Joey Burns (guitar, vocals) and John Convertino (drums) formed the band over 15 years ago. Many styles comprise the sound the band is noted for, including Latin, country, jazz, and Americana to name a few. My overall impression is that of an Ennio Morricone soundtrack. In fact Calexico has written several film soundtracks. Addition of a horn section many years ago has created a more distinct orchestral sound. One of the first Casbah shows I witnessed featured Calexico as the headliner. Playing on the bigger stage at the Belly Up Tavern is an ideal venue to watch the band perform. This show will feature songs from Calexico's latest release, Algiers, as well as fan favorites from previous releases. Algiers was recorded in New Orleans and features songs that remind the listener just how far the band has traveled. The journey is still ongoing and if you have not seen this band before, now is the perfect opportunity to catch them in Solana Beach. A great way to get an early start on the weekend.

The Dodos set the stage.

Watch a video of  Splitter below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Bombay Bicycle Club @ House of Blues Tuesday October 16, 2012

October is well regarded as a great month for touring bands to hit the road for one last time before the holidays. As evidenced by the multitude of shows in our beautiful city during the last month; the trend continues with a great show downtown tomorrow when North London indie rockers Bombay Bicycle Club take over the stage at the House of Blues. This is a show presented by the Casbah, where the band played a wonderful set in February. This means all ages are welcome to experience the band in a live setting. Jack Steadman leads a foursome of very talented (and young) musicians touring in support of their third full length, A Different Kind of Fix. This album is more guitar driven than the previous effort. The songs seem to drift by while capturing the listener in the process. This should be a great venue to witness the British band and see why they recently played  in Hyde Park as part of the closing ceremony for the Summer Olympics.

Philadelphia based Vacationer set the stage.

Watch a video of Leave It below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: The Raveonettes @ Belly Up Thursday October 11, 2012

One of the hardest working bands, both touring and in the studio, are Danish indie rockers The Raveonettes. Hard to believe the band recently released their sixth full length, Observator, to very favorable reviews. While the band is famous for its signature sound of fuzzy guitars droning along simple chord songs, their latest release shows a much softer sound from the outset. There is no mistaking the familiar heavier sounds as the album comes to its conclusion. It is always interesting when a band attempts new things, and even better when the result is successful. The vocal harmonies of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharon Foo provide the key to what makes this group click. If you have never experienced them live, your chance to see them perform songs from their latest album as well as back catalog comes this Thursday at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. This promises to be a memorable night for those in attendance. Tickets can be purchased here.

Please make sure to arrive early for the opening band, Melody's Echo Chamber, fronted by Parisian Melody Prochet. Her eponymous album is excellent, filled with catchy dream pop songs.

Watch a video of She Owns The Streets below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Animal Kingdom @ Soda Bar Thursday August 16, 2012

Now that we are officially immersed in the dog days of summer, what better way to spend a Thursday night with none other than British indie rock trio Animal Kingdom at the air conditioned Soda Bar. Having burst on the scene in 2009 with their initial offering Signs and Wonders to much critical acclaim, the lads from North London recently dropped their sophomore effort The Looking Glass in May. Filled with dreamy songs filled with falsetto laden vocals (from Richard Sauberlich) on ballads as well as alternative rock songs, the music definitely grows with repeated listens. The band rehearsed the songs in an old church. Suffice to say the songs build to a crescendo and I am hoping their live performance does the same. Congrats to Cory for getting the band to visit San Diego as part of their current tour. A great way to get the weekend started even it is only this Thursday. Get off the couch and head over to City Heights for what promises to be a great night of music.

The Steelwells set the stage.

Watch a video of Strange Attractor 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.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: The Duke Spirit at The Casbah Friday June 1, 2012

The London based five piece band The Duke Spirit will be bringing their brash form of indie rock to The Casbah this Friday. This group has what one might call a “blues-collar” approach to music, touring as both openers and in support of bands they model themselves after, such as Jan’s Addiction, Queens of The Stone Age, etc. Formed in 2003, The Duke Spirit have released three full length albums, their latest titled Bruiser in 2011. Blond singer Liela Moss fronts the band and is definitely the center of attention both live and on record. Her vocal delivery is strong yet varied enough to keep things interesting. A great introduction to the band can be found in their sophomore release Neptune in 2008. This is hard hitting rock which must be fully appreciated in a live setting. San Diego gets its chance this Friday at the intimate Middletown venue. Surely this will be a great way to start the weekend with a frenetic high energy show.

Hacienda sets the stage.

Watch a video of Don’t Wait below.

Jeffs Weekly Pick: Eleanor Friedberger @ The Casbah Thursday Feb. 2, 2012

As the shortest month of the year approaches (leap) one can become overwhelmed with all the live music shows happening in San Diego. This is the time of year when many albums are released and artists tour to promote their records. There are exceptions, however, case in point: Eleanor Friedberger , one half of The Fiery Furnaces duo, released a solo effort last summer. Titled appropriately Last Summer, Eleanor opened for The Kills here in San Diego last September. I asked her about her infrequent visits to our city and she agreed. Well, she is kicking off a West Coast tour right here at The Casbah this Thursday (Feb. 2). She will be joined by a backing band of Matt Asti (MGMT), Ahmed Gallab (Yeasayer, Caribou) and John Eatherly (Be Your Own Pet, Turbo Fruits). Needless to say, her music shows her quite comfortable in her own skin. While The Fiery Furnaces are original and somewhat experimental in their songs, Eleanor has shown the ability to write songs and create something new and essential on her own. If you are a fan of The Fiery Furnaces, there is plenty to like on this solo record. For those who want to see Eleanor in a somewhat different light (cast out of her brother’s shadow), Thursday’s intimate show promises to deliver a night of great music.

Dominant Legs set the stage.

Watch a video of Heaven below.


Eleanor Friedberger - Heaven from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Walk The Moon @ Soda Bar Tuesday August 23, 2011

Cincinnati based indie rock band Walk The Moon is currently on tour promoting their initial full length titled I Want! I Want! The eleven songs on this album are full of catchy rhythms which remind me of several bands from the present and one from the past. The band cites Talking Heads, Local Natives and Vampire Weekend as influences, with which I wholeheartedly agree. There is a youthful energy at play here and the sound is infectious while still maintaining its originality. After all, is anything in the music of today totally new or rather a little of this mixed with some of that. Whatever the recipe, the band has enjoyed success playing SXSW and more recently Lollapalooza. It should be quite the night this Tuesday when Walk The Moon (yes, the name comes from that famous Police song) hits the intimate stage at Soda Bar. Led by lead guitarist Sam Cole and keyboardist Nicholas Petricca, the group is not reinventing the wheel, rather putting their signature brand of tires on that wheel. Come to the El Cajon Blvd club this Tuesday and enjoy the ride with this up and coming band.

As a final note, this is a Casbah Presents show, which only enhances the credibility.

Republic of Letters set the stage.

Watch a video of Anna Sun below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Keren Ann @ The Casbah Thursday June 23, 2011

Keren Ann Zeidel is a New York based singer who has traveled the world recording beautiful folk styled pop music. Born in Israel in 1974, she learned how to play the guitar at a young age. Meeting musician Benjamin Biolay provided the necessary guidance Keren Ann needed to start her career. Her first record in 2000 cited Suzanne Vega, Bob Dylan and other worldly references. Folk combined with trip-hop and French pop resulted in a very good album. Her fourth record, Nolita, written in both French and English, was produced almost entirely by herself. A well received eponymous album followed and her career continues to grow with each subsequent release. In fact, Keren Ann co-wrote and produced actress and singer Emmanuelle Seigner’s (Roman Polanski’s wife) second album. This led to the recently released album 101, which further explores the dreamy folk and pop which is her signature sound. The growth of this artist is clearly evident upon listening to the album. The songs seem to float by and have a calming effect. The production is top notch throughout.

San Diego gets a rare opportunity to witness Keren Ann this Thursday at the Casbah. Having never seen her perform live, I won’t miss this talented singer/songwriter as she will no doubt sing tracks from her newest effort as well as songs from her previous albums. Be part of a special night of music at the Middletown mainstay.

Chris Garneau sets the stage.

Watch a video of My Name is Trouble below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Diego Garcia @ Anthology Saturday, June 4, 2011

For those unfamiliar with the New York based indie rock band Elefant, led by singer Diego Garcia, released three albums before officially calling it quits last year. The albums reflected sounds of The Cure and other 80s inspired music. Garcia was born in the US, eventually settling in New York to pursue a career in music, with an economics degree as a financial backup. Raised in Argentina, Diego started playing acoustic guitar in his teens and has gone back to his musical roots since going it on his own. The recently released Laura, on upstart Latin label Nacional Records, is nothing short of phenomenal. The title is in reference to Garcia’s wife, and he definitely has found a musical style that suits him. The songs flow with ease from start to end and is a must listen. Radio station KCRW has been promoting the talented singer songwriter and deservedly so. San Diego gets its opportunity to see Diego Garcia live this Friday at the beautiful supper club Anthology. This should be the perfect venue for Diego to showcase his talent. Don’t miss this artist as a great way to spend a romantic Saturday night.

Watch a video of You Were Never There below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Other Lives @ Soda Bar Thursday May 19, 2011

Indie rock band Other Lives will be opening for drummer S. Carey this Thursday at Soda Bar. Touring to promote their recently released sophomore album, Tamer Animals, the Stillwater Oklahoma band is one of the best kept secrets on the independent music landscape. I am particularly drawn to the understated hypnotic nature of the music, which is clearly evident upon first listen. This is a band that is in harmony with one another, seemingly on a clear path to compose and perform songs that are well thought out. In fact, the core members have been together for a number of years, including lead Jesse Tabish, cellist Jenny Hsu and drummer Colby Owens. The lyrics take a back seat to the mood the album creates as a whole. This is indie rock of the highest quality, and Other Lives appears to be headed in the right direction. Your chance to see the band live in the cozy confines of the Soda Bar comes this Thursday. An impressive start to the evening for sure.




Watch a video of For 12 below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: The Greenhornes @ The Casbah Tuesday May 10, 2011

With the formation of so many new bands, whether it be splinter groups, supergroups or simply new musicians forming for the first time, it is easy to forget some of the best origins of these bands. Such is the case with The Greenhornes, an Ohio based garage rock band that started in the late 90s. Three of the founding members, guitarist/vocalist Craig Fox, bass guitarist Jack Lawrence, and drummer Patrick Keeler remain as the full band in the present. Three albums were released in the early years and the band toured constantly. Then Lawrence and Keeler formed The Raconteurs with Jack White and Brendan Benson, leaving The Greenhornes on what seemed like a permanent hiatus. However, like most Jack White projects, there is an end to each one before moving on to new endeavors. In fact, Lawrence is also a member of The Dead Weather, another White band. The point here is that The Greenhornes developed a following in the early years, but must feel like the long gap makes them like a new band, starting almost from scratch. The recently released ****, (Four Stars), sounds like the band had not skipped a beat. These are professional musicians, and the music is a welcome return for old and new fans alike.
Tonight The Greenhornes return to The Casbah for a show with songs from their current album, as well as reminding us how good they were (and still are) with songs from the past. If you haven't seen them perform live, make a special effort to head to the iconic Middletown venue for a fine night of music.

Jeff The Brotherhood sets the stage.

Watch a video of Underestimator- Wilcox Sessions (slightly NSFW)

Jeff's Weekly Pick: William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology Friday May 6, 2011

One of the lesser known musicians in the ever growing eclectic folk genre is Pennsylvania native William Fitzsimmons. Born to blind parents who were musically inclined led William to pursue a degee in the mental health field. Home recordings became the subject matter of his initial album, and subsequent songs were featured on Grey's Anatomy. Touring with more popular musicians before solo tours have garnered a growing fan base for the long bearded singer who possesses a hushed vocal delivery. He is able to play many instruments, but focuses mostly on the guitar in the live setting.

His current tour,which brings Mr. Fitzsimmons to the swank downtown club Anthology this Friday, is in support of his fifth album, Gold In The Shadow. Divorce has been a recurring theme in his music on previous albums. While the songs seem sad in nature, there is a certain feeling of hope which becomes apparent to the listener. Having seen Fitzsimmons perform several times, I am always struck by his ability to not take things too seriously, as he brings a dry sense of humor to the stage. Once you have seen William Fitzsimmons, you will probably not forget him for a long time, and that is a wonderful thing indeed.

Slow Runner sets the stage.

Watch a video of The Tide Pulls From the Moon below.

The Tide Pulls From the Moon


William Fitzsimmons Myspace Video

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Dengue Fever @ The Casbah Friday April 29, 2011

One of the most interesting bands to form in Los Angeles, Dengue Fever brings its Cambodian flavored indie rock to The Casbah next Friday. I reluctantly regret never having seen the band perform live. That will change when the six piece group fronted by Chhnom Nimol hit the stage to promote their recently released full length Cannibal Courtship. The album consists of vocals in both Khmer and English, with songs filled with lush harmonies and a beautiful instrumental piece as well. The result is the most accessible album to date, which hopefully will draw new fans to the band. Formed in 2001 by brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman after a trip to Cambodia, the odd sound of a Cambodia rock band in America is nothing short of remarkable. The growth of the band is clearly evident with each subsequent album. In short, catch one of LA's best under the radar groups before the rest of the world finds out how great they really are. The Friday night show will be a great way to kick off the weekend.

Maus Haus sets the stage.

Watch a video of Seeing Hands below.


Seeing Hands



Dengue Fever | Myspace Music Videos

Jeff's Noachella Picks

For those of you fortunate enough to be heading to the desert this weekend, I wish you well and take plenty of sunscreen. While many cannot attend the year's festival either by choice or due to financial or other considerations, this is a friendly reminder that there are many great shows right here in San Diego this weekend. I wanted to mention shows featuring artists scheduled to perform at Coachella that will be warming up (poor choice of words) here before making the trek to the desert. Remember the difference in seeing a band perform in a setting with less than 1,ooo (and sometimes a few hundred) vs the thousands that will be in attendance in the desert. Both are great experiences, I guess aging has made me a fan of the smaller shows.

In no particular order, here are the shows coming up in the next few days. Also, some bands appearing at Coachella will be performing in San Diego in the near future, so that is for another blog. 1) Brandon Flowers @ House of Blues on Thursday April 14. (The Nervous Wreckords open) 2) The Kills, Foals @ House of Blues on Friday April 15. ( The Naked and The Famous open) 3) Here We Go Magic @ The Loft April 15. (Cuckoo Chaos opens) 4 ) Ellie Goulding @ The Casbah April 16. (The Knocks open) Note: some of these shows are sold out, so be advised. Watch a video of Old World United by Here We Go Magic below.