Record Store Day 2011

Today, Saturday, marks another installment in the ever growing Record Store Day, an annual event specifically set aside to both honor and, more importantly, patronize one of our most important American institutions: the independent record store. As their official website proclaims, “This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.”

Record Store Day is a special day for music and music lovers around the country. Musicians rally to the cause of a sadly dying segment of our economy, providing limited edition vinyl pressings and special in-store appearances and performances, all in an attempt to turn the spotlight back on one the just 700 or so remaining independent shops we have left. Surely you’re already familiar with some of the larger indie shops still in existence (Rasputin’s and Amoeba come to mind first) but here in the San Diego are we are lucky to have a few of our own. This Record Store Day, and beyond, I urge you to frequent shops like M-Theory in Mission Hills and Lou’s Records in Encinitas as much as possible, learn something new from the knowledgable clerks and of course grab some great new music.

In an effort to entice us, the Record Store Day people have once again garnered support from a wide range of artists providing exclusive vinyl pressings and a few special CD releases as well. There is a TON of great looking stuff on the official release list (http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases) that caught my eye; with great acts and artists like R.E.M., Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Fleet Foxes, Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips, Beastie Boys and Regina Spektor among many, many others offering special releases available ONLY on this day and ONLY in your local independent record store. Record Store Day is your best chance to grab some truly special music and support important local businesses all at once, not to mention the chance to possibly catch some special, intimate in-store performances from some of your favorite musicians as well. So be sure to get down to your local music shop asap, places like M-Theory and Lou’s Records and support these wonderful and important places, and of course cop some great new music too.

Lou's $1 Sale This Weekend

(repost from Lou's Site)
DOLLAR SALE!! IT'S BACK!!! The always popular Lou's Records Dollar Sale is back for your buying pleasure. All day Saturday, September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd every CD on the patio is only $1! A deal that can't be passed up! Look for the canopy set up in front of the Lou's office building, one door north of our Used Dept. Stop by and see what goodies you can get your mitts on!

For the Ken Club Bartenders: Turbonegro Tour Dates

I know the guys at the Ken Club are huge Turbonegro fans... this is for them.

The following initial dates have been released for TURBONEGRO’s upcoming North American tour:

September 15 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Monolith Festival)
September 24 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
September 25 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
October 5 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
October 7 - Los Angeles, CA @ Music Box at Fonda
October 10 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
October 11 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

Also, "Skippy" did a review of the new album on the Lou's Record blog here.

Tuesday Newsy Bits: Starlite Lounge, Wilco, Red Pony Clock, Lou's Records, Lovedrug

Starlite Lounge "Unofficially" Open

I planned on going to the Starlite Lounge, taking some pictures, and writing it all up, but looks like Street beat me to it. It'll still get the Rosey treatment, but for now, just the basic info: Starlite Lounge is the new bar/restaurant owned by Tim Mays (Casbah), Matt Hoyt, Travis Murphy (chef) & Steve Poltz (Musician). The Starlite is located at 3175 India Street, just a way down from the Aero Club (a couple blocks before the Aero on one-way India St.)
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Wilco

Tickets for Wilco's show in San Diego at the Open Air Theatre on August 27 supposedly (according to FM 94/9) go onsale this Saturday at 10 am through Ticketmaster. As yet, their site has not been updated to reflect this onsale and no pre-sale has been posted on their site so check back often.
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Red Pony Clock Seeks Drummer

From the band:
Our Fill-In drummer just bailed and once again we're looking for someone to go on tour with us!!! Yikesies!!! If anyone's interested in learning 15 or so songs in a months notice, and then going on tour for 6 weeks, LET US KNOW!!! We are nice people and you will have fun!!! We will be eternally grateful!!! Tell your drummer friends!!!
Love always,
Gabe & the gang
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Another Blog For San Diego

Every week another blog joins the fun and I say it's about time. A couple weeks ago, Tim Pyles launched his new "portal" for all things Pyles and now this week, Lou's records has launched a blog. Links for both have been added to my local links.
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Lovedrug Trailer Stolen and Set On Fire

Many people are reposting this through MySpace, but I can't mention enough how many bands get their vans, trailers, and equipment stolen when they're on the road. Unfortunately, Lovedrug's trailer was recovered and was burnt to a crisp. Anyway, maybe you caught Lovedrug when they played San Diego with Sparta. If you'd like to donate to help them out, click here.

Saturday in Beautiful San Diego: New North County Venue, Free Mew Tickets

There are few worse ways to spend a beautiful afternoon in sunny San Diego than sitting on a computer, so this one is gonna be really brief. I'll get to the regular recap later but the quick summary of my Friday is that Sophie and I pulled the rare 5-spots-in-one-night action: free booze at Wine Cabana, Cloak at the Habitat House, A Weeks Worth and Dynamite Walls at the Beauty Bar, The Corvinas and The Husbands at the Tower, and a nightcap at the Ken Club. In addition, there was a mini after party at my place till 4 am. Later I intend to extend my "things to do" through next week, but for now, a couple hot newsy bits:

This is not a statement of fact, just some gossip I heard last night, but Matt Hensley, pro skater and member of Flogging Molly, has purchased Squid Joe's in Carlsbad. From what I'm told, he intends to make it a more viable north county music venue by creating a stage area and investing in some good sound equipment. The new club will be called the Pink Elephant. It just might get this girl to venture north of the 8 a little more frequently... Jay Allen Sanford, you know where to send my check :)

Lou's records sent out this little offer:

Purchase the newest MEW album, "And the Glass Handed Kites" and recieve a free ticket to see them live at the Belly Up on Sunday, April 4th. You must be 21 years of age or older to get into the show. We will email you when you can pick up your tickets at the store once your order has been processed.

Actually, the show is on Sunday, April 8th, so you have time to get your online order in for the CD. Click here for their site.

That's all I've got for now; time to go bake in the sun with my dog.
-out-

A couple more things: Kite Flying Society, Albert Hammond, Jr.

Tonight's Kite Flying Society Show has been changed to 21+. I heard that instead of playing the sidestage (where they have to wait for the restaurant to clear out), that tonight will be downstairs in that fancy lounge with all the comfy couches, so the show will really start when its supposed to...9pm for Princeton and 10pm for Kite Flying Society. Might still make it to Sports Club for Republic of Letters!

Also, if you plan on going to the Albert Hammond, Jr. show on Monday but don't yet have a ticket, a friend of mine told me that if you pre-order his album from Lou's Records, you get a free ticket to the show. Sweet deal...