Recommended Shows In San Diego October 21-27, 2013

As October rolls on so do the great musical events in San Diego. The upcoming week offers some great reasons for music fans to get off the couch and out of the house.

Tim Kasher, noted Cursive front man, brings his solo work (recently released Adult Film) to the Casbah on Monday...Laura Stevenson and Jake Bellows open for a great night of music...

Phantogram make their long awaited return to San Diego at the House of Blues on Tuesday...the upstate New York electronic duo are set to release their sophomore full length Voices...

On Wednesday garage rocker Hanni El Khatib headlines the Casbah with Bass Drum of Death offering support...

Chrome Sparks headline Soda Bar on Thursday...he plays music classified as chillwave (see video below)...London artist James Blake makes his San Diego debut at the House of Blues...

Spain's Crystal Fighters return to the Casbah for the show of the night on Friday...this one is sure to sell out so don't delay...

Josh Damigo plays his monthly show at Lestat's on Saturday...Kim Richey will sing an acoustic set or two at AMSD Concerts...

Sunday is loaded with some great options: Keep Shelley in Athens at the Casbah, Deer Tick at the Belly Up, and Boy and Jeremy Messersmith make a tour stop at Porter's Pub...

Another great week of music awaits those wishing to enrich their lives...be sure to support live music whatever your choice(s) might be...consult the listings for all the shows...

Watch a video of Don't Move by Phantogram below.



Watch a video of Send The Pain On by Chrome Sparks below.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: Phantogram @ The Casbah Saturday October 9, 2010

When I first saw the young duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel perform as the band Phantogram, the first thing that impressed me was the collective energy they displayed during the performance. Constant touring and a member of indie label Barsuk Records brings the band to The Casbah once again, albeit this time as headliners. One would be hard pressed to find nicer people and it is evident when you have the opportunity to exchange before or after their show. The music has been described as "street beat, psych pop" and I only know that it is fun to listen to (and watch). Phantogram has released an EP and their initial full length Eyelid Movies. When I found out the duo writes songs in the rural upstate New York area where they reside, it was a little surprising. This seems to give them the artistic creativity they desire, and the finished product is worth a listen. If you have not had the chance to see Phantogram (been to San Diego at least four times), Saturday night is your next opportunity. I recently saw photos from a NY show which featured a drummer. Whether a two or three piece, the synth pop band should be your first choice for the evening.

Josiah Wolf sets the stage.

Watch a video of Mouthful Of Diamonds below.

Old Photographs: The XX & Phantogram @ HoB, 6/8/2010

I have these folders of photos that I've never uploaded glaring at me and it's time for me to file them on to the external harddrive. Sarah & Josh from Phantogram were nice enough to get me a photopass, and while it's fun trying to get photos with such gnarly lighting, the result was very limited success. That's probably the reason why I was mentally roadblocked on this particular show and just never really even looked at my photos. That said, here's what I've got. The rest are after the jump.

Oh, and obviously I'm not going to attempt to review the show 3 months later, but it was the kind of show that casual fans probably hated but uber fans (like me) loved. It was sold out and crowded. It was pretty hilarious that between Phantogram and The XX, they attempted to flood the stage with fog which ended up so thick I couldn't see my hand 2 inches from my own face. This triggered the fire alarms and a recording (which nobody could really hear) urged everyone to evacuate. Not a single person budged, but the alarm triggered at least 3 times before the band was able to come out, sans fog machine. So I should at least be grateful that I got the photos I got because the stage-shy members of The XX probably would've preferred not to be seen at all.

Jeff's Weekly Pick: The Antlers @ The Casbah Wednesday April 28, 2010

Brooklyn-based indie band The Antlers will make their first appearance as headliners at the Middletown venue this Wednesday. This will be their fourth visit to San Diego and the reason is a simple one: their music is full of passion and relies heavily on crescendo building anthemic songs mostly from their highly praised 2009 effort Hospice. Peter Silberman and his band mates are serious about their music and it shows during their performance. It is critical for the audience to connect to this form of music which deals with difficult subject matter. Music lovers who truly share this passion will fill the room and see a band fully immersed in their live set. I have personally been riveted to their sets each time I have witnessed them (the previous three). The Casbah should be the best place to see a band on the rise, so be part of something special and show the band some indie love this Wednesday. You won't regret it.

Phantogram sets the stage.

Watch an unofficial video of Kettering below.



Just found this one...even better: