Knapsack Returns to SoCal

In case you missed the mid 90's scene, Los Angeles' Knapsack makes their return to SoCal after a decade plus hiatus with a show at The Echoplex tonight. This is their third show of the brief reunion that includes dates on the East Coast with a stop at Fest.
The group, fronted by Blair Shehan, made a special first show appearance earlier this month at San Diego's The Void. Check out the photos below.

Recommended Shows In San Diego October 15-20, 2013

The current week is loaded with more musical options than one could possible attend. A closer look reveals some shows worth mentioning. Please consult the listings for all the musical happenings around San Diego.

Tuesday has some great shows that still have tickets available such as Portland's mini orchestral pop band Typhoon at The Loft @ UCSD...Widowspeak have a return engagement at The Void with Pure Bathing Culture in the opener slot...

Long Beach's Crystal Antlers have a new look (trio) and a new album, Nothing is Real...catch them at Soda Bar on Wednesday...Burger Records seems to be everywhere, five bands including Gap Dream, Cosmonauts, Teenage Burritos invade the cozy confines of Black Cat Bar on University Ave...

Thursday brings a mellow show to Bar Pink with Radar Bros. and friends Little White Teeth...

The weekend kicks off with singer-songwriter Kelley Stoltz headlining Soda Bar...he just released Double Exposure...Langhorne Slim and Jonny Fritz will be playing their whiskey soaked songs at the Casbah...

Jose Gonzalez brings his band project Junip to The Loft on Saturday...he just released an eponymous album...highly recommended...Thad Cockrell leads his Nashville band Leagues into The Griffin...

If you have any energy left after the week, find a show of your own liking on Sunday from the listings...

Remember this is only a sampling of some of the great shows coming to San Diego this week...most importantly, be sure to support music by attending a show (or two)...

Watch the video of Line Of Fire from Junip below.



Watch a video of Kim Chee Taco Man from Kelley Stoltz below.

Recommended Shows in San Diego September 23-29, 2013

The last week of September continues in San Diego with beautiful weather and more music options than one can possibly attend. A closer look reveals some of the shows worthy of attention.

On Monday Austin folk rockers The Lonesome Heroes headline an impressive lineup with The Easy Leaves and John Meeks at the Casbah...

Consult the listings and try something different on Tuesday...

New Zealand synth pop artists The Naked and Famous will be at the House of Blues on Wednesday...Portland's dream pop band Blouse headline The Void for the late night show...

Woods and The Fresh & Onlys team for a great indie rock bill at the Casbah on Thursday...highly recommended...

Nick Thorburn, aka Nick Diamonds, brings his Canadian band Islands to the Casbah on Friday...they just released their quirky new album Ski Mask...if you have yet to see them perform live, now is your chance...

If psychedelic pop is your thing, catch Portland's Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Casbah on Saturday...the Adams Avenue Street Fair offers a tremendous variety of musical offerings during the daylight hours...

Sunday marks the second day of wonderful music along Adams Avenue...for the adventurous, head over to The Void to watch Lapalux close the weekend...

All in all, a great way to end the month and fall into October, San Diego style...

Watch a video of From the Sun by Unknown Mortal Orchestra below.



Watch a video of Hallways by Islands below.

Recommended Shows In San Diego September 3-8, 2013

The first full week of September comes filled with options for San Diego music lovers. A closer look reveals some events worth putting on one's radar.

Vancouver's Said the Whale return to Soda Bar on Tuesday, this time as headliners...if you have yet to see them live, come find out why they love San Diego...

Local up and comers Barbarian return from the road to headline Soda Bar on Thursday...

Thomas Jefferson Cowgill, aka King Dude, will be playing the his neofolk songs at The Void on Saturday...Murder By Death will be turning things up several notches at the Casbah...The Tree Ring headline an all ages show at The Irenic...

Be sure to check the listings for all the shows and most importantly, go see live music...

Watch a video of I Love You from Said the Whale below.

Recommended Shows in San Diego July 8-14, 2013

Now that the long 4th of July weekend is in the rear view mirror, a look at the week ahead promises to be one filled with quality musical choices. A closer look reveals those worthy of attending.

On Monday local troubadour Gayle Skidmore headlines a great lineup at The Void...

Portugal. The Man return to the House of Blues for a sold out show on Wednesday...they recently released the much acclaimed album Evil Friends...Avi Buffalo set the stage...

Nico Vega will be playing to a full house on Thursday at The Griffin...LA's Crash Kings open the festivities..

On Friday celebrate local goodness with The Heavy Guilt and Trouble in the Wind at Soda Bar...Cuckoo Chaos and Incan Abraham set up shop down the street at The Void...

Saturday brings psych rockers Wild Wild Wets to Soda Bar... Burger Records mainstays Burnt Ones and Cosmonauts round out the bill...Transfer rocks the Casbah with great support bands...

Cap the weekend with Seattle's Pickwick, playing songs from their excellent full length Can't Talk Medicine...highly recommended...Pyyramids open making this the show of the week(end)...

Watch a video of Lady Luck (feat. Sharon Van Etten) from Pickwick below.

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.

Show Preview: Ducktails @ The Void Wednesday March 20, 2013

It is quite common for independent musicians to become involved in multiple projects. Such is the case with Matt Mondanile, guitarist for New Jersey based indie rock band Real Estate. Many fans of that group may be unaware that Matt is the creative tour de force behind Ducktails, a similar sounding project with a rotating cast of support musicians. Matt and company are touring the West Coast after a successful run at SXSW. Having recently released his latest full length, The Flower Lane, it has become readily apparent that Ducktails has evolved into more than simply a 'side' project. The songs have a wonderful flow, though sometimes drift from the plotted course. The album is his best work to date, and warrants seeing Ducktails perform in the live setting. San Diegans will get their opportunity to witness Matt and his cohorts at the newly named The Void (Eleven) on Wednesday (3/20).

Mark McGuire sets the stage.

Watch a video of Letter of Intent below.

Newsy Stuff: Hollywood Bowl, The Void Soft Opening

I don't really know why I'm up at the moment seeing as Tuesday is going to be a pretty busy day, but sometimes I just have really productive days and why stop if you're on a roll and not really tired? So I thought I'd share a couple things while I'm listening to music and sorting through the inbox.

Hollywood Bowl Releases 2013 Lineup I just happened to glance at Facebook for a second when I saw that the Hollywood Bowl has announced their 2013 lineup. It has been a few years since I've been to the legendary venue, but it is a pretty special place to see a show. I gotta say besides Rodrigo y Gabriela, nothing seems worth the trek at the moment, but they always seem to add some major spectacular shows with contemporary artists backed by the Philharmonic. Or maybe I'm living in 2006. Whatever the case, the schedule is out.

The Void Celebrates a Soft Opening: Tonight (Tuesday), Eleven becomes The Void and naturally you're invited to hang out and celebrate. The lineup: THE VOID SOFT OPENING - PRIMITIVE NOYES, PURPLE//IMAGE (SUN ARAW), MYSTERY CAVE, ASHA, BILL WESLEY, 100 LBS OF SMOKE - DJS DEADAIR AND MARIO ORDUNO. The show is free so check it out. Kelsey says they expect the new sign sometime today and since I'll be nearby, I'll try to shoot a photo or two when it happens. For those of you who don't know, The Void (Formerly Eleven, Radio Room, Zombie Lounge, et al) is located at 35th and El Cajon Boulevard.

And a couple links I came across...I skipped NAMM this year because I just couldn't rationalize going to Anaheim in the rain when I had other fun local stuff lined up, but it always takes place around the same time as MIDEM which always seems to be a learning experience, even if you're just chasing the hashtag #MIDEM on Twitter. This was an interesting speech about the current business of music by Martin Mills, founder of Beggars Banquet, as he won an Icon Award.

Finally, I meant to post this link about Annoying Concert Behaviors last week because I found it amusing but then it wasn't really that funny so I didn't. But here it is anyway. Obviously as a blogger, I'm pretty much guilty of anything regarding social media, smart phones, or photos, but I also thought the author dated himself with number 8. Way to stay current on the name drops.

Newsy Bits & Bulletins: NPFoA, The Void, Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Che Cafe and more.

There was a time when I'd sit at my desk in my office and just pounce on new news related to San Diego or music or festivals. Perhaps I just figure everyone has the same information at their fingertips or perhaps I've lost my edge or maybe I've just been finger-wagged too many times for posting things prematurely that I just don't feel that urgency to be first or break stories. Maybe I'd rather just link you to other sources so I don't get the backlash of incorrect information. Or maybe I have been having too much fun freelancing and not being confined to a desk or laptop all day that I just figure I'll get to all of it some other time. Whatever it is, there have been some things mulling around my brain that I've been meaning to share, so I'll get to it in one long post. If you don't take the time to read, you can blame yourself for not knowing later. North Park Festival of Arts open for band submissions, Cricket becomes Sleep Train Amphitheatre, Eleven becomes The Void, Che Cafe Cracks down on bigotry, Givit sends you to SXSW, CityBeat Demo Review...read about all of it after the jump.