Now that the San Diego Music Awards have passed, it’s time to look ahead to another year of local music. But anyone dreaming of making the next Album of the Year can just give up right now: The Burning of Rome already beat you to it. Continue reading…
Stream: Chris Cornell – “Cleaning my Gun” (from Songbook)
MP3: Craig Wedren – “I Know”
At San Diego’s Balboa Theatre on Saturday, Chris Cornell told the audience, “No matter what happens, I play for a really long time.” Continue reading…
Dont Gotta Work It Out (Live) by Fitz and The Tantrums
By now, Fitz and the Tantrums don’t need much in the way of an introduction. The LA musicians made a big splash last year thanks to their dance-tastic debut, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, and its triumphant mix of soul, pop, and rock. They’ve also earned a reputation for putting on fantastic live shows, and their performance tomorrow at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla should add yet another notch to what’s becoming a very large belt.
Of course, traveling around the world and performing can also involve a lot of downtime. We spoke with fetching vocalist Noelle Scaggs about the songs that keep her inspired on the road. You can check out her genre-hopping list below. Continue reading…
MP3: The Smart Brothers – “On My Own”
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love The Smart Brothers, and those who haven’t heard them yet. The Julian-based trio played last month’s Owl and Bear-programmed SoundDiego Live event and systematically converted every attendee into a fan.
The Smart Brothers spend most of their days on the road but, when they’re not busy touring, they find time to record. Their latest full-length, Make It Last, finds the band segueing from their folk beginnings to a more rock-oriented sound. From the poppy opener “Where Did Your Run To?” to the despondent, Strokes-y “On My Own,” Make It Last consolidates everything that has made the band a local favorite: exuberant pacing, unforgettable melodies, and timeless charm. You can buy it here.
All that touring and recording can take a lot out of you, so it’s crucial to have some good songs to wake up to. Singer/drummer Lou Smart was kind enough to share with us his “5 Good Wake Up Songs For Your Alarm Clock,” and now we’re kind enough to share them with you. You can check out the list, along with the band’s current tour dates, below. Continue reading…
San Diego’s music scene offers plenty of options. Want gorgeous jazz vocals shimmering with old-timey charm? We’ve got Erika Davies. Need a mainlined dose of fast, endlessly catchy powerpop? We’ve got The Powerchords. Have a hankering for exquisitely depressing tales of heartache, complete with eerie saw-playing? We’ve got Black Heart Procession. But if you’re looking for a band that rocks so hard they’ll shatter your pint glass, you need look no further than The Old In Out.
Blending the raunchiest elements of blues, garage rock, and psychedelia, The Old In Out are a hailstorm of loud guitar, sledgehammered beats, and sneering swagger. We recently had the opportunity to pick drummer Christopher James Carroll’s brain about what inspires him:
“I’ve found that inspiration comes from within and without. Everything and anything from a cool movie to seeing a great art show to watching the sun set, or reading a good book on a rainy day afternoon. The things that truly influence me are the things that create whole new worlds to peer into: worlds of mood, color, and shape that challenge and unlock new doors of understanding.â€
We’ve been fortunate enough to obtain Poetic Memory lists from lots of musicians in the past, but his is definitely one of the more eclectic ones we’ve seen. Carroll’s multifaceted nature is also apparent in his music; in addition to his work with The Old In Out, he also drums for up-and-coming prog monster Shapes Of Future Frames. Carroll’s Poetic Memory can be found below. Continue reading