Who: Fat Possum artist Auguste Arthur Bondy (aka Scott) What: The Alabaman singer/songwriter plays haunting, minimalist folk with introspective and haunting lyrics Why: Bondy’s third album, Believers, just dropped and ups the ante by plugging in the sound but still finds the timeless troubadour on the outskirts of Anywhere, U.S.A. Where: The Casbah When: Bondy kicks off his tour in San Diego on Wednesday … Continue reading »
Nov
12
Jolie Holland’s Covered In Blood
Jolie Holland is not a simple interview. The 36-year-old Texan turned musical vagrant is articulate, opinionated and not afraid to tell you what’s on her mind — or call bullshit if she doesn’t like what’s on yours. But what makes her a dangerous subject is exactly makes her an interesting and exciting singer/songwriter. During the … Continue reading »
Nov
12
Hannigan Finds Groove Of Her Own
For almost seven years, Irish singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan collaborated with Damien Rice. She toured with him, sang on his albums, played piano and served as his muse. Then, after one fateful night in Germany, it all came to a screeching halt. Rice fired Hannigan just minutes before a gig in Munich, and the couple have … Continue reading »
Sep
27
Mrs. Jackson’s Still All Action
Rockabilly Queen Wanda Jackson was in San Diego recently, serving as the opening act on a makeup date that red-hot pop songstress Adele canceled earlier in the season. On Saturday, Jackson will return to co-headline (with Junior Brown) the So. Cal. Hellbilly Fest Car and Bike Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The wide discrepancy … Continue reading »
Sep
27
Neon Indian burns brightly in new ‘Era’
Neon Indian founder, frontman and songwriter Alan Palomo isn’t your typical bandleader. Before composing the synth-heavy pop band’s just-released sophomore album, “Era Extrana,” the 23-year-old son of a Mexican pop star holed up in an apartment in Finland during the dead of winter. And he didn’t do it because he had friends or family there, … Continue reading »
Sep
27
Arctic Monkey Business
Sheffield rock quartet Arctic Monkeys haven’t known much struggle in their time together. The first demos the school chums put together became an Internet sensation in their native England and beyond, and by the time they released their debut, 2006’s Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, their popularity was only rivaled by their … Continue reading »
Sep
21
Blues Still Alive In Guy
Maybe Buddy Guy is a robot. Or maybe he’s from an undiscovered planet where everyone is exceptional. But there just doesn’t seem to be a likely explanation for how the 75-year-old blues legend has been able to accomplish all that he has since first picking up a two-string, hand-me-down guitar nearly six generations ago. In … Continue reading »
Sep
20
Meyers Expands Far Beyond His Weekend Gig
Actor and comedian Seth Meyers has had one heck of a year. 2011 has seen the 37-year-old satirist hit the decade mark on NBC’s long-running “Saturday Night Live” (his fifth as the show’s head writer and Weekend Update anchor), he hosted ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards for the second year in a row, and was the … Continue reading »
Sep
20
Fishbone Doc About More Than The Music
“Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone” opens with a 1992 performance from the eclectic band at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. The venue is packed and the crowd chants, “Fishbone is red hot!” Clap, clap. “Fishbone is red hot!” Clap, clap. And while this is something that Fishbone crowds have chanted, and been prompted … Continue reading »
Sep
20
It’s Getting Hot in Here!
But it was all just a mere warmup for the electric Ms. Tijoux. The ghost town transformed into a crowded floor when the tiny MC took the stage, and the audience showed quite a bit of love for the show opener. Dressed casually — T-shirt, flannel, jean shorts and high-tops — she patrolled the stage, … Continue reading »