These days, it’s not that difficult to find Patrick Gemayel (P-Thugg) and David Macklovitch (Dave 1), the childhood friends who comprise the retro-electro-funksters Chromeo. They’re on tour, of course, wrapping up the third, and final, round of dates around their 2010 release, Business Casual. The pair, based in Montreal, Quebec, first burst onto the scene in … Continue reading »
Dec
04
10 Questions for Jonny from The Drums
Who: Frontman Jonny Pierce from the Drums What: The Brooklyn-based five-piece plays ridiculously infectious pop tunes with an edge Why: The Drums just dropped their sophomore release, Portamento, and it trumps their acclaimed debut Where: The Casbah When: Saturday night, with opener IO ECHO Scott McDonald: You and [Drums co-founder] Jacob [Graham] have been friends for so long. Does it help the … Continue reading »
Dec
04
Avi’s ‘Bird’ Flies Into Loft
It turns out the cliché is true: Good things sometimes do come in small packages. For instance, take diminutive Malaysian singer/songwriter Zee Avi, who plays at the Loft at UCSD on Sunday, and at M-Theory Records earlier in the day. Born Iyan Alirahman, the petite 26-year-old songstress has a beautifully big voice, and it doesn’t … Continue reading »
Dec
03
New ‘Dreams’ For Dum Dums
There’s really only one question that needs to be asked when talking about Los Angeles pop-punkers Dum Dum Girls. And, to me, that’s: How can you not like Dee Dee (aka Kristin Gundred) and her merry band of lady tricksters? I mean, really? A uniformly stylish, sassy, all-girl group that rocks it like they talk it, is … Continue reading »
Nov
19
Almost 10 Questions for A.A. Bondy
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 »
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
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 »