Remember back in the early part of the decade when scratch DJs were all the rage? Wasn't that pretty ridiculous? I mean, people actually paid $15 to stand and watch a guy make a mess out of records they really liked. "Oh jeez, yes, finally, something I can dance to. No, wait, no no no, don't, you're murdering 'White Lines!'" Good times. Electronic/Dance
Remember back in the early part of the decade when scratch DJs were all the rage? Wasn't that pretty ridiculous? I mean, people actually paid $15 to stand and watch a guy make a mess out of records they really liked. "Oh jeez, yes, finally, something I can dance to. No, wait, no no no, don't, you're murdering 'White Lines!'" Good times. 
Another sign that the recession has been going on a lot longer than a month: Two local record stores are going bye-bye. In fact, Open Mind Music -- which moved to Market Street a couple years back in the hopes of staving off extinction -- is already gone, having shuttered its doors last month. (The store will apparently sell its remaining underground hip-hop, freaky techno, and oddball rock at the Other Shop on Divisadero and online.) Now comes the news that the 24th Street location of Streetlight Records is going kaput after the holidays.
On the heels of their headswimming new release, St. Dymphna, Gang Gang Dance's Lizzi Bougatsos divulges her secrets to getting by as an artist/ musician in the city. She is the singer/percussionist of Gang Gang Dance and just finished her album The Proper Sex with Sadie Laska of their vocal/ percussion duo, I.U.D. She is also a visual artist who lives in Chinatown, NYC.
Didn't I? - Darondo
On your mark, get set, go! The holiday party season is off and running. If you can't get invites to the Yelp party at the Exploratorium or the SF Weekly gig at the Aquarium, here's some other ideas.
After filling up on yams, turkducken, and any and all assortment of pies over the past four days, we're back, ready to work off those holiday calories while siultaneously filling up the calendar with concerts and the like.
Little Joy - No One's Better Sake
After an extended holiday break, we're getting back into the swing of things full time. This week actually has some great shows, with most nights having three or four solid options. So after we stocked up on turkey and stuffing we should have the stamina to make it through a long week of shows.
Monday
Eagle and Talon, DJ Kevin Bronson @ Spaceland. Free
First of all, it's nice to see Kevin Bronson, former LA Times music writer, still out there in the scene making things happen. I'm sure he'll have a good local selection to play, and if you're not following his Buzzbands blog, it's definitely worth your time. Ok, and while we're at it we should go check out Eagle and Talon. These two girls were nice enough to send me a handwritten postcard asking me to come see them. How can I say no to that? They play a version of modern rock that's a touch more mainstream than your average Spaceland band, but they're still pretty weird.
Monday
Eagle and Talon, DJ Kevin Bronson @ Spaceland. Free
First of all, it's nice to see Kevin Bronson, former LA Times music writer, still out there in the scene making things happen. I'm sure he'll have a good local selection to play, and if you're not following his Buzzbands blog, it's definitely worth your time. Ok, and while we're at it we should go check out Eagle and Talon. These two girls were nice enough to send me a handwritten postcard asking me to come see them. How can I say no to that? They play a version of modern rock that's a touch more mainstream than your average Spaceland band, but they're still pretty weird.
Vessel is one of those clubs that has a seriously split personality. On weekends, it's a frightening Marina hellhole, full of moussed-hair ass-monkeys getting over on as many spaghetti-strapped ho-bags as they can. But during the week, it's a totally different scene, oft full of spiky-haired hipsters shaking their pegged pants to lazer bass and tweaked-out remixes of "American Boy." Also, when you descend the steps into the basement club on a school night, you never know if everyone will be wearing tutus -- or no pants whatsoever.
It's a slow week for shows, as people fill their bellies with cornbread stuffing and cranberry relish, rather than fill their iCals with night-time events. Even the locals are out of town. The weekly Lee Douglas and Lovefingers disco party finds the hearty vinyl-crating duo being replaced with out-of-towners like Berlin's Hugo Capablanca and Bushwick's (well, that's sorta out of town) Speculator. Regardless, the tunes are dope if wholly obscure and the vibe is as relaxed as post-turkey feasting.
Tonight @ BEast 171 East Broadway @ Essex 10PM
Tonight @ BEast 171 East Broadway @ Essex 10PM
I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya - Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs
Here's a few ideas on how to gear up for -- and wind down from -- this week's turkey devouring.m83 - Kim & Jessie
This is kind of a short week, what with Turkey Day and all, smack in the middle of it. A few of the local venues take a couple days off from shows to enjoy the holidays, so the schedule of events is a little light. But that's fine. Sometimes it's nice to take a break and recharge your batteries.
Monday
Japanese Motors @ The Silverlake Lounge, free.
Though they're on Vice Records, and they're local, you don't hear too much about Japanese Motors. They run in decidedly non-indie circles, choosing instead to focus on the surf circuit which has always been their bread and butter. So it's nice to see them playing in Silverlake on a free night and hopefully winning over some fans. I personally haven't seen them, but this seems a good a chance as any to see what the hype's all about.
Monday
Japanese Motors @ The Silverlake Lounge, free.
Though they're on Vice Records, and they're local, you don't hear too much about Japanese Motors. They run in decidedly non-indie circles, choosing instead to focus on the surf circuit which has always been their bread and butter. So it's nice to see them playing in Silverlake on a free night and hopefully winning over some fans. I personally haven't seen them, but this seems a good a chance as any to see what the hype's all about.
Free Radio Channels
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From the flower children to their neo-psychedelian children, get hip to the fogtown sounds.
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From garage rock to grunge, your guide to all things Northwest.
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Club Bangers and Street Anthems.
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From indie-rock, post-punk to some styles of music that don't have names yet.
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Brand new releases from indie favorites and future dorm room darlings.