Couldn’t make it to Austin this year? Not to worry. Burger Records is bringing the party right to our own back yard from March 23-25 with an astounding line up in one of the best dive bars in town, Thee Parkside. And the best part? The three day, all day music extravaganza will only set you back $35. A mere sample of what’s in store…

King Tuff – “Sun Medallion”

Burnt Ones – “Meet the Golden One”

King Lollipop – “Cheeseburger and Fries”

The Coathangers – “Smother”

Nectarine Pie – “Dreamdaze”

Thee Oh Sees – “The Dream”

The Strange Boys – “Be Brave”

White Mystery – “Power Glove”

If you’re suffering from FFS (Festival Fatigue Syndrome), a growing disdain for festival fashion, feathers and face paint, I have the cure for you: The Huichica Music Festival. Organized by music nerd and winemaker, Jeff Bundschu, the annual event is hosted on the lovely grounds of his very own winery –  Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma, California. If you’ve ever dreamt of a festival in your backyard kind of experience, with good wine, food and friends, this is the event for you. Last year was a memorable one for me. Tickets are on sale now.

Artist: Pond
Album: “Beard, Wives, Denim”
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Hails From: Australia
RIYL: Tame Impala, 70′s tinged psych rock
Featured Track: “Moth Wings”

One of my more anticipated albums of 2012,  the lastest release by Australian group Pond features two members of Tame Impala‘s touring band, Nick Allbrook and Jay Watson, and a lot of that Tame Impala- esque psych rock goodness you’ve come to know and love. They’ve just announced an extensive US Tour and will be announcing SXSW show dates soon! Stream the new album in it’s entirety on Hype Machine now.

POND US TOUR DATES

Sun March 11^th || Fitzgerald’s || Houston, TX
Sun March 18^th || Low Key Arts || Hot Springs, AR
Mon March 19th || Grimey’s Record Store || Nashville, TN (in-store show)
Tues March 20^th || Johnny Brenda’s || Philadelphia, PA
Wed March 21^st || Bowery Ballroom || New York, NY
Thurs March 22^nd || Brighton Music Hall || Boston, MA
Fri March 23^rd || Casa Del Popolo || Montreal, QC
Sat March 24^th || Café Dekcuf || Ottowa, ON
Sun March 25^th || The Drake Hotel || Toronto, ON
Tues March 27^th || Lincoln Hall || Chicago, IL
Wed March 28^th || Taylor University || Upland, IN
Fri March 30^th || Cactus Club || Milwaukee, WI
Sat March 31^st || The Maintenance Shop || Ames, IA
Mon April 2^nd || 7^th Street Entry || Minneapolis, MN
Wed April 4^th || A Club || Spokane, WA
Thurs April 5^th || Sunset Tavern || Seattle, WA
Fri April 6^th || The Biltmore Cabaret || Vancouver, BC
Sat April 7^th || Jinx Art Space || Bellingham, WA
Sun April 8^th || Squeak & Squawk Music || Tacoma, WA
Mon April 9^th || Mississippi Studios || Portland, OR
Wed April 11^th || Rickshaw Stop || San Francisco, CA
Fri April 13^th || The Echo || Los Angeles, CA

I had the pleasure of dining with Academy Award nominated documentarian Sam Green a while back when I heard of this amazing SF MOMA art project and collaboration with indie super stars Yo La Tengo he was masterminding called, “The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller.” To put it in context, the SF MOMA is on the verge of launching an exhibit honoring Buckminster Fuller – the eccentric designer, inventor, theorist and futurist forever associated with the creation of the famed geodesic dome. The exhibit will open at the SF MOMA on March 31. Part of the programming schedule will feature a documentary retrospective by Sam Green exploring Fuller’s utopian vision. Green’s imagery and narration will be backed by live music from Yo La Tengo. Two live performances will take place May 1 at 7PM and 9PM. Tickets are on sale now through the San Francisco Film Society. An event not to be missed, so get on it now! They won’t last.

…is at the 2011 Noise Pop Holiday Shop on Sunday, December 11 at Bottom of the Hill. Not only does the event showcase chic, locally made goods for your holiday shopping pleasure, it also features a special raffle benefiting Potrero’s Daniel Webster Elementary School where the purchase of a $5 ticket can earn you one of these fabulous prizes to round out your holiday gift list.

• One week at Bendita Casita Condo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Airfare not included)
• Gift certificates to local restos Skool, Serpentine and Yield Wine Bar
• $25 gift certificates to Threadless T-Shirts
• Gift Basket from Baked
• New Release CDs from Sub Pop Records
• Noise Pop poster package
• Book from local music photog legend, Jay Blakesberg / Rock Out Books
• Family Photo Shoot with music photographer Peter Ellenby 
• Family Photo Shoot with Emily Payne Photography
• Wine from Tim Teichgraeber esq. and Burke Wine
• 3 Certificates from Potrero Chiropractic & Acupuncture
• Roman Ruby Botanicals Gift package

Better than a Kmart special. And if shopping’s not your thing, not to worry. You can go big and stay home by purchasing ticket packs online. Even if you win bubkis, all the proceeds support a great cause. Like keeping music and arts programs in my kid’s school at Daniel Webster. And that’s important. So pony up.

James Vincent McMorrow - “Higher Love” (Steve Winwood Cover)

Dublin native, James Vincent McMorrow, is embarking on his first North American headline tour starting next week. And if you haven’t been tipped to his beautiful debut album “Early In The Morning” yet, you should get on that now. Move over Bon Iver.

Artist: Ganglians
Album: “Still Living”
Homeland: Sacramento, CA
Release Date: August 23
Label: Lefse Records
Featured Track: “Jungle”- 

Who hasn’t been loving the first two singles from the Sacramento lo-fi psychedelic pop outfit, Ganglians? I sure have. So finally, after months of anticipation, their second album release is nigh. AND, they’ll be playing at The Hemlock Tavern, August 21 with the aforementioned Cuckoo Chaos before jaunting off for a European tour. Oh, life is rough.

Artist: Cuckoo Chaos
Album: “Woman”
Homeland: San Diego, CA
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Label: Lefse
Featured Track: “Just Ride It”

Let’s just say, ’nuff said on the lead single from the debut album “Woman” by San Diego indie pop outfit, Cuckoo Chaos. They’ll be heading out on a West Coast tour this month supporting Ganglians. Can I get a “hell, yeah”?

8/10 – Sacramento, CA – Luigi’s
8/12 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
8/13 – Seattle, WA – The Vera Project
8/14 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
8/17 – Fresno, CA – Audie’s Olympic
8/18 – Santa Barbara, CA – Muddy Waters
8/19 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
8/20 – Los Angeles, CA – Echo
8/21 – San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern

The good folks over at The Bay Bridged have another great music fest on tap. This one at the hidden gem, Potrero del Sol Park, in Potrero Hill. A great untapped locale for live music, playing…and skateboards! And it’s free. Wheeee! The event goes from 12-6. Let’s pray for some sun!

Luke Rathborne

White Cloud

I can hear the excuses already…I just got back home…holiday weekend…I’m tired. Wah wah wah. I’m having none of it. I say, what better excuse to keep the good times going than to run on over to Milk Bar July 6 for some all girl band action with Oakland’s surf pop princesses, The Hot Toddies. Not too shabby, right? Add to that the soulful sounds of Luke Rathborne and the psych pop sounds of San Francisco’s White Cloud, and you have yourself an eclectic evening of music for cheap or for free. For free if you RSVP on the Eventbrite page here. For cheap if you show up at the door – $5. It all goes down at 9PM.