Taken by Trees covering “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
Taken by Trees, “My Boys” (covering Animal Collective’s “My Girls”)
Swedens’ Victoria Bergsman of Taken by Trees, former frontwoman of The Concretes, is an amazing interpreter of song. The band’s ethereal, ethnic infused music is something to be explored for sure, but Victoria’s interpretation of cover songs is something to be cherished. These two tracks are some of my favorite covers…ever. Taken by Trees’ latest album, East of Eden, is out now.
Good food, good wine, good friends, good music. Do you need anything more than that? You can get all that and then some this Thursday, October 8, at the hottest restaurant in San Francisco right now – the Mission district’s Flour + Water – where the OCMD will be curating an evening of strictly local music.
This unassuming neighborhood gem has earned the praise of The New York Times, WSJ, and our very own Michael Bauer. Even though the entire town is busting down the doors of this place, the owners remain decidedly laid-back and committed to preserving the hip, low-key neighborhood vibe. Fitting with that theme, I’m excited to share the local love by featuring some of the best up and coming bands San Francisco has to offer. To celebrate the occasion, the restaurant has set aside several coveted tables to bestow on a few lucky readers for this Thursday. First four readers to email me at theocmd@gmail.com wins!
Here’s a taste of what’s to come. Enjoy the mix!
1. Papercuts, “Future Primitive”
2. Ty Segall, “Lovely One”
3. Sic Alps, “L Mansion”
4. Thee Oh Sees, “Can You See”
5. Leopold & His Fiction, “Tiger Lily”
6. The Ferocious Few, “Crazy Love”
7. The Dodos, “Fables”
8. Girls, “Lust for Life”
9. The Mantles, “Burden”
10. Garrett Pierce, “Your Feet In Wet Cement”
11. John Vanderslice, “Tremble and Tear”
12. LoveLikeFire, “William”
13. Stripmall Architecture, “Version”
14. Lilofee, “Lock and Key”
Continuing the exploration of artists embarking on new solo efforts, side projects and collaborations – welcome to part 2. Click here for Part 1.
Artist: Drummer
Album: Feel Good Together
Type: Side Project
Who’s Involved: Patrick Carney of The Black Keys
Featured Track: “Feel Good Together”
Artist: Rain Machine
Album: Rain Machine
Type: Solo Project
Who’s Involved: Kyp Malone of TV on The Radio
Featured Track: “Give Blood”
Artist: Midnight Masses
Album: Rapture Ready, I Gaze At The Body
Type: Collaboration
Who’s Involved: Features members from Here We Go Magic, Trail of Dead, TV on the Radio
Featured Track: “Heaven”
Get ready for Rocktober in San Francisco. Not only does October bring a flurry of new releases and new tours, it also plays host to some of the best festivals San Francisco has to offer. Just in time of summer – San Francisco’s summer that is. Let the music begin!
What: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Who: Neko Case, Gillian Welch, Okkervil River, Emmylou Harris, Robyn Hitchcock, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Dr. Dog, Marianne Faithfull and more!
When: October 2-4, 2009
Where: Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park
How Much: FREE!!!!
What: Treasure Island Music Festival
Who: MGMT, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, Girl Talk, Beruit, Grizzly Bear, Yo La Tengo, Bob Mould, The Walkmen, Passion Pit…whoa, my heads going to explode and the list goes on.
When: October 17-18, 2009
Where: Treasure Island
How Much: $65 single day tix, $115 two day tix
Listen: Yo La Tengo, “Here to Fall”
What: Budget Rock 8 – The West Coast’s premiere garage rock festival
Who: Gris Gris, Thee Oh Sees, Nobunny, Fresh and Onlys and more!
When: October 22- 25, 2009
Where: Eagle Tavern, Thee Parkside, Bottom of the Hill
How Much: $5-$10, check venues for prices
Listen: Thee Oh Sees “Can You See”
I’ve been a wee bit obsessed over Ty Segall’s latest album, Lemons. He’s a San Francisco garage rock gem. Enjoy these videos and be sure to check out the album.
“Peg”
There’s something irresistibly charming about Cryptacize. They’re just a little off and quirky in all the right ways. Their sound is future forward and a throwback all at the same time – the purveyors of ‘smart rock’. One of my favorite covers of all time – ever – is their version of Steely Dan’s “Peg.” It’s perfection. “Tail and Mane” is a track off their second album, Mythomania, out now on Asthmatic Kitty. The band has announced a tour, beginning with Sufjan Stevens and ending with The Fiery Furnaces. And their tour will literally end in San Francisco, November 20, at Slim’s with Dent May and The Fiery Furnaces rounding out the bill.
The Sweet Serenades – “On My Way”
Those Swedes have done it again with more infectious powerpop to get your booty moving. They’ve got the formula for catchy indie pop down cold. And this Stockholm-based duo, The Sweet Serenades, are no exception. Their new album, Balcony Cigarettes, is out now on iTunes. I’d tell ya more about the band, if I could read Swedish. So for now we’ll let their music do the talking.
Here’s the video for “Fables” – the first single from the new The Dodos album out now, Time To Die. The Dodos and The Ruby Suns are lined up to play Bimbos on October 29.
the OCMD 