Subject:

Indie Rock and Indie Pop

  • Blogs

    December 14, 2012

    The First Listens of 2012: What We Got Right, What We Got Wrong

    As evinced bu my initial take on Tyler, the Creator's Goblin and my final opinion, a lot happens between one's first listen to an album and their final conclusion after taking it in several times. What I love about writing these features is that you get to read my pure, unvarnished thoughts about a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 29, 2012

    S.F. Rocker Mikal Cronin Signs with Merge Records

    One of the breakout stories in San Francisco rock last year was that of Mikal Cronin, a longtime pal of local garage-rocker Ty Segall, whose debut album blew us -- and lots of others -- away. Well, it looks like Cronin's tuneful songwriting made its way into the ears of some folks over at vaunted in ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 20, 2012

    Animal Collective's Centipede Hz: A First Listen

    I'm not an Animal Collective fan. I like Strawberry Jam a lot, and I cherish a few individual songs elsewhere, particularly "Summertime Clothes" (not least because it sounds just like the theme from Snoopy Come Home, which I loved as a kid). But their rhythms are so clumpy, melodies so soupy, and "i ... More >>

  • Music

    June 27, 2012

    Oysterfest: Show Preview

    I'm not an Animal Collective fan. I like Strawberry Jam a lot, and I cherish a few individual songs elsewhere, particularly "Summertime Clothes" (not least because it sounds just like the theme from Snoopy Come Home, which I loved as a kid). But their rhythms are so clumpy, melodies so soupy, and "i ... More >>

  • Music

    June 20, 2012

    Stepdad: Show Preview

    I'm not an Animal Collective fan. I like Strawberry Jam a lot, and I cherish a few individual songs elsewhere, particularly "Summertime Clothes" (not least because it sounds just like the theme from Snoopy Come Home, which I loved as a kid). But their rhythms are so clumpy, melodies so soupy, and "i ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 13, 2012

    Return to Barbarism: The Jesus and Mary Chain's Unforgettable Fury

    There are stories -- half-lies, probably -- that seem to stir each time the Jesus and Mary Chain pack the van up for another tour. (The band plays the Fillmore tonight.) They tell of the violence that used to stalk the Glasgow band back in the early days. You won't find these details in press releas ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 17, 2012

    Outside Lands 2012 Lineup: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Stevie Wonder, Metallica, Skrillex, Jack White, Foo Fighters, and More

    Outside Lands just released the lineup for 2012, its fifth year -- and it's a big one. Headliners include Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Stevie Wonder, Metallica, Skrillex, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Justice, Beck, Sigur Ros, and more. The festival takes place in Golden Gate Park Friday through Sunday, ... More >>

  • Music

    April 11, 2012

    Coachella in Your Backyard: Nine Good Local Shows That Aren't Sold Out

    Outside Lands just released the lineup for 2012, its fifth year -- and it's a big one. Headliners include Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Stevie Wonder, Metallica, Skrillex, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Justice, Beck, Sigur Ros, and more. The festival takes place in Golden Gate Park Friday through Sunday, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 3, 2012

    Seventeen Evergreen Has a New Album and Is Back to Making Trippy Videos, Thankfully

    Remember the last time San Francisco electro-rock duo Seventeen Evergreen released a piece of eye-candy? It was November, and the clip was a yarn-bombing odyssey of a music video for "Polarity Song," which pretty much delighted and freaked out viewers in equal measure. (The idea of being pulled int ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 23, 2012

    Live Review, 2/22/12: Cursive Is Flawless But Not Thrilling at Great American Music Hall

    CursiveUmeWednesday, Feb. 22, 2012Great American Music HallBetter than: Staying in with a record player and a glass of wine (but only just). Going to see Cursive at the Great American Music Hall tonight is a little bit like going to an amusement park and finding that only one rollercoaster is open. ... More >>

  • Music

    February 22, 2012

    Indie on Top: Noise Pop Celebrates 20 Years of Independent Music

    CursiveUmeWednesday, Feb. 22, 2012Great American Music HallBetter than: Staying in with a record player and a glass of wine (but only just). Going to see Cursive at the Great American Music Hall tonight is a little bit like going to an amusement park and finding that only one rollercoaster is open. ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 11, 2012

    Noise Pop 2012 Lineup: The Flaming Lips, Sleigh Bells, Bob Mould, and More Added

    The final More additions to the lineup for Noise Pop's 20th Anniversary festival were released moments ago, and they were worth the wait: Topping the 2012 bill are the Flaming Lips -- who also played Noise Pop in '98, just before finding a second run of success with The Soft Bulletin, the album the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 17, 2011

    Treasure Island Day One: Chromeo and Cut Copy Get the Wild Crowds Moving

    Christopher VictorioChromeo at Treasure Island on Saturday​ Cut Copy Chromeo Death From Above 1979, Battles, Dizzee Rascal, YACHT, The Naked & Famous October 15, 2011 Treasure Island Music Festival Better than: Any wanna-be Studio 54 club experience The genius of Treasure Island Music Festiv ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 17, 2011

    Treasure Island Day Two: St. Vincent, Beach House, and Explosions in the Sky Successfully Suspend Reality

    Christopher VictorioSt. Vincent​ Death Cab for Cutie, Explosions in the Sky, the Hold Steady, St. Vincent, Beach House, Friendly Fires, Wild Beasts, Warpaint, the Antlers, Weekend, Thee Oh Sees October 16, 2011 Treasure Island Music Festival Better than: The other typical yuppie Sunday activi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 3, 2011

    Saturday: Broken Social Scene Brings Out Issac Brock and Stars for an Epic "Final" Show at the Fillmore

    Matt SmithStars' Amy Millan and Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew at the Fillmore Saturday night.​ Broken Social Scene Oct. 1, 2011 The Fillmore Better than: All but a handful of other '00s-era indie rock bands. It was billed as the last Broken Social Scene show for a long while -- maybe for ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 10, 2011

    Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011: Robert Plant, Thurston Moore, Broken Social Scene, and More

    Broken Social Scene is one of more than 90 acts playing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this year.​ The lineup for this year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is out, and good luck figuring out whom to call the "headliner." For the festival's 11th year, organizers have put together another insane ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 2, 2011

    5 Things to Like About the Outside Lands Festival Schedule

    Outside Lands: Now without (hopefully) the painful decision-making!​ The schedule for this year's Outside Lands festival hit the web earlier today. But you can stop gritting your teeth and clutching the edge of that desk: Although many festival schedules are an exercise in painful decision-mak ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 11, 2011

    Outside Lands 2011: Phish, Muse, Arcade Fire, Black Keys, Deadmau5, and More

    Three days of this for 2011!​As promised, Outside Lands' avatar Ranger Dave announced the lineup this morning for the festivals fourth incarnation, to be held August 12-14, 2011. Your headliners: Phish, Muse, and Arcade Fire. Also playing: the Black Keys, Deadmau5, MGMT, Girl Talk, Decemberists, a ... More >>

  • Music

    February 23, 2011

    This Is Noise Pop: What Not to Miss at S.F.'s Signature Indie Music Fest

    Three days of this for 2011!​As promised, Outside Lands' avatar Ranger Dave announced the lineup this morning for the festivals fourth incarnation, to be held August 12-14, 2011. Your headliners: Phish, Muse, and Arcade Fire. Also playing: the Black Keys, Deadmau5, MGMT, Girl Talk, Decemberists, a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 26, 2011

    Noise Pop 2011 -- The Films: Arcade Fire, Feist, José González, the Making of Noise Pop, and More

    The Flaming Lips in This Is Noise Pop​S.F.'s annual Noise Pop Festival is mostly known for bringing a week of awesome indie music shows to the city. But the fest usually pulls in a pretty good selection of new films for music nerds -- and this year is no exception.With film subjects including the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 24, 2011

    Friday Night: Ra Ra Riot & Givers Unleash Sound and Fury at Great American Music Hall

    Ra Ra Riot at Great American Music Hall on Friday​Ra Ra RiotGiversJanuary 21, 2011@ Great American Music HallBetter than: The Sound and the Fury, which haunts my forgotten-homework dreams.In the one-for-all, all-for-one spirit that defines the Ra Ra Riot working philosophy, we interrupt this regul ... More >>

  • Music

    November 17, 2010

    Bear Hands: Show Preview

    Ra Ra Riot at Great American Music Hall on Friday​Ra Ra RiotGiversJanuary 21, 2011@ Great American Music HallBetter than: The Sound and the Fury, which haunts my forgotten-homework dreams.In the one-for-all, all-for-one spirit that defines the Ra Ra Riot working philosophy, we interrupt this regul ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 10, 2010

    Weekend Lets Its Noise Do the Work at the Independent

    Weekend last night at the Independent​The Pains of Being Pure At HeartWeekendNovember 9, 2010@ The IndependentBetter than: Plenty of other local bands.It says something about both the talents of San Francisco's Weekend and the generosity of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart that the latter ban ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 18, 2010

    Treasure Island Day 2: Belle & Sebastian and the National Turn Wet Misery into Rock-Out Joy

    Christopher VictorioBroken Social Scene's Kevin Drew crowd-surfs at the end of his set.​Treasure Island Music Festival, Day TwoOctober 17, 2010Better than: Listening to '90s alt-rock on your Walkman during a damp walk to school.Well, it rained. But other than that wet little nod from Mother N ... More >>

  • Music

    October 13, 2010

    Saturday Night Fever Indie Division

    How the hipster set learned to shake their skinny jeans.

  • Music

    October 13, 2010

    Music-based dating site Tastebuds doesn't work for the iPod generation

    How the hipster set learned to shake their skinny jeans.

  • Calendar

    September 29, 2010

    Siren Sings Again

    How the hipster set learned to shake their skinny jeans.

  • Blogs

    August 3, 2010

    Album That Time Time Sort Of Forgot: Desaparecidos' 'Read Music/Speak Spanish'

    Bill Sitzmann​Today sees the stateside release of the Arcade Fire's third full-length album, The Suburbs, which supposedly kicks ass. Not having heard it, I will instead ruminate on another album about suburbs: Read Music/Speak Spanish, the first and only record by Omaha's Desaparecidos. The ye ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 30, 2010

    How to Succeed in Indie Music? Five Formulas For a Blog-Worthy Band

    Maybe you won't admit it -- at least to your would-be fans -- but we all know it's the truth. No matter how stunning your lack of ambition may be, no matter how much you say you like sharing a one-bedroom with four guys and perfecting lattes for corporate assholes to pay the rent, you want that indi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 22, 2010

    MGMT and Francis and the Lights at the Fox Theater

    Jen Cash of Calibree PhotographyMGMT Francis and the Lights July 21, 2010 Fox Theater, Oakland Better than: Hearing "Time to Pretend" out in the world for the 765th time.​ A great many MGMT listeners wondered what the hell the band was thinking when it followed Oracular Spectacular -- a debut al ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 12, 2010

    LCD Soundsystem, Belle & Sebastian, The National, Broken Social Scene Top Treasure Island Lineup

    Christopher VictorioJack White with the Raconteurs at Treasure Island 2008​The lineup for the 2010 Treasure Island Music Festival was unveiled earlier today, and it's every bit as drool-worthy as we had hoped. First: the rumors were right, and Belle & Sebastian is headlining the second day's s ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 3, 2010

    Last Night: Local Natives at The Rickshaw Stop

    Photo by Chris Stevens​Local Natives @ The Rickshaw Stop June 2, 2010 Better than: Cavil at Rest Local Natives might just be the most hyped band since...that last overly hyped indie band. Thanks to a stellar performance at this year's Coachella music festival and media comparisons to Arcade Fi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 23, 2010

    Videos of the Day: Ukulele Covers of MGMT and Train (by an 8-year-old)

    I have a new rule when it comes to Train songs. I only want to hear them as covered by this cute little 8-year-old on his ukulele. Otherwise, I don't want to hear them at all.    There's a whole YouTube genre of uke covers--some of which are actually good songs to start with. MGMT' ... More >>

  • Music

    April 21, 2010

    Sic Alps is the opening act of choice for indie elder statesmen

    I have a new rule when it comes to Train songs. I only want to hear them as covered by this cute little 8-year-old on his ukulele. Otherwise, I don't want to hear them at all.    There's a whole YouTube genre of uke covers--some of which are actually good songs to start with. MGMT' ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 20, 2010

    Last Night: Vampire Weekend and Abe Vigoda at the Fox

    Photo of a previous Vampire Weekend show by Moses Namkung​Vampire WeekendThe Fox TheaterApril 19, 2010Better Than: getting bitten by a vampire wearing high-tops, skinny jeans, and shaggy bangs.Last night, the Columbia grads of Vampire Weekend, led by frontman Ezra Koening and his impressive falset ... More >>

  • Music

    April 14, 2010

    Yeasayer pushes into new weird pop

    Photo of a previous Vampire Weekend show by Moses Namkung​Vampire WeekendThe Fox TheaterApril 19, 2010Better Than: getting bitten by a vampire wearing high-tops, skinny jeans, and shaggy bangs.Last night, the Columbia grads of Vampire Weekend, led by frontman Ezra Koening and his impressive falset ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 13, 2010

    Last Night: MGMT at the Fillmore

    Gretchen Robinette ​MGMTMonday, April 12, 2010The FillmoreBetter than: Watching a band that's stuck making formulaic radio (or blogger) hits.MGMT had barely taken the stage at 8:15 last night, and a female party train was already whoo-whooing its way to the front, girls a half-dozen deep cong ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 12, 2010

    What To Do? Monday's Pick: MGMT

     MGMT @ the Fillmore MGMT's Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden willed themselves to fame with "Time to Pretend," the biggest movie-trailer indie crossover hit since "Paper Planes." Now they want us to know that they can play with that popularity. The chewy new Congratulations isn't at all ... More >>

  • Music

    April 7, 2010

    Concert preview: MGMT

     MGMT @ the Fillmore MGMT's Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden willed themselves to fame with "Time to Pretend," the biggest movie-trailer indie crossover hit since "Paper Planes." Now they want us to know that they can play with that popularity. The chewy new Congratulations isn't at all ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 1, 2010

    Zion I Brings the Live Show Home Tonight

    ​In action since 1997, Zion I has become one of the Bay Area's finest hip-hop acts, releasing six albums that have consistently shown off the duo's versatility. But in these times of rampant piracy, MC Zumbi and producer AmpLive know that their studio prowess alone won't butter their toast. Workin ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 30, 2010

    New MGMT Video: Flash Delirium

    The new MGMT record, Congratulations, isn't out until April 13, but word on the street is all about how the band resolved this round to forgo the usual step of releasing singles. The duo is, however, releasing videos, and this madhouse clip for "Flash Delirium" is great for all its creepiness.&nbs ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 22, 2010

    Hear MGMT's Second Album Streaming Online

    ​MGMT's last break-out single, "Kids," inspired the kind of ecstatic love usually reserved for prepackaged boy bands or massive pop stars. The group's popularity increased as its 2008 album Oracular Spectacular climbed up best-of lists--and music charts--worldwide. So it's an understatement to say ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 16, 2010

    Sasquatch! Music Festival Lineup: Pavement, Dam-Funk, Girls, Massive Attack, the XX

    Joseph SchellEdward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: festival favorites​More music news today for festicationers: Sasquatch! Music Festival laid out its lineup last night at a party at Seattle's Crocodile Cafe. This Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) the indie rock caravans will head to Washington's ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 19, 2010

    Coachella Brings Pavement, Jay-Z, Them Crooked Vultures, Thom Yorke, and Girls Together

    PavementMarcus Roth © 1999​Pavement's first West Coast date of its 2010 reunion tour was announced today, as the Coachella lineup went live with the indie rock giants as Sunday's big headliner. The news will likely send the group's many geeked out fans into organizing the So Cal caravans for the ... More >>

  • Music

    October 28, 2009

    Built to Spill’s struggles to capture its signature sound

    PavementMarcus Roth © 1999​Pavement's first West Coast date of its 2010 reunion tour was announced today, as the Coachella lineup went live with the indie rock giants as Sunday's big headliner. The news will likely send the group's many geeked out fans into organizing the So Cal caravans for the ... More >>

  • Music

    October 14, 2009

    Treasure Island: Indie-rock elders move forward

    PavementMarcus Roth © 1999​Pavement's first West Coast date of its 2010 reunion tour was announced today, as the Coachella lineup went live with the indie rock giants as Sunday's big headliner. The news will likely send the group's many geeked out fans into organizing the So Cal caravans for the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 22, 2009

    Last Night: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Girls at the Rickshaw Stop

    Sandy KimGirls: None of those females are actually in the bandThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart, GirlsTuesday, July 21, 2009Rickshaw StopBetter than: Being at Popscene in the late '90s.There's a point in every great band's career when its hometown crowds realize something has changed, and definitely ... More >>

  • Music

    July 15, 2009

    The Pains of Being Pure at Heart stock up for indie stardom

    Sandy KimGirls: None of those females are actually in the bandThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart, GirlsTuesday, July 21, 2009Rickshaw StopBetter than: Being at Popscene in the late '90s.There's a point in every great band's career when its hometown crowds realize something has changed, and definitely ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 23, 2009

    Treasure Island Headliners Leaked: Girl Talk, Flaming Lips, MGMT

    J. Michelle MartinThe Flaming LipsThis year's Treasure Island Music Festival should be another one for the weekender history books, if the early leaked acts booked to perform are any indication. Unofficially on tap to perform Oct. 17 and 18 are MGMT, MSTRKRFT and Girl Talk (Sat) and Flaming Lips (wh ... More >>

  • Music

    June 17, 2009

    King Sunny Adé's legnthy reign

    J. Michelle MartinThe Flaming LipsThis year's Treasure Island Music Festival should be another one for the weekender history books, if the early leaked acts booked to perform are any indication. Unofficially on tap to perform Oct. 17 and 18 are MGMT, MSTRKRFT and Girl Talk (Sat) and Flaming Lips (wh ... More >>

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