San Diego Music Thing Comes of Age
By Bart Mendoza It’s no secret that the business of music has always been a tough one. These days it’s harder than ever for a band to get noticed, let alone make a living at its craft. Thankfully, there is San Diego Music Thing, a music conference and festival taking place at the Lafayette Hotel [...]
Music Scene 9.2011
By Bart Mendoza Ultimate Party For Music Lovers There are a lot of music events in San Diego, but nothing compares to the Adams Avenue Street Fair. This free, two-day happening features more than 60 acts on six stages, with something for just about everyone. This year’s headliners include a one-time reunion of San Diego [...]
Music Scene, 06.2011
By Bart Mendoza Music That Rings a Bell One of the most successful song writers in the world, Jack Tempchin’s name may not instantly ring a bell, but his music sure does. Appearing at AMSDConcerts on June 11, 7:30 p.m., Tempchin is responsible for penning such classic rock standards as Johnny Rivers “Slow Dancin,” Glen [...]
North Park Music Scene
By Bart Mendoza Solo Troubadour Acoustic troubadour Jon Kanis has been performing lately with several different bands, including the Assumptions and Listening to Rocks, but it’s in solo mode that he’s at his best. Blessed with a deep knowledge of music, Kanis, who performs at Alchemy on Thursdays in May, plays originals as well as [...]
Scene 3.2011
Festival of Beers It’s not too early to talk about two of San Diego’s best exports — craft brewing and music. The fourth annual CityBeat Festival of Beers will be held Saturday, April 9, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. in front of the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. Proceeds will benefit the San Diego [...]
North Park Music Scene 3.2011
By Bart Mendoza Marshall Crenshaw Best known for his early ’80s hits, “Someday, Someway,” and “Whenever You’re On My Mind,” Marshall Crenshaw may have a lower profile these days, but he still turns out exemplary pop and rock tunes with ease. His most recent album, “Jagged Land,” was released in 2009, showing Crenshaw has lost [...]
North Park musician gets Grammy nod
By Manny Lopez For pianist and composer Geoffrey Keezer, a multi-Grammy nominee from North Park, playing music isn’t just a career, it’s a soul path and how he lives in the world. Recently, Keezer garnered a Grammy nod for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for “Don’t Explain,” a project by Los Angeles singer Denise [...]
North Park Music Scene
By Bart Mendoza MURMURS Murmur, a tribute band to R.E.M., performs at the Whistlestop on Feb. 11, 9 p.m. The quartet performs solid versions of their adopted band’s hits, from “Radio Free Europe” to “Nightswimming,” but their secret weapon is frontman Greg Vaughan, the near twin of REM frontman Michael Stipe. Vaughan nails Stipe’s look, [...]
North Park Music Scene 1.2011
By Bart Mendoza Rooney’s lead guitarist Taylor Locke and his new side project band, The Roughs, continue his tradition of great rock with pop overtones, adding even more melody into the mix. Currently touring behind thier excellent album, “Grain and Grape,” the band, who perform at the Soda Bar on Jan. 17 (9 p.m.), moves [...]
Hotel St. George, who perform at The Whistlestop on Dec. 10, 10 p.m., is a four-piece indie rock group combining garage rock with slashes of glam, punk and even powerpop. File alongside Bowie, Television and Soft Boys in your mp3 collection, but this is a group that raises up a tense explosive sound and are [...]
