Summer’s here, which means that bands are hitting the road in droves and new albums are coming out fast and furious. That’s great news for local music fans, but it also means that July is the sort of month where tough choices abound.
On Saturday, July 5, for example, you could check out The Fresh & Onlys, whose House of Spirits shows the band continuing to explore new textures without sacrificing any of the killer songcraft that’s made them one of the best SF groups around. If electronic music is more your speed, though, you should spend that evening at the latest Push the Feeling, where Silver Hands is performing in support of the new Skulls 12″ on Push the Feeling’s newly inaugurated record label.
For another tough one, look at July 9: Peter Matthew Bauer‘s first solo LP, following The Walkmen’s decision to take an “indefinite hiatus,” is a real winner, but Extra Classic‘s mix of dub, reggae and pop sounds makes the SF group’s album release party equally tempting.
July also means that festival season is in full swing. Fourth of July weekend brings the return of Burger Boogaloo, a two-day garage rock celebration in Oakland’s Mosswood Park. With the legendary Ronnie Spector sitting atop a bill that includes Thee Oh Sees, Shannon and the Clams, Reigning Sound and many more, the Boogaloo offers a compelling argument to stick around town over the holiday.
The weekend after that, we’re excited to present the fourth annual Phono del Sol Music Festival on July 12, collecting ten local and touring bands — with headliners Wye Oak and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down — along with a bevy of great food trucks for a can’t-miss day of summer fun.