Join us tonight at 111 Minna for an art show curated by Aaron Burtch, entitled "Five Ways To See." When he's not making great music with Grandaddy, Burtch is making great paintings and pictures, which he'll be showing alongside artwork from Souther Salazar, Alexander Cheves, Jeffery Harland, Joel Elrod. Afterward, your music options include the oft-recommended Neko Case with The Sadies at Bimbo's, the electro-pop of locals The Lovemakers at Popscene, or the gentle Brit-pop of Keane with special guests The Dears at the Fillmore.
Friday night you could get your emo on with Sparta, Further Seems Forever, and Copeland at The Grand, or get rocked gently at Alice Radio's "Alice in Winterland" with Los Lonely Boys, Joss Stone and Jem. Visit the Alice website for creepy caricatures of all the artists, as well as music clips. SFist recommends checking out local crooner Virgil Shaw's set that night at Cafe Du Nord. A favorite of Grandaddy and John Doe, Shaw sings his indie Americana in a heartbreaking, world-weary voice. Go here to download "Still Falling."
Sunday night brings us another actor who sings! But this time Kevin Spacey really is playing a role, that of Bobby Darin in the forthcoming biopic "Beyond the Sea." We don't know if the ensuing concert tour is a promotional stunt for the film, or an ego-flex of the "because I can" variety. Spacey channels Darin at Bimbo's. Other Sunday options include local heroines The Donnas headlining at Slim's, or Jonathan Richman at Great American in support of his excellently-named new record Not So Much To Be Loved as to Love, with local Jesse DeNatale opening. If you're in the mood for music with a good cause, grab a ticket to the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation's "Help Is On The Way For the Holidays VI" featuring performances by "American Idol"'s LaToya London, The Kinsey Sicks (a "Drag-a-pella" beautyshop quartet!) and sundry others.
SFist reader Patrick recommends Johnny Dowd at Cafe Du Nord, opening for Sally Timms. A quick perusal of his albums on Real Rhapsody reveals Dowd's vague resemblance to Billy Bob Thornton's character in Slingblade, and that scary/endearing comparison applies to his music as well.
Monday's recommended show is Mirah at Bottom of the Hill, with Dear Nora opening. You might be curious to know that Mirah's deeply DIY, was schooled in Olympia, and has sung with the Microphones, but none of that will prepare you for her bell-clear voice and cinematic songwriting. Go here to listen to several Mirah mp3s, courtesy of K Records. We recommend starting with "Cold Cold Water." Tuesday night brings Pedro the Lion to Slim's and The Dears and Robbers on High Street to Cafe Du Nord.
Anyone lucky enough to have tickets to the Arcade Fire show Wednesday night at Bottom of the Hill should (A) send extras to SFist and (B) get there in time to see the pop-rock genius of locals The Heavenly States (featuring our favorite rock violinist). See what the 'States look like as puppets in their new video for "Car Wash" here. Tickets go on sale this Sunday for the Arcade Fire's return to Slim's on January 14th; visit the Slim's site for more information. Lastly, be sure to see Iron and Wine on Wednesday night at Great American, so you can free up your Thursday night to party with all us SFists.
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hey there -- just saw your post mentioning rhapsody, and thought you might like my blog, rhapsody rock school, which is devoted entirely to rhapsody playlists. check it out at http://rockschool.blogspot.com if you're interested.
most of the rhapsody team is based in SF, btw, over at 16th and potrero. :)
matt