When The Lights Go Down In The City
Our concert picks for the week of 8/11 - 8/17.
It's August, and if we were anywhere else in the country, the sun would be beating down on us relentlessly and we'd be wishing September would come around to bring back the touring bands. But this is San Francisco, so we put on sweaters when we leave for work and we still get good concerts even during the touring lull that is August.
And here at SFist, we give you free stuff. From the ashes of the great guitar-noise trio Shiner rises The Life and Times. They have a new album out this week on Desoto Records, and we want you to have a copy.
Enter to win The Life and Times' Suburban Hymns CD. Our contest-o-tron will pick a winner on 8/17.
Tonight the International Pop Overthrow continues at the Red Devil Lounge with tons of bands including Giant Value, Chris Von Sneidern and the amusingly named Preoccupied Pipers. Check IPO's website for the full lineup. Local vocalist Heather Lauren plays Amnesia. On Friday, head down to Amoeba during your lunch hour to catch Aimee Mann's free instore performance. She plays later that night at The Fillmore with the deliciously forlorn yet sassy Kathleen Edwards. Bottom of the Hill has The Ponys and The Occasion.
On Saturday the Independent has Cut Chemist with DJ Zeph and Azeem. Catch some local folk at Cafe Du Nord with The Court and Spark and Kelley Stoltz. SFist Jon tells us there's a benefit show for Val Esway (Ramona the pest, Loretta Lynch) at the Mirthwerx Warehouse in Oakland to help cover some of her recent medical expenses. Catch sets by 20 Minute Loop and many many more. Drop a line to donation @ staggeringsiren.com for details.
It's the second to the last Stern Grove show this Sunday, with BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet w/ the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Hopefully we'll be able to get our Cajun/zydeco/jazz on in the sunshine. That afternoon, Bottom of the Hill throws its last BBQ of the summer with Drag The River, Mojo Apostles, Dynamite 8 and tasty, tasty barbecue. That night Bimbo's presents Shelby Lynne with opener Bob Schneider.
Cinema Drafthouse at the Independent presents a screening of Donnie Darko on Monday. We think it's a good idea to see that film with a large group of people, because when the movie's over you can solicit a lot of theories and explanations for just what the hell it all meant. Catch the buzz o' the blogosphere The Spinto Band at Bottom of the Hill, with Head of Femur and The Herms.
David Gray makes a gentle return to the Fillmore on Tuesday. Cafe Du Nord gives you an opportunity to get intimate with Charlie Sexton and Paula Frazer. Bottom of the Hill has the loud, melodic, dirgey rock of The Life and Times and Bella Lea, the new outfit from the singer of Denali. 12 Galaxies seduces you with the promise of Attractive and Popular, Cool Guys Hot Girls and So So Many White White Tigers.
On Wednesday, stay up late with David Dondero at the Hemlock.
Image of Bella Lea's vocalist from their Myspace page.