The Bay Area should be proud of at least two high profile record releases from local artists this week. Oakland's own The Lovemakers drop their major label debut Times of Romance on Interscope Records, and San Francisco's John Vanderslice keeps it real by releasing his latest, Pixel Revolt, on indie stalwart Barsuk Records.

Even if you can't afford to rush to the CD store on Tuesday, we wouldn't want you to go without some local music this week.
Jackpine Social Club is giving away two pairs of tickets to see Loquat's "organic-meets-electronic guitar pop" with Citizens Here and Abroad and Ex-Boyfriends at Great American on Saturday night. Enter now, because our contest-o-tron is picking the winners by 2 p.m. on Friday (that's tomorrow!) We're giving away a copy of local troubador Nathan Paine's EP at the end of this email, so keep reading for more giveaway goodness.

On Thursday, Mezzanine presents the return of Gusgus, your favorite Icelandic nine-piece band. Liz Phair strips down (in an acoustic way) at Cafe Du Nord tonight for a two-night stand. Bring back good memories with Dinosaur Jr at the Fillmore. The Lovemakers throw a record release party at Popscene for their Times of Romance album. Buy it early at the show and tell all your friends you knew them when.

On Friday Liz Phair goes upstairs to the Swedish Hall for her second night in San Francisco. Check out some modern soul at The Fillmore with Kanye West protégé John Legend ("Holla, holla, holla!"), Common and De La Soul, then head to the after party at Club Six. At the Elbo Room, someone or something named Crackwhore presents the Paws Across America Tour with Kid 606, Knifehandchop and Eats Tapes. Gold Chains & Sue Cie make you sweat in the Hemlock's back room.

The music starts early on Saturday with afternoon performances by Luce and more at La Raza Park. Check out SFist Mary-Lynn's post about the benefit for Project Homeless Connect for more details. Von Iva and Hey Willpower shake your hipster asses at the Independent later that night. Maybe you'll win those tickets for the show at Great American with Loquat, Citizens Here & Abroad and Ex-Boyfriends. Barbarossa, Electric Black Sheep and DJ Sugar Smallhouse get the Rock n' Roll Dance Party started at Li Po Lounge. Z-Trip scratches and mashes up genres and throws copyright caution to the wind at The Grand Ballroom.

There's a tear in your beer on Sunday night when Tim Easton and Rusty Miller of Jackpot sing their heartache Americana at Cafe Du Nord. We'll be hunched over a pint at Make Out Room to see our buddies in Luca, who recently opened (and were the backup band) for John Doe's solo tour.

On Monday esteemed music journalist Chuck Klosterman reads from his latest book Killing Yourself to Live at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books and Shellac plays their first of two nights at Great American.

We're declaring Tuesday August 23rd John Vanderslice Day. Head on down to Amoeba to see JV play live at 6 p.m. and pick up a copy of Pixel Revolt while you're at it. Preview mp3s from the record here. Later that night Nathan Paine plays at the Make Out Room with The Young Republic. Head back to Amoeba on Wednesday for a free show by The New Pornographers. Later on Scrabbel is at Rickshaw Stop and singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau plays at 12 Galaxies.

Enter to win a copy of local troubador Nathan Paine's excellent More EP. Contest ends Wednesday 8/24.