We’ve been on tour of sorts this week, but since it’s for our day job we regret to inform you that there’s nothing very rock about it. We are happy to say that we’re meeting some fellow –ists along the way though. Last night we met and chatted with Kyle and Nicole from DCist. We commiserated with Kyle about the burden of keeping up too many blogs (check out his excellent music blog Information Leafblower) and listened with envy about his plans to cover the Pitchfork Music Festival this weekend. Tonight we’ll be meeting some Chicagoists, which makes us think we should create some sort of dorky visualization out of which –ists we’ve met/haven’t yet met, something like those cardboard maps for collecting state quarters. more ›

If you're not going to HorrorFest, checking out the bands recommended by SFist Krissy like you should be or have tickets for Sleater-Kinney at the Warfield or Fischerspooner at the Fillmore, then here are some ideas: more ›

Is your wallet looking slim this week? Fret not; there's plenty of free music to be had. Check out any of Amoeba's stellar in-store offerings, including Prefuse 73, Zion I, locals Six Organs of Admittance, and a rare acoustic performance by Trail of Dead. Local label Six Degrees Records presents Niyaz at Virgin Megastore on Saturday at 2pm. And SFist is giving away a free copy of Citizen Cope's CD The Clarence Greenwood Chronicles (enter to win here). more ›

We've already broken our New Year's resolution to not be late anymore, but we can still rally to see more live music in '05. Things remain a bit askew during this first week of January (holiday parties are still happening?) but there are many musical options if you need to get out and about. Or as those kooky Canadians like to say, oot and aboot. more ›