We're giving thanks today for all the great venues in San Francisco, which attract bands of all shapes, sizes and levels of fame to our fair city. Our show pick of the week is tomorrow night in Hotel Utah's tiny two-floor room with Phosphorescent and Castanets. Phosphorescent's Aw Come Aw Wry is a strong contender for our year end Top 10, and fans of Okkervil River and Neutral Milk Hotel should listen up. Sufjan Stevens'......

Our concert picks for the week of 9/15 - 9/21. A few weeks ago we saw a hilarious movie called "The Baxter" that was written, directed and stars Stella's Michael Showalter. As he's done with his past work, he had his friend Craig Wedren (formerly of Shudder To Think) create the soundtrack, which features Craig's music alongside the likes of Angela McClusky and Peter Salett. To celebrate the film's release, we're giving away a Baxter......

We're on the scene at the Current TV kickoff party being MC'ed by Mos Def -- Michael Franti is currently representing EssEff. This is the new project from INdTV, "Dedicated to short form TV." The logo features a cursor, to signify "awaiting input." We're not kidding. Still, they certainly have a crowd of "connectors" assembled. And kids are smoking pot with Al Gore in the house. Who does that guy think he is with......