In our ongoing effort to bring music to your ears, this week we're giving away two special prize packs from a long-standing Bay area band, The Mother Hips. Formed back in 1991, it's been six years since the band last released a full album. They're back with a new studio record on April 3rd called Kiss the Crystal Flake. Said singer/guitarist Tim Bluhm: "It is very different from anything we recorded in the past. You know that saying about wishing you knew then what you know now? Kiss The Crystal Flake is that coming true." To celebrate, the band is playing two record release shows - on April 6th and 7th - at The Independent. We're giving away two prize packs, each with one pair of tickets to one of the record release shows, plus a copy of the new CD and the accompanying DVD. Listen to The Mother Hips' "Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear" and enter to win below (contest ends 4/4; winner will be notified via email.) more ›

What? This isn't Thursday? OK, all this holiday brouhaha has made us a day late from our usual posting schedule but we just know you'll forgive us. To make it up to you, we want to share a brand new video from Trainwreck Riders. According to our buddy Nat, last week the band hit the streets with a super 8 camera and a bag full of costumes that they dug up from their basements. They started the day at 'Drink Liquor' (where they used to buy alcohol at when they were in high school - uh, allegedly), picked up some 40 oz's of Olde English as inspiration, and shot a video at some of the stomping grounds that Pete sings about in the song. more ›

SFist interviews Michael Taylor from the Court and Spark more ›

We first heard of Rogue Wave when they opened for Spoon a few years ago, and though we liked them back then, we had no idea they'd make such gorgeous records. Descended Like Vultures, released last October, is a must-own and with airplay on MTV2, a deal with Sub Pop and tours with Nada Surf and The Shins, they're not our hometown secret anymore. more ›

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Our concert picks for the week of 6/23-6/29. more ›

We reckon a good percentage of San Franciso music-lovers will be at Great American Music Hall this week, whether it's at one of the three sold out Arcade Fire shows or Saturday's sold out X show. We commend you, SF, your taste is impeccable. While you're down at Great American, SFist Emily recommends stopping by the box office to purchase your ticket for the Tsunami Relief Benefit on January 28th. A $20 donation gets you in to see performances by Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters) and Eric Bachman (Archers of Loaf). We smell another sold out show coming on. more ›