We're shipping off to SXSW on Saturday, and even though we're in for a ton of music in Austin we're really sad about what we'll be missing here in San Francisco. For instance, this weekend we're missing some of our favorite bands including Silversun Pickups, Virgil Shaw, and Electric Six at the Independent (say hello to our buddy John R. Dequindre for us). We're sending one of you to a show we wish we could......

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-loving good samaritans, this is your lucky week. If you like to enjoy a little partying and live performance in exchange for your charitable contributions, you have no less than six different tsunami relief benefits to choose from. On Friday, The Independent is having their second benefit, featuring members of New Monsoon, ALO, Samantha and the Ritual for a donation of $10-50. Great American's benefit that night with indie kings Gibbard, Kozelek, Richman and Bachman......