I know fog isn't the constant companion of everyone who lives in the Bay Area, but it is a fact of life for many of us who live in San Francisco and other areas closest to the coast. One day it is sunny and warm, and the next thing you know cold, damp fog is rolling down the street pushed forward by strong, chilling winds from the Pacific. And for me, taking long treks from neighborhood to neighborhood for any purpose loses a lot of its appeal on these windy, foggy days. The secret is that you learn to roll [...]

Tonight! Sonic Youth and Awesome Color at the gorgeous Fox Theater in Oakland! At the Great American Music hall we have Deerhoof and Abe Vigoda , Japandroids hit up the Hemlock Tavern, and the crusty Beach Boys play the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Monday, the lovely Bowerbirds and Megafaun swing by Café du Nord, and the mighty Sonic Youth and Sic Alps rock the Independent. Tuesday alt-country giants John Doe & The Sadies come to [...]

San Francisco four-piece Evening Empire have already managed to crank out a pair of excellent, well-written EPs in their relatively short career. Evening Empire consists of guitarist/singer Anders Carpenter, bass player Sean Ferry, drummer Daniel Hildebrand, and Beau Trincia on synth/organ/vocals. Their latest EP, The Ocean in Films , was just released on July 21 and features 4 tracks of catchy indie rock. Much of this short player, such as the second cut,"On Parade," consists of shimmery pop-rock reminiscent of early Elvis Costello blended with hints of Murmur -era R.E.M., as well as [...]