How to Dress Well has a ‘good rapport’ with loss

Songwriter Tom Krell creates his own kind of experimental R&B

Tom Krell makes sad music. The songwriter behind the lo-fi-pop project How to Dress Well, his productions are dark and alluring, featuring skeletal instrumentation and wistful melodies.

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Wednesday, November 21,2012
If I Were U

Rush, Three Mile Pilot and more San Diego concerts

Delicate Steve, Coda Reactor and Turkey Tornado are just some of the bands we’re jazzed about this week

By Peter Holslin

My friend Hannah Rappleye recently saw Rush in New York City, and she reports that the show was “awesome.” In a three-hour set, the Canadian power trio played every song from its new album, Clockwork Angels, along with many classics.

Wednesday, November 21,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Future of the Left aren’t happy with Ché Café

‘Worst venue I have ever played,’ band member tweets

By Peter Holslin

Wales-based punk band Future of the Left doesn’t seem pleased with The Ché Café. After the band played a sold-out show at the UCSD venue last Friday night, someone tweeted from the band’s Twitter account (@shit_rock): “Worst venue I have ever played AND I HAVE TO PLAY IT AGAIN TOMORROW.”

Wednesday, November 21,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

All My Friends was a blast

Tijuana festival has great music, better organization

By Peter Holslin

The indie-music scene in Tijuana seems to get bigger, stronger and a whole lot more interesting with each passing year. That’s the thought that kept crossing my mind as I attended All My Friends Music Festival at Tijuana’s Casa de la Cultura on Saturday.

Wednesday, November 21,2012
Music Feature

Tropical Popsicle: cavemen of the night

Indie-rockers sound crude, gloomy and just a bit whimsical

By Peter Holslin

Timothy Hines is a clean-cut guy. He has a solid jawline, neatly combed hair and sharp sartorial taste. Over the years, as a member of local bands The Stereotypes and Lights On, he’s developed a reputation for crafting sophisticated indie-rock tunes with a pop sensibility.

Wednesday, November 14,2012
If I Were U

The Faint, DJ /rupture and more San Diego concerts

Deftones, Laura Gibson and Blowfly are just some of the acts we’re stoked about this week

By Peter Holslin

The Faint dropped their goth-tastic album Danse Macabre in 2001, right in time for the dance-punk revolution.

Wednesday, November 14,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Michael Trigilio rocks out to Taylor Swift

Sound artist records an extra-special cover of No. 1 hit—plus, more music news

By Peter Holslin

Sound artist Michael Trigilio is perhaps best known for his experiments with multimedia and modular synthesizers. But last Saturday, he recorded something a little less abstract: a cover of Taylor Swift’s No. 1 hit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

Wednesday, November 14,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

A guide to All My Friends Music Festival

Highlights at the Tijuana event include Chelsea Wolfe, Mock the Zuma and Los Macuanos

By Peter Holslin

San Diego might need to step up its game, because Tijuana has been blowing up lately with tons of great food, art and music. On Saturday, Nov. 17, more than 40 bands, beatmakers and DJs will convene at Tijuana’s Casa de la Cultura for All My Friends Music Festival.

Wednesday, November 14,2012
Music Feature

Plateaus are existentially chill

San Diego indie-rockers just want to play some cool tunes

By Peter Holslin

San Diego has long been known for cutting-edge indie-rock. In years past, local bands have experimented with odd time signatures, expansive song structures and austere, Spock-like haircuts.

Wednesday, November 7,2012
If I Were U

Titus Andronicus, METZ and more San Diego concerts

Jens Lekman, Nick Waterhouse and Retox are just some of the acts we’re jazzed about this week

By Peter Holslin

With the rawness of early Against Me!, the theatricality of Bruce Springsteen and the bookish taste of an English major, Titus Andronicus specialize in their own kind of brainy, sprawling punk.