Out of respect for your 4th of July weekend hangover, we're going to give your social life a break and focus on concerts waaay later in the week. We could all use a few more days rest after this show on Thursday.
Sonny and the Sunsets, New Parish, Friday
In a nutshell, that’s why we love Sonny and the Sunsets. The spaced-out free-form folk musician embraces all things bizarre and heartfelt. Bandleader Sonny Smith occupies that rare place where honesty and surrealism meet, and “Green Blood” is just that. The above music video is from the San Francisco band’s latest album Antenna to the Afterwold, which keeps growing and growing on devotees.
Peanut Butter Wolf, Mighty, Friday
San Jose hip-hop/funk producer/emcee has been doing the damn thing since 1989. Lately (well, relatively speaking) he’s been focusing on his label Stone’s Throw and involving himself with various projects such as his genius 7-inch mix titled 45 Live, which won him accolades from influential places. But now Peanut Butter Wolf finds himself on the cusp of an upcoming West Coast tour with his label mates in August. But first, catch him at Mighty, owner of the best acoustics these ears have heard in this city.
Beirut (DJ Set), 1015 Folsom, Friday
Be intrigued: Everyone’s favorite gypsy-pop outfit is dabbling in the disc jockeying arts this summer. Anyone who’s seen multi-instrumentalist Zach Condon perform live would dare doubt his ability to work a turntable. And anyone familiar with his electronica leanings, as featured prominently on March of the Zapotec & Realpeople: Holland, knows Condon excels in the digital realm (see below). Only question is, will we get Beirut songs? Or will we get something else? Both would be greatokthanks.
Phono Del Sol, Potrero Del Sol Park, Saturday
The third installment of the sneaky-awesome Phono Del Sol Music and Food Festival has arrived. Per usual, the lineup speaks for itself: Thee Oh Sees, YACHT, Marnie Stern, Bleached, K. Flay, and many more join this year’s lineup. It’s a toss-up, but we’ll call Bleached the must-see act of the day. Their song “Dead in Your Head” has been taking over buzz blogs and satellite radio over the past month, and playing over and again in this writer's mind. Your turn:
If you haven’t made your requisite pilgrimage to Stern Grove’s annual concert series yet this year, now is time. This Sunday’s installment is a cunning slice of curatorial bravado. Headlining the day is Kronos Quartet, a longstanding string ensemble, and now an American institution over the last three-plus decades. But before Kronos takes the stage, local chamber pop outfit Geographer joins Magik*Magik Orchestra for what should be a thrilling pairing. Geographer’s sound, of course, comes prepackaged with string accoutrements, and we can’t wait to see what a proper chamber quartet can add to what is already a polished pop music force. Perhaps something like this…
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