The first hints of who's confirmed to play this year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass have been dropped by organizers in a song medley on HSBG's website, which you can listen to and plan accordingly here. [via SF Weekly]

One of the most anticipated acts (it's his big comeback, after all!) at Outside Lands this year was D'Angelo. Then he crushed everyone's dreams by dropping out due to a "medical emergency." Blah. Influential guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers of Chic was then announced to take his place. [via Facebook]

Oakland's death-doom quartet Lycus dropped its first proper album, entitled Tempest, and it got a slick writeup from the critics at Pitchfork, who let golf claps loose over the fact that the band had sanded down its rough edges and let some light shine through the blanket of gloom. [via Pitchfork]

The Spyrals released a San Francisco-style, beachy music video for their stripped-down stomper "Out of Sight," which we can't stop listening to for its guitar solo. Where did all the guitar solos go? [via The Bay Bridged]

The Bay Area's punk and hardcore scene has been busy lately, as evidenced by all the excellent 7-inches that've dropped this year. SF Weekly gives a rundown of the best of them. Start collecting them for your grandkids now. [via SF Weekly]

Rising Bay Area rapper Roach Gigz opened up in an interview about what it was like growing up in the Bay when hyphy was ruling hip hop, making his first song with Rappin' 4-Tay's daughter, and what it means to be a "Pu$$y Magnet." [via Noisey]