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 | Coming to America In less than a year and with only two songs available to the public, London's White Lies have caught enough attention to get gigs at several high-profile music festivals and make their U.S. debut. The Band's synth-sprinkled tunes and heady lyrics have earned references to Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen. White Lies performs at Popscene -- its second U.S. gig -- on July 31st before heading to Chicago for Lollapalooza. Drummer Jack Brown spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from the UK.More |  | No ID, No Problem Since forming No Age in 2005, Dean Allen Spunt (vocals/drums) and Randy Randall (guitar) have put an emphasis on community and fan interaction. The band honed its skills at the Gillman-esque DIY venue The Smell in Los Angeles before eventually gaining the attention of Sub Pop, which released [b]Nouns[/b] in May. As No Age continues to grow and perform at larger venues, the band is working to maintain its community-based roots with one-off gigs at art spaces, the occasional vegan restaurant and various public spaces.More |  | Introductions For his the fifth record, Eric Elbogen shortened the name of his indie rock outfit Say Hi To Your Mom to the more aesthetically appealing Say Hi. Also, gone are the references to spaceships and vampires and Elbogen’s cramped New York digs. He spoke with SF Station from his new home in Seattle where he recorded [b]The Wishes and the Glitch[/b]. Say Hi performs at The Independent on July 17th.More |  | Young at Heart A product of the 80s, Anthony Gonzalez has a special place in his heart for synth-pop bands like Tears for Fears and teen-movie shtick. It shows throughout M83’s latest release [b]Saturday = Youth[/b] (see the Molly Ringwald look-alike on the album’s cover), an atmospheric homage to the 80s and teenage exuberance and discovery. Gonzalez returns to the Bay Area with M83 for a performance at the Download Festival at Shoreline Amphitheater on July 19th. He spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from Paris.More |  | King of the 808 Egyptian Lover emerged in the 80s as a pioneer of electro with tracks like “Egypt, Egypt", “What is a DJ If He Can’t Scratch", and “Freak-A-Holic". Now, nearly 25 years later, the Los Angeles-based DJ/Producer is celebrating a resurgence in popularity in the United States with club dates, including an opening slot on M.I.A.’s recent tour. Egyptian Lover returns to San Francisco with his 808 drum machine -- a piece of equipment that he helped introduce to the hip hop masses -- for a performance at Mezzanine July 11th. He spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from Los Angeles.More |  | Good Vibrations From Seattle With snowflakes falling in the mountains surrounding Seattle as it experiences the coldest June in its record books, The Blakes will welcome a bit of California sun when they leave their home base for a mini tour through the Golden State. The tour, a warm up for a summer vacation through Europe with the Brian Jonestown Massacre, stops at Bottom of the Hill on June 22nd. Garnet Keim (guitar/vocals), who forms the garage-rock outfit with his brother Snow Keim (bass/vocals) and drummer Bob Husak, spoke with SF Station during a phone interview.More |  | A Novel Idea Literary references abound in popular music, but few are more blatant than Sea Wolf, a rootsy indie rock collective fronted by Alex Church that lifted its name from a Jack London novel. But Church says his inspiration is rooted more with the novel’s author -- in particular, London’s connection as a writer with nature -- than the actual story. Church spent many of his formative years in Northern California’s rural interior and the Bay Area before going to college in New York and moving to his current home in Los Angeles. He spoke with SF Station during a phone interview from Toronto. Sea Wolf returns to SF June 17th at The Independent.More |  | Your Guide for Dancing in the Street With gas prices spiraling out of control, air-traffic nightmares and a general increase in the cost of living, San Francisco’s summertime activities have never been more appealing. Despite unpredictable summer weather that often leaves the city shrouded in a cool mist, several free outdoor festivals offer plenty of reasons to stay close to home. Here are a few highlights...More |  | The Islands of Montreal Nick Thorburn, frontman for Montreal sextet Islands, has had a lot on his plate since co-founder and collaborator Jamie Thompson left the band in 2006, but the group presses on with its sophomore release [b]Arm’s Way[/b]. Thorburn discussed the new LP, and its intricate, multi-layered arrangements, on the day of its release during a phone interview from Montreal, just before the band’s North American tour. Islands stops in San Francisco at Bimbo’s on June 16th.More |  | A Sister Act Less than two years removed from their former home base in isolated Humboldt County, the Ian Fays haven't wasted any time making their name known around the Bay Area. After setting up shop in San Francisco the band, comprised of siblings Sara, Lizz and Lena Fay and brother-from-another-mother (and father) Bradley Fay, have graced marquees throughout the city. The Ian Fays, and their dreamy indie pop songs, also have a following in Europe thanks to a deal with Italian label Homesleep Music, which released the LP [b]Dylan’s Lost Days[/b] in April. The band performs at the Rock-It Room on May 21st and at The Uptown (Oakland) June 20th.More |
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