Sometime in between The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and Kanye West’s “Stronger,” electronic music officially became pop again. Long relegated to the support role after the death of new wave in the 80s, the keyboardist became a more prominent player (pun absolutely intended) in a band once again. Often just an add-on in a guitar-driven musical landscape, the keyboardist now plays the riffs, front and center. The buzzing sawtooth that starts Phoenix’s “1901” and the glossy bounce that propels Passion Pit’s “Take a Walk” are what gets stuck in people’s heads these days.

Fore·cas·tle (f’ok_sol) n. ~ A superstructure at the bow of a ship where the crew is housed. Hard at work in the unruly sea, it is a place workers gather to unwind after a hard day of labor. Simply put, it is a place where people come together.

Acclaimed independent and innovative band THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT have launched their summer tour and have confirmed that they will be releasing an album of new material in early 2014.  The dates began this past weekend with a show at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (6/21) and continue this weekend with three shows in Rothbury, MI at the Electric Forest Festival.

Once again, a beloved Jerry Week San Francisco tradition—Grateful Dead Tribute Night at the SF Giants—returns on August 5 at AT&T Park, as the World Series Champions take on the Milwaukee Brewers.

Seesaw reunites force-of-nature blues-rock vocalist Beth Hart and guitar hero Joe Bonamassa for a second album of choice covers from various musical eras. As with their first outing, Don’t Explain, the project is in collaboration with producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Black Crowes).

More energized and focused than ever before in their near 25-year career, roots-music troubadours Donna the Buffalo released their first studio album in five years, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, Tuesday, June 18, 2013 via Sugar Hill Records. The album debuted at #20 on the Americana Music Charts, and this past week rose to #10!

Friday, October 18th, BONOBO returns with his band behind his critically acclaimed album, The North Borders! After completely selling out the House of Blues with support from Shigeto and an afterparty at Primary for a rare DJ set, BONOBO brings his band to the historic Riveria Theatre!Presale tickets sold out in less than 30 minutes through Bonobo's official website.

With the release of their eighth studio album, Behind Beyond, via their own imprint label on July 9, 2013; Northern California's the Mother Hips will celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band.

Ashleigh Flynn’s song "See That Light" is an anti-bullying tune, in which the storyteller is a young kid in love with her or his best friend until they realize that’s not allowed. Todd Snider plays the preacher with a talking blues part in which he appeals to folks to smarten up, to get along...

The Big Up Music & Arts Festival has added dynamic genre-bending rock band The Heavy Pets and seeker of unearthed sound Thriftworks to the 2013 lineup. In addition to performing his solo set, Allen Aucion (aka DrFameus) will join Space Jesus Live on drums where he’ll provide the driving beat that propels the psychedelic, bass-fueled, hip hop-laced set.