The tourists are gone, and we have our town back, but the great weather continues. We're lucky souls to live here year-round. Great weather and great music go hand in hand, and we have a cornucopia of offerings all over the county. I have to admit, I was impressed with Boar Cross'n in Carlsbad, which hosted our most recent SoundDiego LIVE. The venue, staff and owners were awesome, and their dedication to supporting local music was inspiring. Bonus points for being next door to Spin Records.
Looking ahead in the month of September, the talent list is long and dynamic.
Friday, Sept. 7, there's pop-punk with the Ataris at the Soda Bar.
Saturday, Sept. 8, UK funk-soul band the Heavy lay it down at the Casbah.
Monday, Sept. 10, the star of Xanadu and Grease, the one and only Olivia Newton John, performs at Humphreys By the Bay. Let's get physical...
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 & 15, the San Diego Music Thing takes over in and around North Park. Bands, seminars and speakers like Chuck D (Public Enemy) and Wayne Kramer (MC5).
Sunday, Sept. 16, FM94/9's Independence Jam returns to Oceanside with Fiona Apple, Best Coast, Oberhofer and Gardens & Villa. That may be a smaller line-up than you first remember, but moving on, it's the only way in town to see a show at the beach. You'd think that would happen more often in San Diego.
Monday, Sept. 17, Ringo Deathstarr -- a sonic rock band from Austin, Texas -- will tickle your eardrums at the Soda Bar.
Friday, Sept. 21, the Soft Pack -- formerly known as the Muslims -- will rock the Casbah.
Saturday, Sept. 22, dreamy pop duo Azure Ray play the Irenic in North Park.
Wednesday, Sept. 26, the man who only just recently found out how famous he is will play an intimate show at the Casbah. They call him Rodriguez. Check out the film Searching For Sugarman to learn more about him.
Thursday, Sept. 27, drum and bass icon Amon Tobin rocks the House Of Blues with fervor.
The coup de grâce is the 31st annual Adams Avenue Street Fair at the end of the month, happening on Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30. Best part: it's freeee! Strawberry Alarm Clock, the reunion of Mojo Nixon & Skip Roper, the Paladins, Cuckoo Chaos and around 90 total bands over two days. Musical styles are pretty much everything under the sun.
Looking through the list I can mention a few more coming to town, like the Lumineers, the Greyboy All-Stars, Jason Mraz, Serj Tankian, the Features, Menomena, Strung Out, the Psychedelic Furs and the Shins. Diversity and choices: It's what Americans want.
Bring on the fall!
Tim Pyles hosts The Local 94/9, FTP show and the Coup d'Eat on FM94/9 on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. He also books local acts at the Casbah and hosts the weekly Anti-Monday League. Check out his website and follow him on Twitter @thelocalpyle. You can reach him directly here pyleste@yahoo.com
