Clockwise from top left: Sofi Tukker featuring Amadou & Mariam, Cola Boyy, Gunnar Gehl, Wye Oak, Ladyhawke, The Academic, BC Camplight and BOY. By now, at least in California, most of us have been vaccinated. If not, go see your local pharmacy. The hottest ticket may be your vaccination…

Clockwise from top left: The Foreign Films, Sam Gellaitry, Ralph, Cale Tyson, Kulick, Almost Monday and Fences. Indoor dining and other business is finally opening up in California. The vaccine is here, and much like getting concert tix to the hottest show, the vaccination is the hottest ticket!  Yet,…

Clockwise from top left: Jason Collett, Nick Waterhouse, CANNONS, Valleyheart, Alessandro Cortini and Slenderbodies with Tim Atlas. As outdoor dining and other indoor business finally opens up in California, the rain is back along with cold days. Somehow, I’m still stuck inside. Welcome to the new new. If it feels…

Maxïmo Park took the U.K. by storm in 2005 with A Certain Trigger, a blend of catchy, infectious fun. After I went to the Newcastle, England band’s first show in New York, I was convinced they’d make it here, too. However, the band never gained mainstream popularity in the U.S. Nature…

Clockwise from top left: Tim Atlas and honeywhip, Ensemble Mik Nawooj, Skeggs, Lost Horizons, Pino Palladino and Blake Mills, Paul Leary and Thad Cockrell. It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new year and lots of new music. As outdoor dining and other businesses finally opens up in…

Rachel Goodman’s top alt-rock and alt-pop songs of 2020. L to R; Row 1: Tame Impala, Caribou, Washed Out, Trace Mountains, The Big Moon, Future Islands. Row 2: Strfkr, Surfer Blood, Surf Rock Is Dead, Of Montreal, Hazel English, Suburban Living. Row 3: Jack River, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever,…

Clockwise from top left: Eivør, The Band CAMINO, l’imperatrice, DEVORA, Mark Erelli and Fleece. Every week, there’s more new music waiting to be discovered. We are now into winter and darkness is upon us way too early. Mid-afternoon feels like late evening, yet it’s warm and no one knows…

Clockwise from top left: Carolina Story, BLACKSTARKIDS, Ryan Webster, James Hersey, Rusty Eye and Imelda May. Every week, there’s more new music waiting to be discovered. We are deep into fall, and yet the warm days have me unsure what season we’re actually in. We are still stuck at…

Clockwise from top left: The Knocks, Tinlicker and Helsloot, Sebastian Mikael, Black Pistol Fire, Mise en Scene and Crooked Colours. Every week, there’s more new music waiting to be discovered. Summer is coming to an end, but that’s hardly noteworthy when everyone’s still stuck at home. COVID is here…

Clockwise from top left: Ghost Tense, Suburban Living, Smith, Lyle & Moore, The Nude Party, ALA.NI and Secret Machines. Every week, there’s more new music waiting to be discovered. It seemed we should all be back out, enjoying the end of summer. Instead, we’re still stuck at home for…