Eight years ago, Austin electronica duo Ghostland Observatory realized it was time to hit the brakes. Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner had been touring nonstop alongside four consecutive albums. The band’s DIY attitude took a toll as its popularity began to rapidly pick up steam. While they kept the operation…

SAN FRANCISCO — “I just want to be able to play here forever,” mused Amy Shark, sitting backstage a level below the dance floor at the Great American Music Hall. The Australian singer-songwriter is riding high following the recent release of her debut LP, Love Monster, an album that has…

Canadian alt-pop singer-songwriter Lights isn’t one to stay still for too long. The Juno Award-winning musician released her fourth album, Skin & Earth, last fall and hasn’t looked back. Skin & Earth is part concept album, and the music was written as a companion to a comic book series of…

“Driving” may be the central theme of the debut full-length album by London shimmering indie rock band ISLAND, but the quartet couldn’t get to Seattle for its first North American tour by car. ISLAND The Blancos 7:30 p.m., Monday Cafe du Nord Tickets: $12-$15. Vocalist Rollo Doherty, guitarist Jack Raeder, bassist James…

Sleight of Hand Cellars winemaker Trey Busch in Walla Walla, Washington. If the name Sleight of Hand Cellars sounds familiar, that’s because it was named after a Pearl Jam song. In fact, it’s the favorite Pearl Jam song of Walla Walla, Washington winemaker Trey Busch. A love of the band’s…

Illustration: Roman Gokhman Women are taking the reins in modern rock. This year has been full of chart-topping release from female artists who drive music forward. Sometimes overlooked, female-fronted rock bands are making some of the most challenging, aggressive and relevant songs on the rock charts. On this episode…

A full year has passed since the death of Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington from suicide. Following his death, fans worldwide showed an outpouring of support and his band staged a tribute show in Los Angeles featuring a slate of guest artists. Bennington’s death also refocused attention on mental health awareness and…

NAPA — Five years ago, SOMO Concerts set out on a mission to create a new live music experience in Wine Country—a sustainable, zero-waste, solar-powered festival experience. The challenge became selling the venue, essentially set on a patch of grass in the middle of a business park on the…

SAN FRANCISCO — Metal titans Metallica are synonymous with the Bay Area. The legendary rock band’s roots were planted in San Francisco and the Northern Bay in the early days. Even as some of the band members moved away, they were still invested in their home. Lars Ulrich, James…

On the heels of another massive BottleRock Napa Valley, Coco Sterzenbach and Mike DeWald recap the festival, from their favorite sets of the previous weekend to the most delectable festival food offerings and a complete rundown of  their time in Napa. We’re also including portions of their interviews with…