The unique value of the setting became clear as the sun descended behind the hills. The sky turned a gentle pink, and Alela Diane’s crystalline voice and plucks on her guitar wafted across a mellow crowd. The previous day of heat and sweat was now within a lullaby, shifting slowly into dusk. The 2009 Pickathon [...]

When measured against the summer festival juggernauts (i.e., Bonnaroo, Lollapolooza, Outside Lands, Austin City Limits), Pickathon may appear unassuming in comparison. But, as William Shakespeare once said: “Though she be but little, she is fierce” (ol’ Bill said that, right?).
For Pickathon, roots music rules all, and the festival planners have picked some truly excellent acts [...]

We told you about the rumors a few months ago, and now we’ve got a confirmed lineup for the 2009 Treasure Island Festival (with most of the rumors turning out to be true).
The two-day festival will be headlined by MGMT and the Flaming Lips. As with the past two years, the folks at Another Planet [...]

Yep, it’s time again for the quintessential “so far” list — no music site is complete without one! 2009 is shaping up to be an interesting year, with old favorites and newcomers alike issuing strong releases. In an attempt to make some sense out of everything, our staff got together to vote on our favorites.
We’d [...]

Amazon’s got a bunch of great music available for free download, with samplers from the excellent rosters of both Sub-Pop and Anti-Records.
Sub-Pop 2009 sampler:

Flight of the Conchords – “Hurt Feelings”
Vetiver – “Everyday”
Handsome Furs – “I’m Confused”
Obits – “Pine On”
Red Red Meat – “Gauze”
Vaselines – “Son of a Gun”
Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”
Fleet Foxes – “Mykonos”
Iron & [...]

San Francisco folkies Vetiver just dropped a video for “Everyday,” the lead single from their excellent 2009 release, Tight Knit.
Vetiver – “Everyday”

MP3:
Vetiver – “Everyday”

See our full list of upcoming CD releases.

This month’s mixtape is Part Two of our “Best of the Bay Area” mix that we started last month (find Part One here). We had set out to make a single mix that encapsulated the local scene, but there’s just too much depth of talent in San Francisco to reduce down to an 80-minute primer. [...]

Abe Vigoda – “Don’t Lie”
Abe Vigoda’s 2008 release, Skeleton, wasn’t something we talked about here at Stranger Dance. Our fault completely. Even though “Don’t Lie” is on this year’s Reviver EP (due out 2/19, pre-order here), its driving, metallic guitars have just enough reverb on them to force me into some 2008 regret.
Here We Go [...]

Phew, things are busy for San Francisco’s own Vetiver right now. Andy Cabic and crew have signed with Sub Pop, through whom they are slated to release their fourth LP, Tight Knit, on February 17.
Vetiver started a supporting tour across the East and Midwest a few days ago, several dates of which will be opening [...]