SacMusicBlog

Once again we celebrate our independent record stores. April 17th is the day, be sure to go to your local store! From the national Record Store Day web site last year:

“This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances.”

Here is Sacramento, local stores R5 Records, The Beat, and Dimple will probably be celebrating with special product, sales, live music, and who knows what else. Check it out, just go! Support your local independent record stores!

Learn more about Record Store Day

SacMusicBlog on Facebook

SacMusicBlog on Twitter

One of Sacramento’s many musical treasures is radio station KYDS 91.5 FM. It’s operated by the students at El Camino High School and features an eclectic mix of music, reminiscent of the free-form radio of the late sixties. For people who love music and want to hear something different it’s a very nice option.

But four years ago they renewed their license late and just rececntly the FCC hit them with a big fine. The Sacramento Bee did a big feature about it. But wait! There’s some great news. Local radio station 107.9 The End has offered to pay the fine! (read about it) How great is that of The End?! We here at SacMusicBlog give mad props and a big thank you to The End. The radio scene needs the student alternative and the students need a place to learn the craft.

“We have a soft spot in our hearts for students starting off,” said John Nelson, 107.9 marketing director. “And this way they can raise a lot of money and buy stuff they really need.”

And you too can help keep student-run, non-commercial radio alive by contributing to KYDS in their fundraiser this weekend or anytime else…

SacMusicBlog on Facebook

SacMusicBlog on Twitter

The California State Fair has announced the partial lineup for its 2010 State Fair Concert Series. General viewing of all concerts is free with State Fair admission but a limited number of reserved seats will be sold at an additional price of $10-49 each. Reserved seating in the Gold Circle area will go on sale Thursday, April 15. Up to four additional acts may be added to the lineup. All shows will start at 8:00 PM on the Golden1 Stage, unless otherwise noted.

The lineup so far:

The Fab Four: Wednesday, July 14, Reserved Seating $10

Slaughter: Thursday, July 15, Reserved Seating $10

The Family Stone, Featuring Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson, Original founding members of Sly & The Family Stone: Saturday, July 17, Reserved Seating $10

Read More…

There’s a new alternative radio station in town. It is KKDO, located at 94.7 FM (web site) and also streams on the web. Here’s what they say:

“We’re proud to be unlike typical radio stations.   We limit the messages from our music sponsors and try not to get in the way of the music by talking a lot.”

Based on a few listens so far, the music was good or better, and not just the same songs that you hear everywhere else. There was a lot less talk and not many commercials.

However, like most radio stations they don’t tell you who the artist was or the name of the song.

Regardless of that, it is a welcome addition to the radio dial, at least so far. Check them out and feel free to leave us a comment.

KKDO 94.7 web site

SacMusicBlog on Facebook

SacMusicBlog on Twitter

The latest installment of National Public Radio’s Sounds of the Re:Union highlights a Sacramento community gem, The Beat. This Sounds of the Re:Union episode, titled ‘For the Record,’ focuses on independent record stores across the country and what they are doing to survive during a widespread industry decline. Host Brenton Crozier talks to owner Rob Fauble about how the store started, dealing with the struggles of the digital age of music and what the store means to the community of Sacramento. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is also a customer and gives his opinion of the store.

The video was a little choppy in spots when we tried it but it’s still well worth watching. We love The Beat and it truly is a local treasure.

SacMusicBlog on Facebook

SacMusicBlog on Twitter

Today’s Sacramento Bee had a nice article on all-ages music venues here in Sactown. Hey, music doesn’t care how old you are! You can read their article here.

It begins:

Much has been made of midtown and downtown Sacramento’s resurgent night life scene, with its wine bars and swank cocktail lounges. But a different renaissance is occurring as well – one less shiny, more grass-roots and definitely aimed at a younger crowd.

Sacramento’s all-ages music scene, once mostly spread out to suburban venues such as the Boardwalk and Club Retro, both in Orangevale, has centralized over the past few years and especially the past several months, with several intriguing all-ages (as opposed to 21-plus or 18-plus) venues opening either in or within a guitar pick’s throw of midtown.

And it goes on from there, check it out. Then let us know, did they get it right? Did they leave out the best place? If you have an opinion or an addition, feel free to leave us a comment.

Follow SacMusicBlog on Twitter

Wow. Another year!

Here at SacMusicBlog we want to wish you all a happy new year. Thanks for reading our blog and we hope that 2010 is a wonderful year filled with lots of great music.

Follow SacMusicBlog on Twitter

On Saturday December 12th, 2009, Sacramento’s Swell Sister Society will be hosting their second annual group art show at the Coffee Garden.

The Second Saturday reception for the show will be from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The show features 15 talented female artists, as well as music by Jasmein, a raffle, and refreshments. Along with the show pieces, Little Treasures (affordable art for everyone) will also be featured and any sales from those pieces will benefit the Women’s Wisdom Project at the Sacramento Food Bank, a very worthy cause.

Participating artists are: Petra B Wynbrandt, Elixabeth Wilson, Susan Bernard Webb, Mikie Spencer, Cheryl Root, Rebecca Rizzo, Janet Regan, Alyson Murphy, Cree Hudson, Olivia Hansen, Laurelin Gilmore, Juliana Gerber-Miller, Rachel Cate, and Janet Campbell.

The Coffee Garden, a nice place on any day, is located at 2904 Franklin Blvd in Sacramento. Come by and hear some music, see some art, and have some fun.

Follow SacMusicBlog on Twitter