Event

Phono del Sol: Meet the Bands

By Adrienne Blaine | Jul 20, 2012

Ready for a poor (wo)man's Outside Lands? You won't have to wait long: tomorrow The Bay Bridged and Tiny Telephone are presenting the second annual Phono Del Sol: Music and Food Festival in San Francisco's Potrero Del Sol park for the low price of $7! From noon to 6pm get out and discover new bands in a relaxed outdoor setting while enjoying nom-worthy snacks from gourmet food trucks. Want to start listening while you get ready? Here's a sneak preview of what the lineup has to offer. Don't forget to buy your tickets at ticketfly.com.

The Fresh & Onlys
With music that is at once dreamy and down to earth, this is a San Franciscan garage band that you wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. Their music video for "Waterfall" is avant-garde enough for any gallery in the city, yet their psychedelic pop-rock is best suited for an open air festival like Phono del Sol. The band is currently working on a follow-up to their 2010 album, Play It Strange, and is sure to unveil some of their most recent work on Saturday.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra
This band may be the best musical talent imported from New Zealand since Flight of the Concords and Gotye/Kimbra. Currently based in Portland, Oregon, this trio knows how to produce catchy singles that blend retro and futuristic influences. Each song is an infectious mix of humming electric guitars and echoing falsettos that you'll want to listen to on repeat. "How Can U Luv Me" sounds like a pop song received as a transmission from outer space. Don't miss the opportunity to make contact with these "aliens."

Gardens & Villa
Hailing from beautiful Santa Barbara, this band's eponymous album could easily become the soundtrack to your summer. The band's name is inspired by the garden of their home on Villa Street: indicating that nature is the perfect compliment to their music. These soulful grooves are mellow without losing their psychedelic edge. The album's sound packs a punch while the live performances offer softer nuances. To hear the difference, download their single "Black Hills" from Last.fm and then watch this live session recorded in Brooklyn. But for the full live experience head on over to the festival.

Dominant Legs
What began as the brainchild of San Francisco natives Ryan William Lynch and Hannah Hunt is now a full-fledged band ready to woo you with carefully crafted pop songs. Each song is an insatiable toe-tapper that is sure to get audience members twirling on the grass. This music video for "Hoop of Love" will inspire you to roll out of bed, hop in the car and join the outdoor fun.

La Sera
Katy Goodman is an indie lover's dream girl: sugary sweet with tattoos and an ironic edge. While her songs are light and airy, music videos like "Never Come Around" reveal an unexpected Tarantino-esque side to this pop goddess. If you're a fan of Pulp Fiction and Zooey Deschanel, you're bound to fall for Goodman, but the only way to know if it's love at first sight, is to see her in person.

Sea of Bees
Julie Anne Bee's music reflects her life since coming out as a lesbian to her friends and family. Her second album, Orangefarben, which was released on May 1, 2012 invites you to come along again on her journey to self-discovery. Her music is breathtaking in its honesty and openness as you can see in this music video for "Skinnybone."

Mwahaha
This Oakland-based band has been collaborating with other local musicians (e.g. Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards) to bring you the best in electronic pop. Before performing live, each member dedicated himself to setting the bar high. And after ten years together, these guys are proud to present their self-titled album that sets the stage for amazing live performances, like the one that will be happening Saturday at Phono del Sol.

See you there!

More on Music

• The Bay Bridged : Mixtape: San Francisco's Newest Psychedelic Sounds

• Music Review : Jay Nash 'Letters from the Lost'

• Festival Report : BottleRock Napa: A Music Festival in Wine Country

• Noise Pop : May 2013

• Music : A BottleRock 2013 Wish List

Also on KQED.org this week ...