Have You Pledged Your Support to KDVS 90.3 FM's Annual Fundraiser Yet?

Instead of going into a big, long spiel about why you - as a Sacramento/Davis community member who cares about what they put into their ears - should contribute to this year's KDVS 90.3 annual fundraiser, I thought it would simply be better to give you a list of 10 very good reasons to pledge whatever you can to this community-run, free-form radio station this valley is extremely lucky to have.

Here goes:

10. KDVS 90.3 FM provides quality content in the form of music, public affairs and news programs (Democracy Now, Al Jezeera America, etc) you cannot hear anywhere else... for free!

9. "Community-run" essentially mean that KDVS belongs to all of us. It's our radio station - by the community, for the community of this region and (thanks to the Internet) the world beyond.

8. KDVS is a free-form radio station, where the all volunteer DJ staff provides its listeners with a wide and varying broadcast content; on any given day, you may hear the sounds of indie, punk, folk, hip hop, jazz, experimental, and just about any genre of music you can think of.

7. Unlike certain Robo-radio stations from far-off lands who dictate their content to you and gleefully boast about you not having a choice in the matter, KDVS plays what you want. Go ahead. Call into any show on KDVS and request a song from an actual human being. Most likely, you'll hear your song two minutes later.

6. KDVS also sponsors community events and music festivals such as Operation Restore Maximum Freedom, Picnic Day, local shows, and various dance parties (via the station's Mobil DJ Unit). In addition, KDVS produces its free quarterly publication, KDVationS, featuring content provided by the station's dedicated and talented staff.

5. KDVS Recordings - an off-shoot record label of the station's - has released records by Buk Buk Bigups, San Francisco Water Cooler, Mucky The Ducky, Pregnant, and many more. And these are damn fine slabs o' wax, indeed.

4. Only 3% of KDVS 90.3 FM's operating budget comes from the Regents of The University of California Davis. The rest comes directly from you, the listener, in the form of your pledge donation. Yes, the direct line between best intentions and taking action is that easy for you to traverse.

3. If, for some horrible, horrible reason, KDVS 90.3 were to "go silent," you would be very, very bummed. Seriously, where would you hear about even a fraction of the cool music you've been made aware of without KDVS? 

2. Unlike mainstream radio's shrill, grating and insulting commercials, KDVS' homemade plugs have a whimsical moxie and charm all their own. And they're downright funny and fun, because they're made by non-professionals just like you and me.

1. If you listen-to and enjoy the content provided by KDVS 90.3 FM's all-volunteer staff, you should simply pledge your support. In doing so, any number of premiums are available to you (good stuff like records, CDs, DVDs, books, T-shirts, gift certificates, hand-made crafts, etc., etc.) But beyond receiving goodies, pledging your support to KDVS 90.3 feels so damned good. Give it a shot! Call in or go online, pledge any amount to the station and see if you don't feel good about yourself after you do. Trust me, you will.

Janky Does It: A Hi-Lo [Sacramento] Unsanctioned Mixtape

Sacramento has some pretty damn good bands. Need proof? How about this virtual compilation record? Please to be enjoying then the sounds of Janky Does It: A Hi-Lo [Sacramento] Unsanctioned Mixtape.

1. Appetite "Crack For Hippies"

From the album The Ambiguous Garment, 2009 - self-released.

2. Zach Hill "Memo To The Man" 

From the album Face Tat, 2010 Sargent House.

3. Ganglians "Valiant Brave"

From the album Monster Head Room, 2009 Woodist.

4. Mayyors "The Crawl"

From the 12" Deads, 2009 Mt. St. Mt.

5. Chelsea Wolfe "Moses"

From the album The Grime And the Glow, 2011 Pendu Sounds.

6. Sea Of Bees "The Woods" 

From the album Songs For The Ravens, 2010 Crossbill Records.

7. Pregnant "Dog" 

From the album Regional Music, 2010 Life's Blood.

8. Charles Albright "I'm Happy, I'm A Genius"

From the 7" I'm Happy, I'm A Genius,  2010 Permanent Records.

9. Agent Ribbons "Obituary"

From the album On Time Travel and Romance, 2009 - self released. 

10. Buk Buk Bigups "Hotter Mess" 

From the 12" Buk Buk Bigups, 2011 Weird Forest.

iViva La Record Store Day!

Tomorrow, April 16th, 2011 is Record Store Day, a nationwide event celebrating small, independent record shops. In this era of digital downloads, record shops are only slightly more economically tangible than video rental stores, porn shops and Jeff Foxworthy's career. Thankfully with the resurgence of vinyl as a collector's item (not to mention analog LPs being a far more superior sound delivery device than digital recordings), collector interest has breathed some new life into the dedicated shoponomics of brick-n-mortar sound peddles.

Here in Sacramento, we have but only a few record shops. But these place are all wonderful bastions of sound that exist solely because of your patronage. If you give a damn about the music you're putting into your ears and the people who sell it to you, come on out tomorrow and buy some records in bulk (as well as several Record Store Day exclusive releases.!) And while you're at it, pick up some slabs o' wax, CD's and even cassettes (the "new vinyl," apparently) by some of Sacramento's home grown bands.

Here's a list of Sacramento's best record shops:

*Armadillo Records - 205 F St. (Davis)

*Barney's Good Time Music - 15 W. Main St. (Woodland)
*The Beat - 1700 J St. (Sacramento)
*Brooks Novelty Antiques and Records - 1107 Firehouse Alley (Sacramento)

*Dimple Records - 2500 Broadway (Sacramento)

                              2433 Arden Way (Sacramento)

                              7830 Macy Plaza Drive (Citrus Heights)

                              313 E. Bidwell St. (Folsom)

                              1701 Santa Clara Dr. (Roseville)

                              9692 Elk Grove-Florin Road (Elk Grove)

                              212 F St. (Davis)

*Esoteric Records & CDs - 3413 El Camino Ave. (Sacramento)
*Heavenly Daze CDs and Records - 565 N. Polara Ave. (Yuba City)
*Phono Select - 2312 K Street (Sacramento)

*Rare Records - 1618 Broadway (Sacramento)

*Time Tested Books - 1114 21st Street (Sacramento)

Happy crate diggin', everyone!

How To Behave At A Live Musical Performance: The Rules

In Sacramento, we appreciate live musical performances much differently than folks in other cities. We don't go for any of those wild shenanigans 'round here; hootin' and hollerin' like bedeviled banshees and whatever the male equivalent of a banshee is. No, on those rare occasions when a nationally touring band does come to town, we Sacramentians know how to mind our manners and enjoy the show in silent, eerily still reverence.

There are, however, some audience members here in The City That Yearns To Be World Class who do not know about, or choose simply to ignore, The Rules. We here at Hi-Lo [Sacramento] would like to take this opportunity to remind these malcontents, misfits and miscreants exactly what these Rules entail. It is our hope that these unruly anarchists will adhere to The Rules, thus making for a calmer and more enjoyable concert-going experience for everyone.

If we all abide by The Rules, it is guaranteed that those national touring bands that have played our town will tell other national touring bands how polite the music-appreciating audiences in Sacramento truly are, thus beating a path directly to our cramped music venues.

The Rules For Concert-Going In Sacramento:

1. Refrain From Movement! Bodily movement of any kind expressing the joy or excitement you are receiving from the music being performed by the band(s) on stage will only serve to distract said band(s) from performing their songs properly. Your stillness and polite clapping (with beer bottle tucked firmly in the crook of your arm, thank you) at the end of each song is all the audience interaction the band(s) require. If movement on your part is absolutely required, a simple back-and-forth head nod should be sufficient.

2. Obey The Distance! A 10-foot perimeter between the audience and the stage should be in effect at all times during the musical performance. Do not enter the chasm between the stage upon which the band is playing and the Audience Zone, or you run the risk of the eyes of all of those in attendance being set upon a-soon-to-be-self-conscious you. Save your "dancing" for any number of dance clubs in Sacramento which feature the exact same music you are seeing live. Remain distant in the Audience Zone at all times!

3. Silence Thyself! Between songs, the band(s) must concentrate on what they shall be performing next. Your bellicose shouting and yelling will only serve to distract the band(s) from doing so, and it will also remind them that you are actually in the same room with them. If the band(s) do say anything to the audience, do not respond! They are testing you. That so-called "Call and Response" hooey has no place at a show within our city limits, thank you very much.

4. Do Not Purchase Anything From The Merchandise Table! The band(s) have a limited supply of merchandise to sell, and they must retain as much of their stock as possible if they are to make it all the way through their tour. Those LP's, CD's and T-shirts in various sizes and colors are there for you to visually appreciate, only! And this should go without saying: look with your eyes, not with your hands.

5. Do Not Engage Any Band Member(s) In Polite Conversation Before Or After The Show! Attempting to engage band members in casual conversation is foolish, and simply rude. Keep a measured distance from these performers. Staring at them will do nicely - the bigger your eyes, the bigger your appreciation of these band members and the music they make. Remember, they are not commoners like you or me; they play musical instruments, drive expensive automobiles, eat at the finest restaurants, and put their pants on with the aid of virginal nubile maidens, both legs at once. What could you possibly have in common with these golden gods?

Now go have fun at the show!

Paint The Town With Chain Grease: The 2nd Annual Vélo & Vintage Fashion Show

I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's no better sight in the world than a pretty girl on a bicycle. 

Luckily, the folks behind the 2nd Annual Vélo & Vintage Fashion Show agree. For the second year in a row, Sacramento will be dazzled by beautiful women (and men) in fashionably bespoke cycle-centric attire pedalling down the catwalk.

The brainchild of local fashionista bloggers Lorena Beightler (saccyclechic.com) and Kari Shipman (Juniper James), the 2nd Annual Velo & Vintage Fashion Show showcases the latest fashions and styles from local independent clothing designers and boutiques. Or, in Velo & Vintage's own words: 

"Velo and Vintage is a unique fashion show that brings together the thriving, independent communities of cycling and boutiques in Sacramento. Attendees will enjoy a fusion of modern and vintage looks, as each model cycles down the runway. Whether it’s a vintage look with a modern edge or a modern ensemble with a vintage flair, each model displays a high-end yet accessible way to wear the latest trends while still capturing a timeless element."

This event will once again take place on Saturday, May, 7th at Hot Italian, and will start at 8:30 PM. This is an all ages event, so families are welcome.

If you love cycling, fashion, pretty people or some combination thereof, you won't want to miss this wonderful and wild fashion show.