The Music Spot

[sandiegomusic]

SDSU Local Bands

There are several bands that are on the rise in San Diego. So many are coming from the SDSU community because there has been a recent increase in house shows around the campus. The culture is switching from frat parties with DJs to outdoor backyard concerts with live bands. Of course, the classic frat parties are still very much alive and well at State.

Some of this culture is due to the club Aztec Music Group. Starting last year, the club started having backyard shows with all student bands. Their first show debuting in December of 2021 featured 5 student bands and artists. There was a full stage along with lights. Each year the shows have gotten bigger with more production value. The artists who perform have had several opportunities that have come from these shows.

One artist that has really started to take off is Hannah Geller. Geller is a psychedelic rock artist who is also a San Diego State student. She has been performing at several shows in San Diego. She is a common performer at different SDSU shows, whether that is at a house party or official university events. In addition to her SDSU involvement, she has also been playing at local venues like Soda Bar in North park. Hannah Geller is only getting bigger as her rockin' music is being heard all around San Diego.

Another band that has risen in local success from SDSU is Supercool!. Supercool! is an eleven piece pop/funk band that brings a unique sound to the world of San Diego music. They have a five piece horn section which brings a lively sound to everything they do. Their first performance was on the Aztec Music Stage. Since then they have only been growing. Their first single "Therapy" was released on all streaming platforms in December of 2022. They've played several shows at The Holding Company, but most recently, they played at Cal Coast Amphitheater as an opener for T-Pain for the Greenfest Concert. They continue to grow and become more well known in San Diego as their talent is heard in all parts of the city.

[sandiegomusic]

There is such a privilege in being a new artist in San Diego. The reason I say this is because opportunities to perform are everywhere and so accessible. These small venues are more than just open mic nights, or bars with a few regulars lingering. They offer an experience that is intimate but lively.

One of the venues that is doing it so well is Humble Heart in Ocean Beach (OB). This place is a thrift store by day and indie rock stage by night. Thrift stores are incredibly trendy in this day and age especially in southern California. People love to feel that they are making a difference in buying recycled clothing, and not to mention, at usually significantly lower prices. This trend is especially big among the indie crowd. What better an idea to combine the two. This place is super accessible for newer and smaller artists who are looking to play in a live setting with both familiar and new faces.

Ocean beach is home to another great local venue for up and coming artists, The Holding Company (THC). THC has a similar vibe to BellyUp in that it is intimate, yet has an extremely lively atmosphere. It is a few blocks away from Humble Heart so it is on the popular strip in OB.

Both of these venues are super accessible for those who are looking to play a local, lively, fun show. OB also has a culture of street performing that is very eclectic. Every Wednesday night during the farmers market, there is always people playing with their bands along with the iconic drum circle. OB is a great place for a very unique music culture that San Diego is well known for.

[sandiegomusic]

Living under the LA shadow

Being about two hours south of the central hub of music in the western half of the United States, San Diego has never been seen as having a legit music scene. I don't believe San Diego will ever be the same as LA and THANK GOD!

There is potential for San Diego to become its own unique and special music center. It is already on its way with all of the different venues that exist. Venues like Music Box, House of Blues, Soma, Soda Bar, Humphrey's, BellyUp and so many others offer a space that is both unique and intimate for artists to come and perform. They are great for up and coming artists, or artists who are well known on a local stage. On a larger scale for more popular artists, there are venues like Viejas Arena and Cal Coast on SDSU campus and Pechanga Arena in Point Loma.

In the past few years there have been a couple venues that have opened up that have become San Diego music staples. One of those is the Rady Shell at Jacob's Park. Though it is owned by the San Diego Symphony, there are several other shows and concerts that come through. It's an outdoor venue that is open to the public any time that there is not a ticketed show going on. The Shell has become one of San Diego's landmarks.

Another one of the more recent venues to open up is The Sound which is owned by BellyUp. Opening in February of 2023 just a few miles from the Del Mar Racetracks, the venue premiered with performance from Ziggy Marley. The venue can hold around 1,900 people which is more than any of smaller well known venues and smaller than the large arenas. The beauty of this venue is that it holds a sweet spot for performers who are middle of the road in popularity. This venue could be huge for the growth of San Diego's music scene.

I don't know if San Diego will be as big as LA in music ever, but I think it has potential to become one of the most unique and fun music scenes in the US.