San Diego’s music scene has a knack for bringing the right people together in the strangest of ways, and Good Citrus is proof of that. Born from a Craigslist ad and fueled by chance, honesty, and a lot of groove, the band has quickly carved out a sound that’s both refreshing and unexpectedly bittersweet.

San Diego’s own Ben Parks takes the stage at The Casbah tonight, Tuesday, August 26, marking his long-awaited debut at the iconic venue. Doors open at 7:30 PM, with the show starting at 8:30 PM.

You don’t need to give up your music career to pay rent. What you do need is some creative leverage. Not hustle culture. Not grinding until the passion dies. Just a handful of practical ways to keep the lights on - while keeping your sound intact.

Tone has worn many hats in the music world (engineer, songwriter, producer, frontman) and through it all, he’s built a sound that’s both raw and refined.

California indie artist Windser will bring his heartfelt, high-energy sound to The Casbah in San Diego on August 29, as part of a 22-date U.S. tour following the release of his self-titled debut album on Bright Antenna Records.

San Diego’s long-running indie rock mainstay Manganista is back with a fresh shot of New Wave energy in their latest single, “Talking to Myself,” released August 15.

On Friday, August 23, rising indie-pop duo Cherokee Social will hit the stage at The Casbah in San Diego, opening for Coyote Island as part of a 20-date West Coast tour.

With the release of RASA, Oceanside-based singer and yoga teacher Vineetha Menon invites listeners into a musical realm where ancient Indian devotion meets modern sensibilities.

Following a groundswell of attention sparked by their Wisp collab and a hauntingly beautiful music video for “Yearn,” San Diego/LA shoegaze outfit Distressor has returned with “Broken Glass,” the lead single from their forthcoming sophomore LP, and it's their boldest statement yet.

From packed-out pubs in Dunedin to glowing stages around the world, Mild Orange has crafted a sound that’s as sincere as it is expansive.

Autoheart is bringing their emotionally charged, genre-blurring magic back to North America this fall with The Heartlands Tour, a sprawling two-phase journey that spans coast to coast, and it all comes to a head in San Diego on November 20th at the House of Blues.

San Diego’s own Tigers in Cairo are back with a vengeance on their latest single, “My Saving Face,” that dropped Tuesday, July 15.

San Marcos-based musician Chris Laguna isn’t just playing with sound—he’s dissecting it, warping it, and stitching it back together into something radically new.

Los Angeles-based metal duo KRASHKARMA is kicking off their blazing “World on Fire Tour” this August, bringing their aggressive, genre-bending sound to over 50 cities across the U.S. and Europe, including a stop in San Diego on August 1st at McGuffie's.

Alex Gaskareth said, “Music is the soundtrack to every good and bad time we will ever have.” This is certainly true for Politik, a Southern California band composed of Eli Furar, Arend Hekma, Ben Dawson, and Lucas Durand. Their music merges feelings of adolescence with a classic rock feel and heavy-hitting beats. I met with Ben Dawson to discuss the band’s roots, maintaining creativity, and new music.

Whether you’re writing songs in your bedroom or chasing down the perfect take at 2 a.m., having your own recording setup can change how you make music forever.

On June 27, 2025, KhanPhAro & the New Creatures unleashed their summer anthem, “AOAS,” a fiery fusion of raw rap vocals, guttural guitar riffs, and pounding drums that cements their place as one of SoCal’s most electrifying underground forces.

Losing your mind looking at the news lately? Why not get lost in Moon Panda’s new track, “Lost World” instead?

Cow Records sits nestled between two bars, only about a block from the ocean on the north side of Newport Avenue. You might miss it on a first walk down Newport Ave. It's only about 15 feet wide, and its signage is fairly basic with white lettering and a black background.

This all-female band featuring Heather Moonflower (guitar/vocals), Arlina Hoeschen (bass), Tamara Monasterio (keyboard), and Nikki Bigonger (drums), isn’t just making music; they’re living proof that it’s never too late to chase creative dreams with fire and intention.

Eli Iwasa, one of Brazil’s most iconic DJs and cultural trailblazers, is returning to the United States for a leg of her 2025 world tour - and San Diego is on the map. On June 14, she’ll take the stage at Warung Tour, a prestigious Brazilian-led electronic event hosted at Wicked West.

Get ready, Temecula — the ultimate ‘80s rock party is coming your way. On Thursday, June 19, the Pechanga Resort Casino will erupt with electrifying riffs and glam rock anthems as Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band hits the stage for one unforgettable night.

On Saturday, June 7th, Oakland’s own Piss Mist will be tearing through San Diego with a night of unfiltered, feedback-drenched hardcore at The Tower Bar.

Landing at Lightning in a Bottle, you’re greeted by the bright, clinking sound of hammers hitting stakes. The rugged fandom of EDM, those brave disciples of PLURR, prep for five days of camping: planting tents, hanging tapestries, and setting up for the 16th iteration of sweltering heat, loud music, and dance-till-you-drop setlists that will test their endurance and commitment to live electronic dance music. 

When Wonderfront Festival announced their 2025 musician line-up back in January, there was a noticeable change in vibe compared to last year’s roster. In this fourth edition of the San Diego-based musical celebration, organizers picked fewer local bands and high-profile names, opting instead for a wider selection of mid-tier artists (in terms of celebrity, not quality). 

San Diego soul-pop collective sullvn is back with a bang, releasing their newest single, “Rooftop” which is a sun-soaked, horn-heavy celebration of love’s euphoric early stages.

When inspiration vanishes, it’s not a clean rest—it’s more like being trapped mid-phrase in a song that used to sing itself. For musicians, this can mean hours at the piano with nothing but empty chords or a melody that won’t lift off the ground. The pursuit of creative rhythm isn’t just about generating new compositions; it’s about clearing mental space so music has room to return. Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about what’s added, but what’s cleared away.

What started out as a couple of brothers planning a birthday party, evolved into a 20-year old independent business that has become a cultural staple at music festivals around the world.

San Diego-based trio Sweet Myths has just released their first official music video for their emotional new single, "What a Beautiful Dream." The band, made up of Diego Rodriguez, Deejay Rich, and John Martinez, may be scattered across El Cajon, Pacific Beach, and North Park, but together, they’re carving out a sound that feels grounded, sincere, and instantly resonant.

New York’s chaotic-soft-punk duo Um, Jennifer? have officially released their long-awaited debut album, Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark, now streaming everywhere via Final Girl Records.