Although she’s traversed across the United States before, this Friday marks singer-songwriter Katie Herzig’s first trip to Sacramento. And, she’s looking forward to discovering a good restaurant while she’s here (we’re sure she’ll be able to do that!). Abstract Entertainment is bringing her to the Blue Lamp Lounge along with special guest, fellow singer-songwriter, Andrew Belle. Sacramento365.com was able to squeeze in a few quick questions with Katie in between her touring schedule. Check them out below, and be sure to take a listen to her music here. 1. Describe your music in 6 words or less. Dynamic, rhythmic, cinematic, intimate, honest, mysterious. 2. Who was the first artist to ge

If you're looking for an example of a band in the middle of making it big, look no further than The Joy Formidable. Formed in North Wales, the now London-based power trio has been riding a monster wave of success this year, touring and playing major U.K. and U.S. festivals – Reading, Coachella, Lollapalooza – and garnering praise from critics and their musical peers alike.  They made such an impression on Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters earlier this year that he took to Twitter to sing their praises: "I would like to personally thank The Joy Formidable for writing the song of the year "Whirring". xxx Dave". The band will open several dates with Foo Fighters in November. The band has a massiv

In a rare all ages show at Harlow's last night, L.A.'s Uh Huh Her performed for a packed room of excited fans ready to make the most of a typically low-key Monday night. Taking their name from the 2004 PJ Harvey album of the same title, Uh Huh Her is a sultry electro-pop duo made up of ex-Mellodrone bassist and keyboardist Camila Grey (who has collaborated with Busta Rhymes, Kelly Osbourne and Dr. Dre) and musician and actress, Leisha Hailey, formerly of The Murmurs and most well known from her role as bisexual journalist, Alice Pieszecki, on Showtime's, “The L Word.” While Hailey's resume could suggest the band is an actor's passing fancy, the pair are seasoned performers and multi-inst

You know that song with the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head whistling called "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John that people seem to either love or hate? Los Angeles band Foster the People has a comparable track called "Pumped Up Kicks" – a sing-along with a cheery melody and dark lyrics about youth gun violence – that has the same effect. Polarizing song? For sure. One-hit wonder band? It doesn't look like it. Without seeming like they had anything to prove, the young group with more buzz than a beehive let its music speak for itself for a sold-out crowd at Harlow's Thursday night. Support act The Chain Gang of 1974 (aka Kamtin Mohager) from Denver came ready to warm up the crowd wit

San Francisco art-pop band Deerhoof kicks off a new tour at Harlow's Thursday in support of the hot-off-the-presses LP release "Deerhoof vs. Evil." The quartet is recognized by many as pioneers of improv-style experimental pop, with its distinctive sound influencing many others: Sleigh Bells, Of Montreal, Xiu Xiu and more. Count on a striking sonic mix of poppy melodies, waves of noise, and chaotic fun from these former Radiohead tourmates. Potentially challenging, but sure to be fresh and different. Deerhoof performs at Harlow's at 9 p.m. Thursday, and tickets are $12. Nervous Cop opens.

If the long line snaking in front of Harlow’s on a chilly Thursday night was any indication, this city was ready to play with Cold War Kids. Indeed it was, easily selling out the popular venue and providing a packed, electric atmosphere for the Long Beach-based band to feed its ravenous fans. Anchored by the pounding kick of drummer Matt Aveiro and the soulful vocals of Willett, the ’Kids soldiered through a setlist that included several cuts from their first two albums, ’06’s “Robbers & Cowards” (“Red Wine, Success!” and “Hospital Beds”) and ’08’s “Loyalty to Loyalty” (“Mexican Dogs” and “Dreams Old Men Dream”), as well as ’09’s “Behave Yourself EP” (“Audience” and "Santa Ana Winds”).

Yes, you read that headline correctly. The poster children for the alternative rock revolution of the early 1990's, and creators of one of the undeniably greatest double albums in history, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," Smashing Pumpkins will perform in Downtown Sacramento at the Crest Theatre (1013 K St.) at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 6. Tickets for the general admission show are $40, and are available now at Tickets.com or Eventbrite.com. The Pumpkins' show, announced yesterday by Abstract Entertainment, now becomes the cornerstone of a red-hot Sactown September concert calendar that also features such gems as Mason Jennings (9/9), Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave (9/17),

The Submarines are an indie-pop group comprised of married couple Jack Dragonetti and Blake Hazard.  Touring with drummer Jason Stare and new bass player "Scott," they passed through Sacramento on Wednesday night, playing a small show at Blue Lamp. If you don't recognize the band name, you would certainly recognize the music. Their songs have been featured in Nip/Tuck, Weeds, Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, and in maybe the most well-known placement, the songs "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie" and "Submarine Symphonika" were used in Apple commercials for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Originally working as solo artists in Boston, Dragonetti and Hazard played in each other's bands and were romant

There was a lot of fishnet at Blue Lamp on Wednesday night, which could mean a few things, but in this case it was lo-fi pop quartet Dum Dum Girls visiting Sacramento in support of their debut album I Will Be. Dum Dum Girls is led by Dee Dee (real name: Kristen Gundred), the creative force behind the all girl group, á la Trent Reznor. The name of the group is a nod to both The Vaselines' album Dum-Dum, and the Iggy Pop song "Dum Dum Boys". The 27-year-old singer/songwriter started recording songs in her bedroom and eventually looked to her friends to take the show on the road. The debut album I Will Be was produced by Richard Gottehrer, who is responsible for writing 60's classics "My Boy

A roadie turned on the smoke machine, and a few moments later, Portland by way of Alaska band Portugal. The Man emerged from the dense fog to take the Harlow's stage.  The experimental indie rock four-piece visited Sacramento Thursday night, touring in support of their latest full-length American Ghetto. Portugal. The Man is John Gourley (Guitar/Vocals), Zachary Carothers (Bass/Vocals), Jason Sechrist (Drums), and Ryan Neighbors (Keys/Vocals).  Think psychedelic indie rock with synth and dashes of electronica and hip-hop beats thrown in for good measure.  It's a progressive and complex soundscape, and at the same time very much melodic and head-bobbingly accessible. Their show at Harlow'

In the midst of his debut North American tour, highly regarded UK blues guitarist and singer Matt Schofield (Guitar & Bass Magazine picked him as one of the "Top Ten British Blues Guitarists of All Time) electrified the standing-room only audience at Harlow's last night with a showcase of why he is one of the premier blues guitarists of this generation. Accompanied by Hammond organ player Jonny Henderson and the jazzy rhythms of former Robert Cray drummer, Kevin Hayes, Schofield was in stellar form as he demonstrated mastery of the blues guitar in an impressive set that rocked Sacramento on a windy Saturday night.

G. Love and Special Sauce brought summer early to Harlow's Wednesday night. A packed house of several hundred people crammed into the nightclub, body heat permeating an otherwise chilly winter night. Button-up T-shirts and hats were popular among the mostly 20- and 30-something crowd, most of whom were ironically watching a Winter Olympics ski event by the bar. Redeye Empire, a Vancouver-based rock group, left the stage a little after 9 p.m. Anticipation grew for T-shirt clad Garrett "G. Love" and his laid-back, summertime-blues band Special Sauce, while images on TV of a snowy Vancouver mountain captivated the crowd, drawing collective "oohs" and "aahs." At about 10 p.m., G. Love kicke

By the time Mutaytor began playing a little before 10 p.m. Thursday, it was unclear who was a member of the band: The woman with the gothic Lolita get-up? Probably. The guy dressed as a sadomasochistic clown? Absolutely. The guy in all vinyl, wearing a cowboy hat with glowing LED lights? Apparently, just a fan. It wasn't a Black Rock City-run show, it was put on by Abstract Entertainment. But that didn't stop about 100 people from thinking it was Burning Man. Mutaytor, the dance orchestra/visual art project born in Black Rock Desert at the Burning Man festival, was visiting Sacramento for the first time, playing at Harlow's. Though Mutaytor didn't have its entire team of pyrotechnicians,