- Congrats to San Diego’s Pierce The Veil, Poway’s blink-182, Escondido’s late troubadour JJ Cale, and La Jolla’s Alicia Keys, who this month score Gold, Platinum and Silver Sales Awards for: “So Far So Fake” (G / US), “What’s My Age Again” (2 X P / UK) , Anyway The Wind Blows – The Anthology (G / UK) and “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready)” (S / UK), respectively. Pierce The Veil also scores an award from New Zealand: “King For A Day” (G).
- Liverpool native Frank Battle is releasing an album of locally recorded classic country titled, California Frank, on December 12. The album was produced by Jon Erickson and engineered by Roy Silverstein at North Park’s Rarefied Recording, and features local Telecaster master Dave Gleason and White Buffalo drummer Matt Lynott.
- San Diego Beatles Fair update! The 21st edition of the Fab Four themed event, will take place on April 5 & 6 at the Deanza Springs Resort. Multiple activities, plus plenty of music is planned for the event, with Britian’s Finest, The Revolution Band, Oasiz, Fred Benedetti, Ashley Norton & Friends, The Surf Birdz, Come Together and The 63eatles amongst the artists scheduled so far. https://beatlesfair.com
- The Beat Farmers are hitting the road in December for a small Northern California tour, including December 11 at Moe’s Alley in Santa Cruz. December 12 at the Hopmonk in Sabastopol, December 13 at the Make Out Room in San Francisco. December 14 at the Deer Lodge in Ojai. In related news, The Farmers are taking over Hooleys for New Year’s Eve Again! 2pm start, 4pm ball drop (midnight in Ireland).
- Indie-folk artist Madi Diaz has released a cover version of Blink-182‘s entire 1999 album, Enema of the State. All the revenue she makes from this album will go to the Defending Our Neighbors Fund, which offers legal aid and advocacy to immigrants.
- On December 19 Go Scarlet hosts a free music video premiere event at North Bar in Escondido for their new single “La Motocyclette.“ Sponsored by Biggs Harley Davidson of San Marcos, there will be free swag for guests in attendance. In related news, Go Scarlet will also be appearing at Jeff Ousley’s Music Showcase on December 11 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live alongside Fred Heath and the Sidewinders, The Hideaways and one more group TBA.
- Virtuoso stick player Tom Griesgraber has scored the soundtrack to a new documentary, Prairie Prophecy. “Currently the film is being featured in screenings and film festivals but it will be on streaming sometime next year,” he said. “The album features all 19 tracks from the full-length film as well as two bonus tracks that were created as alternates.” Tracks are presented in the order they appear in the film, with recurring motifs and themes that develop throughout. “The music features myself on Chapman Stick throughout as well as some analog synths and samples,” Greisgraber continues. “My California Guitar Trio bandmate Bert Lams makes a guest appearance on one track as well.” You can next hear Greisgraber live when he opens for Stick Men (Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter) on December 14 at the Bornemann Theatre in San Marcos.
- Casey Hensley heads out on tour with Anthony Cullins from January 23, opening in Mammoth, and wrapping up in Las Vegas at the Sand Dollar on February 1.
- Louis XIV is back! The band will play a five-date run of the Southwestern U.S. in 2026, starting on March 26 in Roseville, Ca. and wrapping up on March 31 in Las Vegas.
- Pierce the Veil open their next world tour on April 8, 2026 in Brisbane Australia, wrapping up on August 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The Ramona Music Alliance has put together a new compilation, Our Ramona Volume 2, featuring songs about Ramona! “The album has 23 songs and was recorded live at the Ramona Mainstage and produced by Jon Hasz,” said Ashley Norton, who is included on the album. “We are releasing the album for sale at our holiday party at ridgeways and Brews on December 15 where many of the artists on the album will be performing from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.” It’s a free event and there is a pre-party at Pamo Valley Winery across the street from 3:30 to 5:30ish. “The theme is Boots, Brim’s and Bling. So hopefully everybody will be dressing up in their best shiny western wear,” Norton remarked.
- San Diego Songwriter’s Circle has a new location! The new spot is Hooleys in Grossmont Center. “Our next event is December 10th, 6-9 p.m.,” said Bonnie Nichols. “It’s a curated song circle, and the public is welcome to come watch us perform.”
- Sometimes Julie is releasing a 6-song EP titled, Transition, in December. “It’s our 6th album release since our band’s inception in 2014,” said the band’s Rick Walker. “This album is a bit of a departure for us, musically. Piano-oriented, indie singer/songwriter stuff.”
- Switchfoot will be touring through the summer with Fuel and Lit. Date so far open in New Lake, ND on January 17, ending on September 6 in Lake Charles, LA. Meanwhile, the band is also playing a number of festivals including the annual Rockville festival on May 9, 2026 in Daytona, Florida. Cattle Decapitation will also be performing. In related news Switchfoot has a new release, The Backstage EP, while their annual Bro-AM will take place on June 11 & 13, 2026.
- The Winter Sisters; Cathryn Beeks, Sande Lollis and Bonnie Nichols, have a two week road trip set for January 3 – 17, 2026. Dates include stops in Joshua Tree, Santa Fe, Bisbee, Scottsdale and more.
