“You’re the reason why I’ll move to the city/Or why I’ll need to leave…” With those words, Sharon Van Etten has captured the hearts of myriad urban dwellers. As a friend noted, “she sounds like a better Cat Power.” And although I won’t venture into that arena, I will say that SVE’s harmonies, seemingly hanging off a cliff ready to take flight at every note, make me feel like she’s captured something fundamentally raw in her being.

The Independent in San Francisco and picked up tickets relatively easy. But mark my words: that will not last long. Below, the track “We Are Fine” with guest vocalist Zack Condon from Beirut.

180,000 people were expected to fill Golden Gate Park in San Francisco over a three day period to watch the likes of Arcade Fire, Muse, Ana Tijoux, John Fogerty, Julieta Venegas, Little Dragon, MGMT, and others perform at the Outside Lands Festival. There was an endless streak of gloom in the city throughout the week, but the skies opened up with powering sunshine and set a joyful mood among the thousands of concertgoers and weekend revelers that arrived.

I was there for two artists: Beirut and Julieta Venegas. I’ve been missing both across the country for years (although I remember seeing Julieta at Coachella, briefly, in 2007 before I really knew who she was), so my excitement was almost painful. My priorities were simple: photograph many strangers, kick up some dust dancing, and pray Beirut would play “A Sunday Smile.” I’m spoiled because I got it all.

One of the many highlights were presented by Juxtapoz magazine. They curated a variety of paintings and murals by residents of San Francisco, but I was a bit perplexed by the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd. Apparently the Heineken tents were a bigger draw.

Then, I came across a roving band of horn-blaring revelers while on my way to see Julieta’s set. A young lady slipped a card into my hand. It said “Loyd Family Players.” If you’re reading this, you can have the pictures.

I wasn’t sure if I would even get in with my camera, so I brought a polaroid with a few packs as back up. The security guard didn’t even look at my bag, so I was clear. I tried to decide on a specific theme for the day’s shoot, but I settled on getting as close to people as possible. I asked everyone (almost) below for a portrait, and they either graciously accepted or simply ignored me without denying my request.

The entire day couldn’t have been possible without the kindness of Amanda and Josh. Amanda celebrated her 30th birthday and we all tried our best to make it memorable. With the temperature hovering at 80 degrees, clear skies, a surplus of drink, food and music, the day turned out to be the best I’ve had since moving to San Francisco. I’m looking forward to making every weekend this good.

Finally, while I was catering to the demands of an instant film loving public, my lovely wife took this portrait. As you can see, the taste of Fuji Instax Wide turns me on.

“Why A Sunrise Podcast?”

Revaz: When Alex proposed doing a Sunrise podcast, I immediately agreed. That’s how a thematic compilation begins. An idea is conjured that connects songs together with a sentiment, sound, or commonality. Recently, I was traveling by bus from the city of Buenos Aires to the wine country of Mendoza. It’s a comfortable overnight ride, but you still wake up uncertain of how much rest you’ve actually received. So I awoke in a haze, put my headphones on, and watched the movement from my window. As much as I loved getting away from the city for the weekend, it was when we returned back to ciudad de la furia, in which these tracks were brought to fruition. Watching a city emerge and awake into the daylight & returning back to the hustle and bustle that was missed. Will I ever not love living in a metropolis?

Alejandro: The alarm goes off. You’re in a daze. Bathroom stop. Coffee starts. You open your eyes to a day that started before you even managed a yawn. It was July of 2009 and my flight left JFK at 6am. My cab arrived and we hopped on the BQE around 445am. Manhattan was to my left. Queens was to my right. The horizon jostled a beautiful spectrum of colors only available before the raging sun fully rises. An empty road lay ahead of me and I felt at peace. The tranquility was overwhelming and I wondered why I didn’t take advantage of this time of day more often. This podcast will hopefully inspire me – and you – to rise a little earlier. Tracklist below.

Helios – “Halving The Compass”
Casino Vs Japan – “It’s Very Sunny”
Beirut – “Venice”
Gui Boratto – “Besides”
Thievery Corporation – “Heaven’s Gonna Burn Your Eyes”
Eluvium – “Leaves Eclipse The Night”
Zuco 103 – “Mayfly”
Ulrich Schnauss – “Goodbye”

Almost a year went by without an instrument in the booth for me. I found this tragic since I listen to countless men and women share stories about how music was introduced into their lives. For some people, the songs they listened to as children played as much a role in the shaping of their identity as their grandfather’s dichos, their mother’s cooking or their father’s migration. This doesn’t shock me. Yet eleven months passed before a single person introduced music into my booth. Above, two participants weave storytelling with music. A serenade of “Las Mañanitas”, “Las Adelitas”, and what they referred to as the “Chicano Power Anthem”, “Volver, Volver”, echoed throughout the room.

Filthy, Mangy Jazz is how Le Chat Lunatique describes themselves on their blog. They played SXSW for the first time earlier this year and they are the local jazz flavor in Albuquerque, NM. A friend of a friend sent me some info about their latest show – a set played in a independent record store celebrating a Grand Re-Opening – and I arrived very early with thoughts of tattooed, Betty Paige and Jesse James-looking types, sipping martinis and Scotch, as some of the patrons of the gathering.

I was wrong.

I was pleasantly surprised with the sound. Le Chat Lunatique played an upbeat, spirited and downright fun Jazz. And being the pride of Albquerque’s local scene, there were smiles, gyrations and an all-around festiveness during their show that I hadn’t experienced in the 10 days I’ve been in this city. For that, I say thank you to the band and to the wonderful new friend who gave me the low-down on the scene.

For one of their songs, there was a mention of “burning bodies” and “beautiful” and “Kilimanjaro.” I expected something painful and haunting, but sweet and melodic is what we heard instead.

I’m not sure if it’s Arizona’s latest xenophobic seizure, the EZLN posters I’ve seen from Fresno, Ca to Cuernavaca, Mexico, or the sign above that inspired this podcast. It’s not a political podcast, but it’s fiery with a tinge of violence and hope. New Zealand’s Ladyhawke, with her pulsating grooves and catchy chorus, may not appear to be raucous, but I feel turbulence whenever I hear the track I’ve included. Most of the songs make me spin around and around until I’m euphoric and about to vomit. In a good way. They’re songs I could hear before, during and after a protest. And after listening to this podcast, you should go listen to this one.

Now, off to the Island of Dolls.

Tracks
“Acabar Mal” – Sergent Garcia
“Bam Bam” – Sister Nancy
“Summertime Clothes” – Animal Collective
“Clash City Rockers” – The Clash
“Jimmy” – M.I.A.
“Paris Is Burning” – Ladyhawke
“Black & Blue” – Miike Snow
“I Can Change” – LCD Soundsystem
“ONE” – Yeasayer
“Eres Para Mi” – Julieta Venegas
“Oye Mi Bomba” – Sergent Garcia
“Keep On Knocking” – Death
“Rainin In Paradiz” – Manu Chao

“Bam Bam” is a song flowing with a tremendous amount of soul. It makes me do my galloping each time I hear it. The song appeared as the sixth track on Sister Nancy’s “One, Two” album from 1982. If you don’t have it, I recommend you get it.

Revaz told me to settle down, so I finally mixed in some Miike Snow and Aloe Blacc. I’m obsessing over electro-dance-pop from 2008 and no one can stop me!

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. “I don’t have any bills. Will this do?” There was a smile. ” Of course man. Have a nice weekend. [music]“ He paused momentarily whenever someone stared, then stepped back into his scales when eyes darted elsewhere. I felt it was alright for me to snap a few shots since I’d paid the man.

That isn’t why I paid.