Amplify SD
Amplify SD is a new online radio station that the UT has started to give exposure to local artists and artists who will be coming to town. Obviously it will be a bit unfocused, and it warns:
The music on AmplifySD reflects a wide range of San Diego music and artists. Some lyrics may be offensive to some listeners. Listen at your own risk!
But it's a good idea. You can listen live with a built in flash player or thru itunes, windows media player or real. Artists can also submit their CDs to get played on the station at the below address:
Amplify SD Radio c/o Marc Balanky P.O. Box 122512 San Diego, CA 92112
Online radio stations like this are always a great idea, but I think that devoting a radio station to something as all encompassing as a city's entire music scene has its downsides. For example, the first song playing when I went to listen was Kill Me Tomorrow - Put The Time Machine In Your Mouth I, which resulted in me closing the player faster than I would have if the picture you find by googling "Lemon Party" had been sent to me by a friend at work. (and evidently there is more than one part to this song cycle). The lack of a "skip" button could prove to be a major inconvenience, since the tenuous thread of "all these bands are from the same town" is unlikely to have that devoted of a following. It's still great exposure and a decent shot at hearing something new that you like.
After listening to a few songs, I heard one by Convoy called "Goodbye Everybody" that sounded promising but cut out after a minute, and a band called Bunky playing a song called "Baba" that wasn't that bad. I'm signing off while Eve Sellis sings "Room at the Top." Signing off this entry, and signing off the online player because this song is god awful and I expect the acoustic strumming to break out into full on Bonnie Tyler power ballad mode any minute. Enjoy your weekend.
Amplify SD address: http://www.signonsandiego.com/sosdradio/
