As we reach the end of summer, we are proud to premiere the fittingly titled “Summer’s Edge,” by San Francisco-based Leon Rosen. Rosen feels like a Rufus Wainwright and a Jeff Buckley with the smallest touch of twang and the piano work to match. Rosen’s intimate piano pop is stunning and soothing. “Summer’s Edge” is a beautifully mixed and mastered tune with the right kind of warmth to make us feel like we’re in the room with him. And we’re pleased to know that we can be, soon. He’s playing this Friday, August 30 at Neck of the Woods to debut this and other tracks off his forthcoming album (on F Pop Records). Of “Summer’s Edge,” Rosen says it is “...a gentle sendoff of sorts, saying goodby to summer camp, summer romance, summer nostalgia or perhaps returning to a summer lost--a place where an era ended, at a new time of change.” What a refreshing find. -Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Oh man, we’re pleased to have found The Pendeltons' funky sweetness. What is going on with these keys, these snapping fingers, the harmonies? Solid goodness. Pendeltons (on Bastard Jazz) are perfect to jam with after a long day or at a start of a fresh one: they bring that shoulder moving, positive feeling that we appreciate. They’ve got that soul, boogie vibe while keeping that modern feel. Highly recommend. -Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

We're pleased to share some tunes from San Francisco's own Mr. Andrew. Aptly described as folk punk, Mr. Andrew embodies a lot of things we love: laughter, sarcasm, frustrations. He seems like a cool dude to go camping with. For enjoyers of the Mountain Goats, Neil Young, Mac DeMarco and some early 2000's alternative. Listen for yourself and hey, Mr. Andrew, we're ready for more shows! - Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor

Oakland's Bam! Bam! just released a video for their song "Literary Hoax" and it is old school style with weird imagery that matches well with their vibe. Energy, slamming guitars and all the glory of post punk and pop punk, these ladies are holding it down. They are playing Bandcamp’s Oakland record store and performance space on Friday, September 13. Check them out. - Lucille Faulkner

“Contact,” the latest from San Francisco-based alt hip hop artist Morsifire, is a painful song about loss and coping. Raised with a mother suffering from addiction and in a household full of trauma, the artist wrote “Contact” as an emotional reaction to the loss of his sister. He says, "This song is about the immediate aftermath of my sister’s death and everything that came with it. By the end of the song I’m actually addressing her, wherever she is. It’s a raw song, an open wound..."

The track features indie pop singer Emily Afton, who helps infuse and soften the song with her spellbinding voice. "Contact" reminds us of that Eminem track with Dido, and accomplishes a similar feat: a wounded rapper’s anger and pain softened by powerful female vocals. Stay tuned for Morsifire’s live shows in San Francisco and beyond.

-Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor