On a night when Vancouver was home to four really good gig choices at the same time. Photog hero Kris Krüg and I “settled” on Kurt Vile and Thurston Moore. Good choice. Great mumblerock from Vile and some sonic youthful explorations from Moore.

Brooklyn’s bespectacled small-rock god Mike Doughty has announced his new album, and a tour to match. Dates and details here. But seeing as this is the BSR, I’ve also added in some links to strange and beautiful poetry. BECAUSE I CAN.

Hardcore troubadour Steve Earle was back in town, with a few stories and a full band. And I went backstage. Of course. Please find herein the review, amazing photos by Brittney Kwasney, and a few memories.

You can be full of shit and still wonderful. Are the UK’s current most-hyped indie rock band WU LYF one or t’other? Or both? Or neither? Read this, have a listen to “Go Tell Fire to the Mountain” and let us know.

Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys brought his deadpan and wholly charming narrative (and props!) to the Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver on June 4. Before popping backstage to chat with him, I grinned like a loon. Check the review and gallery of this brilliant show.

Stand up and be counted, YEASAYER. Or sit down. You know, whatever. We’ll just put you in a line up, make you sit on a ratty sofa and in-our-own-heads, drool over you. This is the BackstageRider backstage photoshoot with the awesome Yeasayer.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! YEASAYER! More relaxed, more handsome, and more ridiculously funky than ever before. Live shots by Kris Krüg, commentary by me.

Mammoth photo gallery filled with grit and grain from last night’s The Pack A.D. show in Vancouver. Includes a totally blurry but rad pic I love of Becky jumpin’ off the drum kit. All hail one of Vancouver’s best. Again. Frequently.

Wondertwins activate! In the form of… ROCKSTARS! The Kills brought their crunchy, dirty altrock to Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on May 8th and, per usual, blew minds. Here are pics from photog Kris Krug (and my iPhone), and a few words on their awesome.