Two phenomenal Philadelphia bands, Free Energy and Good Old War, provide perfectly suited tunes for these summer months.

I am pumped to be back home in San Diego for the summer and soak up the sun with weather in the 70s, walk the golden shores of the beautiful beaches, hit the golf course, and spend quality time with family and friends. No vacation for me would be complete without a stellar soundtrack, so I turn to the sounds of two talented electronic rock bands from a city in the northern part of my home state, San Francisco.

This week’s “Bands on the Rise” features two stellar Danish acts: Oh Land, my favorite new pop group, and VETO, a band I recently discovered — and quickly fell in love with.

This week California English takes a trip down south to Austin, TX, the capital of the Lone Star state and home to two awesome bands: Marmalakes and SPEAK!

Here’s my playlist to help set the perfect vibe for a stellar Valentine’s Day!

*Comes complete with a shower of hearts on the DG website.

This week California English takes a trip to New York and features two up-and-coming bands from the Big Apple: The Dig and St. Lucia! Very appropriate tunes to celebrate with after the Giants Super Bowl victory too.

Are you a fan of discovering bands before they make it big? Welcome to “Bands on the Rise”, a new feature for my California English column. The first highlighted city: LA!

As we welcome 2012, I look to new music releases to provide the soundtrack for the year ahead. Below are a handful of expected album releases, by artists old and new, that I am particularly excited about.

I am pleased to present you with my top 10 tracks of 2011. Let these terrific tunes provide a phenomenal music backdrop as this year comes to a close and a new one is welcomed!

Linked above you will find songs #11-20 of my Top 20 Songs List for 2011 for my Daily Gazette column, California English!