San Luis Obispo, CA

The progressive coastal college community of San Luis Obispo (SLO) is a touring band’s oasis. Nestled in the rolling green hills of California’s Central Coast and located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco (almost a perfect four hour drive), SLO makes an excellent stopping point for any band traveling along scenic Highway 101. California State Polytechnic University is the city’s centerpiece, flooding the area with 20,000 students during the academic year. The college boasts an active liberal arts community as well as a nationally acclaimed radio station (KCPR) that CMJ considers of the top 50 in the country. One of the city’s most celebrated events is its weekly farmer’s market, which was actually California’s first. Growing each year, literally thousands fill the downtown streets every Thursday night to experience all the live music, food and visual arts that bolster SLO’s flourishing culture.

Book a Gig: Venues

Downtown Brewing Co.

1119 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 543-1843

www.downtownbrew.com

This downtown club with full sound and bar is the music hub of SLO. Regular live music from all genres can be found each week. To book a show, send a promo package to Downtown Brew at the address above, Attn: Korie (korie@downtownbrew.com).

Boo Boo Records

978 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 541-0657

www.booboorecords.com

This legendary record store has free in-store performances most weeks. For booking, contact Frank Hayes through the website above with time and date inquiries. Be prepared to send a CD upon request. Boo Boo also offers consignment services for both local and out-of-town bands.

Steynberg Gallery

1531 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 547-0278

www.steynberggallery.com

Situated in the picturesque uptown SLO, this coffee shop/art gallery also serves as a venue for live music and literary events. A popular stop for traveling folk, indie and alternative musicians, the gallery is home to many Pocket Productions events. For booking information, send an email to pocketproductions@gmail.com.

Frog & Peach

728 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 595-3764

www.myspace.com/frognpeach

This downtown pub with a small corner stage and creek-side patio supports rock and reggae touring bands and has 21+ shows weekly (no house sound system). Contact Hank Owens at hankowens@msn.com for booking information.

Linnaea’s Cafe

1110 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

(805) 541-5888

www.linnaeas.com

This quaint downtown café has an indoor stage with great acoustics and features all-ages live music four to five nights a week. Linnaea’s supports a variety of genres including folk, singer/songwriter, country, jazz, blues and acoustic rock. For booking, contact Steve Key at steve@stevekey.com three to four months in advance.

Mongo’s Saloon

356 West Grand Avenue, Grover Beach, CA 93433

(805) 489-3639

www.mongossaloon.net

In nearby Grover Beach, Mongo’s has an open mic on Monday nights and generally hosts both local and national touring bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Rock, ska, reggae and punk are popular at this 288-cap venue. Interested bands should email Pat at mongos_saloon@msn.com with an EPK three months in advance.

Promote a Gig: Media

KCPR91.3 FM

Graphic Arts Building 26, Room 201

Cal Poly State University

San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

(805) 756-2965

www.kcpr.org

College radio playing indie rock, pop, alternative, punk, dub, IDM, experimental and world music. For music submissions, send only a one-page contact/bio sheet along with the CD to the above address c/o Music Director. To be included in the events calendar, send all pertinent info to kcprpromotions@gmail.com at least two weeks in advance. To book an interview or in-studio, contact the Program Director at least one month in advance. Consult website for current contact info.

New Times

1010 Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 546-8208

www.newtimesslo.com

SLO’s alternative weekly and the largest circulated paper in the region. Submit upcoming show info to Christy at calendar@newtimesslo.com by the Thursday before and send music submissions to Glen Starkey at least one month in advance at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com, making sure to CC Christy.

Central Coast Musician’s Exchange

www.centralcoastmusicians.com

CCME offers a comprehensive and interactive guide to San Luis Obispo County’s live music scene, from classifieds to promotional assistance and calendar listings.

Gear/Repairs

Grand Central Music

3195 S. Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 785-0275

www.grandcentralmusicstore.com

Full-line guitar and pro audio retail and rental. Takes walk-ins for guitar and amp repair. Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Butch’s Guitar Repair

570 Higuera Street #160, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 782-9419

Butch is certified to do warranty repairs on almost a dozen major/smaller brand guitars and can fix a wide variety of stringed instruments. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Lightning Joe’s Guitar Haven

100 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

(805) 481-2226

www.lightningjoes.com

Sells a huge assortment of new and used guitars, basses, amps, accessories and folk instruments in nearby Arroyo Grande, and will perform emergency repairs. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Owens Music Co.

3536 S. Higuera Street #220San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

(805) 543-9588

www.owensmusicco.com

Sells keyboards, pro audio, guitars and accessories. Can perform emergency repairs on non-electronic instruments. Open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.