San Francisco’s Li Xi finds an odd place between worlds. They mix vintage 60s synthesizers and modern electronics, as well as an obvious love for superbly strange pop music from the past and sonically sophisticated indie rock.

The modern lens they use to reinterpret older, weirder psychedelic-pop music creates a more restrained dreamy sound that gives that is both haunting and gorgeous, soothing yet uncomfortable, vibrant but retro.

Like some of today’s more popular indie bands, (Beach House, Vivian Girls, etc.), Li Xi mix old and new sounds to create is a decidedly surreal sound. While not as sunny as some of the other related bands producing similar music, Li Xi particularly take influence from unknown 60s pop-singer Margo Guryan, whose psychedelic, jazz-pop record, Take a Picture, was a little too offbeat even for the late 60s.

Li Xi soften some of Guryan’s stranger psychedelic arrangements, as well as her tendency towards cute vocal hooks, to create a sound that is more somber. Li Xi are currently working on their debut 7-inch this year on 20 Sided Records, the label that released Ugly Winner’s latest LP.

Li Xi play the Blank Club at 9pm on Friday April 19. Tickets are $8.

Music is always a good Christmas gift, but as record stores continue to disappear, it’s getting harder to find options outside of iTunes download cards. Bands are still making physical albums these days—CDs, vinyl records, and the latest retro trend, cassette tapes. San Jose has lots of bands that have put out stellar albums this year. Here’s our list of suggestions.

Hard Girls
‘Isn’t It Worse w/ EP’
on Cassette, $5 at www.lauren-records.com
Cassette releases are now a thing—maybe not a big thing, but more labels (underground ones, mind you) are putting them out. San Jose’s Hard Girls’ new album, Isn’t It Worse, is coming out on cassette a few months before it arrives out on vinyl. The cassette comes with several bonus songs—their entire first EP, in fact. It’s only been a few years since the Hard Girls released that EP, but it is interesting to listen to listen to the old material side by side with the new. Their debut contained some interesting Jawbreaker-influenced punk-rock songs, while Isn’t It Worse is a downright sophisticated rock album. They mix ’80s post-punk and ’90s indie rock (somewhere between Pavement, Television and Silkworm), all while giving it the urgency of a sweaty basement punk band.

Ugly Winner’s new album, Inside Your Wave, is bigger, louder and packs more of a punch then their 2010 album, Minutes, Years & Never.

What makes the new album more gripping, in part, is how much better the recording quality is. The guitars are thicker and fuller, the drums are crisper and the vocals are more artistically drenched in reverb and echo. Interestingly it was all recorded in the band’s home.

This album is a step forward, stylistically, for the San Jose four-piece. They’ve matured past the standard indie rock tricks of lush, gleaming guitars, heavy dynamic building and aimless Sonic Youth-inspired jams, and have emerged with a collection of understated art-rock songs.

The best song on the album, “Perfect Nothing,” is a dreamy, half-tempo, amphitheater, sing-along rocker, though not to be confused with say, a Bon Jovi arena anthem. The music is far too weird for that, but it does seem like a subtle tip of the hat to the larger-than-life side of rock ‘n’ roll.

Compared to Minutes, Years & Never, the guitar work and song structure on the new album is much more creative and unpredictable. The opening track, “Fret One (Grow Old),” is a hard-rocker that hangs on just a couple notes, like an early Joy Division song, full of the punk rock fire without having any parts that could be reasonably construed as punk rock. The vocals weave in and out of the heavy echo effect, using it at moments for an extra punch of aggression.

Another distinguishing element to this new record is the reoccurring jangle-pop, angular guitar work. Songs like “Thoughtful Spots,” “These Hands They Shake” and “HaHa” all have guitar parts that could almost pass for Modest Mouse post-punk dance riffs.

Where Ugly Winner have developed the most is their ability to wander with focus, like on the ending of “HaHa.” Ugly Winner shifts gears, but they don’t drift away, they take us to a totally new, but logical destination musically.

The two songs that most resemble the older Ugly Winner sound, “So Well” and “TCBAHBS” still show growth. Their use of finger-picking guitar lines and dynamic-building shows more subtly than before.” So Well,” in particular strikes an odd balance between a straight forward rock song, a touching ballad and a strange, creepy horror song.

A four-piece comprised of Takashi Makino, Maxewell Borkenhagen, Todd Flanagan and Nick Lopez, Ugly Winner’s latest album Inside Your Wave will be available on 180-gram vinyl, a testament to the band’s commitment to sound.

The San Jose-based band celebrates the release with a record release party at Black and Brown this Saturday, July 21st, with Dinners, Hazel’s Wart, and Breathing Patterns. We checked in with Takashi for an interview before the show.

What’s this new album about? What were you major influences when writing the songs?

I tend to tell myself that this album doesn’t have a specific meaning or influence, but that’s not true. The meanings/ideas are scattered and so vaguely documented/written down that it took me a while to understand mostly what this album’s general meaning would stand for.

Inside Your Wave, for me, is about what has happened or is happening to me and what I’m surrounded by, specifically in the past few years until present. The most personal of personals is what this album is written about, and also the changes and growth any person can go through. Being truthful and understanding, whether it hurts feelings or you end up being alone. So the meaning is vast, from heartfelt aches, health, not partying and holding the door open for a stranger.

I think for everyone in the band this album means something different and unique. This doesn’t concern the instrumentation side, just the words. Instrumentally, we all have are own influences that shapes the way we play as individuals. It ranges from old folk to punk to classical and old Reggae.

Where did you record the album?

The record was recorded entirely at home sweet home.

Did you stick with your sound on your new album or did you guys experiment with different setups and sounds?

We did stick with our band sound, for the most part, but tried to sound bigger for this album. There is some minor usage of melodica and organ synths for a couple songs, but all and all we stuck with our usual set up. We also acquired a second guitarist, Maxewell Borkenhagen to play lead parts and share rhythm.

You’re doing a tour in early August. What’s that going to look like?

Our tour in August is starting off here in California and going through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and consists of 18 shows. Playing in different cities is one of our favorite things to do as a band. It’s definitely a refreshing way to travel and see the country. Hopefully we’ll be able to do a second tour in late fall/early winter further out East but we’ll see.

You guys are the band most associated with the Gingerbread House.  Where is that 7^th Street sound going? Starting with the Unit Breed, up to you guys now and everything that came in between, that little block south of Keyes has produced a lot of quality music. Why do you think that is?

I think we’re most associated with the Gingerbread House because our bass player Todd Flanagan lives there and curates all the shows that are thrown there. Timing and location has been the main factor of why these shows have existed.

In one house, Joe Demaree threw shows at a rehearsal space for a handful of years where Unit Breed practiced. Some amazing shows have happened with bands coming through on tour from all over the country/world. After Joe moved, Todd began doing the same thing in the house next door as an alternative to going to bars and clubs to see a live show, and it kinda just continued form there.

It really just came down to them willing to open up their home for bands to come in and express their craft. San Jose has been really lucky to have it as a venue. As far as where that 7th street sound is going, not sure, but it’s going to continue to make some noise I’m sure.

Where do you see the SJ music scene heading?

The indie music scene only has room to grow in San Jose and I see it doing tremendous things in the years to come. There’s some awesome music around, musicians seem pretty motivated right now, bands are taking things into their own hands, and that’s when things get interesting. We can only wait and see what the future will hold for this little big town.

You guys play some unique venues, Do you see the idea of a standard “music club” diminishing, or will traditional venues always play an important role in live music?

There will always be music clubs and traditional venues and there is nothing wrong that. As far as us playing at unique venues, we enjoy that side of it because we like playing for all ages and there is a lot of freedom and creativeness that comes with playing at DIY events, galleries and houses that are based more on supporting each other’s projects.

Our record release show is being held at Black and Brown. They’ve always been very supportive towards artists and musicians, local and touring, and we love what they’re doing as a business & gallery. We want to support them as well, and so for us it’s the most ideal space to host this show.

Ugly Winner performs Saturday, July 21st, 2012 for a record release party at Black and Brown 7:30pm. Admission is $5.

When Jeff Brummett isn’t busy working at Streetlight Records, he’s playing guitar and singing in Doctor Nurse, one of San Jose’s best indie rock bands, featuring heavy psychedelic and folk influences and a balance of lush vocal harmonies and carefully textured instrumentation.

Their song craftsmanship is surprisingly sophisticated, better even than a lot of touring psychedelic-influenced indie rock bands. Mood and understated emotional intensity are at the forefront of every song, usually starting out mellow, using repetition and layering to give the songs a slow and powerful buildup. While Doctor Nurse has only been around a couple years, Brummett is no newbie to the San Jose scene. We asked him to share the spots in San Jose he knows and loves.

What part of San Jose are you from?

I live in Willow Glen and there’s this particular homeless guy I’m fairly obsessed with. He is always madly scribbling what looks like crazy scientist Aztec symbols in this book. Whenever I give him some dough, I’m tempted to ask him about it, but ultimately I don’t want the mystery revealed. The not-knowing is the thing. Unless he’s making blueprints for a time machine or something—I definitely want in on that.

What’s your favorite place outside of San Jose?

Costa Rica is a magical land filled with green trees, monkeys and banana milkshakes. Can’t beat it, and their capital is named San Jose.

What’s the best show you’ve seen in San Jose?

This one is easy. In 2008, the Blank Club had Extreme Elvis, Neil Hamburger and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy on one bill. The stars were aligned that night in ways I’d never conceived. The Ledge left the stage during a song leaving the band to finish without him as he went and caught the bus. Neil Hamburger did the Colonel Sanders/Sally Field joke and Extreme Elvis (after um, “marking his territory”…. yes, what you’re thinking is absolutely correct) eventually led the crowd to the street for an acoustic sing-along rendition of “Suspicious Minds.” Did I mention that he was completely naked? Sublime.

Who’s your favorite local band?

Well, I loved Worker Bee so much I am now in a band with two of the members. I’ve gotten sneak peeks of the new Plantain and Ugly Winner records and they are really, really good. Totally looking forward to the Amonie record coming soon. The new Sourpatch record is great. It seems like a bunch of folks will finally be releasing material this year. Very cool.

Where’s your favorite place to get a drink in San Jose?

Good Karma has an amazing selection of high-end beers. They have such great variety and are always getting new and unique brands. They have events with exclusive brews that you can’t find anywhere else. Ryan Summers is the best host in town and all the staff there are incredibly nice and welcoming and don’t yell at me when I’m hanging in the back getting in their way.

Where’s a cool spot for new threads?

I’m the most unfashionable dude ever. Black and Brown is pretty much the only place I go. Last time I went there, I scored this corduroy jacket and Irene who works there said that I liked “grandpa clothes.” She was right. Plus, they have cool art and music shows and are generally awesome people.

What’s your favorite spot for a cheap bite in San Jose?

Me and my buddies have been obsessed with Taco Bravo for years. I can’t say I’ve actually eaten there in a long time, but what other place can you order an item off the menu item called “The Boneyard.” I work down the street from there and one of my favorite pastimes is driving by and counting the number of people waiting in line during breakfast time. The record? Eleven people wanting Bravo at 10:30 am. The world is a wondrous and mysterious place. Plus, the dudes who work there go to the same bank as I do.

What’s the best thing about living in San Jose?

A few things I guess. The group of talented, creative geniuses/doofuses I hang with truly make this place all worthwhile. The close proximity to the greatest radio station on Earth, KFJC. Joey Myers still lives here. Plus, that beer-batter thing at the SJ Giants game is kind of a hoot. Did I mention Bravo already?

Where’s the best place in San Jose to go relax?

Funny you bring that up. Every Cinco De Mayo I like to put on a nice velour jogging suit, whip up a little chamomile tea and take a leisurely stroll down Santa Clara St. and soak in all the stabbings. Very zen.

Where’s the place to see a show in San Jose?

Unquestionably the Gingerbread House. It’s by far my favorite place to play. They get a lot of touring bands that are under the radar and are real independent musicians scraping by, driving through the country just having a good time. The bands don’t have to worry about drawing a crowd, because there’s always enough friends to fill it up. You don’t have the stress of club owners and promoters being bummed on the lack of support. The room sounds amazing and Todd and the crew who live there are such great people. They open up their house to let strangers do their art, which is definitely a very generous and selfless act. It’s an important bubble in our little scene here.

What’s San Jose’s best kept secret?

R & D Liquors on Willow has free hot coffee!