Summers in San Francisco make me itch to get out of the city every weekend. While the city is lovely during the summer (albeit cold), I long for long breezy car rides, warm evenings where you don’t have to put on a sweater, and any body of water where I can swim. Besides packing the requisite toothbrush, shades, bathing suit, tank tops, sunscreen, and casual-but-literary novel, I always make sure to bring the perfect soundtrack for that particular kind of road trip. Here are a couple recent releases and the best Bay Area trips where you should spin them.
Robyn/Royskopp’s Do It Again = crossing into/from the East Bay
Whether you’re taking the Bay Bridge, BART, or ferry to cross between San Francisco and the East Bay, there's something about the throbbing collaboration between Swedish pop auteur, Robyn, and her pals Royskopp that captures the beauty of going over or under the Bay and discovering the summer fun that's just a short stretch of water away. Opener, “Monument” is practically about the bridge: “I will let this monument represent a moment of my life.” And "Do It Again" is the perfect combo of Robyn's romance-on-the-dancefloor songwriting and Royskopp's dark beats to blast when you have to return home to your side of the bridge.
Kelis’ Food = River Road
An easy day trip away, River Road is a perfect place to laze about and drink beers while floating down the Russian River. Whether you get into the shenanigans of Guerneville or go a little further to Monte Rio where it's a little less crowded, you'll need something good to listen to while making the last 20 miles to fresh water. Kelis' funky, retro new album is the perfect answer until you get find a spot to settle your blankets and barbecue to "Jerk Ribs" or "Friday Fish Fry." And because the song titles will surely stoke your appetite, grab a fancy bite to eat at Boon Eat + Drink or a burger and beer at Stumptown Brewery.