Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Tuesday, April 23
I'm certainly not the first to break this news, but tickets for this year's Pitchfork Music Festival go on sale Friday, March 13. The indie music fest that rocks Union Park every year will do it again July 17-19, 2009. Want to know who will be playing the fest? Time Out: Chicago has some guesses.
— Michelle Meywes / Comments (1)
The city of Atlanta, GA has offered up its share of notable indie rock artists in recent years, and 2008 saw the emergence of a new addition to that lineage -- the trio All the Saints. The release of the band's debut Fire on Corridor X via the Killer Pimp label caught the attention of the folks at Touch & Go, who quickly re-issued the album to wider distro back in September. The album would later turn up on several bloggers' lists as one of the most overlooked releases of 2008, and prompted a number of reviewers to reach for such descriptives as "psychedelia" and "Southern shoegaze." While of few of the tunes on ...Corridor X sprawl in a mood of come-down languidity, the trio's penchant for heavy, clangoring riffs and propulsive drum-fills points in the direction of their flatland Alabama roots. And when it comes to melodic hooks, they're a lot closer to Dead Confederate than, say, Deerhunter -- if the former red-dirt denizens ditched the quasi power-ballad fare and had been raised on a steady diet of Hüsker Dü.
— Graham Sanford
In addition to having AWESOME album art, Neko Case's latest album Middle Cyclone is also an awesome piece of work. A collection of love songs (which she swore to herself that she would never write again...) Middle Cyclone is a beautiful follow up to Fox Confessor Brings The Flood.
The first time I heard a Neko Case song (it was "Star Witness" for good measure) I was completely struck by her entrancing voice and Fox Confessor became one of my favorite albums. Sometimes I wonder if an artist can match themselves after putting out such a great album, but I would say she's one-upped herself with this one. Middle Cyclone is typical Neko in all the right ways, yet new and different in all the right ways. The opening track "This Tornado Loves You" is an energizing, powerful entry into the album, while "People Got a Lotta Nerve" is the catchiest tune that will most likely get the most airplay.
The Sound Opinions boys talk with Neko about the new album in this week's episode available today via podcast and airing on Chicago Public Radio tonight at 8pm (and again tomorrow at 11am). She's joined by guitarist Paul Rigby and backing vocalist Kelly Hogan for a couple of live songs, too.
Middle Cyclone doesn't come out 'til next Tuesday, but until then, NPR is streaming the album in its entirety as part of their Exclusive First Listen series. Also, if you pre-order on iTunes, there are a couple of bonus live tracks recorded at her old stomping ground, The Hideout.
In case this wasn't enough NekoNews for you, she is also embarking on a tour this spring, and makes her stop in Chicago April 24th at Chicago Theatre. Tickets are $30 but are also available at the Chicago Theater box office with no service fees (take that Ticketmaster).
(Photo by Jason Creps)
— Michelle Meywes
The best way to solve a dreary Chicago day is to end the evening with a decent drink and some good music. Well thank the lucky stars that for a measly $5 donation (recession friendly as well) you can get just that when Chicago outfit Raise High the Roof Beam play Quenchers this evening.
We first mentioned Raise High the Roof Beam when they played the last free Monday show over at the Empty Bottle in December. Since then the band has been busy working on music and playing to the masses with their delectable brand of indie pop-rock.
Come drown your rainy weather blues tonight (I'll be there with my umbrella and a beer), and check out a local act worth taking notice. The show starts at 9:00 pm and Quenchers is located at 2401 N. Western (the intersection of Western and Fullerton).
— Lisa White
When I first heard of the Chicago International Music and Movies Festival, I was a bit surprised no one had thought of this sooner. Considering our thriving music scene and numerous successful film festivals, Chicago seems like a prime location to showcase the bridge between these two art worlds. The inaugural festival is taking place March 4th–9th at various venues around the city, with several guest speakers and live music performances. I had the opportunity to preview a handful of the films before the festival, and there are many gems to be found screening during these six days.
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (1)
Judging from their activity, it seems These Are Powers are a band who don't sit still for long. Only a few months after the release of their EP Taro Tarot, the trio arrived in Chicago for their latest Windy City summering stint and began trotting out a batch of new material. Much of what they debuted during their summer gigs has now turned up on a new release, All Aboard Future, which dropped via the Dead Oceans label earlier this month.
— Graham Sanford
Chicago's own Company of Thieves have been creating a buzz on the national level the past few months, following their single "Oscar Wilde" being the featured discovery on iTunes and a killer performance on Last Call with Carson Daly last month. Today the band is re-releasing their debut album, Ordinary Riches, with new artwork and bonus tracks on Wind-Up Records. They just released their debut music video for "Oscar Wilde" via iTunes and will also be hosting a live chat today at 2 pm via their MySpace. As one of the most talented group of artists coming out of our fair city right now, I'm expecting Company of Thieves to be the band to watch in 2009.
I had the pleasure of catching them at the Double Door on Thursday night, opening for Thriving Ivory. When CoT took the stage, my friend Doug turned to me and said, "Some artists make music because they like to. She seems like the type who makes music because she has to." Way to hit the nail on the head, Doug. Singer Genevieve Schatz's passion is infectious, and her powerhouse energy is further heightened with the intensity of guitar player Marc Walloch and drummer Mike Ortiz. The band has a very cool bohemian vibe, with the combination of a classic rock sound and the softness of sweet Regina Spektor-ish vocals. Genevieve is completely mesmerizing during soulful tracks such as "Quiet on the Front" and "Pressure", but the real treat of their live show is their danceable songs "In Passing" and "Oscar Wilde".
Catch their television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly below:
[MP3] Company of Thieves - "Oscar Wilde"
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (1)
Last week we reported the formation of an unusual new 'supergroup' featuring James Iha, Adam Schlesinger, Taylor Hanson and Bun E. Carlos by the name of Tinted Windows. Since then, the band has launched a website, MySpace, and Twitter, and announced that their self-titled debut will be released on April 21st via S-Curve Records. The band is scheduled to make an appearance on Letterman April 20th, and will be touring in select clubs around the country starting in the spring. I'm still not quite certain that this is meant as a serious musical endeavor, although I will admit that it's great to finally see James Iha behind a guitar again.
Check out their "Rock After Dark" promo and let me know what you think. Performance art? The next big thing?
An MP3 of the track "Kind of a Girl" is available to download now via Rolling Stone. It's catchy as hell, I'll give them that.
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (3)
An update to last week's Touch and Go announcement: Kot and DeRo weigh in.
While the Touch and Go label is still intact, the announcement that they are ending the manufacturing and distributing side of business may have much more of an impact on the music industry than we realize. The Tribune's Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis of the Sun Times discussed the label's announcement on their respective blogs, as well as on last week's episode of Sound Opinions, raising an interesting point: This change in operations could be devastating on the independent music scene as we know it. For the past 20 years, Touch and Go provided distribution for dozens of small labels across the country, including several Chicago labels. Who do these small labels now turn to for distribution when the business of music is already under such strain financially? And what does this mean for the future of independent labels and bands? This question has been looming for quite a while, and is part of a much bigger concern in the music industry (affecting majors as well as indies) brought on by the internet and file sharing.
— Michelle Meywes
I am of the firm opinion that James Earl Jones narrating anything is cool. Saturday night, a sold out Symphony Center shared that sentiment.
The Lincoln Bicentennial Tribute at Symphony Center featured the backing of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who alone may not be enough to pull people out to a southern Michigan Avenue address in what seems to be an everlasting winter. The program featured music that old Abe himself liked; marches, symphonies, and lighter fare. But the main draw was undoubtedly James Earl Jones himself.
Making his debut at Symphony Center, he, along with Kevin Gudahl and Gerard McBurney, put the "words" into the program's theme of "A Likeness in Words and Music". Jones read poetry by Walt Whitman and Carl Sanberg, while Gudahl and McBurney read some of his letters and articles of the day that attempted to portray Lincoln as a man with a good sense of humor as well as personable to others. Of particular interest were the recollection of Lincoln's first inauguration ball and a letter he wrote his wife while still an Illinois representative.
The second part of the evening, after intermission, was the Orchestra's rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, for which quite a few people stayed around for. But Jones earned the star of the night as he recounted a series of Lincoln quotes, including the Gettysurg Address. And when he boomed out, that James Earl Jones way, the last few lines - " that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"- that was, without exaggeration - pretty damned awesome.
There will be another engagement on Tuesday, but sources tell me those tickets are long sold out.
EDIT: No, tickets are NOT sold out. Tickets are available in the boxes and in the lower balcony. Get over and buy, forthwith!
— Troy Hunter / Comments (2)
I dated this stoner dude in college who was a crappy boyfriend, but he clued me in on a few bands that to this day warm the cockles of my punk-rock heart. One of these bands is the New Bomb Turks, a Columbus, Ohio-based group that released their first full-length, !!Destroy Oh-Boy!! in 1993. At the time, they were loud, fast, snotty, funny, and fun; if their clips are any indication, they still are.
To be honest, I had no idea they were still touring, but lo and behold, the Turks are playing at the Cobra Lounge (235 N. Ashland Ave.) on Saturday, Feb. 21. Opening for them are the Mannequin Men, Distinguished Gentlemen of Leisure, and Teenage Tits. The show kicks off at 9 p.m., and blessed be, it's free.
— Kara Luger / Comments (2)
Between the recent boom of digital music sales and the current economic downturn, some music fans have lately been speculating about the fate of brick-and-mortar independent record stores. With that in mind, the March issue of GQ features "The Last Record Store" by contributor Dan Kennedy, in which Kennedy profiles -- and spends a couple of weeks working at -- the indie record shop Kiss The Sky in Geneva, IL. (Note: The article is not yet available via the publication's online edition.)
Also of local interest in the same issue: Kanye West makes the mag's latest list of "The 10 Most Stylish Men in America," and explains his low Day-Glo policy for photo shoots.
— Graham Sanford
A shadowy presence stalks the land. He (for it is a he) can be felt in moments of absolute isolation, in the presence of darkness so absolute that one's position in the room, or the world, or one's own mind, cannot be determined. He has made his presence felt in Chicago only two other times, once in 2000 and again in 2003. He brings fear and unease, disturbing sounds and visions, but he also brings liberation from inhibition and new methods for breaking out of old ruts. He is John Duncan.
This Saturday, Duncan returns to Lampo (216 W. Chicago Avenue, 2nd Floor) for a new composition, titled "The Hidden." The piece features "digital audio debris, generated audio noise, field recordings, and shortwave radio static," and follows in the style of his many legendary studio recordings, including the seminal Riot LP (1984, AQM Recordings, reissued 1991 on CD) which uses recordings of military Morse code, computer program transmissions and "atmospheric interferences" to create an aura of dread and illogic, but also gritty, industrial beauty.
— Chris Sienko
Sadly, the Morse Theatre in Rogers Park, whose financial troubles we discussed last week, has announced it will close after a performance by Paris Delane slated for March 7. This was confirmed after Time Out: Chicago talked with owner Andy McGee. No word on if the restaurant, Century Public House, will remain open or not.
Fingers crossed that another group will step in and use this lovely restored venue in the near future.
— Anne Holub
Today must be my lucky day, being able to post two Wilco stories in the same day. Last week, the band debuted the trailer for their new tour documentary, Ashes of American Flags, and now we have a Chicago release date for the movie.
Ashes of American Flags will debut at the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival next month. Monday, March 9 at the famous Music Box Theater. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and tickets are only $10 on the CIMM website. [Update: Wilco film event ticketing on CIMM site coming soon, we're told. Ticketing is now live.] The director of the film, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, will be on hand for a Q&A session following the show, too. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.
— Gavin Robinson / Comments (5)
Itchin' for a dance party rife with '90s nostalgia? Need more Aaliyah and Busta Bus in your life? Relive the hits at the Whistler tonight with the TTTTotally Dudes dance party, headed by CHIRP's Dr. Drase and DJ Manwich.
The boys will play sets in and around hip-hop and turntablist turns by Serengeti and Meat Number 5. Should be a tasty evening out, folks. Best of all, there's no cover. See you there.
Whistler is located at 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square. Music starts at 9:30pm.
— Kara Luger
If I remember correctly, Wilco didn't play the Chicago show on the Neil Young tour because they felt that we'd simply seen enough of the band lately. Let's see if I can dig up that quote....ah yes, here's Wilco publicist Deb Bernadini talking to the Sun-Times, "They just felt it was time for a break." It seems that break isn't over yet, either. Wilco announced their Spring 2009 tour and we've been left out in the cold again. Sure, you can head out to Milwaukee or Athens, OH but there won't be any Chicago on this leg. Their site also has a group of festival dates in the summer announced and it's worth mentioning that August 7-9 (the dates of this year's Lollapalooza) are still open.
— Gavin Robinson
In addition to being the sharpest-dressed band in Chicago, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound have been taking the city by storm with their unique brand of raw power soul.
— Raf Miastkowski / Comments (2)
Ever been to Metal Shaker? Its existence is news to to me, I'll admit it. The bar (3394 N. Milwaukee) bills itself as "A heavy venue on the northwest side of Chicago," and looking at its lineup for these next two months, which are of course the heaviest of all months, I feel it is no hyperbole, friends. Nearly every day in the month of March seems to have an opportunity to see bands with names like If He Dies, He Dies, Embryonic Devourment, and Arbogast, as well as every Sunday's "Blackened Sabbath" nights, where local musicians spin their favorite death and thrash metal.
This Friday (February 20, 9 p.m.), the Metallic Shaking ones will encourage the ever-shifting barriers between black metal and experimental noise crumble just a bit further with a lineup of bands that work the necessary nexus between riff and wail, distortion and dissolution.
Acting as a record release party of sorts, the night's lineup will include the blessedly infernal Locrian, who will have copies of the their first pro-pressed CD release, Drenched Lands, available (co-released by Wisconsin's Small Doses label and At War With False Noise in the UK). I've written about them before on this site, and with the release of each new album, including their great CD-R on Bloodlust!, Rhetoric of Surfaces, the band hones their barbarous approach to drone-played-as-doom-metal to a jagged edge, capable of inflicting wounds that don't close. Soak 'em up, folks, this is the last Locrian show until summer, at least.
Also on board: The similarly-blackened duo Winters in Osaka, recent Ohio transplant David Russell (also head of the A Soundesign Recording label), and new duo Ratatosk (Jason Soliday of Enemy Space, Magic Missile, Coeurl, etc., and Ben Billington of Druid of Huge) will all lock hands and close the circle.
None of the signs I've seen say anything about cost of admission, but it is a bar (21+, yes), so make sure you have $5 in your pocket. If they don't ask for it at the door, buy yourself one of those newfangled beers the kids are drinking these days.
— Chris Sienko
[Sent in by Transmission reader Aharona Ament]
I'm a huge fan of psychedelic music. Mostly I'm a sucker for anything sweet, harmonic and dreamy. So when I heard Future Clouds and Radar, Robert Harrison's new follow up band to Cotton Mather, described as "somewhere between the 13th Floor Elevators and ELO I knew that I would have a good time listening to their 2008 release Peoria. And as I expected I was swept up in a dream like melodic frenzy that was soulful and comforting. With elements of The Flaming Lips, Guided by Voices and Big Star, this is musical comfort food with a trippy edge.
You can gather the feel of this soothing band when they play at the Empty Bottle this Friday, February 20, opening for twang rockers Deer Tick. Anni Rossi starts the night. (To make things even better you can "Pick your Poison" at the bar where your choice of any special drink is $5.) Music starts at 10pm, tickets are $10.
[video] Future Clouds and Radar's "The Epcot View" from the album Peoria
-Aharona Ament
— Anne Holub
Over the years, the Drag City label has given us a number of remarkable reissues - plucking some undeservedly overlooked or long-forgotten obscurities from the crevices of the musical dustbin. Continuing in that tradition, the label has just released ...For All The World To See, a CD of seven tracks by the Motor City proto-punk band Death.
Hailing from Detroit, Death was formed in the early 1970s by brothers David, Dennis and Bobby Hackney. Like their hometown brethren in the Funkadelic camp, the Hackneys took a huge inspiration from the MC5 and the Stooges and wanted to make music with a strong social message. But whereas the Funkadelic family opted for sonic heaviness and a deeply psychedelic groove, the Hackneys threw their collective muscle into banging at tunes at breakneck velocity -- jettisoning all traces of their prior funk and r & b sound in order to kick out the jams.
— Graham Sanford
It looks as if a Chicago institution has bit the dust. Touch and Go Records is famous for invigorating the punk scene in the mid 80's after Corey Rusk took the reins and moved the label from Michigan to Chicago in 1983. They just released two debut full-lengths yesterday, but Time Out is reporting that the company is through and will only be handling back catalog from this point on.
Word is that they will issue an official press release sometime today, so check back for updates throughout the day.
UPDATE: Well, it looks like Touch and Go will stick around as a label, but they are ceasing their lesser known manufacturing and distributing side of business, which will still mean big changes on staff. Corey Rusk issued the following statement to the Tribune's Greg Kot where he blames, as expected, the economy.
"It is with great sadness that we are reporting some major changes here at Touch and Go Records. Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly 2 decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels. Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records, and Quarterstick Records.
"Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser known, yet important part of Touch and Go's operations. Over the years, these labels have become part of our family, and it pains us to see them go. We wish them all the very best and we will be doing everything we can to help make the transition as easy as possible.
"Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label. We'll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure. It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go's history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings."
— Michelle Meywes
Chicago Public Radio's latest project "Hard Working" posed the question on their blog late last week: What songs belong on a recession-themed mix tape? They've got some solid starters, but it got me wondering what would the slant of this mix? Would you want bluesy, soulful tunes or peppy mood lifters?
My vote: "Welcome to the Working Week" by Elvis Costello
— Anne Holub / Comments (1)
Photo via jamesiha.org
Billboard.com is reporting Rockford native and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, Elk Grove native and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger and Hanson's Taylor Hanson have formed a new supergroup by the name of Tinted Windows. The group has reportedly finished recording their debut album, due out in the spring, and will be playing Billboard's showcase at SXSW as well as the Bamboozle festival in New Jersey.
Iha and Schlesinger founded Chicago's Scratchie Records and are long-time friends, and The Smashing Pumpkins have always had a tight relationship with Cheap Trick, but the addition of Taylor Hanson seems a bit out of left field. Here's to hoping they'll play a show in Chicago - should be interesting to say the least.
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (5)
Some month ago, our GB editors allowed a pair of aspiring contributors to participate in a CD-review session for our Transmission page on a trial basis. The experiment was -- in our opinions -- not entirely successful and barely suitable for print. But in recent weeks, one of the involved parties came knocking on our door again, petitioning to join the Transmission team as a contributor with the claim that he'd "redeemed" himself. Being gracious sorts, we decided to give him another chance; this time putting the prospective reviewer (PR) under the supervision of one of our Transmission staff members (TS). What follows is a transcript of the resulting listening-party session.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PR: ...And so that's why they call it a "whoop tube."
TS: Fascinating. At any rate, we've got to get to the matter at hand. We're supposed to review this new CD by a local artist. It's called The Sons, by the local artist Kaspar Hauser.
— Graham Sanford
Hailed by Tyondai Braxton of Battles and Stereogum, Brooklyn's Extra Life have made a name for themselves with their hypnotic combination of math rock and chamber pop. Extra Life hits up the Empty Bottle tonight in support of their album, Secular Works, released last year through Planaria Recordings. Gapers Block had the chance for a quick chat with lead singer and guitarist Charlie Looker before the show.
Gapers Block: Where did the title Secular Works come from?
Charlie Looker: The title Secular Works is a reference to Medieval and Renaissance music, periods which I am deeply into. Composers from those periods wrote sacred music (masses) and then also would write secular songs in the popular forms of the time. When you buy a CD of Early Music, you will often find records of so-and-so's "secular works". So for Extra Life, the title is somewhat ironic. However I'm very influenced by Early Music, both sacred and secular. I have also become interested in religion, simply as a human phenomenon, an outlet for the human will.
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (1)
The first time I saw Iron & Wine was at Pitchfork Music Festival. Outside. In the middle of the day. Not exactly the best way to take in the troubadour's soft melodies--the mood kind of gets swallowed by the expansive open air.
Now you have a chance to see Sam Beam in a room more suited to his music during a short tour where they will only be playing small, intimate venues. The tour comes in support of Around the Well, a new 2-CD/3LP collection of rare tracks to be released May 19th. The band stops by Chicago on May 13th at Schubas, and May 12th at the not quite as cozy, but still comfortable Lakeshore Theater. Tickets for both shows go on sale Feburary 20th.
Another added bonus: beginning March 6th, you can vote for which songs will be played at each of the shows on their website.
Photo by Kim Black from the band's website.
— Michelle Meywes / Comments (1)
Photo by Flickr user xol87
Just four months after it opened, the Morse Theatre in Rogers Park may be facing sudden closure. Citing disputes with the theater's investors, owner Andy McGee is no longer booking future dates. The venue has showcased local and national jazz, classical and other often underserved performances, including even a special free neighborhood viewing party for the inauguration last month. It would be a very sad thing to see this unique theater close, especially after such a brief lifespan.
— Anne Holub / Comments (8)
A couple of years ago, Zach Condon -- multi-instrumentalist and maestro for the indie band Beirut -- took a detour from his usual Balkan-ized musical fare and ventured into different terrain. Approached to do the soundtrack for a film to be set in Mexico, Condon traveled to a remote village in the province of Oaxaca in order to conduct some musical field research. There he worked with a local ensemble -- a 13-piece Jiminez funeral marching band, to be more precise -- and began crafting a new series of songs influenced by the Oaxacan style of banda music.
In the end, the film's backers reputedly opted for a soundtrack of the more generically cinematic variety. But the result of the journey was the new Beirut recording March Of The Zapotec, which is now seeing release in its U.S. vinyl edition via the Chicago-based Obey Your Brain label. The album features six tracks of the new Beirut material born from the Mexican sojourn, as well as five additional tracks (grouped under the title Holland) of Condon's bedroom electronics work under his pre-Beirut alias Realpeople.
— Graham Sanford / Comments (1)
Coupleskate today isn't exactly the same as Coupleskate a few years ago. The band has had some personnel turnover and, hence, an evolution in sound and aesthetic. 2006's Trophy EP doesn't seem like the natural predecessor to 2009's Don't Scare the Horses. The former has splashes of a lo-fi Archers of Loaf. The latter has been chiseled into a wrought piece of indie-pop reminiscent of a fuller Blood Red Shoes with hints of Metric (especially in the vocals) and maybe even some Redd Kross. "Laws of Physics" and "The Fringe" kick off the record with stomping beats and spiky guitars that demand a listener's attention. The title track and "Foreign Exchange" drop the musical intensity a notch, but the lyrics remain aggressive and snarky throughout. And there are some very dark moments here, especially in regard to the state of relationships, which makes it totally appropriate that they've decided to put out the album over Valentine's Day weekend.
On Friday the 13th at the Empty Bottle they'll play the new album from beginning to end, accompanied by Tiffany Kowolski and Mahjabeen Karim on strings. And according to them, "We might have a few [Valentine's Day] tricks up our sleeves." Jade Tree alumnus and Don't Scare the Horses producer Ryan Rapsys (Owls, Gauge) also performs as Euphone. Reds and Blue open, as well. The show starts at 10PM and admission is $8.
Watch "The Fringe":
— James Ziegenfus
If you've grown tired of Pandora or scouring MySpace pages for free music, then former Transmission writer Michael Schmitt has you covered. His most recent project, Future Perfect Radio, is a website that offers over 25 streaming channels of today's hottest indie music. The channels are organized by genres and geographic regions, and also offer convenient customization options. The site also highlights five artists each week so you can get acquainted with old favorites as well as up-and-coming bands.
The best part about Future Perfect Radio is its sense of community. Listeners are encouraged to complement or bash artists through Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or a blog. In effect, listeners can influence what music is streamed on the channels through their suggestions. Unlike Pandora, you'll be constantly exposed to new music and changing playlists. For example, a new Michigan/Detroit channel will be launching soon because of huge listener feedback. Future Perfect Radio also offers sweet channels like Pitchfork's Top 100 Tracks of 2008, Indie Down Under, The Chicago Scene, and Lo-Fi. Check it out!
— Raf Miastkowski
We're putting together a list of Chicago bands on Twitter, as a companion to this list of 406 international acts who use it. We most likely missed one or two; add more in the comments, or by DMing us on Twitter.
Andrew Bird
Animate Objects
Big Sky Stringband
Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Common
Cotlife
DJ Heather
Eighth Blackbird
Flosstradamus
The Fold
The Frantic
Helicopters
Hood Internet
Kid Sister
Lost Cartographers
Loyal Divide
Morris Mills
Post Honeymoon
The Right Now
Snows Era
The Sweeps
Treaty of Paris
Volcano!
— Andrew Huff / Comments (10)
Wilco's new live DVD Ashes of American Flags is due out April 18th (in celebration of Record Store Day) exclusively at independent retailers. The DVD covers five nights of concert footage from 2008 (unfortunately, not their five night stint at the Riv), including the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Tipitina's in New Orleans, and Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa. The doc was shot in high-def and directed by Christoph Green and Brandan Canty (of Fugazi).
Check out the trailer now available here.
— Stephanie Griffin
Despite the awful winters, the corrupt politics, and the rising unemployment rate, Chicago is one of the best cities in the world, especially for live music. With numerous acts constantly stopping in Chicago, it's no surprise that important events happen in our fair city. So it was definitely no surprise when seminal 1980s British rock band The Godfathers announced their return to the U.S. for the first time in 20 years would happen at the Metro in Chicago this Valentine's Day. And that the show would be the first St. Valentine's Day Massacre show (a tradition of theirs) outside of London ever. Gapers Block: Transmission had the chance to chat with lead singer Peter Coyne about the upcoming show, music, and what it's like being in a groundbreaking band like The Godfathers.
— Lisa White
You may know Dan Auerbach better as the front half of rock power duo The Black Keys, but yesterday Auerbach released his first solo album, Keep It Hid on Nonesuch Records. Self-produced and recorded with a full backing band, Keep It Hid is dripping with the gritty guitar and vocals The Black Keys are known for, especially on tracks like "I Want Some More" and "The Prowl." Yet, the bluegrass twang and weary blues that peeked out on The Keys' Attack & Release take on a life of their own in his solo work. "Trouble Weighs A Ton" and "Whispered Words" are notably turned down and different. There is heavy desperation in "Real Desire" and "When the Night Comes," while "Mean Monsoon" has a heavy 60's psychedelia influence. Lyrically and in mood, the album is has an overall dark tone making it a haunting, yet appealing piece of work.
Auerbach, a self-confessed workaholic "obsessed with making music" recorded songs for Keep It Hid between tours at his home studio in Akron, Ohio. Auerbach's obsession is a family affair, too. His uncle James Quine, who taught him how to sing and play guitar, also plays guitar on the album. Auerbach's dad, besides encouraging his musical aspirations at a young age, also contributed to Hid by writing "Whispered Words."
Dan Auerbach's solo tour begins in DC on Feb 28th, and makes its stop in Chicago March 6th at Metro with special guests Hacienda and Those Darlins. Tickets are on sale now at Metro's website for $20. Show starts at 9pm. 18 & over. 3630 N. Clark St.
You can stream Keep It Hid in its entirety on Nonesuch Radio and Auerbach's MySpace page.
— Michelle Meywes
Normally, I don't go to open mic nights. They're just not my thing. You know you're going to end up with one of two choices at an open mic night. There will either be a group of talentless people plowing through 80s covers and enticing their drunken guests to sing along or you're going to get some musicians that may actually know what they're doing but they play their own stuff and you, the audience member, don't really know how you fit into that equation.
Of course, this is the part where I tell you about the open mic night that you could go to tonight, instead. Tonight and every Wednesday, the Leadway Bar at 5233 N Damen hosts two guys called The Co-op who, in turn, host an open mic. "Hosting" is, of course, a relative term as the guys get to play a few tunes of their own and halfway through the night, the evening becomes an open mic poetry slam, if you're into that sort of thing. You won't see me on stage for either section, but I can often be found at the bar. On top of your atypical open mic night, you get the drink specials. $2 PBR, $3 shots, $4 bombs, $5 White Russians. I can personally recommend every one of those specials.
— Gavin Robinson
The presskit that accompanies Mother of Curses, the debut album by Todd Rittmann's new outfit D. Rider, goes out of its way to emphasize that this is not an art-rock record, but rather a record that rocks. Considering that D. Rider is the latest musical outfit headed by Todd Rittman -- former guitarist for the '90s avant-rockers U.S. Maple, and more recently involved in the bands Singer and Cheer-Accident -- the distinction might be warranted. Because let's face it, if what you're wanting is something linear and un-ironic in the way of a conventional rock "song," then Rittmann's probably the last guy in town who's gonna give it to you.
But D. Rider does indeed rock. Joining Rittmann in the band are Andrea Faught on keyboards and cornet, Mucca Pazza saxophonist Noah Tabakin, and Theo Katsounis (lately of A Tundra) stepping in to take the drummer's seat. And Mother Of Curses finds Rittmann checking much of his affinity for musical abstraction and disjointedness at the door. Over the course of eight tracks, he and his associates doling out a batch of tunes spooled on skulking basslines, some fractured Crazy Horse riffage, and heavy rhythms that lurch and lunge against the moorings. Musically, it's very reminiscent of a certain breed of indie rock animal that used to stalk the expanse of the Midwestern plains back in the early-'90s (specifically that pig-poking subgenus that once made up the bulk of the Touch & Go roster). On the vocals, Rittmann's often in trademark form -- sometimes singing as if he had developed an entire book of style from the fragmented, schizoid narrative that Bowie laid down on "Breaking Glass," at others yammering about who-knows-what like David Yow on an amyl nitrate bender.
— Graham Sanford
SXSW, the country's largest music festival, is featuring more than a dozen local bands at its official showcase concerts, plus many more from the region. Here's the full list of confirmed bands so far; more will no doubt be added closer to the festival, which runs March 18-22 (and a couple unofficial days before and after) in Austin, TX. See a list of confirmed local bands after the jump.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (4)
House legend Frankie Knuckles will be spinning at Smartbar, 3730 N. Clark, for free this Wednesday, Feb. 11. The show goes on at 10pm; Ralphi Rosario backs him up. Red Bull drinks are on special, since they're sponsoring the gig.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (1)
Swamp monsters, zombies, space exploration and pirates are all topics covered in the songs of Ludo, a St. Louis pop rock band whose major label debut, You're Awful, I Love You, was released last year. Their unabashed geekery and heavy use of the moog are reminiscent of The Rentals or Ozma, but what really makes this band shine is their ability to tell a complete story within a four minute song. And Ludo sure does love a good story - their 2005 independently released rock opera Broken Bride takes listeners on an adventure through time as the protagonist tries to change the course of history to keep his true love alive. Wednesday night the band took the stage for an all ages show at Metro to a crowd of well-deserved fans.
They kicked off their set with "Part I" from Broken Bride, and really, any song that includes pterodactyls is bound to put a smile on my face. One thing this band excels at is getting a high energy level in the room. Moog player Tim Convy spends every spare second jumping around or dancing across the stage. Meanwhile, singer Andrew Volpe is a real showman, flailing his arms about wildly and gyrating against his guitar. The band played three of the five tracks on Broken Bride, which is arguably their best and most interesting work. They even threw in a few old gems from their self-titled debut, including "Hum Along" and "Girls on Trampolines", along with a rocking cover of Faith No More's "Epic".
— Stephanie Griffin / Comments (2)
Lykke Li is on fire right now. The Swedish pop star brought her music to the US last year courtesy of Bjorn Yttling (yes, that Bjorn) who produced her album, Youth Novels. The starlet's debut made its way onto a lot of year-end "Best of" lists for '08. I must admit, I didn't really like the album the first time I heard it, but now I'm totally getting into her dreamy hopeful ambiance and sugar-sweet vocals. Sometimes all it takes is a second listen...
After a stint in Europe, she's now on the US leg of her tour and she comes to Chicago tomorrow night. Tickets for the Metro show are still available, but I imagine they won't be for long--I've heard her live show is not to be missed. Wildbirds & Peacedrums open. Tickets are $18 ($20 day of show). Show starts at 8pm. All ages. 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203.
Lykke Li - "Tonight"
(Directed by Christian Haag, and shot in one live take in Stockholm)
Image from the artist's MySpace page.
— Michelle Meywes
A show that falls in the middle of the week is a tough gig in the first place, but add in the wrong size venue and you've got a set up for an unmemorable performance. Such was the bad luck of Lady Sovereign, the cheeky British rapper who exploded on the scene a few years back with a slew of radio friendly pop-rap gems.
The show was originally scheduled a few weeks back at The Empty Bottle, but due to visa issues the date and venue was changed. This was the first red flag upon entering Logan Square Auditorium last Wednesday night, when a crowd that would have seemed pleasantly packed at The Empty Bottle came off as sparse and awkward. My friend put it best when she stated "it feels like we've crawled out our bedroom window to go clubbing on a school night."
— Lisa White
Despite their dodgy, censor-baiting name, the Toronto-based punk outfit Fucked Up hit the indie-rock mainstream in a big way in 2008. But there's no small irony in the fact that their success arrived when a major shift in the socio-political tide was taking place. The irony was enough to prompt one critic, in a review of the band's latest LP The Chemistry Of Modern Life, to muse: "In times like these, can a band like Fucked Up continue to be relevant?"
Fair enough. In many ways, Fucked Up adheres to the ethos of classic Reagan-era hardcore punk. In its first-gen, early 1980s prime, hardcore howled -- red-faced and fist-waving -- against the social climate its day; giving the middle-finger salute to reactionary politics, to apathy in the face of injustice, to living in the shadow of potential nuclear annihilation, etc. Since first coming together in 2001, the group has drawn heavily from classic hardcore's spirit of defiance and protest -- from its cathartic bombast, right down to adorning their records (26 seven-inch releases and counting) with graphic references to radical political movements of the past.
— Graham Sanford
It's pretty ballsy to drop the word "supergroup" in one's band bio. Headed by the likes of longtime hip hopsters Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truth Speaker, and producer Headnodic, The Mighty Underdogs feel they've earned supergroup status. If their names alone don't sell it, the sheer weight of alt-hip hop talent that appears on their latest album, Dropping Science Fiction, (including Damian and Julian Marley, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, DJ Shadow, Zumbi from Zion I, Tash from the Liks, MF Doom, Casual, and Raashan Ahmad) should definitely lend some credit.
Catch the Def Jux boys on tour with Galactic this Friday, Feb. 6 at the Vic.
— Kara Luger
Chicago natives filmmaker Alex Beh and guitarist for pop-punk band Fall Out Boy Joe Trohman are teaming up for a good cause tomorrow night and hosting an event to support the non-profit organization Falling Whistles.
The two met at New Trier High School, and collaborated on the film The Laundry, which they will be screening at the event.
The Falling Whistles organization uses the symbol of the whistle to call individuals to courage and join local leaders inside the Democratic Republic of Congo to build a Free World. The war-zone of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been an ongoing feud that has resulted in a torn country and countless lives (many children) lost. Actual whistles are sold along with the story of the organization and ask people to be whistleblowers for the war. The proceeds go to rehabilitate child-soldiers in Congo.
The event has been billed as "a huge collaboration of artists, musicians, designers, activists, dancers etc, all using their talents for human freedom." Sounds like a good reason to throw back a few drinks and check out a new film, all while helping heal a country and children that really need aid and support.
The event will be held at
— Lisa White
Andrew already clued you in to Jeff Tweedy's upcoming shows at the Vic to raise money for Emanuel Congregation in Edgewater, Near North Montessori, and Kawasaki disease that are coming up on February 13 and 14. What he didn't know at the time (none of us did, really) was that these won't be the only shows that Tweedy is going to be doing for a good cause.
The Wilco frontman will be hitting the Northeast with shows March 26 in Burlington, VT, March 27 in Northampton, MA, and March 28 in Beacon, NY. Remember, this is a charity show so tickets probably won't be cheap once they go on sale. You can pick them up here. Here's hoping that there are people reading this outside of Chicago that can make use of that info.
— Gavin Robinson
Reader Jacob Smith recently sent us this email:
I was jamming with a friend of mine when we met Drew [Peterson] singing in the next space. He is actually not bad and is a nice guy. Anyway my friend took a photo with his iphone. Don't know if this is news, but you can use these photos if you want.
All I can say is, with all the other craziness in Drew Peterson's life, the fact that he found the time to hit the studio and lay down some tracks is impressive. Maybe he has more than a little bit in common with R.Kelly?
— Andrew Huff / Comments (6)
Dex Romweber's new album, Ruins of Berlin, fills a niche that I never knew needed filling in my musical library. Somewhere in between the old Billie Holliday records and the much more recent Squirrel Nut Zippers records lies the Dex Romweber Duo. There's good reason for them to sound like the Squirrel Nut Zippers, too. John Plymale (also of Corrosion of Conformity & Meat Puppits) produced the album.
The album features stellar appearances from Cat Power, Neko Case, Exene Cervenka, and Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids. Miller makes a staggering first impression along with Dex (and his sister, Sara Romweber on the drums) right out of the gate. The first track on the album, "Lookout," is nothing less than explosive. It's a guitar duet that will make you need to listen to the rest of the album. Let's embed it, shall we.
[audio]: Dex Romweber Duo - Lookout"
— Gavin Robinson / Comments (2)
Daniel Martin-McCormick and Jacob Long of the Bay-area trio Mi Ami once seasoned their chops as former members of the D.C. art-punk ensemble Black Eyes. Judging from the sound of Mi Ami's debut album Watersports, they've brought some of the Eyes' jagged, agitated energy aboard for their latest musical enterprise. Martin-McCormick squeals and shrieks while wrangling out furrows of scratchy riffage and short peels of feedback. All of that aside, the bulk of the unit's focus falls squarely in the rhythmic department -- with the trio tightly interlocked in navigating the turns of their own breed of knotty, spiraling tribal-funk. And while they douse it all down with generous amounts of reverb, their echo-soaked "drum punk" sounds like it owes less to the spliffed-out spaciousnees of traditional Jamaican roots-rocker dub than it does to, say, the delirium of a fever dream. It seems the band's won over its share of enthusiasts. As one scenester put it on a recnt music-blog post, "I never get to shoot any pictures of this band, because I'm too busy dancing during their sets."
— Graham Sanford
The album art for their latest album, What Year Will You Have the World? looks more like and ad for a children's television program with its bright colors and cartoon images, but it's fitting upon listening to the happiness inside. Peachcake reminds me a lot of the first time I heard Aqueduct back in 2003, with an electronic sound reminiscent of fantasy video games of the 80's. But, their fun, playful music takes on a whole new meaning when you consider what the band has been through in the last few years.
When the band was flying high selling out shows and getting press, they were confronted with a number of obstacles including the death of singer Stefan Pruett's brother (and Peachcake keyboardist) Alex in September 2007. At this point, John O'Keefe (DJ JohnO) and Stefan (aka Space Panda) decided to press on and use their experiences as fuel. Their mission became to spread positivity and hope and make the world a safer, better, happier place through music and art. They bought themselves out of their record contract so they could self-release What Year Will You Have the World?, and then implemented a series of community events, youth outreach programs, and teen hotlines.
Tonight Peachcake bring their lively stage show to Subterranean with A Lull and The Wiitala Brothers opening. The show is all ages and starts at 7pm. Tickets are $10. 2011 North Ave. 773-278-6600.
MP3: "Stop acting like you know more about the Internet Café than me."
— Michelle Meywes
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