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. ✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
Chandeliers might have taken the stage 15 minutes late, but they hardly needed to delay — a pretty significant amount of the sold-out show was already packing the house. They didn't waste any time on banter, and laid into the crowd with no less than four keyboards for three men, and a strong drummer keeping the pace (although the odd fog machine and fan combo to his side made it look like he was drumming through the Ragnarok, so perhaps that added a touch of epic). Aside from that, the boys weren't focused on much else but their instrumental jams, making for a decent, if not terribly invigorating opener.
If Chandeliers were more skill than charm, then Sleigh Bells came out charm-guns blazing. Leading off with new single "Tell 'Em", they laid out monster guitar chords and big vocals for just two people. Lead singer Alexis Krauss got right into audience faces, and the crowd was soon singing along to several songs of stadium-sized rock (even when Derek's guitar went on the fritz and Alexis had to improvise). If they at times borrowed some notes from the Beastie Boys, they're doing a hell of a better job at it than Ke$ha. M.I.A. has been ushering them into her N.E.E.T. label, and the energy shown here promises great things for both their upcoming "Treats" LP and their Pitchfork Music Festival appearance.
Yeasayer finally took the stage, with Chris Keating and Anand Wilder dressed in jumpsuits. Odd Blood opener "The Children" started things off here as well, with the distorted vocals matched by the pulsing colors of their stage screens and podiums. They followed with the livelier "Rome", and the dancing commenced. A crowd singalong for the first notes of "I Remember" caused the man next to me to exclaim "I don't really like this song, but it's the girls favorite." Less than a minute later, he was singing along as well. "Strange Reunions" and "Love Me Girl" continued the Odd Blood-heavy set, but they also snuck in Dark Was The Night single "Tightrope" to much cheering.
Yeasayer's Chris Keating and Jason Trammell (photo by Andy Keil)
Chris Keating took an interlude to talk about his history in the area — he said he'd lived just around the corner, and had been in the Metro audience plenty of times. I'm not going to tell you who I saw...(crowd cheers "tell us!") ..okay, okay, I'll lie. Public Enemy, The Stooges and Dead Kennedy(s) — Chuck D and Iggy Pop did a duet, it was amazing." The band finished with "O.N.E.", a powerful "Mondegreen", and ended the regular set with, surprise surprise, "Ambling Alp". And just in case the old-timers from way back in the 2007 scene felt left out, their fears were allayed — old chestnut "Sunrise" was broken out to cap off the evening.
When we're not running down hills covered in flowers, we're inside, in the dark, looking at our computers.
Hope to see you at our April Get-Together tonight at Beauty Bar! Transmission staffers Lisa White and Michelle Meywes will be spinning in the DJ booth from 7-10pm. Details, RSVP.
And wow, what a media sweep this week for Bloodshot artists! WBEZ's Eight Forty-Eight program sat down with Chicago band The Blacks. And you can listen to The Bottle Rockets on NPR's Mountain Stage program. Also, catch Justin Townes Earle on this week's Prairie Home Companion, as well as in the upcoming episode of HBO's Treme (alongside his dad, Steve Earle). Dang, y'all.
Nice piece on the Uptown Theatre and one man who helps tend the ghosts.
Chicagoist has an adorable video of Kid Sister's cover of Extreme's "More Than Words." If only my high school talent show had been like this, instead of, well, more like Extreme's original (which follows).
Loud Loop Press has the word on some video shot of Thom Yorke performing "Black Swan" at the Aragon for Atoms for Peace.
CYSTSFTS takes a second listen to Friends of Friends debut album Deep Search and finds it agrees with him.
Love JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound's soulfull Wilco cover "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"? We sure do! Here's a video to go with. (And keep an eye on this space for more about our love for this band.)
I was starting to think that citycutbacks were going to stretch all the way into summer music programming at Millennium Park, but luckily the schedule for this season's Edible Audible Picnic arrived in our inbox today and here we share it with you.
As you probably guessed by the name, Edible Audible Picnic is a music series that takes place at, you guessed it, lunchtime at Pritzker Pavilion. Every Monday afternoon beginning on June 7th, the "polyrhythmic music series" will present bands and DJ's spanning from around the world to right here from Chicago including Green Velvet, The Cool Kids and Orchard Lounge. It's like a party instead of work. You can step away from your computer for an hour a week for that, right?
All concerts begin at noon. See the full schedule after the jump.
Since forming in August of 2009, The Blind Staggers have played countless shows in and around the Chicago area with notable bands such as Deals Gone Bad, Split Lip Rayfield, The Devil Makes Three, and the Siderunners. This four-piece, alt-country band consists of Damien Christian (vocals, guitar), Laura Loo (vocals), Shrek (bass), and Swede (drums). Under no circumstance should one delay in checking out The Blind Staggers — their enthusiasm and determination about their music is sure to make this outlaw-country band explode.
The Flesh Hungry Dog Show is bringing the awesome to the Jackhammer (6406 N. Clark) on Friday, May 7, with an all-Chicago show that is sure to get you shimmying. Plain Ole Delicious headlines (it's also lead singer Amy's birthday, so give her a high-five), supported by Pieptone!, a group that rocks '50s and '60s German pop tunes, and Homoticons, who describe themselves as "a homollercoaster of homotion." Sounds just right. DJ Sky spins between the bands, and super-snazzy go-go troupe The Revelettes also performs. Too much!
The show kicks off at 9 p.m. and tickets are $8 online or $10 at the door.
Maybe you heard about that little show in Williamsburg last month where LCD Soundsystem road-tested some new tunes and pretty much blew the roof off the joint? Well now Chicago gets a taste of it's own. (Enter "this is happening" pun here.)
We were already counting down the days to James Murphy and crew headlining Pitchfork in July, but now they will be swinging by Metro for a special club performance with Holy Ghost on Wednesday, May 26. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon for $25, but make sure to get all your friends in on the action because there is a two ticket limit per person.
The new album, This Is Happening, doesn't come out til next month, but you can stream the whole thing on LCD Soundsystem's website.
The Whigs, fresh off the release of their third album, In The Dark, stopped by Bottom Lounge Friday night for an energetic performance. The threesome from Athens, GA literally wrote the album in its entirety while touring nonstop after their previous album. Their set wasn't too heavy on new material, but contained all the hits and hooks that this group has become known for on songs like "Right Hand On My Heart" and "Kill Me Carolyn".
Comparisons to Kings of Leon may be unavoidable, but for the most part, In The Dark is an album you just might find yourself listening to over and over without tiring of. Not unlike the album though, their live show lagged somewhere in the last third, with the crowd noticeably thinning. However, the energy on stage never waned, and their Americana charm is undeniable; from the passionate choruses to Parker Gispert 's endearing leg kicks — and it was near impossible to keep your eyes off Julian Dorio wailing on the drums.
If you missed them at Bottom Lounge, don't worry; you can catch a glimpse of them when they appear as Jimmy Fallon's musical guest on Tuesday night.
Being a music writer who is also a morning person isn't fair. I want to be able to stay awake and not fade as the night grows longer. Sometimes I don't always make it, but last night's show at the Subterranean had me very happy to be up. In fact, I didn't want the show to end.
I got there just in time to see Parlovr play a few songs. Post rock duo El Ten Eleven set up quickly and gave a wow factor to end most wow factors. I believe people were impressed with the mad skill of double neck guitar/bass player Kristian Dunn's ability to maneuver such an instrument. I however, was more impressed by his dance moves driven by the insane sound. The fact that I found him very cute complicated the set for me as I shifted from grooving to the lush ambient, yet danceable music to checking him out. It was a very difficult decision. The band covered Joy Division's "Disorder" which they made their own, while still paying homage.
Passion Pit at the Congress Theater (Photos by Sandor Weisz)
Passion Pit has officially blown up. Two sold out shows at the cavernous Congress have a tendency to solidify popularity like that. The first was in the midst of their current tour and Thursday's was sandwiched between Indio's Coachella and Vanderbilt's Rites of Spring. It must seem like a lifetime ago that they played Schubas and the Empty Bottle. Their ridiculously catchy electronic pop music has certainly caught on with the masses by now. The synth-pop ode Manners won over plenty, but countless more owe liking Passion Pit to their live shows. It's due to their frenetic energy on stage, the pure elation reached in anthemic choruses, the pulsating thumps and Michael Angelakos' terrific falsetto. (It's not hard to imagine that this is Hot Hot Heat in a parallel universe.)
However, on Thursday, it was clear that Passion Pit is tired. They have been touring the world almost non-stop for a year. Their stage presence was pennies on the dollar compared to Lollapalooza last summer and Angelakos' vocals are currently shot. But, luckily, they still have those glorious songs. The audience didn't seem to mind the band going through the motions much of the night as they greeted each tune with wild applause and general pandemonium. The thousands who filled the Congress' floor pogoed, crowdsurfed and one kid even made it past security onto the stage. (I thought I was at a Morrissey show for a second.) Only with the Strokes at their Is This It? peak have I seen a band get so much from an audience by doing so little. Without their best performance on hand, Passion Pit had to rely on the strength of their music. Their lack of excitement was made up for by emphasizing accessible melodies and soaring heights in choruses, which the crowd was only too happy to join in on, especially when Angelakos couldn't quite hit the highs. Sometimes showgoers needs to take on a little extra responsibility to make a show great and Thursday's were definitely up for the task. A huge ovation for "The Reeling" and an encore of "Sleepyhead" closed out the night just minutes before curfew. Hopefully, the band will get some rest before returning on July 4.
Smith Westerns opened with an encouraging set showing that they're well on their way to overcoming the nerves that sometimes kept them from reaching their potential live even just six months ago. Their lo-fi glam-rock sound is primed to explode one of these days.
Submit your fan photos and videos of Bloodshot artists Ha Ha Tonka for an upcoming documentary about the band. (High quality only. No cell phone pics.)
Last night's show at the Metro was intense to say the very least. The music of Echo & the Bunnymen means so much to so many people and the expectation for a killer show was very much out there. Most of the crowd was a bit older than my modest 30 years and I knew that my age might be a factor to my experience. My first encounter with this band was very much a somber one. My babysitter would play them as soon as she thought I was sleeping, so my association with their music is recalling not wanting to go to bed as I was lulled with a dreamy sound. I can't think of any other band that would fit this mood or a better introduction. Going to sleep as a child can be sad as well as a bit comforting. I think this sums up the Echo & the Bunnymen sound and experience.
The Barnstormer III tour — presented by Rock Island's Daytrotter and featuring Delta Spirit, Ra Ra Riot, Nathaniel Rateliff, Pearly Gate Music and Free Energy — kicks off next Tuesday 4/27 in West Libertyville, IA. The tour makes its Illinois debut on Friday 4/30 in Monticello, but Chicagoans can take advantage of a shorter trek and an early start to the weekend in Lake Geneva on 4/29.
Camping is available at four of the tours five stops (sorry Milwaukee). Advance tickets are available now and about to be capped for the Monticello date. So head over to Daytrotter.com to purchase yours now. They're a bargain at $10 and include lossless downloads from Barnstormer 2009 performances. And if the cheap tickets and exclusive downloads weren't already enough, half the price of admission will go to someone in need:
Each night, half of every paid admission will go to someone who needs help. Maybe it's someone you know. We are choosing one individual or family — based on your nominations — to receive some help from the Barnstormer. So, write rsvpdaytrotter@gmail.com with a story of someone who's fallen on hard times and could use some assistance. We'll take the best five stories and do what we can to make things a bit better.
Full tour schedule, links to purchase advance tickets and Daytrotter sessions from all the artists after the jump.
Free Energy is a band you're gonna want to dance to. You're gonna see them live, and you're gonna want to buy a t-shirt. You're gonna want to take one of those free stickers home and put it on your notebook or planner or trash bin (or where ever it is that you put band stickers). Free Energy is one band you're gonna want to see at Pitchfork in July, but before all that happens, you're gonna to make your way to Beauty Bar this Friday night to see them perform at Spandexxx.
The first time I heard Free Energy, I actually thought I was hearing the new Strokes album (since I had just heard they were releasing, or at least working on a new one). They've got that super catchy, kinda glammy 70's rock vibe, plus they've got the power of James Murphy's (LCD Soundsystem) DFA records behind their debut, Stuck On Nothing. The Empty Bottle could barely contain the energy in their live show there last month, so I don't know how Beauty Bar will be able to hold them, but one thing is for sure, you should be there to find out.
Tickets are $5 at the door. The party starts at 10pm with DJs Moneypenny and Team Bayside High. 1444 W. Chicago. 21 & up.
Pinups for Pitbulls is an international non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pitbull Terrier. (Like Carla Lou, pictured right, courtesy of Pinups for Pitbulls' Facebook page) They will host an event on May 15th at Cobra Lounge (235 N. Ashland Ave.) in Chicago. Burlesque by Pinups for Pitbulls founder Little Darling and Miss Pussykatt as well as an act from Chicago's own PainKurst Girls. Bleeding Heart Bakery, Metropolitan Brewing, among others are donating prizes to the event to be raffled off.
Doors are at 7pm, Show at 8pm (21+) and leave your dog at home, OK? They're asking for a suggested donation of $10 at the door and all funds raised will be used to help sponsor bully-friendly rescues and individual dogs in need.
Local indie rockers The Record Low recently came out with a new album, Away From Us, and I got a copy of it today! I've listened to it about five times in a row here and I'm not sick of it yet so that's gotta say something. It's smooth and dreamy, pretty shoegazey, super chill-- something I imagine would go splendidly with your morning coffee or on a road trip through the Midwest. This album has been getting some goodreviews so if you're a fan of nice, pretty music (and who isn't?) you should check them out.
We've just learned that Melissa Auf der Maur's appearance at the Beat Kitchen this Saturday has been canceled as she and the band struggle to find flights into the States. This is in addition to the already canceled Two Door Cinema Club show tonight at Schubas and the entire Mary Onettes tour. Spoiler alert: I'm pretty sure this volcanic ash is actually the smoke monster from LOST. The good news is Melissa's Venus Zine party and movie screening Friday night (details here) might still happen. We'll update this post with news and soon as we hear anything definite.
For all the buzz surrounding dubstep, some of its most-touted producers (Burial, Flying Lotus) are overshadowed by heavier, louder fare in the club. Smartbar's Thursday night series, Subfix has been bringing those heavy-hitters, like Caspa and Rusko along with more subtle, nuanced fare. This Thursday's Subfix with Incyde, Timid, Jeff Pietro, and Olin will surely be the latter as Incyde is the manager for forward-thinking label Hotflush Recordings, which has released the likes of Joy Orbison, Pangaea, Untold and Chicago's own Eric H. And Transmission has a pair of tickets to Incyde's Chicago debut at Smartbar to the first person to email contests@gapersblock.com with the subject line "Subfix!".[Update!] We have a winner! Congrats to Michael.
The locals round out what promises to be an interesting night of intricate sounds, from Timid - formerly of Chicago's first dubstep monthly Bass Goes Boom - and Chicago veteran Jeff Pietro to the Smartbar debut of Rumble Lounge resident Olin. The show starts at 10pm, is presented by Abstract Science, Fresh Kid and local blog Little White Earbuds and is $8 ($5 w/ text before 11).
OK Go has received all kinds of attention lately surrounding their battle royale with record label EMI over YouTube royalties, which even included an op-ed in The New York Times from band leader Damian Kulash. All the drama ultimately ended with the band walking away from EMI (amicably supposedly) and starting their own label, Paracadute Recordings. If you saw their show at Metro on Saturday though, you would never have guessed any of this, outside of a couple remarks from Kulash that major labels suck, and an announcement of the re-release of Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky on their new founded label. Saturday night was all about the music, with fans singing along to every song (including all the new ones), proving that there is more to this band than quirky viral videos.
OK Go's Damian Kulash makes an adjustment. (Photos by Katie Hovland)
Reckless Records in Wicker Park on Record Store Day 2010 (photo by Kirstie Shanley)
Our intrepid staff of audiophiles headed out on Saturday, April 17, 2010 to our favorite record stores in Chicago to see what we could find. If you've got your own experiences to share, please let us know in the comments or drop us a line. Don't forget you can share photos from Record Store Day in our Transmission Flickr group.
Laurie's Planet of Sound on Record Store Day 2010 (photo by Kirstie Shanley)
When we're not crate diving, we're listening to records. When we're not doing that, we're often online looking at things like this:
Excited about Record Store Day on Saturday, April 17th? We sure are! Share pictures of your finds with us by emailing transmission (at) gapersblock.com or via Twitter.
Sadly, long-time jazz and big band music venue Green Dolphin Street has suspended some live music and the restaurant's service for the time being. (We're trying to learn more.)
When something is right you just know it. They guys in The SDS Trio know this all too well. They were serendipitously brought together by another project. The band met while scoring the independent film American Legacy, realized they had amazing chemistry and decided to stay together and take over the world with a comforting blend of classic jazz and bass heavy post rock sounds. When starting to collaborate they only had about four songs that they played over and over again. With further commitment the end result was more music and the band put out their debut release, This Is The SDS Trio this year.
In true jazz tradition, the band composed a lot on the fly and the album includes "Red Line", a studio improvisation and ode to the frequently traveled "L" line. The album also includes a charming Radiohead cover of "Everything In Its Right Place".
You can get to know this band as well as the film that sparked their creation this Saturday when they play a two set show at The Edgewater Beach Cafe. The price of admission gets you a copy of their CD, a copy of American Legacy and a free drink. The event is $30. ($40 for couples) The Edgewater Beach Cafe is located at 5545 N. Sheridan Rd. Doors open at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm. 773-275-4141
A holiday for us audiophiles, Record Store Day is once again upon us. This Saturday, April 17, 2010 your favorite local record store is likely dusting off the promotional posters, putting out a brand new stack of special 7" releases, and throwing open its doors wide to a horde of eager music scavengers waiting outside the doors. Many of the Transmission staff have been eagerly anticipating this day all year, along with many of you. There are oh, about a gazillion potential limited edition gems out there to be found, and your local shopkeeps have been working hard to obtain them from the record labels. Keep an eye here on Sunday with a recap and snaps of sweet sweet finds at our favorite Chicagoland music shops. If you're headed out on your own, here's a rundown of some of the events and goings on. Have fun, be polite, and always tip your hat.
Here's Chris Brown of indie chain Bull Moose giving you the scoop on exciting new releases to be had:
With a name like The Booze, you'd think they'd be a kitschy bar band singing about getting drunk with your buds down at the local watering hole, but this Atlanta group has a completely different kind of kitsch going on. Sounding like they fell straight out of the 1960's, they've got some super catchy, sunny mod pop with a touch of bluesy grit that will elicit visions somewhere between Animal House frat parties and Enchantment Under the Sea dances. With "No Big Thing" falling in the former category and "Lonely Lowdown Blues" in the latter, the tune "Queensborough Blues" has the perfect mix of both, including some guitar riffs that will make even fans of The Black Keys take notice. While their earlier stuff could be called a little more Chuck Berry, their newest album, Rebirth of the Cool, has been said to lean more Yardbirds.
If you missed The Booze earlier in the month when they played Angels & Kings and SubT, you're in luck because they open for OK Go this Saturday at Metro (3730 N. Clark St.). Hopefully you've already got your hands on tickets though, because as of this morning, it's sold out. The show is an all ages one, so it starts early--we're talking doors at 6, show at 6:30--but the short answer to whether you should bother getting there on time for those openers is yes.
This Friday marks the Chicago debut of Japanese sound poetry and electronic music composer Tomomi Adachi. Adachi will present a work in three parts at Columbia College (916 S. Wabash Avenue, Room 214). Tickets are $10 ($5 for students), and the performance begins at 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by Lampo.
Adachi (b. 1972) works on a 3-dimensional chessboard of avant-garde influences, at once hyperactive, hysterical, and frequently hilarious, but also reverent to the roots of his art, pushing both technique and technology in engaging directions. Starting the night with a program of his own text-sound poetry and seldom-heard pieces by Japanese text-sound poetry performers from 1924 through the late '70s, Adachi will then create a second set with his home-built electronic devices, included equipment built into tupperware. For the third act, Adachi will perform his most beguiling musical device, an infrared sensor-adorned shirt that interacts with attachments on Adachi's hands, creating a network of filters and gates through which his vocal ululations will be stretched and drizzled like hot sideways caramel. Take a look at his videos for the double truth, ruth. This is some serious insanity. As usual, the Lampo web site and Adachi's own artist page can provide more information if you weren't already sold by the infrared shirt.
As some of you may remember, the Chicago-based experimental music promoter Lampo lost its lease in its most recent location (219 W. Chicago Avenue), prompting a retrenching operation and a temporary removal from the city stage. This Spring, Lampo is again flying its flag high, thanks in part to guest hosting from several new locations, and sporting one of the most exciting lineups in recent memory.
Looking to spruce up their merch line, everyone's favorite subterrestrial dance haven Smartbar is kicking off a contest to find the next design for their 2010 line. Smartbar is looking for a one color design and a two-color design and the winning design for each criteria will be featured on a variety of merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies and hats. The competition will be judged and voted on by the Metro / Smartbar staff, so designers, tip your bartenders well! Because if you do win, you'll be seeing a lot of them. The prize is 2 tickets to every Smartbar night for the rest of 2010, and two tickets to any two Metro shows of your choice.
Sound enticing? Here are the rules on how to enter:
1. Download Smart Bar logos at http://www.smartbarchicago.com/smartbar_merch_contest/
2. Create your original design, incorporating at least one Smart Bar logo, and using either one color or two colors.
3. Email your design in either JPEG or PDF format in CMYK and 300ppi, plus your name and phone number to contests@smartbarchicago.com by 6pm on Friday, May 7, 2010. The winner will be announced on Monday, May 17, 2010.
[This review and photos came to us from reader Rob Reid.]
As much as musicians and industry insiders bemoan the relative lack of venues in Chicago, from a listener's standpoint there has never a shortage of options on any given night of the week. With a musical radar cluttered by nightly shows at Schubas, the Empty Bottle, and the Hideout amongst many other noteworthy venues, sometimes the best performances slip by scarcely noticed. While anyone who's walked up Clark avenue just north of Foster has surely noticed the neon blue fish who's been holding the same neon yellow martini glass since Simon's Tavern first opened in the 1930s, a lesser known fact is that this spot also regularly features some of the city's best live music (typically on Sundays and Wednesdays) coordinated by the booking manager of the Green Mill.
On a recent Sunday night at Simon's, the tremolo of a lone violin initiated a graceful transition from a quiet night of drinking to a hypnotizing and haunting set from Ami Saraiya's current band. "The sky has no space for you," Ami sang, just before a brushed snare and upright bass groove launched "Vegas Moon," a tune with all the markings of a broadway jazz standard but with lyrics better suited for our time. The moon, Saraiya explained, gets forgotten behind all the bright Vegas lights.
That voice always seems to be the first thing everyone notices about Saraiya - and by the end of the first song she had handily out-dueled the liquor shelves for the rapt attention of everyone in the hushed bar. Though the press has never been able to concisely classify Saraiya's voice or her music, references to Billie Holiday abound. If her original "Sour Mash" recalled Holiday's adeptness at gracefully floating above the bar lines in her vocal phrasings, her cover of "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" all but confirmed it. And yet, the same voice that soothed and purred on some tunes growled in the rockabilly-esque "Memphis Train," and then captured a distinctly Eastern tendency to dance around fixed notes on "Familiar" and "Up, Down, and Charmed." This Eastern sensibility was all but confirmed on a cover of "Intaha Ho Gayee," a Bollywood standard.
No one I have encountered has ever been less than amazed at the power of an Owen Pallett show. His songs have a heartbreaking quality with a loop pedal symphony with lyrics that pluck your heartstrings as quickly as his pizzicato and a voice that soars out to where his gaze is focused. Saturday night's show at Lincoln Hall was just as I suspected it would be — sublime.
Daniela Gesundheit of Snow Blink (photos by Kirstie Shanley)
Quirky duo Snow Blink opened with a lovely set of eerily beautiful songs that warmed everyone as we set in. Singer Daniela Gesundheit rocks a vocal range Kate Bush would envy. One of the highlights of the entire show was their epic cover of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" that made the room spin.
Owen Pallett's set opened with "E is For Estranged" from his latest album Heartland. This song was a heavy choice for an opener being incredibly sad, but it drew in the crowd. Sometimes I wonder if there is subliminal hypnosis laced within his songs, or if he just a very talented musician who has the gift of transporting an audience exactly to where they need to be within the moment of the song.
In light of the Arcade Fires and New Pornographers of the world, it's maybe easy to miss a few of the more experimental artists our neighbors to the north have to offer. It might even be a surprise to hear that Canada has a thriving electronic music scene. Indeed, Montreal boasts one of the longest running and world-renowned electronic music festivals in the world. Mutek has been bringing some of the most influential and innovative musicians and artists to our side of the Atlantic for eleven years, and for 2010 they've rolled out something special. A taste of Mutek's forward-thinking style is on tour in other Canadian cities as well as select dates in the states as Avant Mutek. It makes its stop in Chicago tonight and features two Montrealer ambassadors who are as internationally acclaimed as Mutek itself, legendary microhouse producer Akufen and Stephen Beaupre. With support from locals Leo 123, Hernan Sanchez and Jeff Pietro, Chicago's edition of Avant Mutek goes down at Green Dolphin Street tonight, Saturday, April 10, at 10pm, although there will be an Ableton workshop at 7pm for the techie early birds. Tickets are a cool $10 in advance, $15 at the door. If you find yourself wanting more after this small preview, Mutek festival itself goes from June 2-6th, 2010 and annually in early June.
It's been sighs of relief and gasps of disbelief all week between the letter and number games and parties surrounding the final announcements of Chicago's two biggest summer music fest line-ups, and if you thought Pitchfork's couldn't get any better, boy were you wrong. Sure we were psyched about LCD Soundsystem, Pavement and Modest Mouse, but now that the full lineup has rounded out, we would be crazy to be anywhere else but Union Park July 16th through 18th.
You like awesome local rock bands, right? And, if I know you, you also like roller derby. Well, head to Reggie's (2109 S. State St.) on Thursday, April 15 to check out a show to raise funds for the Chicago Riots, the all-new local junior roller derby league. The grrl-tastic groups playing include The Runnies, Hollows, and 8 Inch Betsy. The show runs 7-10 p.m., tickets are only $8, and it's open to all ages.
Sometimes people ask me, "Why do you wear ear plugs to every show? That's not very rock'n'roll." Well, I'll let you in on a little secret: I don't wear ear plugs because I don't want to hear a show. I wear ear plugs to mute the inevitable audience chitchat. A prime example of when I need to do so was Thursday's late show by the xx at Lincoln Hall. The London trio's set was plagued by chatterboxes with nominal interest in the performance. (One girl near me spent at least 20 minutes with her back to the stage while trying to drown out the xx to converse with friends. How dare a headliner try playing over her shrill voice, right?)
However, if one could somehow hear past the MPDG/trixie racket, they may have found themselves at a pretty good show. The xx unsurprisingly began with "Intro" before moving on to single "Crystalised." Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, donned in black clothes and gold chains, traded indifferent and sensual vocals highlighted by a spectacular call-and-response on "Infinity" ('Give it up... I can't give it up'). For a band whose merchandise is only black and white, the show was wildly colorful. Reds and blues dominated the room as Croft stayed mostly still and Sim bounced around the stage intermittently, leaving beatmaker Jamie Smith to himself among tables full of gear. Throughout the evening all three were well in control of the melancholic atmospheres that their music subsists on. (Think if Robert Smith wrote some songs for Chairlift and Portishead produced them.) In addition to every track on their only album, they covered Kyla's "Do You Mind?" in a low-key fashion.
We've got some other awesome upcoming musical events in Chicago along the right-hand side of the page as well as in Slowdown. They include a free '60s themed DJ set called "23 Skiddo" tonight at the Whistler, the Creative Chicago Expo at the Cultural Center on Saturday, and Scotland Yard Gospel Choir's Elia Einhorn's DJ set "Glascow vs. Manchester" at Lucky Number also on Saturday.
Saving Country Music blog has a nice appreciation for Bloodshot Records' newest artist Whitey Morgan & the 78's. "The fact that Bloodshot is looking for new talent, and then is able to find it means there's still hope and upward potential for REAL country music."
Fake Shore Drive has a sweet video from BBU for "Chi Don't Dance."
The Deli Chicago has the skinny on the upcoming Maps & Atlases album Perch Patchwork.
WFMU's Beware of the Blog has more .mp3s for your downloading pleasure including great stuff from Max Roach, reggae from Pat Kelly and lovely stuff from Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte.
Loud Loop Press gives more praise to burgeoning Chicago "zany space rockers" The Earth Program.
Sadly, Numero Group announced recently the first of its catalog items that's going out of print. Get your copy of all 33 tracks of influential power pop on Yellow Pills: Prefill now, or go without forever.
Happier news for Numero Group is this project (that I somehow either missed or forgot about) announced this winter featuring the History of Chicago Music (1908-1980) curated by historian Tim Samuelson.
Download a new track from Wilco guitarist Nels Cline's side project The Nels Cline Singers on RCD LBL.
The crowd at Lincoln Hall last night was respectful and mellow even though it was a sold-out show that filled the floor and spilled up into the balcony. There were the standard ranges of mid-week concert-goer: the dude in a tweed jacket, the really tall guy who always stands in front of you, the superfans, the pretty pretties, and the guy who doesn't know what to expect because his roommate dragged him there at the last minute with little to no warning. What held everyone together like some delicious, sticky goo was the collective sigh of happiness that washes over a listener of the lovely ensemble work of Fanfarlo.
Opener Lawrence Arabia (aka James Milne, pictured, right), touring with backing band The Prime Ministers (also from New Zealand with delicious accents), will be with Fanfarlo for the rest of their U.S. tour and I couldn't imagine a more agreeable pairing. Charming songs like "Apple Pie Bed" were made even more pleasant by the band's Fleet Foxes-like harmonies, their shaggy haircuts (all seemingly cut from the same haircut cloth) and their youthful exuberance over the occasional gush from an on-stage fog machine (during the song "I've Smoked Too Much," naturally). The bass player's mouth-gaping grin was the same as a kid on Christmas morning. I can only imagine the hijinx on the tour bus.
Fanfarlo hit the stage with seemingly well-studied wardrobe styling — all pastels and cream colors. They blended a kind of turn of the century/steampunk aesthetic that honestly was just playful enough. (Trousers tucked into lime green socks? Ok! Suspenders and highwaters? Why not?) They're just innocent enough to get away with anything they like.
San Francisco trio Mi Ami has always been a band that skims along genre walls. Their sounds can range from punk to dub to hardcore to reggae all creating some awesome noise. While we don't always know which way their music is going to shift, the band was given a sudden surprise the last time they played in Chicago when hearing that Touch and Go Records with whom they were currently signed was going under. The sad news may have given motion for transition. Since it is impossible to break a heart that was meant for breaking boundaries, the band relocated to Thrill Jockey Records where their last effort Steal Your Face was recently released. Below is a little taste of their latest.
Mi Ami plays the Hideout Friday. Also playing is local band Running and DJ Forest Juziuk. Tickets are $8. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia. (773) 227-4433. The music starts at 10.
If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Dark Dark Dark yet, you're in luck: They're streaming their impressive EP, Bright Bright Bright, in full here. Between the haunting piano and the stark vocals of Nona Marie Invie (who could be thought of as an even quirkier, darker Regina Spektor) they've created a folk-inspired chamber pop sound that I haven't been able to stop listening to for the past few weeks. The aptly-named band explore themes of despair and loneliness, and I can just picture sitting in the corner of a dark bar cradling a whiskey and seeing them play.
The Third Coast International Audio Festival is starting up their ShortDocs challenge again. To enter, produce a short audio story (up to three minutes) inspired by (and named after) song titles from the Books' upcoming record The Way Out, and including at least two of eight samples selected from their vast library of musical bits, strange phrases, and sonic doodads. Stories of all styles are welcome.
All submissions will live on the Third Coast site forever and if you win your story will be on the radio (on Re:Sound) and you'll get to present it at the opening of the Third Coast Conference in October.
Submissions are due July 5. Click here for details.
Hailing from the other side of the pond, Dan Black first received attention for his curious mashup "HYPNTZ" which took drums from Rihanna's "Umbrella" and strings from John Carpenter's "Starman" soundtrack, adding lyrics from Nororious BIG's "Hypnotize". But with the recent release of his debut album, ((un)), this electronica artist proves he's more than just a one hit wonder, and deserving of more than simply the "electro" label.
Chicago natives Mr. Russia were nice enough to send us some vinyl recently, a 7" tribute to Bowie with a nice little cover of "Boys Keep Swinging" on it-- a version which is quite loyal to the original but slightly less Bowie-sparkly and a bit rougher around the edges.
In case you're not familiar with these guys, all you need to know is that they are proponents of simple, no-nonsense garage punk and I don't think they ever use guitars (except those of the bass variety.) Fans of stripped down rock and roll will surely dig their jams. I, personally, gravitate toward their demonic renditions of Nick Cave songs. Mr. Russia sure has a knack for injecting a little 21st century angst into 20th century staples.
To get your own free copy of the "Boys Keep Swinging" 7" stop by the Reckless Records at 1532 N. Milwaukee on April 17. Check them out live that night at Beat Kitchen and, while you're at it, download their free new EP from their website.
If I ever find myself in a drunken brawl in a back alley, I want the Black Lips to be my soundtrack to the massive ass kicking that is about to commence. Chances are if you're at the front of the stage at a Black Lips show, you might just get your ass kicked as well, back alley or not. With a massive swirling mosh pit, everything from keys to beer to cell phones being launched onto the stage, and the occasional head butt from the lead singer, a Black Lips show can be a dangerous place to be. But you're also guaranteed to have one helluva time, as evident by the spastic (albeit sweaty) show the band put on last week at Logan Square Auditorium.
"What have I gotten myself into?" It was only minutes after I committed myself to covering a week-long stretch of open mic nights that I began asking myself this very question. Of course it was my idea, but still, the question came. That's when I knew I was in for a strange and beautiful ride. That's always the first sign.
Music can be made in any setting, but music made on open mic nights demands the presence of strong drink, and a certain disregard for sleep. This is true for all parties involved. I knew that going in and realized some self-inflicted rules would be absolutely necessary prior to taking the plunge. One: In the interest of coherence, only one of these high-powered drinks would be allowed to enter my body and mind each night. Two: I would go alone and sit in the darkest corner I could find, among only the table-scattered essentials: audio recorder, pen/paper, camera and drink. And three: Before it was all over, with a blatant disregard for all things sacred and good, I would also perform.
That is the purpose of all this, isn't it? A free pass to perform without the burden of any shadowy shame, a sort of musical absolution — mercy for the awful, praise for the average, and an all-out adulation for the few capable of riding that high and mighty wave — the highs and lows on the open mic.
We've sent a lot of love, good thoughts and even money towards the members of The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir after their horrific van accident last fall, and now we have some great news to report--the group has announced their return to the stage! On Saturday, June 19th you can see them make their triumphant comeback at Subterranean (2011 W. North Ave.), which will no doubt be a celebration of life, friends and music. Tickets go on sale this Saturday and will be $10 a pop.
In other good news for the SYGC crew, "Topsy Turvy," a song from their first record, just appeared in an episode of Gossip Girls, plus they were recently featured on the cover of the Trib's Arts section for a story about the hot topic of health care and their own experience regarding the accident.
After working closely with both Billy Corgan and Courtney Love, you'd figure that Melissa Auf der Maur would have a few screws loose. However, between her Black Sabbath tribute band Hand of Doom and her debut self-titled solo album, Melissa seems to be the only former member of either Hole or The Smashing Pumpkins to still consistently release fantastic music. Looks like she's got a good head on her shoulders. Just last week, she released her sophomore solo effort, Out Of Our Minds, which is a visionary combination album, film, and graphic novel.
Melissa's gracing the cover of the latest Venus Zine issue, and to celebrate the folks over at Venus Zine are hosting a screening of her new 28-minute silent film, along with a Q & A with MAdM herself. The event is taking place at the Chicago Art Department's Pilsen Gallery, 1837 S. Halsted St., on Friday, April 23rd at 6 pm. If you'd like to attend, RSVP to events@venuszine.com. MAdM will be rocking Beat Kitchen the following night (Saturday, April 24th) at 9:30 pm. Tickets for the Beat Kitchen show are $12 and can be purchased here.
It's amazing what two years can do for a rock band. Opening for Night Marchers in the spring of 2008, the Soft Pack were a ragtag group with punchy riffs, cool disinterested vocals and a manic drummer who stood up. By the fall of 2009, they were a well-greased garage-rock machine. At the Chopin last fall, they sounded tight, confident and aggressive. Their self-titled album exudes a swagger in its quick-paced songs with pinches of surf-rock and post-punk. It's been enough for many to compare them to bands so legendary that even being mentioned in the same sentence would be daunting. Still, they're a band to be heard live. And Transmission is giving you the opportunity. Be the first to email "PARASITES" in the subject line to contests@gapersblock.com and win a pair of tickets to see the Soft Pack this Friday at the Empty Bottle. [Update: We have a winner! Congrats to Bryan!]
London lo-fi rockers Male Bonding and San Diego's Beaters open at 10PM. Admission is $10 in advance/$12 at the door. The show's 21+ and the Empty Bottle is at 1035 N. Western.
Due to high demand, the electro-pop Trio from Stockholm, Sweden, Miike Snow, added a second show at Metro Sunday night with Delorean and Light Pollution joining them. Even as their second Chicago show, they still managed to sell over 800 tickets to an all ages crowd — Metro holds 1,100 — on a very rainy Easter Sunday.
I hopped in the barricade a few minutes before their set began and chatted with Metro employee, Joel, who was working stage security, "What's up with the bubbles," he said- looked up, and pointed up to the right balcony, "That girl has been standing there blowing bubbles the entire night."
Following a lot of speculation and a Hangman-esque teaser game, the official Lollapalooza line-up has arrived. Who's gonna be rocking Grant Park this summer? For starters, we'll be seeing the much-speculated Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Green Day, and The Strokes. Added into the mix are Social Distortion, MGMT, Spoon, Devo, The National, Cypress Hill, Gogol Bordello, and Jamie Liddell. Locally, we're being represented by Company of Thieves, Mavis Staples, and The Ike Reilly Association, among others. Over at Perry's DJ stage, count on busting a move to the likes of Empire of the Sun, Digitalism, Erol Alkan, Flosstradamus, and Kaskade. View the full Lolla line-up here. Early bird and advance tickets have already sold out, but you can pick up full-priced $215 tickets here. Lolla will be taking place August 6th-8th in Grant Park.
Hometown trio (by way of Rockford) Hey Champ has some big news to announce: After signing with new Seattle based label Townie Records, a release date of July 13th has (finally) been set for their debut album, Star.
Ever since we first saw the video for "Cold Dust Girl" we were hooked. The hit single could be heard everywhere last year, arguably becoming the song of summer, even landing them a spot on Lollapalooza's roster. We've gotten a taste of what's to come on the album at live shows here and there, which has made July 13th a day we will eagerly await. For your very own taste, visit their website for a free download.
High on Fire's penchant for pummeling rhythms, rapidfire riffs and gruff vocals in a style that could soundtrack a pillaging has won them numerous accolades since the band formed out of the uncertainty of Sleep. But where High on Fire have typically distanced themselves from colleagues has been on the stage where they are an aural tour de force. The Oakland trio led by Matt Pike, who apparently never wears shirts on a stage, carries a tremendous presence with them when in front of an audience.
Aside from some classic heavy metal stage moves (headbanging while playing guitar vertically, grand posing on stage monitors, etc.), they don't really do a whole lot, but still command undivided attention, as long as you're one of those people not fearing for your safety at the edges of the pit. (Although, I do have to commend Lincoln Hall's security for a great job watching out for bystanders and dealing with the bullies who haunt pits.) Pike was a titan with his growling and musicianship in top form. Ex-Holy Terror/Zeke bassist Jeff Matz has clearly made a smooth transition to HoF and drummer Des Kensel simply took care of business. Half of the set consisted of songs from 2010's Snakes For the Divine with the title track and single "Frost Hammer" at the forefront. Other highlights included "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" and early track "Fireface." By the time they closed their 90 minutes with "Holy Flames of the Fire Spitter", the band seemed to have found a second wind, but left the stage leaving the crowd wanting more. And, as we all know, it's better to go out on top than overstay your welcome.
Spoon's Britt Daniel likes the lights turned down low (Photo by Katie Hovland)
Anyone who's ever been to the Aragon Ballroom (and stayed sober long enough to actually hear a band) knows that the sound in the room leaves a lot to be desired. Britt Daniel shared the same sentiment as Spoon took the stage last night. "Do people always complain about the sound onstage or is it just me? In the 22 years I've been doing this I've never heard sound this bad. I really wanted it to be good." As much as he complained, you would ever know he was having issues hearing; the show was prototypical Spoon: tight perfection.
You know that phrase "If it's Mark E. Smith and your grandmother playing bongos, it's a Fall show"? Well, it's hard to not think the same about it being a Beulah show no matter who accompanies Miles Kurosky. Even though longtime members like Bill Swan and Steve LaFollette (among others) made significant contributions during their day, Kurosky's synonymous with Beulah, for better or worse. Four albums of sugary yet complex pop music and heart-wrenching subject matter carved them out a nice spot in indie-rock lore by the time they called it quits in 2004. However, for the first half-hour of Kurosky's set at Schubas on Thursday, there was nary a word about his career before his solo debut album The Desert of Shallow Effects.
Cream Team serves up Pop Parfait with some recently released B-sides.
Lollapalooza continues making us play the guessing game. (Personally, I prefer Hungry Hungry Hippos, but my parents sold mine at a yard sale when I was eight.)
The Trib put out a lengthy piece on Chicago's Flesh Hungry Dog Show and the state of queer rock.
Alarm magazine's albums of the week include something solo from Pixies' frontman Frank Black (now back to his original stage name Black Francis) and "Ethio-jazz" from Mulatu Astatke among other gems.
Jim DeRogatis posts an enlightening graphic detailing Ticketmaster/Live Nation ticket price drama.
If you're already a fan (or really even just intrigued) by Pittsburgh-based Black Moth Super Rainbow, you'd best get your tickets and your dancing shoes ready for this weekend's Tobacco show at the Empty Bottle. Tobacco (a DJ pseudonym so tightly guarded one wonders if he puts it down on his taxes) made a fine name for himself with BMSR — but this DJ likes his air of mystery and that's best a one-man show. With less than a handful of dates left on his tour, Tobacco's latest album Maniac Meat (due out 5/25, Anticon) and his past work with BMRC gained the attention of perennial music mixer Beck who guests on the track "Fresh Hex". Replete with a "swampy analog aesthetic", Maniac Meat is truly dark and nasty when it comes right down to it. Gritty, glitchy, screaming with cymbal rings and squeedly synth guitar, Tobacco's songs would make a great soundtrack to your favorite kick boxing movie or maybe some sort of ridiculous parkour video. (Which isn't really so surprising given T's adolescent interest in freestyle BMX.) This is a mixer who loves his vocoder, a scratcher who likes to sniff (at least when it comes to album art). In the intimate, setting of the Empty Bottle, I couldn't imagine a stage more set for auditory magic.
There will of course be a troop of Hood Internet fans at the Bottle who had no idea who this Tobacco fella is, but just keep in mind that the duo have been sharing van space with big T since SXSW and a little might have rubbed off either way. Nearing the end of their tour together, and standing firmly on the Hood's home turf, the evening will either be the sonic equivalent cat fights and hair pulling or inside jokes and flour bombs. Just you wait.
Janelle Monáe's video for her single "Tightrope" off her debut album The ArchAndroid
The buzz surrounding Janelle Monáe is steadily growing into a roar, so when a top hat wearing MC announced "by now, you should have already tweeted," to both sold out crowds at Schubas Monday and Tuesday night, its clear the statement was only partially a joke. Monáe and her dapper crew took over Schubas to showcase tracks off her debut album, The ArchAndroid which comes out May 18th.
Although seemingly inauspicious words, this would prove to be the last utterance of the band Japanther before they left the SXSW showcase they were scheduled to headline. Heads down, avoiding eye contact, they made their way out of the venue with gear in hand, off to the van to continue their tour. Left behind was the entire staff of the label who'd organized the showcase, who had brought them on for star power, who had re-arranged their running order so that they could open instead of close, and who'd also been trying to get one of the other showcase bands to show up early with a drum kit due to Japanther's lack of one. But even with the would-be opener gone and the temperature having dropped some 30 degrees outside, the students chose to carry on and make the best of it. They had a label to run — not to mention their professor had come along as well, and this would probably factor into the grade.
