Video Wed Nov 18 2009

Skinny Girls With C's

Slightly disturbing and funky as hell, Charlie Deets has returned with the video for the first single from his forthcoming album, The Power of Suggestion. "Skinny Girls With C's" is video filled not with skinny girls, but really the exact opposite. The album will be released via Paribus Records on February 14th.

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)

Video Wed Nov 18 2009

OKGO WTF HTF BBQ

I was just wondering the other day: What ever happened to OK Go? Turns out they've just been hiding out in a studio somewhere, recording their new album, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, out Dec. 1. Here's the psychedelidonkeykong video by Tim Nackashi for their first single, "WTF?"

Pretty damn cool, no? Wondering HTF OKGO WTFed? Here's Damien and Tim to explain:

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Video Mon Nov 16 2009

Wilco Live Concert Stream This Afternoon

Bored at work? Stream Wilco's live concert from Paradiso in Amsterdam this afternoon at 1:45pm (Chicago time).

Come on, those expense reports can wait another hour...

— Michelle Meywes / Comments (0)

Video Mon Nov 02 2009

Billy Corgan on DLF.TV

The David Lynch Foundation's DLF.TV interviews Billy Corgan about his music past and present, sits in on drummer auditions, and uncovers the story behind Corgan's song "Eye" from the Lost Highway soundtrack. Check out the video here.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Video Tue Sep 08 2009

Have a Nice Video

Chicago's Kinetic Stereokids just released a video for "Have a Nice Day" off their new album, Kid Moves.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Video Thu Sep 03 2009

On the Road with Calexico

Possibly the best road trip mix ever is one that the band in the back seat can perform live for you. Calexico throws down "Victor Jara's Hands" in quite a tight space.

Calexico from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

— Anne Holub / Comments (0)

News Mon Aug 17 2009

Anticipating Pearl Jam's Backspacer Release?

Pearl Jam's new album, Backspacer, doesn't come out until next month (September 20th to be exact), but right now you can watch a documentary on the making of the new record on MySpace Music. The ten minute short was directed by Danny Clinch and produced by Three on the Tree. You can preview the band's current single, "The Fixer," on MySpace as well. Also, don't forget they roll through town next week with two shows at the United Center on August 23 and 24. Tickets are $66.

— Michelle Meywes / Comments (0)

Video Mon Aug 03 2009

TheMDR's "Foreign Tongue" Video Shot at Flashpoint

TheMDR recently visited Flashpoint Academy to produce the video for their single "foreign tongue" -- the video was staged, filmed and recorded by Flashpoint students working with the pros. Other than the aspect ratio being a little wonky on YouTube, it turned out pretty well:

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Hip Hop Tue Jul 14 2009

North Side There's No Juke

BBU (aka either Bin Laden Blowin' Up or Black, Brown and Ugly) have a hit on their hands with "Chi Don't Dance." Check it out:

BBU is performing with Hood Internet and the Life During Wartime DJs at UR Magazine's Dickfork night at Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave. The show starts at 9pm and is free before 11pm with RSVP or all night if you have a Pitchfork ticket or wristband (it's $5 after 11 if you don't). 21+

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Album Wed Jul 01 2009

Let Kate Simko Take You There

Classically trained pianist turned house music producer Kate Simko released her new ep "Take You There" on Ghostly International this week as a 12" and digital release. Kate's smooth beat and detail ear have produced another set of irresistible track that play as nicely on sun-drenched patios as they do in deep secluded basement. You can download an exclusive track from the ep at RCD LBL right now. Kate is listing a show on July 25th at an undisclosed location on her myspace page, but does have a confirmed show scheduled at Sonotheque on August 22nd.

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)

Video Wed Jun 10 2009

Steve Albini's Conversation With Soft Focus Finally Up at VBS TV

A while back I had the lovely opportunity to attend the VBS (Vice Magazine's television station) taping of Soft Focus, the interview series where Ian Svenonius sits down with artist and other luminaries of their respective industries and has a conversation in front of a live audience. We just got word that the conversation with Steve Albini that was taped that night is now up at VBS.

You can check out the video of the interview here, and watch as Albini has a delightfully sarcastic (and sometimes awkward) conversation with Svenonius. And make sure to check out the most recent work that Albini had a hand in, Jarvis Cocker's latest release, Further Complications. It's some of Cocker's most innovative work in a long time, already one of my favorite albums of the year, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I think a large part of this album is due to him (thankfully) working with Albini.

— Lisa White / Comments (0)

Artist Mon Jun 08 2009

"The Wikipedia Files" with St. Vincent

WBEZ's Justin Kauffman interviews multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Annie Clark -- aka St. Vincent -- to clear up some of the details on her Wikipedia entry.

St. Vincent will be performing a free concert tonight in Millennium Park in the Pritzker Pavilion, with Allá opening. The show starts at 6:30pm.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Video Fri Jun 05 2009

Stomp The Pedal

It may not be the most natural pairing, but Yea Big & Kid Static has teamed up with French animator, comic artist and illustrator, Ronald Grandpey to create a fascinating animated video for the second single from their new album The Future's Looking Grim. The world premiere of "Stomp The Pedal" took place in Barcelona, Spain late last month, during a small illustration/comics festival. The video is basically a series of pencil drawings and the entire process was documented here.

The Future's Looking Grim is now available digitally on iTunes, Amazon and eMusic, and physical copies can be purchased directly through YB & KS's myspace page.

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)

Video Tue May 12 2009

New Video for Rhymefest's "Chicago"

Konee Rok directs the video for Rhymefest's single "Chicago" off the upcoming album, El Che. See if you can count how many superheroes and villains our Che Smith turns into.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Video Mon Apr 27 2009

I Fight Dragons "Money"

I Fight Dragons combine your favorite sounds and images from those Nintendo days gone by with a vibrant and infectious sense of indie pop. Their debut ep, Cool is Just a Number, is available for free on their website (when you sign-up for their newsletter), and is filled with this creative mixture. The band just released a new video for the song "Money" which was directed by Boram Encargado Kim, and just watching it makes my thumbs throb!

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)

Video Tue Mar 03 2009

Bird & Band

Andrew Bird gets a little help from Mucca Pazza in this new video for "Fitz and the Dizzy Spells," recorded live at the Hideout Dec. 14 and 15, presumably either before or after his recent two-night stand there.

Andrew Bird with Mucca Pazza - "Fitz & The Dizzyspells"

— Andrew Huff / Comments (2)

Video Tue Dec 16 2008

Booze and Bootlegs

Check out former Cash Money Records member Mikkey Halsted in this very cool Liquor Store video. Mikkey originally came up with Kanye and has even been called an inspiration by Lil Wayne. The song itself was inspired by a liquor store on 71st and Halsted, and Mikkey makes it pretty clear what he thinks of these establishments. The desertification of low-income neighborhoods has long been a problem in Chicago, leaving many communities with corner shops and fast food joints instead of grocery stores and restaurants. Even before the video came out, the song was already stirring up trouble. Many of these corner liquor stores sell mixtapes of local artists, and their owners had taken offense to Mikkey's criticism. For some time Mikkey, and anyone associated with him, were banned from selling their CDs at a number of stores on the south side. Controversy ensued, but it has mostly blown over by now. Anyways, enjoy the video.

Continue reading this entry »

— Raf Miastkowski / Comments (1)

Video Fri Dec 05 2008

Video: "Buck Town (City of Wind)"

Here's a video for "Buck Town (City of Wind)" by Primeridian featuring Naledge of Kidz in the Hall, shot and directed by Pugs Atomz.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (1)