Summer’s Last Hurrah

Posted in Chicago, Music, National Holidays with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 3, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

I’m getting ready to head out the door and induce a music coma at North Coast Festival but before I do let’s talk about some of the fun stuff going on around town this long weekend:

First up is Brighton Park Fest. Starting tomorrow you can head out to Archer Ave (between Sacramento & Kedzie) for food, rides and 2 stages of live music featuring local acts: [.DESCARGA.] (my favorite latin alternative band), Maladicto, Legion, Soul Pollution, Maria Blues Trio, the lovely La Gitana, Malafacha and DJs Angelfuk and Nando to name just a few.  Descarga’s very own Jose Calvo says, “people should come out and enjoy this festival because it’s something special for the community, there are few festivals like this in the city that celebrate latino unity, but the number of them is growin! So come out and enjoy the food, the rides, the arts, and the music, which will be awesome because the line ups are made up of talented local latino bands. I am very honored to be part of this great festival.”

Also, don’t forget that last weekend’s featured girl crush, Rita J will be at Schuba’s Saturday night with Bumpus.

Jazz Fest returns to Grant Park and the always awesome Chuchito Valdez goes on Saturday at 5.

Lastly, the inaugural run of Joyous Outdoor Event (J.O.E.) kicks off at South Belmont Harbor this weekend featuring a main stage ‘curated’ by the Metro and Smart Bar and will include hometown rocks The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Saturday at 7p.  A $15 ticket gets you all day general admission, for $25 you get all day access plus entrance to that evening’s main stage.  You can get the full schedule and more info HERE.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend! Check back for North Coast recaps, follow me on Twitter for live updates and check out the Facebook page for more photos and video.

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North Coast Festival Preview: The Chemical Brothers

Posted in Chicago, I'm Obsessed with tags , , , on September 2, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 6 – The Chemical Brothers have been around forever haven’t they, or at least it feels that way.  When they first arrived on the scene you felt as if you were listening to the future, always one or three steps ahead of their contemporaries.  They weren’t like the Prodigy – they didn’t make big fat acid beats; their sound was smarter, lighter, much more danceable.  Unlike the Prodigy they never saw a real lull or dry-spell in their careers; they have plugged along producing albums like clockwork for almost 20 years.  But it’s the ‘second wave of dance’ (thank the likes of Deadmau5) that has put them back on mainstream music’s radar.  Their latest release, “Further” is a throwback to their original danceable beat-heavy sound and they wisely ditched any collaborations with vocalists this time around (remember that Noel Gallagher collabo everyone went bananas for a few years back) and have focused on making “Further” a multi-media experience for fans.  Check out the video for Galvanize below. They’ll close out Friday night on the North Stage at 8.30p

Official Site

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North Coast Music Festival Preview: De La Soul

Posted in Ear Worms, I'm Obsessed, Music with tags , , , on September 1, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 5 – Do I really have to sit here and list a number of reasons why you need to get your ass to the Group: What’s A Music Stage? at 7:30 on Saturday to see De La Soul?  Right, didn’t think so.  Instead I’m going to make this today’s earworm and post one the ultimate earwormy-single: Me Myself & I.  I dare to get that song out of your head today! P.S. How fantastic to see they’re still touring all over the world?!

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Bi-Mexican

Posted in Music with tags , , , , , on August 31, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

This year Mexico celebrates 200 years of independence from Spain – I know, time really flies.  To celebrate, several major artists in the latin community contributed their take on traditional Mexican songs for Bi-Mexicano: Nuestros Clasicos Hechas Rock.  You may recognize some of these standards if you’ve ever hung out with the BumbleBee clan after 2am.  It’s not all Mexicans at this party with contributions from Senor Flavio of Arentina and Aterciopelados of Colombia.  Most interesting though is Spain’s very own Enrique Bunbury adding his take on “Vamonos.”  Bunbury has a HUGE following in Mexico (especially with the ladies for some reason) so I understand the addition of a Spaniard.  Natalia (swoooooon) Lafourcade’s version of “La Cigarilla” was released this week over at Remezcla and honestly I’m a little underwhelmed.   After several listens I found myself thinking that Denise Gutierrez (Lo Blondo of Hello Seahorse!) with operatic singing style and phrasing could have really elevated the restrained vocals on this track, but this just makes me excited to hear Hello Seahorse! with “Cielo Rojo.”  If you’re interested you can find the complete track list HERE.

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North Coast Festival Preview: Maps and Atlases

Posted in Chicago, Music with tags , , on August 31, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 4 – Today’s featured band: Chicago math rockers Maps and Atlases.  The group met as student’s at Columbia College, released a couple EPs and earlier this summer showed how musically they’ve matured with the release of their first full length “Perch Patchwork” (Barsuk).  Their music is very technical, textured, rythmically and structurally complex so it will be interesting to see how this will play out on a large outdoor festival stage.  They are virtuosos with their respective instruments often playing the necks of their guitars like pianos, plucking away at each note.  Catch them on the Coast Stage, Sunday at 3p.m.  Below is “Solid Ground” off Perch Patchwork.

Official Site

MySpace

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North Coast Festival Preview: Mayer Hawthorne & The County

Posted in Ear Worms, Music, Swoooooooon with tags , on August 30, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 3 – Today’s preview is an earworm of sorts. Mayer Hawthorne and the County is the name of one Andrew Mayer Cohen and his band.  The LA-based singer/songwriter/mulit-instrumentalist/producer has a deep soulful voice that you wouldn’t believe comes out of a 29 year old white boy from Michigan.  After a stint through Europe, Hawthorne made the summer festival rounds in the US and will be stopping by the Groupon: What’s a Music? Stage at North Coast on Sunday at 5:30p.m.  His music has been labeled as “retro”, anything that sounds like it was recorded in the 1960s – think Mark Ronson or Amy Winehouse and the influence of musical greats like Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson and it evident especially in songs like “I Wish It Would Rain“. His first single (released on a red heart-shaped 7″) “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” is below.

MySpace

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North Coast Festival Preview: Loyal Divide

Posted in Chicago, I'm Obsessed, Music, Swoooooooon with tags , , on August 29, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 2 – Our second featured can’t miss band is Loyal Divide.  Formed about 5 years ago, the band currently resides in Chicago and is gearing up for the September 2010 release of their first full length LP Bodice Ripper. They’ve released two previous EPs: Loyal Divide E.P. and Labrador, both available on iTunes. Their sound is all about textured psychedelic-electronic-pop full of quirky electronic sounds, gliding vocals and angelic/atmospheric synths.  Below is the video for “Vision Vision” off their digital 7″ DDF which is available as a free download on their bandcamp site.  The video is done is live action done with gaff tape and directed by BBGUN – it’s pretty fucking cool.  They’ll hit the Groupon Stage at North Coast on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. – BE THERE!

Official Site
MySpace
Facebook

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Girl Crush: Rita J

Posted in Chicago, I'm Obsessed, Music, Swoooooooon with tags , on August 28, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Rita J has been on my radar since her debut “Artist Workshop” (All Natural) was released last fall.  She’s an MC that harkens back to the old school 80s style of hip hop (the golden age, if you will) with a contemporary and relevant twist.  Don’t lump her in the same category of female MCs like Nicki Minaj, Rita J’s flow is smart and fresh.  Two standout tracks on her debut are “Body Rock” feat. Steph Staa, which is a shout out to female MCs who paved the way for women like her and a reflection on the difficult world of a female MC and “No Regrets“, videos for both are linked below.  She’ll be at Schuba’s next Saturday September 4 with Bumpus.

Official MySpace

Facebook

Twitter

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North Coast Festival Preview: Van Ghost

Posted in Chicago, Our Friends with tags , , on August 28, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Preview 1 - North Coast‘s inaugural run boasts one of the most eclectic lineups (hip hop, electronica, jam bands, etc) of the summer festival circuit, in the coming days check back for bands/artists that simply cannot be missed.  Today we’re focusing on Chicago’s own Van Ghost.  Sounds like: Ryan Adams/Wilco/CSN; alt country / Americana.  Michael Berg, a veteran of the Chicago music industry, formed Van Ghost after much encouragement from friends and family to pick up his guitar and start writing and performing.  He assembled a collection of seasoned musicians to form Van Ghost and I’ve fallen for Berg and Jennifer Hartswick’s vocals.  Berg’s voice carries an honesty and conviction that is complimented by the force of Hartswick’s range.  They will be at the ‘Groupon: What’s A Music? Stage’ at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.  Below is a video of “On The Way Home (Live)” filmed at The Metro.  They’ll also be at Bottom Lounge on September 5 and their new release “The Domino Effect” (6 pack-EP) will be out soon.

Van Ghost Official Site

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CoS: Interpol Listening Party

Posted in Chicago, I'm Obsessed with tags on August 27, 2010 by meanlittlebumblebee

Consequence of Sound will be hosting a listening party for the new Interpol release Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Black Rock Pub & Kitchen kicking off at 8p.m.  The festivities will include giveaways like autographed posters by the band and the LP on CD and vinyl. Black Rock will be offering food and drink specials as well. Look out for the Bee and the Naughty Librarian!

CoS

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