On Tuesday, May 31st at 8pm CST, My Morning Jacket will partake in a live webcast from the Louisville Palace Theatre as part of the festivities for their upcoming release, Circuital. Not too shabby, right? It gets better. The webcast will feature appearances by Erykah Badu and Rachel Dratch (that’s right, Debbie-effing-Downer herself).
My Morning Jacket hit the Auditorium Theatre June 17 and you betcha I’ll be there ready to turn the hose on TNL.
And to those of thinking, “But Bee, Erykah Badu and MMJ?” then please allow the video below to tell you all you need to know.
It has been reported (everywhere) that Wilco are hunkered down in their Lakeview loft recording a new album but that hasn’t stopped Jeff Tweedy from taking time out for a mini solo acoustic tour of sorts where he has been unveiling a bunch of new songs like the gorgeous and romantic “Open Your Mind” which he recently debuted in Canada. I’ll be curious to see if these new songs end up on the Wilco album. I’m writing this because I realized that Tweedy stops by The Vic this weekend for two benefit shows. You can expect to see yours truly and The Naughty Librarian® swooning out of control. (I’ll be the fool that can’t put her camera away – so don’t bump me or get in my way!)
It’s the last weekend of February and we’re still here! We made it through some serious THUNDERSNOW, a snowpacalypse, a mayoral race and no one called the cops on you when you slashed your neighbor’s car tire after he took the spot you spent hours digging out! In short, it has been real. Let’s send February off right, here are some suggestions for weekend fun.
There are a couple of great shows for you to choose from tonight:
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Sunday: If you didn’t get one of the exclusive invites to the Naughty Librarian’s place for the Oscar viewing (i.e. snark) party then Cobra Lounge is where you can find some fun with Kansas City quartet Making Movies return to Chicago. Flash Decker and you’ll get a free shot!
Its almost the weekend kids, a few bits and pieces to keep you busy while you pretend to work.
Interpol, having just completed the North American leg of their tour this past weekend in Boston, are offering a free Tour EP featuring music from tour pals School of Seven Bells and Matthew Dear and also features “Lights” from Interpol’s most recent release.
In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb. 20-26) Matt Ryd announced via his blog that he will be donating the proceeds of every single dollar collected from sales of his CD from his webstore to the National Eating Disorder Association. He’s covering PayPal costs too. You can read his complete post HERE.
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I have had this video kicking around the Inbox for a while – I guess better late than never. Maps & Atlases released a video for “Living Decorations” off of Perch Patchwork. The video’s fun concept revolves around the character Rick Reebok (hottest last name ever) and follows him as he sets up and performs. Maps and Atlases will be at Lincoln Hall on March 11.
For those you musicians/bands out there hoping to land a gig at SXSW: Gigmaven is holding a contest with two winners receiving slots to play at their SXSW day party at Emo’s in Austin on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The kind folks at Gigmaven will also throw a few bucks your way for travel expenses, they’ll have a professional photographer at your set and more. The winners will be announced March 2, 2011 at 2pm. For a full description of rules click HERE.
And if you don’t know…Gigmaven is a free service connecting musicians directly to venues. They’re a NY based company that recently expanded to Chicago and hosts a blog that highlights their picks for artists to watch. So yeah, check it out.
It’s Dre Day! The Reader has an insightful article on the history of Dre Day to bring you up to speed. It all goes down tonight at Double Door with Mic Terror, The Jordan Years, The Opus and DJ sets by The Comeups, Trew, Big Once and Kool Hersch. There’ll be swag bags, $20 Sack Pyramid, a photobooth and all sorts of other fun beginning at 9pm, 21+, advance tickets $10 and can be bought here, otherwise it’ll set you back $12 at the door.
And finally on Sunday, (((Sonorama))) will be at Cobra spinning the most danceable and funky tunes for everyone. Never a cover, 9pm, always free with tons of drink specials and a little something extra if you wink at Decker.
Happy Hump Day drones! Some interesting videos in today’s roundup because I’m sleepy and need all the non-Red Bull stimulation I can get.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy & The Cairo Gang will release a new 10” single on Feb. 22 called “Island Brothers”. Proceeds from the single will go to the EDGE Outreach organization which helps provide pure water and education in Haiti. Below is the video for the b-side “New Wonder” –I couldn’t watch the whole video (it’s a bit intense) instead I just listened to the song which is simply is gorgeous.
AEMMP, Columbia College’s record label will release the compilation Chomp Too tomorrow. The release is a solid collection of some of the best local talent in the city like A Lull, Secret Colours, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic to name a few. Head to Stage 2 (618 S. Michigan, 6-10pm) at Columbia College tomorrow for free live sets from Chaperone, Carbon Tigers, Aetiology and Katz Company (who are also featured on Chomp Too). Listen to a track off the release below.
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Salon posted a complete version of that insane 12 iphone sync the Flaming Lips put out.
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And finally, today is the last day you can RSVP for free entry to Thursday night’s at the Empty Bottle. Betta Promotions presents: Secret Colours, Young Circles, Panda Riot and my boys Calm Palm Vapor. It’s $8 at the door if you don’t RSVP, so get on it! Email rsvp@emptybottle.com with the bands in the subject line.
It’s Tuesday and I’m already done with this week. Today I share with you all the stuff I looked at online this morning instead of working (lots of Arcade Fire in this post – WHO?!).
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We all know you’re cute so why not share that adorable mug of yours with the world by appearing in Archie Powell and the Exports’ new video (which track it will be for is currently now known). Bonus: free beer – everyone wins. The fun goes down Saturday Feb. 27 at noon at Quencher’s. You can RSVP at the FaceBook event page. In other news, the boys will be at the Empty Bottle for a FREE show on Monday Feb. 21.
*** Michael Lux and the Bad Sons have released a video with director Spencer Rohan showcasing some music off their debut EP Neat Repeater. They’ll be at Hard Rock Café on Thursday Feb. 17 and SubT on March 3. The EP is available HERE and you can name your own price. Ch-ch-ch-check it out.
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Check out this mashup of The Hood Internet – Sprawl Of Glass (Arcade Fire x Blondie).
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Bonnaroo’s lineup is up and its actually a really solid lineup. Of note: Eminem (who it is rumored will also be at Lolla), GRAMMY AWARD winners Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket (who have to hurry up and give me a release date for the new album), Grace-Fucking-Potter & The Nocturnals, Loretta Lynn, Mavis Staples and The Walkmen. The announcement came via Conan O’Brien:
Radiohead will be releasing their latest, King Of Limbs, this Saturday Feb. 19 with all the pre-order info available HERE. Besides a digital release the album will be available as perhaps the first ever “Newspaper Album”, that according to their site will include the following: 2 clear 10″ vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve; a CD; many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradeable plastic to hold it all together; a digital download that is compatible with all good digital media players; and one lucky owner of the digital version of The King Of Limbs, purchased from this website, will receive a signed 2 track 12″ vinyl.
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Roots-reggae band Akasha will headline a solid bill at Lincoln Hall on Wednesday Feb. 23 featuring The Drastics, Hood Smoke and Impala Soundsystem DJs. Here’s the video for Akasha’s single “Ooh U Got Me” off their “How Your Move”EP – sigh, I’m missing summer something fierce after watching this.
My pal Anthony Macias will be featured on Fearless House this Wednesday Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.. Log on to www.fearlessradio.com to listen.
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And finally, The Smoking Popes will be releasing their sixth studio album, This Is Only A Test, on March 15 and will be on tour this spring with a final homecoming show at the Double Door on April 3 (let’s plan to see each other there). This Is Only A Test is a concept album which according to the press release explores “themes of identity, musical aspirations, love and teen suicide” told through a fictional high schooler. If you can’t wait until April to see the Popes, they’ll be at Montrose Room in Rosemont on Feb. 19 and at Mojoes in Joliet on Feb. 25.
Mother Nature is doing us a solid by giving us grilling weather temps (for Chicago at least). We’re creeping up on another weekend chock full of fun stuff to do around town. Here are a few for consideration:
For those of you in the mood to start your Valentine’s Day a little early, Canale Art Lounge is hosting a shindig for the opening of its Erotic Photography Show featuring the works of my favorite rock photographer Jose Calvo, as well as Daniel Rangel, Jacinto Ariza and Julieta Alvarez. DJs Angelfuk and Tony Macias and will be on hand to spin some sexy tunes and will also feature a live set by Future Passion. 6-9pm, FREE, 18+
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Sonorama (the best podcast ever). Messrs Charly Garcia and Eddie Baca will be spinning some sweet vinyl at Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar in Bridgeport. Bring your dancing shoes! 9p, FREE, 21+
Sunday:
I’ll be playing my annual Grammy’s drinking game/bingo. You can follow that mess on Twitter.
