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Tag Archives: Van Ghost

North Coast Music Festival 2011

Last year’s inaugural run of North Coast Music Festival was a blast and a half and I even got to meet and tweet with Interactive Amy!  From The Chemical Brothers’ stunning visuals, Flying Lotus’ mesmerizing set, Moby finally winning me over, to the gorgeous sounds of Loyal Divide, it was an impressive start to what I hope will be a long-running festival in Chicago.  This was all covered extensively on this site and I’m going to blow it up again this year with artist previews in the weeks leading up to the fest and tons of post-fest coverage.  Six headliners were announced last week when 3 day passes officially went for sale ($95 + fees; single day passes will be available in May for $40).  [Sidebar: How insane was it that tickets via the Groupon offer sold out so fast?! I went to bed at midnight and when I woke up later that morning they were gone.  You kids don’t mess around when it comes to getting a deal.]  A few more names have rolled out and organizers will announce 50+ more acts that will be atUnionPark, September 2-4, 2011. Get your tickets and glo-sticks ready!

So far we know the following artists have been announced:

- Common

- David Guetta

- Gogol Bordello

- Little Dragon

- Lotus

- Neon Indian

- Rubblebucket

- Thievery Corporation

- Van Ghost (our pals who were awesome last year)

- Wiz Khalifa

- Wolfgang Gartner

Top 10: Michael Harrison Berg (Van Ghost)

I recently asked friends in the music business and beyond to give me the Top 10 pieces of music that made their year.  Here’s another great list (with some honorable mentions too) from friend o’ the Bee, Michael Harrison Berg, lead singer of Van Ghost, one of my favorite local bands:

3 VERY honorable mentions that came out at the end or 2nd half of 2009 but mostly lived/flourished in 2010 would be my top 3 by far:
Fun – Aim and Ignite
Dawes – The North Hills
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up from Below

Honorable Mentions:
The Roots – How I Got Over
Ok Go – Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
Vampire Weekend – Contra
MGMT – Congratulations
Eminem – Recovery
Of Montreal  – False Priest
Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals – III/IV



TOP 10 of 2010:


10. Hot Chip – One Life Stand


 


9 .  The Black Keys – Brothers


 


8 .  Deadmau5 – 4×4=12


 



7.  Big Light – Animals in Bloom


 



6.  Distant Relatives – (Nas and Damian Marley)

 

 

 


5.  Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

 

 



4.  LCD Soundsystem – This is Happeneing


 

 


3.  Band of Horses – Infinite Arms


 

 


2.  Broken Bells – Broken Bells


 

 


1.  Spoon – Transference

 

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Michael Harrison Berg is the lead singer of Chicago rock band, Van Ghost.  Their set at North Coast this year was one of the highlights of the weekend.  The Mountain Jam podcast is now available for FREE download on their site.  Next, they’ll be at Jam Cruise 9, departing Jan. 4.  I’m jealous.

CBB Preview: Van Ghost

We are counting down to the 3rd Annual Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival.  Today and in the coming weeks you’ll see profiles of bands and artists we think you should check out.

WHO: Van Ghost

WHEN: Saturday 12/04/10 5pm @ Congress Theatre

WHY:  Because we’ve talked about them before and at last summer’s North Coast Fest they did not disappoint.   Fresh off a stint at Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival, they’re back home to show off their searing blues influenced style of American rock.  If you’ve never seen them before or if you missed them at North Coast be sure to stop by and check out Jennifer Hartswick’s scorching vocals and Michael Harrison Berg’s swagger on stage.  You’ll be rockin’ out and dancing your ass off!

North Coast Fest Recap Day 2

Van Ghost

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North Coast Festival Preview: Van Ghost

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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