Event Wed Dec 03 2008
So you've gotten some friends together and decided to form a band. You've thought of a clever name for yourself and have written a few songs together. You're ready to take the next step, but aren't sure where to start. Rather than sitting around waiting to get noticed, you can take matters into your own hands. With some hard work and ingenuity, you can book your own shows, promote yourself, and sell your music without paying someone else to do it for you. Martin Atkins is here to show you the way.
Martin Atkins, author of Tour:Smart, has made a name for himself as a drummer for Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Pigface, Killing Joke, and Nine Inch Nails. He's also the owner of Chicago label Invisible Records, and writes an advice column for bands on Suicide Girls (link NSFW). Pretty much, this guy knows his stuff, and he's willing to impart his wisdom onto you and your band tomorrow night, for free. Martin will be hosting a seminar at Reggies on Thursday, where he will discuss the state of the music industry, plus how to book yourself, market yourself, and succeed as a band. Did I mention the seminar is free? They'll also have free appetizers and Red Bull.
The Tour:Smart Band Summit is happening Thursday night at Reggies, 2105 S. State St. It lasts from 6:30 - 9:00 pm and is all ages. While the event is free, you must register beforehand by signing up here.
— Stephanie Griffin /
Event Wed Dec 03 2008
Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis have a ton of knowledge between them in rock music and the going-ons in the industry. You've heard them on "the worlds only rock 'n' roll talk show," Sound Opinions, and now you can join them live to discuss the future of the music industry in this uncertain time.
It's no secret that the Internet and the digital age have changed the way we listen to music, buy music, are exposed to music, and generally enjoy artists we like. Record companies are left scrambling to try to figure out how to still make a profit in this new time, but what does it mean for you the consumer/ listener, and for the musicians themselves? Kot and De Rogatis promise to break it down for you tonight at Columbia College's Conway Center (1104 S. Wabash). It's free, but space is limited so get there early. Doors open at 5:30, and the talk begins at 6pm.
Chicago Public Radio Event Details
— Michelle Meywes /
Concert Wed Dec 03 2008
Sunday night, I headed out to the Double Door for a good dose of metal, and I got what I had hoped for. It was a unique night, though, beginning with a cab driven by the one and only Ray St. Ray, the Singing Cab Driver. Knowing that I was going to a concert for an artist whose work I am only marginally familiar with, I was a bit skeptical of the whole night. Of course, that seems to be how I look at every concert these days. Ray's songs got me in the mood, though. Honestly, if you're on your way to see ohGr, it's always best to start your night out with a cab driver who sings a large collection of songs that range in about "Love! Sex! Social Significance! Dreams!" (Or "Other!" as the case may be).
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— Gavin Robinson /
Album Tue Dec 02 2008
Andrew Bird has pushed the release date of his new album, Noble Beast, up one week from January 27 to January 20. What I thought was to be released as two different albums, one instrumental, has been pressed into a special-edition two-CD set. This Deluxe Edition will come with different artwork by Diana Sudyka, extra photos, a fold out poster, and a 24-page illustrated lyric book and will only be available through pre-order at Fat Possum and on release date at record stores.
The hook? You can only get the extra instrumental CD, Useless Creatures, (which by the way includes another hometown guy--Wilco's Glenn Kotche--on percussion) with the Deluxe-Edition (although I'm sure it will eventually be released on it's own...). Otherwise you'll just have to settle for the Standard Edition.
(Album art above is from the Standard Edition)
— Michelle Meywes /
Benefit Mon Dec 01 2008
Rock for Kids was started by local musicians and others in the industry as a fundraiser to buy holiday gifts for homeless children. This idea appropriately evolved into Youth Jams, an after-school education program which brings free music instruction to underprivileged and homeless children. After-school programs in general are great for keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble and giving them somewhere good to direct their energy. Programs offering a creative outlet like Youth Jams also help them gain confidence and self-esteem, and might even pique their interest in music and set them on a path they might not otherwise ever get to see. Better yet, this program offers the opportunity to learn about current music that's a little more modern than what they're probably exposed to in school. I know if I was a kid, I'd be way more interested in learning how to play guitar or drums like my favorite band than playing "mary had a little lamb" on a recorder.
This Friday, Rock For Kids holds it's Twentieth Annual Rock & Roll Charity Auction at Park West (322 W. Armitage). The auction includes signed items from Wilco, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, and more. The Auction begins at 7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The VIP bash begins at 6pm and you can buy tickets for that and the auction for $75. You can also bid online up until Friday.
— Michelle Meywes /
Concert Mon Dec 01 2008
Some things in life you just have to learn for yourself -- usually the hard way. But often times, especially during one's younger and formative years, there's some guardian or elder figure there to offer warnings or advice. For instance, one of my Cajun great-uncles once told me: "The one thing you need to know is how to stay outta trouble. Because the thing about trouble is that it's real easy to get into; and once you're in it, it's a total bitch to get out of." Words like that often go a lot further when you're hearing them from someone who knows what they're talking about.
It seems Sharon Jones, by virtue of her age and experience, knows a good bit about trouble. About being in it, staying out of it, and knowing it when you see it. And to hear her sing, it also sounds like she also knows a good deal about other big things in life; about heartbreak, tenderness, forgiveness, knowing when to put your foot down and not be played for a fool, and -- perhaps more importantly -- about patience for the sake of That Love You Gotta Work On Because One Day It'll (Hopefully) Be Worth It.
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— Graham Sanford /
Concert Mon Dec 01 2008
I always get a little nervous when going to an 18+ show at the Metro. You simply never know what you're getting yourself into. Such was the case Saturday night when I ventured out to see Nada Surf. I had concers about what I would find what I would find inside, as I honestly had no clue what kind of audience even goes to a Nada Surf concert. All I know about this band is their new album and the fact that I used to sing "Popular" all throughout high school. Would the rest of the audience be my age or would they all be 18 and 19?
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— Gavin Robinson /
Feature Mon Dec 01 2008
A change has come to the band that inspired the phrase "beard rock", and now the Brooklyn foursome are now a trio. Akron/Family's discography has found them collaborating with Michael Gira of Swans and his Angels of Light project, as well as master percussionist (and Chicagoan) Hamid Drake, swaying back and forth between the yelping jammy joy of freak-folk and experimental jams utilizing their musical chops. With the departure of Ryan Vanderhoof, the band is adjusting to new dynamics and enjoying the ride. We sat down with Dana Janssen from the band to discuss the influences for the new record, last-second Chicago venue changes, killer Scrabble moves, and our predictions on how exactly the band will sell out to the man.
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— Anne Holub /
Artist Sun Nov 30 2008
Interestingly enough, his hidden celebrity has brought him admiration from his own heros in the world of electronic music. Hernan says,
I meet people on the dancefloor throughout the world; they'll introduce me as the "Mortal Kombat voice guy" and you can see their eyes get as big as plates. These are people that I respect within the industry, that I'm a fan of, and they'll look back at me and say, "I'm am so glad to meet you!" Then the conversation eventually comes around to, "Hey can you please do 'Finish Him!'" or something like that, and it becomes an exchange of fandom from one world to another.
Hernan performs locally under his own name and as Bastard with Brian Franzen.[via]
— Liz McLean Knight /
Concert Sun Nov 30 2008
Kristin Hersh made her name in the '80s and early '90s as the voice and songwriter, along with stepsister Tanya Donelly, of Throwing Muses. (Donelly left the group in 1991 for The Breeders and later Belly.) Signed to the pathologically eclectic 4AD, the band's songs were (and are) intelligent, angular, unorthodox compositions full of catchy, hard hitting hooks. Among other current projects, she's performing a show called "The Shady Circle", based on the dark end of Southern and Appalachian folk music; the show makes Chicago on Saturday at the Old Town School of Folk Music. (See the entry in Slowdown for more info.) It's a solo performance, with Hersh accompanying herself on guitar. The setting is intimate; previous shows have been in living rooms, including one from 9/25 that was recorded and is available for download.
In an introduction to the show, Hersh says with some humor that "almost all of [the songs] are about murder ... some are about Jesus, but mostly it's about getting drunk and killing your girlfriend." Country-ish rockers with a fascination for the dark side of folk songs are nothing new, (particularly around here) so the bar is set a little high, and in general, it's easy to feel that this sort of thing amounts to musical window dressing. That said, this particular show doesn't make slavish devotion to the historic tunes, from the distorted guitar sounds to the inclusion of the Throwing Muses song "City of the Dead" and a cover of the Latin Playboys' "If". It has a sound all its own, which prevents the feeling that you'd be happier listening to old Ralph Stanley records. Some of the best moments ("To A Man", "I'm Waiting For The One Train") remind one of the brooding blues of "To Bring You My Love"-era PJ Harvey; Hersh's voice and guitar have a lot of the same slow-burn intensity that makes that record work. Moreover, it allows her to seamlessly set down rock material next to classic ballads like "Wayfaring Stranger", mixing their qualities and evocations. All in all, the show has a lot of genuine appreciation for classic material, and is forward thinking enough to show how rock and roll fits in here.
— Erik Cameron /
Concert Sat Nov 29 2008
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International is just what their name suggests... a band that will make you want to get up and dance with their West African grooves. Even if you don't know how to dance the meringue, you'll pretend like you do. The different members have backgrounds in jazz, rock and African music, and they all bring something to the table.
This summer they performed at Pitchfork Music Festival and Chicago's Summerdance series. They also opened for Andrew Bird at his Pritzker performance in September. They have a lot more to come including free downloads you can get at the news section of their website. Catch them tonight at Schubas where friend W.W. Loman opens. 3159 N. Southport. 10:30pm. 21 & up. Tickets are $10.
— Michelle Meywes /
Concert Fri Nov 28 2008
Clouds had been on tour for a good while before being invited to join back up with Boris for a jaunt through the Midwest and on back east. They hit Chicago on Saturday, November 29th, rolling into the Empty Bottle just in time to cure everyone of their excessive exposure to turkey and family. Based out of Boston, for all that they haven't seen that east coast city for a while, Jim Carroll chatted of the cities they've seen and the bands they've seen those cities with.
This past March Clouds hit SXSW promoting the release of their album "We Are Above You" on Hydra Head Records. As always, the four day music fest an onslaught of music from around the worlds, as well as a showcase of fans' willingness to flock to Texas to see their favorite, or soon to be favorite bands. SXSW may swell the population of Austin by about ten times, but according to Jim, the vibe is really the same that weekend as on any given Monday night.
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— Alexis Finch /
Review Fri Nov 28 2008
There's a wonderful urgency about punk rock -- that's what makes it so enticing. No matter the message, there's that undercurrent of "Listen now! Hurry!' that for one moment makes the listener perk up and pay attention. Whether the music can maintain that level of interest is a whole 'nother matter entirely.
Nonagon, a local band boasting lots of local cred -- the trio includes Tony Aimone (The Blue Meanies, Taylor, J. Davis Trio), Robert Gomez (der lugomen, Martian Law), and John Hastle (Jumpknuckle). Their debut EP, No Sun, was recorded in town by Greg Norman, and the awesome screenprinted packaging was printed by The Bird Machine folks with help from poster boy Jay Ryan. All that's missing is a Chi flag tattoo, a Hot Doug's dog, and a bottle of Malört.
What No Sun brings to the table is the punka rocka requisites: fast riffs, supertight drumming, and screamy vocals that demand attention. What's their message? It's hard to say, frankly, but the clean, poppy melodies mostly distract from any lack of diction or liner notes. There's something rather nice and early '90s much of the release, particularly about the instrumental "Peterson." But it's really "Fake Baby Lucius" that is the best example of what Nonagon's capable of: cohesive, kick-in-the-face punk.
Unfortunately, toward the end of the EP, No Sun falls into the familiar punk rock trap of what we'll call "sameyness." It's sort of hard to differentiate the tracks at this point, and while their experiments with time signatures is admirable, it's not quite enough to pull it out of the rut.
But, you know, for an EP, four outta six ain't bad. I'd love to see what these guys do live, and even moreso what they could do with a full-length album.
— Kara Luger /
Artist Wed Nov 26 2008
Considering today's relatively paltry options in the rock music category, you may have been seriously in need of some really good (maybe old?) music. So much so that you may have even resorted to listening to old albums like, say, the Jesus Lizard's classic, Shot. Now, it's been announced that the classic band from Chicago is, in fact, being resurrected. For the first time since 1999, the original line-up of David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims and Mac McNeilly will reunite for a handful of shows. They've announced that the tour will include Chicago at some point, but will begin in England at the All Tomorrow's Parties Fans Strike Back festival in May of next year. The dates and prices of any of the shows on the tour (including the festival) are still unannounced, but we'll keep you posted.
Not content to make things happen simply by performing live again, their record label, Touch and Go, will be remastering and re-issuing their albums; Head, Goat, Liar, and Down. Color me excited.
— Gavin Robinson /
Let's just start off by saying that in case you haven't heard it yet, The Thin Man's music is certainly not for children. I wonder if they ever manage to sneak an all ages gig in? One of their classics An Undertaker Muses rattles off a nice list to fend off even the least conscientious parents. "This one's for the junkies. This one is for the tweakers. This one is for the unsafe sex practitioners. And oh, here come the good old days."
Over the years and albums the themes of The Thin Man's songs haven't changed much. Fueled by whiskey, disappointment and sudden death every song is an ode to the fallibility of the human race. Good thing people are so creative with their self destruction or this might have gotten old by now. Instead each new song is like another fix for the listener.
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— Alexis Finch /
