Radio Free Chicago

RFC Reviews: Frontier Ruckus "Deadmalls and Nightfalls"

I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Frontier Ruckus. From the first captivating notes of the band's latest cd, Deadmalls and Nightfalls, I knew I was listening to something special but at the minute-and-twenty-four-second mark, when everything - banjo, vocals, trumpet, saw - comes together, something enrapturing happens and it feels slightly revelatory.

So where exactly had these boys been all my life? Well, it ends up that they'd been in my own backyard all along, which is strange because I'd never heard hide nor hair concerning Frontier Ruckus until this summer, despite the fact that the band came together not more than 30 minutes from where I grew up. Before I moved to Chicago, I was fairly well versed in the Detroit scene, spending a great majority of my youth at The Magic Stick and The Blind Pig, venues the band has played at more than a few times.

After memorizing the entirety of the band's third cd over the course of a week, I poured over their back catalog and came out of my own personal Frontier Ruckus-palooza feeling that being unaware of their organic, evocative folk had robbed me of something great that would have been terribly influential on my early 20's.

Frontier Ruckus - Nerves of The Nightmind

Combining the influences of the beloved indie rock of yore (Jeff Mangum, anyone?) with understated folk tragedy, lead singer Matthew Milia comes across vocally as a just-as-unhinged, slightly-more-boyish version of Okkervil River's Will Sheff. And we all know how I feel about Will Sheff! (Hint: Very positively.)

Milia's prowess as a wordsmith shines through on nearly every song, perfectly complimented by the at turns lilting and enrapturing banjo of bandmate Davey Jones, but the standout here as far as I'm concerned is "Springterror", one of the more heartwrenchingly earnest tracks on Deadmalls and Nightfalls. If you can make it through the lyrics "If I knew which part of me was wax, I would try to truncate it" without feeling even the least bit affected, you might not have a heart.

 

 

Punctuated by Neutral Milk Hotel influenced horns with a heavy leaning towards Okkervil River's masterpiece Black Sheep Boy, Deadmalls and Nightfallsis steeped in Michigan lore, perfectly encapsulating both the remarkable singularity of the state and the isolating loneliness I've always felt when returning home. The record plays out for me like the time I skedaddled north ways with a bruised heart to reassess my life and I imagine if Deadmalls and Nightfalls had been out during that point in my existence, it would have climbed to the tip top of my last.fm chart within a week or less. Referencing everything from small towns I know far too well to trips to Canada to a billboard on the side of I-96, I am of the belief that whenever I'm feeling a wave of homesickness come over me, Deadmalls and Nightfallswill be my go-to disc for soundtracking my sadness.

That isn't to say that you have to have ties to the mittens to appreciate Frontier Ruckus. In fact, all you have to do is appreciate solid, multilayered, impeccably composed music. People with a preference for attention to detail will be particularly taken by the new standard Frontier Ruckus has set for themselves as each of Deadmalls and Nightfalls' 12 tracks is shown just as much affection by the band as the last.

Take note, ladies and gents - Frontier Ruckus just might be the new face of indie folk.

Screaming Females to Rock Schubas This Saturday

There's only one female in Screaming Females, but given the amount of rock-and-roll energy packed into singer/guitar goddess Marissa Paternoster, you can understand the mistake. Screaming Females play their brand of raw-but-tuneful punk rock with an unselfconscious glee belying their technical proficiency. After years of underground shows in their native New Brunswick, New Jersey, the band's intense touring schedule—three hundred shows in three years!—has finally paid off, landing them spots with the likes of Dinosaur Jr. and the Dead Weather (whom they very nearly upstaged. It was awesome.) Give "Bell" a listen, and keep in mind that, in the finest punk rock tradition, Screaming Females are best appreciated live.

Screaming Females - Bell

Screaming Females with Michael Michael Motorcycle at Schubas August 21. $8. Doors at 9 PM.

Tokyo Police Club take over the Metro!

If you’re not into Dax Riggs’ bluesy jams, put on your “Boots of Danger” to brave the hoards of imbibing Cubs fans--or better yet, join them!-- in Wrigleyville to catch some of our favorite Canadians, Tokyo Police Club, at the Metro this evening of August 20th.

They’re not police, they’re not Japanese, and they’re not really a club.

In the years since their 2006 debut A Lesson In Crime EP and 2008’s Elephant Shell, Tokyo Police Club prove to have grown up a bit, though their boyish appearances might lead you astray. Their latest release, Champ, albeit nostalgic and simple and still so charming, exemplifies TPC’s coming out of their shell. Hell, their songs are even averaging more than two minutes a pop nowadays!  

Sporting his typically untailored vocal style, singer/bassist Dave Monks’ plummets to unforeseen depths with each verse on “Bambi,” while soaring ooo's litter the background throughout the album. The Vancouver natives promise their signature pauses, claps, and plenty of synth-y hooks.

$20 at the doors may seem a little steep but it is the Metro, so you know it will be worth every cent. 18+, sorry kids—bring your fakes? Doors are at 8pm, be there by 9pm to check out the openers Arkells and RFC pals Freelance Whales, who interviewed not so long ago with our own Jennifer Larson. Fair warning: their multihued lights display, while awesome, may have seizure-inducing potential.

RFC Barnstorms Once More!

Our more astute readers might remember that last month, editor Amber Valentine, videographer Spencer Wells, moonlighting photographer Mark Fain, and contributing superstar Braden Rapp came together as one for Daytrotter's Barn on the 4th of July Show, as part of Amber's continuing string of "Rock and Roll Road Trips". Wait. No? You don't remember that? Well, maybe you'll recall the obnoxious string of five posts all dedicated to the adventures that were had with the likes of Dawes, Young Man, These United States, Justin Townes Earle, Jonny Corndawg, and The Walkmen. Yeah, I thought that would jog your memory!

Well, on the 22nd, at least half of those RFC staffers will be returning to Maquoketa, Iowa for another booze enchanted hootenanny, beating the August heat with great music and even greater folks in the best barn in the Midwest. (Sorry, Seacrest 1883 Octagonal Barn in West Branch, you're cool too.)

We really think you ought to join us there to catch a portion of the epicness that you missed on the 4th and to fully grasp what all the fuss is about when it comes to these barn shows. To say they've ruined me for regular concerts is an understatement - After hanging out on hay bales and in corn fields, bars just don't have the same passionate energy anymore. That isn't to knock Schubas or Lincoln Hall, of course. Rather, it's to say that these barn shows are something special and a three hour drive and a ten dollar bill is a small price to pay for the experience, let alone the bands.

Roadside Graves - Everything

Before hitting the proverbially Windy City on the 24th, Roadside Graveswill be bringing their whiskey soaked Americana to the Maquoketa barn and joining them will be Gold Motel, The 4 on the Floor, Dinosaur Feathers, Lonnie Walker, The Treats, What Happened Japan?, Danger Ronnie and The Spins and the just-added-to-the-bill folk trio Gun Lake. Yes, you read that right - Nine - Count 'em, nine! - noteworthy bands. In a barn. For $10.

Last time around, it was no secret who RFC was most excited to see. While these barn shows always offer the best and brightest of line ups, with nary a weak link to be found, it was long time favorites Dawes and the Walkmen that we knew would steal the show, as they've already stole editor in chief Amber's heart long ago. This time, however, it's Ann Arbor, Michigan's little known Gun Lake that we're most looking forward to. Why? Well, we're not sure if you know but that Amber's quite the connoisseur of folk music, particularly of the "dude with a beard and a knack for heartbreaking poetics" variety. Not only does Gun Lake fit all of those criteria but they also go far above and beyond, combining the self deprecating sadness of Elliott Smith, Fleet Foxes harmonies, Justin Vernon-esque hushed beauty, and a heavy does of originality to create some of the most enrapturing folk music we've heard in a while. Yes, those are heady comparisons for a band that's only just recording their debut album but believe us - Gun Lake can deliver.

Check out their myspaceand hear for yourself before dustin' off your dancin' shoes, grabbin' your sunglasses, and buyin' a 12 pack of your favorite cheap American beer! Because it's time to plan a rock and roll road trip of your very own!

Dax Riggs bears down on the Empty Bottle Friday Night

Converging to the Ukrainian Village on August 20th is Dax Riggs and his heavy combination of psychedelic and blues rock. Supporting his new album, Say Goodnight to the World, the ominous frontman of Acid Bath and DeadBoy & the Elephantman has since shifted the gritty gears towards a sound reminiscent of The Black Keys circa 1970. Have a listen to "Let Me Be Your Cigarette," with full sounding vocals that would recall Beck had they not divert at the last second towards a classic heavy metal snarling baritone. His "No One Will Be A Stranger" recalls Josh Homme's singing style; loose, greasy, yet it just grips your eardrums. 

Dax Riggs - Let Me Be Your Cigarette

Openers Mark Treca and Brighton, MA start off the night at 10:00 PM. Tickets are $12.

Archie Powell & The Exports Hit Schubas... And You Can Go For Free!

Our more astute readers might remember that earlier this month, RFC got to premiere "Enough About Me", the new single from Chicago darlings Archie Powell & The Exports. But a week or so later, we gave ya'll a look at their video for the same song and mentioned that local the boys will make good on the 23rd by playing this gal's second favorite venue in the world, Schubas. Well, the show's only a few days away and guess what? Not only is Radio Free Chicago and a number of their stellar staff members going to be in attendance but you can be there too! For free! Do I have your attention now?

Well, the good folks at Betta Promtions have been kind enough to give us two pair of free tickets to the show and we want you to have them.

What's the catch? No catch! All you have to do is e-mail RadioFreeChicago@Gmail.com by August 21st at noon with the subject line of "Send me to Schubas to see Archie Powell & The Exports!". Easy as that!

The show is 18 and up so no young'uns allowed, sorry! But as long as your of legal cigarette buying age, we'd love to see you there! And, you know, if you win the contest,you'd be getting in for free so I'm sure no one would mind if you bought your favorite brunette music jounralist a drink as a thank you. Just sayin'.

And if you're still wondering what all the fuss is about, check out the raucous video for AP&E's "Enough About Me". Pinatas! Bright colors! Cake! Beer! What's not to like?
 

Ferraby Lionheart Romances Space

Sometimes, readers, I feel like a broken record. One quick glance at my iPod or any of my recent posts here at RFC will tell you that even though I branch out occasionally into indie pop and good ol' fashioned rock and roll, it's obvious that, at the end of the day, nothing gets under my skin like folk music. From Frontier Ruckus to Jeremy Messersmith, nothing affects me quite like a charming fella with an acoustic guitar and a taste for heartache so it's only natural that my favorite release of the month thus far is Ferraby Lionheart's sophomore effort, The Jack Of Hearts.

Every song on the album evokes a different emotion - From the tender opening track "Holdin' Me Back" to the southern stomp of the seductive "Sweet Tanzini" and the romantic album standout "Drag Me 'Round", The Jack of Hearts, from start to finish, is a cd for the country, for road trips, for sunglasses and fields of corn and bales of hay. It's an album that recalls sunrises just as much as it does sunsets, spring just as much as it does fall. It's a record to lay outide with, to barracade yourself indoors with, to drink to, to sober up to. It's a record that solidifies Ferraby Lionheart's place in modern music as a champion of folk and a troubadour whose songs will last the test of time and are sure to be oft-covered modern classics.

Ferraby Lionheart - Arkansas

 

 

On the 19th, Lionheart brings his vintage blend of accessible harmonies and heavy folk leanings to Space in Evanston with Jenny Lewis' favorite duo, The Watson Twins, in tow and to miss it would probably be the crime of the century. The show starts at 8 and is all ages. With tickets costing a measly $12, there's really no excuse to not be in attendance, folks. I mean, c'mon - Evanston isn't that far away!

RFC Reviews: Lissie's "Catching a Tiger"

Musicians flock to the closest big city and cling to it, often using it as a declaration of identity. Matt Skiba associates more nowadays with Chicago and San Francisco than his McHenry roots. Josh Caterer continues to embrace Carpentersville for both his Duvall and Smoking Popes days. Lissie acknowledges and entwines with her Rock Island roots and its moonlit Mississippi banks. As with all resilient, creative youth in small towns and cities, Lissie's defiant essence tossed and tasseled her to Colorado State University, Paris, Los Angeles, Ojai, and Tennessee before settling-for now-along the Thames. The one unknown locale being a quiet town of 8,000 in California where she rented a previously unseen farmhouse.

Catching a Tiger is all that is occurring in the United Kingdom with the likes of Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, and Laura Marling but firmly planted in the blonde fields of America. Implanting Americana and country in quickened, indie rock lend an authenticity to undeniable songs akin to handcrafted tools. They have the tender care and consideration at the core, and Lissie's songs are as durable due to her ability to swiftly meander amidst music styles. "Stranger" stands out like a time-warped truck stop oasis with a brightness reminiscent of late 1950s pop. Lissie distorts this classic with an alternate universe use of lyrics decreeing independence replacing the tales of diner and classic car swooning romance.

Lissie - Bully

Laura Veirs Covets Her July Flame

As summer is quickly coming to an end I find myself  dreading the cold winter, yet listening to an album can quickly warm me up.... 

There is a theme in July Flame, Laura Veirs’ latest album, released in January of this year, and contrary to what one may assume involves summer... or seasons in general, it is that of the passing of seasons as much as it is the conquering and progression of love and/or lack there of. 

“July Flame”s lyrical melancholy sways like the changing of seasons; the uncertainty of winter, the hope of spring, the warmth of summer and finally the fall, the falling in love. In the opening track and album name, “July Flame”, Veirs sings with vigor and persistence “Can I call you my own, can I call mine?”; An inquiry of uncertainty from that before mentioned can be likened to the cold winter, which in turn may allude to the title, insinuating the insulation of summer warmth, some comfort, some semblance of certainty while feeling left out, in the cold wicked snow, could somehow thaw her doubt. 

And uncertainty is a central theme to quite a few track off of “Flame”, including: “Where are you driving?” which lyrics inquire an anonymous ‘son: “where are you driving to, to meet another new...”? And in the same manner, the final track, which as one may assume ends in the winter is “When You Give Your Heart”, in which Veirs uses metaphor to describe her “stampeding buffalo, stops in her tracks and watches the snow, falling through the old oak tree, when you give your  heart to me” So lovely as Veirs’ voice and the Viola harmonize synchronically with devastation and utter glee. 

So, as July Flame does involve both metaphor (not to be confused with her earlier album “Year of Meteors”) to boot, but also borders on seasonal affect disorderly uncertainty.

July Flame is an honest, heartbreaking melodic album suitable for any season and in turn every feeling; the longing for love one can claim their own; the coldness of doubt and fulness of warmth by a flame one cannot only melt, but also blow out and eventually call their very own.

 

Hey Bands! Who Wants Their Song On A Compilation?

Hey, you. Yeah, you. You in a band? Yeah? Well, keep reading. Our good friends over at the amazing site Better Than The Van have a proposition for you. In addition to offering you a free place to stay when you're on tour (A place that's better than the van, at that! Get it? Get it? That's where the site got it's name from!), they want to put your song on a compilation and give you a slice of the profits.

Sound too good to be true? Well, for the most part, everything about Better Than The Van sounds too good to be true. Take our word for it, however - The site's legit and so is the contest.

All you have to do is read the rules and submit your song here and you're good to go!

RFC Preview: September's Meaty Metro Explosion

Just when you thought festival season seemed to start winding itself down, the Metro went ahead and booked a veritable mini-fest of bands that we here at RFC love to cover. On Saturday, September 18, New Jersey firebrands Titus Andronicus will spit, spew and slam out their punkish anthems to lies, loathing and the fucked-up American Way. They'll do so at Wrigleyville's Metro — and they're bringing Best Coast, Free Energy and Male Bonding with them. Oh, and by the way, advance tickets are currently on sale for 16 freakin' dollars.

Now, if your above-average indie concert goes down like, say, a delicious Burger King Double Quarter Pounder, I'm gonna go ahead and say that the Metro built a full-on BK Quad Stacker of a rock show (see ultra-professional illustration/mad PhotoShop skillz at upper right). Four great American indie rock leading lights provide four (supposedly) all-beef patties of stacked meaty goodness, sandwiched into the storied sesame-seed bun of the Metro — and the $16 cover slathers on the tangy-sweet Stacker Sauce that makes it all go down so guilty-smooth. And the bacon? Ah... that must be, er... the merch table... OK! End of analogy. Also, like the Quad Stacker, this show could easily rip your coronary artery into an AMI, but I promise you'll hit the ground smiling.

Glissandro 70... Something Begins & Ends In The West

Glissandro 70 - Portugal Rua Rua 

It all began in summer of 2003, with an audio web blog and a single song titled "Something". Sandro Perri and Craig Dunsmuir released their self-titled album Glissandro 70 in 2006. It is an EP consisting of tribal beats and DIY cut and pastel loops. The five track album glistens in its billowing vocals, chants and teeth chattering beats. The track "Portugal Rua Rua" will get any enenthused listener on their toes, completely entranced in their bis innovation. Glissandro 70 is a collaboration of Sandro Perri; known best for his project Polmo Polpo, and as a solo musician and a producer. His latest self-released abum Tiny Mirrors is minimalist and dreamy.  The other half of G70 is Craig Dunsmuir,  who has also played bass in Currently In These United States, Celestino, Kid Sniper, Eudora, Nouns, Anglers Arms and the rock-band incarnation of Polmo Polpo. Both are natives of Toronto, Canada and signed with Costellation Records. 

Interested in seeing the duo perform in NYC?

Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010

Time: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Glissandro 70 / Constellation, Toronto, Canada (DJ set)

RFC Reviews: Agent Ribbons "Chateau Crone"

After becoming seriously bummed that the Jenny and Johnny tour isn’t coming to a town less than two hours away from me in Cincinnati (I know, I know, a true fan drives anywhere but journalism isn’t paying the bills y’all, I have to brew coffee for The Man at 5 a.m.) I figured I would troll press releases for something new and exciting to console me. Enter into my life Austin’s Agent Ribbons.

I was skeptical at first, given that the Agents’ press art had a few girls dressed a bit Lolita. True, usually three cuties in frills and lace are a good thing, but given the recent Alice and Wonderland trend I felt perhaps they were being a little kitsch. However, after finding such intriguing gems in their bio as “a tree house club of post-feminism dreamers trying to find their place in the scheme of things, like a hand-sewn and lovingly-crafted garment in a modern disposable world” and “banned in the UK in 2008,” I decided to give the ladies a spin.

If you, like me, feel there is not nearly enough appreciation and performance of cabaret and burlesque in the world today, you may find that Agent Ribbons is a comforting yet sexy breath of hope. After listening to the first few tracks off of the trio’s upcoming sophomore release Chateau Crone, it struck me that I had actually heard the group perform  in San Diego as a two-piece a couple of years ago. Vocalist Natalie Gordon belts out the band’s baroque pop in a style that is somehow both melancholy and exuberant, and hard to forget. I remember watching her flounce around stage, underscoring her flurried guitar playing with a cute, blue tea-time dress. Her delivery on the album is the special little prize in the grab bag, giving the sometimes threadbare jams a decidedly more whimsical inflection.

Though I like the group and their music in summation, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a bit of that kitsch slinking about the album like the cat smell you can’t seem to get out of your apartment even though you ripped up the carpet two years ago. If you can get past that and embrace the drama, most of the tunes are deft and delightful in their ability to fuse vintage with modern, like gypsy rag “I’ll Let You Be My Baby” and '50s girl band dream "Oh La La!." I promise you, you won't be sorry. If you like garage bands, folk, pop, cabaret, or girls with perfect cherry red hair and short dresses - and let's face it, you like at least one of those things or you wouldn't be reading this in the first place - then you will find a tune or two to love as your own on Chateau Crone.

 Oh, La La! - Agent Ribbons

Chateau Crone isn’t seeing the streets until October, but Natalie, Naomi, and Lauren Ribbons (they’ve adapted the unified Ribbons surname for the stage) are embarking on tour Aug. 16. See them at Subterranean on Sept. 7, or check their MySpace page if you’re a non-Chicagoan for a date near you.

RFC Gallery: Local Natives' "Wide Eyes"

So much of the music produced by Local Natives exudes this idealistic enjoyment of life, looking forward with a hopefulness and carefree attitude. “Wide Eyes” the opening track to the Silver Lake quintet's debut, Gorilla Manor sets the record's tone focusing on the person, one molds themselves into as an adult and the nostalgia and childlike tendencies brought to surface as this new persona takes face. I feel like there's a stage in a young adult's life when actions and decisions made are no longer appropriate and that angst-like innocence is no longer an excuse. This song bottles up that essence exhibiting an expression of elated optimism.

 

 Local Natives - Wide Eyes

Jeremy Messersmith Hits Schubas Tomorrow!

Last week, RFC turned a keen ear towards Jeremy Messersmith's third release, The Reluctant Graveyard, a disc jam packed with 1960's inspired melodies and macabre sensibilities that make the record a beautifully narrated standout amongst 2010's recent releases. On the 12th, Messersmith hits Schubas and RFC will be in attendance as he strums his way through his set as nothing less than a one man band, making his own backing track as he goes along with nothing but his guitar, voice, and some fancy computer technology to help him along.

The show's 18 and up and tickets are a mere $8 so really, there's no excuse to miss the folk troubadour when he shows up with Conrad Plymouth and Judson Claiborne in tow. Still not convinced? Take a listen to the lead track off Messersmith's latest and dust off your credit card before heading over to Schubas.com.

Jeremy Messersmith - Lazy Bones