RFC Interview: Dizzee Rascal

This Wednesday, UK grime superstar Dizzee Rascal returns to Chicago for a co-headlining gig with NY underground legend El-P. It's been a while since we've seen Dizzee in these parts as there was a rather extensive three year gap in between the release of his sophomore album, Showtime, in 2004 and his latest, Maths & English, that came out last year. The gap seemed even longer here for American fans as Maths only received a "soft" release in the States then (via download only) and it wasn't until just a couple weeks ago that a physical domestic version was made available on store shelves via Definitive Jux. RFC caught up with Dizzee on the phone last week while he was taking care of business at Def Jux HQ in New York to discuss the new record and find out what he's been up to these past few years.

RFC Interview: 5 Q's with Clinic!

Everyone's favorite Liverpudlian art punks, Clinic, are back on the scene with a brand new album and a full North American tour that will have them criss crossing the continent almost non-stop starting tomorrow through the end of the month. Similar to the band Elbow who we profiled last week, Clinic first broke through in the States around the turn of the millenium with a critically acclaimed debut album that hinted at massive commercial successful for years to come...however, years later they continue to be relegated to the realm of cult favorites and critical darlings. They've still got a strong fan base here in Chicago though, as they were able to add a second headlining show next Monday night at The Empty Bottle (check the status of your tix if you ordered early, you'll probably be defaulted to the early show). RFC recently caught up with Clinic lead singer Ade Blackburn via email to check out what the band has been up to lately and how they feel about continuing to have a "cult band" status.

RFC Interview: Guy Garvey (Elbow)

Despite the haunting vibe he conveys in his songs and the delightfully dour look he conveys on the press photo to the right, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey is actually one of the funniest and easiest to talk to guys I've ever chatted with on a band interview. I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Garvey on the phone last month as he was doing press for Elbow's latest quiet masterpiece, The Seldom Seen Kid, and their upcoming North American tour that brings them to Chicago tomorrow night for a headlining show at The Park West. Click on the jump below to get the full scoop on the making of the new record and how a love of flatuence jokes has been a core virtue that has kept the band together for almost 20 years.

Mini Interview: Aleks & The Drummer

Tomorrow night, the inimitable local musical duo of Aleks & The Drummer will be rocking Bridgeport at the closing night party for this year's installment of Version Fest. The farfisa has been somewhat quiet so far in 2008, so RFC recently checked in with the band to see what they've been up to lately and if we'll finally be able to get our hands on some recorded material.

Download: Aleks and the Drummer - "scsz"

RFC Interview: Le Loup

Washington D.C based septet Le Loup is a band everyone should know about. After only playing a few shows, they immediately got signed to the Hardly Art label. With the release of last year's melodic and lengthy titled "The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations' Millennium General Assembly" album, comparisons arose to Islands and Animal Collective. Filled with a banjo, french horn, guitars and references to Dante, the record swells with emotional beauty. Seeing the group live is a completely different experience, though. On tape, they sound sedate, but live, they become a full-fledged rock band. Sam Simkoff started the band himself and then posted an ad on Craigslist to find other members. Seven musicians strong, the group encompass three guitars, four vocalists and Sam Simkoff rotating a banjo, piano and toy instruments. Throughout their eight song set, they generate a cacophony of noise: the percussion resonates, Simkoff's body seizures as he yelps along, the french horn throttles transitioning into a spectacle of joyful chaos. After the show, drunken audience members scream, "One more song!" leaving them wanting more. Before their awesome gig at Schubas, we sat down with Simkoff to discuss how it feels to be touted "the next big thing," touring the world and how they are all well behaved musicians.

Download: Le Loup - "We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!"

RFC Interview: Kim Hiorthøy

It's not uncommon to find musicians who also excel in other forms of art, but you'd be hard pressed to find another musician as multi-talented as Kim Hiorthøy. Check out this impressive resume:

As a graphic designer he is responsible for the Rune Grammofon artwork, as well as most of Smalltown Supersound’s [his record label] artwork. He is also an artist (check out www.standardoslo.no for more information about his art) and a writer. Kim wrote the book Du kan ikke svikte din beste venn og bli god til å synge samtidig on Norwegian literary publisher Oktober Forlag. He has released a book of photography in Japan, a book of drawings, Alt Fins, and a design book, Tree Weekend on Die Gestalten Verlag in Germany. Additionally, Kim has illustrated several children’s books. Kim has worked in film as a photographer, having shot the acclaimed Norwegian movies “Kroppen Min” and “Ungdommens Raskap”, as a video director for the concert film “Supersilent7”, and as a filmmaker, having just debuted as a director/screenwriter with the Swedish/Norwegian co-production, ”Hur Man Gor”.

Somehow in between all those endeavors, Hiorthøy has managed to release some great lo-fi/leftfield electronic records for the Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound. This Saturday, he'll be in town to play the Empty Bottle as a part of a Smalltown label showcase with diskJokke and Bjørn Torske. RFC recently caught up with Hiorthøy via email to find out how he manages to make enough time to be such a prolific musican and artist.

Download: Kim Hiorthoy - "I Thought We"

RFC Interview: Scroobius Pip

While I usually stick to albums when making year end top 5 lists, if you were to pin me down and make me do a top 5 singles list of 2007, "Thou Shalt Always Kill" by Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip would probably get the top spot. Initially just a remix collaboration between a techno artist (Dan) in England who dropped some beats on top of a spoken word track by a local beat poet (David Meads, aka Scroobius), the track quickly took on a life of its own and garnered the duo rampant accolades from critics and fans alike. In fact, at the height of its popularity, a BBC radio DJ deemed it “the hottest track in the world right now.” Now, after a couple more singles under their belt, they've got a full-length album debut slated for release in late spring and will be hitting the road for a headlining tour of the UK next month.

However, first they've got to take care of some business here in the States. They'll be in Austin the next couple of days at SXSW to play some gigs and shop around their recently completed debut full-length to record labels, but they managed to squeeze in a quick stop over in Chicago tonight to play the Empty Bottle. RFC recently caught up with the beat poet, turned MC Scroobius Pip learn more about how their collaboration turned into an unlikely sensation.

Watch: Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip - "Thou Shalt Always Kill"

RFC Interview: Sharin Foo (The Raveonettes)

After 3 albums for major label conglomerate Columbia, gothic retro pop duo The Raveonettes have reemerged in 2008 with a new record, a new sound and a new lease on life. After a few of months in limbo after its initial European release, the band’s latest album, Lust Lust Lust, finally dropped stateside last month thanks to Vice Records, who just added The Raveonettes to their roster in January. In addition to bringing their uber cool style to the fashionable Vice empire, the band also brings with them one of their best musical efforts to date. A completely self-performed and self-produced effort, Lust, Lust, Lust wipes away the gloss that had built up by the end of their major label run and returns the band to its gritty and noisy origins. Now the two are hitting the road this month for an extensive North American tour that brings them to the Double Door on the 18th. RFC recently caught up with vocalist Sharin Foo via phone to discuss the band's latest sonic endeavors.

Download: The Raveonettes - "Aly, Walk With Me"

RFC Interview: David Johansen (NY Dolls)

It's been a long, strange trip for the New York Dolls...well, actually more like one really short but intense trip and then an unexpected extended relapse decades later. (you can read the full story at your leisure via Wikipedia here), Oddly enough, at this point, the reformed Dolls have been together about as long as the original incarnation of the band, and according to ringleader David Johansen, they've definitely played more gigs this time around. Despite being down to just two surviving members (Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain), the Dolls are forging ahead in a 2008 with another North American tour and a live album in the works for release later in the year. Their bus will be rolling into  Wicker Park this weekend for a sold out Saturday show at Double Door, so RFC recently caught up with Johansen via phone to get a preview of what we can expect to hear out of the New York Dolls some 35+ years since they first hit the scene.

RFC Interview: Cut Chemist

Long time friends and turntablist legends DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist are back at it again with a brand new project they’ve dubbed “The Hard Sell.” Spawned from an initial one-off show last June at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the project has blossomed into a complete full-length album collaboration and extensive world tour that will be assaulting listeners with a seamless live mix constructed entirely from vinyl 45s. In order to perform their wax acrobatics this time around, the duo will be utilizing 8 turntables, 4 mixers & 2 effects pedals. Backing them up will be video director Ben Stokes who will be mixing visuals live on two giant screens behind them on stage. We caught up with Cut Chemist, aka Lucas MacFadden, last week via phone to find out more about this extensive musical undertaking that will be rolling into the Park West Friday night. 

RFC Interview: Mira Mira

Tonight at Martyr's and this weekend at The Empty Bottle (Sun, 23rd) Charlie Williams and Mira Mira will be taking the stage to infuse audiences with one last dose of avant-garde sun-drenched indie-pop before the end of the year. RFC recently caught up with Williams via email to discuss the band's growing roster and the prospects of a new Mira Mira release in early 2008.

Download: Mira Mira - "Try It Sunny"

RFC Interview: Vincent Gallo (RRIICCEE)

Vincent Gallo will probably always be best known for his film work (Buffalo '66, Brown Bunny), but he's actually had a rather interesting music career as well. In 2001, Warp Records released his non-soundtrack solo debut When, a critically acclaimed effort that is one of the most avant/indie albums you’ll ever hear from anyone who has crossed the music and film divide. Now Gallo has returned with a new project called RRIICCEE, a 4-piece touring band (Gallo, Rebecca Casabian, Nikolas Haas and Eric Erlandson, formerly of from Hole?!) that will be, as Gallo likes to put it, "spontaneously creating" new music for each performance. RFC caught up with Gallo via phone two weeks ago just as the band was hitting the road for the first gig on their inaugural tour that brings them into Chicago Saturday night for a late show at Schubas.

Introducing...The Flingco Sound System

During his 12 year stint at Chicago’s Kranky Records, co-founder Bruce Adams saw his micro label of avant-indie and outsider sounds blossom into one of the most critically revered independent record labels in the country. In 2005, however, Adams decided it was time for a change, so he sold his half of the label and joined forces with his wife to found Flingco.com, a new on-line art and merchandising venture. Now, after some much needed time off, Adams is back with a brand new label called Flingco Sound System (FSS). Tomorrow night, Adams is introducing three of his new artist signees at a label showcase at The Empty Bottle. RFC caught up with Adams last week via email to find out more about this new project.

Download: Wrnlrd - "Nighthole"

Download: Haptic - "YBO"

RFC Interview: Spiller Whale

Spiller Whale, a relatively fresh Chicago 3-piece is gearing up to free the fruits of their labor into the recorded realm with the upcoming release of their EP, Fresh Tables on DIY label Uncle Grandpa Records. To celebrate, they are throwing a record release spectacle tonight at Subterranean, sharing the bill with RSTLNE and The Panda Band. Spiller Whale's inviting blend of post-punk, jazz, and synth-pop, will give fans of Fugazi and Menomena something to enjoy. We caught up with Sean, Keenan, Matt to quiz them on the new EP, Chicago, and what's on their playlists.

Download: Spiller Whale - "Maps With No Names" 

RFC Interivew: Euros Childs

Tonight, former Monkee Mynci Euros Childs rolls into the Empty Bottle tonight for a headlining show with opener David Kilgour. Childs recently released is third solo album, The Miracle Inn, after putting his band, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, to rest just last spring. It would almost seem that Childs may be striving to be the Welsh version of Ryan Adams, as he already has plans to finish up another solo record by the end of the year. RFC caught up with Euros last week via phone to find out more about all the new material and this strange land called Wales where he hails from.

Download: Euros Childs - "Horse Riding"

RFC Interview: The Panda Band

There is a certain familiarity and charm to the 60's influenced, yet very modern pop-rock that The Panda Band creates. This 5-piece act hails from Perth, Australia and has drawn comparisons to Sgt. Pepper's era Beatles, The Flaming Lips, and Arcade Fire, mostly due to the sophisticated harmonies, blips and beeps, and aural soundscapes that populated their debut release This Vital Chapter. We last saw them live at Martyrs' back in March of '07 and they were spectacular and humble. RFC was more than happy to invite them back to Chicago to play Bandwidth TONIGHT at one of our favorite venues, The Hideout.

We had a chance to quickly catch up with Chris Callan of The Panda Band, while they prep their tour vehicle for a drive to Chicago, then onto a series of west coast supporting gigs for Magnet.

Download: The Panda Band -"Ghosts Have The Best Time" 

RFC Interview: Pale Young Gentlemen

Coming from Madison,WI, our dear neighbors to the north, Pale Young Gentlemen are ready to deliver their brand of classical inspired pop romps to the masses. We couldn't be more excited to have them stop off at the Hideout this Monday (11/5) when they join The Panda Band for another edition of BANDWIDTH. Their fantastic self-titled, self-released album is a surprising treat, the downside is that it's only 30 minutes long and leaves you wanting more. Much has been said throughout the blog-o-sphere, in regards to their talent and musical creativity, I can only add that the raves and reviews are justly deserved. With their intelligent blending of witty pop, early rock theatrics, a lush string section, and a Balkan flare, PYG creates stikes the listener as something that must be experienced in a live setting in order to be fully appreciated. RFC recently sat down with Michael Reisenauer, lead singer/songwriter of Pale Young Gentlemen, to pick his brain about the band's history, influences, and more.

Download: Pale Young Gentlemen - "Clap Your Hands"

RFC Interview: The Happy Hollows

One of the more endearing traits of the bands who regularly play the east side of Los Angeles is that their members often aren’t the complete egomaniacs you normally expect musicians to be. It’s not "The Me Show" with them all the time, they probably don’t wear eyeliner or have haircuts that are smarter than they are, and they seem more concerned about sharing songs than propelling their personalities to superstardom. And rarely is that more apparent than with The Happy Hollows: drummer Chris Meanie is easily one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, bass player/vocalist Charlie Mahoney reminds you of that semi-quiet, friendly guy from your advanced history class in high school, and lead singer/guitarist Sarah Negahdari is kind of magic… a grinningly happy median between spiritual and silly. Or as Vonnegut would put it, a "wampeter."

Haven't heard them yet? Imagine if The Pixies were more experimental or Deerhoof attempted to be listenable. The band and I met for brunch a few Sundays back to discuss the state of the things for them right now, where they’re going next, and what it’s like making a home halfway between art and pop.

RFC Interview: DJ Steinski

Starting tonight, local hip-hop promoter Sang Yi is launching a brand new DJ series at Lava called “Lessons.” Yi is calling his new monthly series "Lessons" as an homage to Steve Stein, aka DJ Steinski, the humble New York copywriter turned hip-hop cult legend who created the groundbreaking mixtape series of the same name back in the 80s. And so, to kick things off tonight, Yi is bringing back none other than Stein himself to man the decks laptop tonight at the quaint confines of Lava. RFC recently caught up with Stein via telephone to find out how what the legendary DJ has been up to lately and, more importantly, getting the full scoop on how this self-described "nice Jewish boy from the suburbs" became "one of the most influential producers in hip-hop, sampling, and cut & paste..."

RFC Interview: The Octopus Project

It's been a busy 2007 for the quirky Austin outfit known as The Octopus Project. After making a splash with the cool kids at New York's McCarren pool this summer, rocking the industry stiffs at SXSW this spring, and finishing up work on their 4th album this winter in Seattle, the band is now ready to take on the rest of the country this fall with an extensive North American tour schedule that has them booked all the way through the middle of November.

This Friday, they'll be making their first stop of the season in Chicago at The Abbey with headliners Stereo Total. (local favs Aleks & the Drummer and All Things of the Sea also open...RSVP here to get in free!) RFC caught up with the band this week via email to find out how they're keeping up things, how they managed to also get on an underground hip-hop tour and, most importantly, whether Yvonne will be sporting any shiny new theremins on stage this time around.   

Download: The Octopus Project - "I Saw The Bright Shinies"

RFC Interview: The Real Tuesday Weld

Next Tuesday (8/28), Brit electro/antique pop sensation Stephen Coates returns with his 5th release as The Real Tuesday Weld. Titled The London Book of The Dead, the new record finds Stephen's usual quirky pop aesthetic treading some darker waters, but the overall sound is still quintessential Real Tuesday Weld. RFC recently caught up with Coates via email to talk about the new album's darker tones and how his earlier work has suddenly become the toast of Madison Avenue.

Download: The Real Tuesday Weld - "Last Words"

RFC Interview: Xu Xu Fang

If taken in excessive quantities, Xu Xu Fang may well destroy you. The LA psych rock band contains addictive qualities and can cause intoxication, euphoria, and instances of light delirium. We spoke to Xu Xu Fang drummer and lead Bobby Tamkin about the act’s origins, its recent spread, and how its pervasive influence may affect you and your children at home...

RFC Interview: Frankel

While the rest of the country catches up to the likes of Great Northern, The Silversun Pickups, and Sea Wolf, audiences here have been enjoying the next wave of great new bands to come out of Los Angeles–- acts like The Switch, Radars to the Sky, The Deadly Syndrome, and
Frankel.

We recently spoke with Frankel’s lead man Michael Orendy, who has been playing out several dates in town in support of his new album, Lullabies For The Passerby

Download: Frankel - "Thermostat"

RFC Interview: The Mary Timony Band

Last month the Mary Timony Band made their debut on Kill Rock Stars with the album The Shapes We Make. Of course, while the label and band line-up is new, this is just the latest in a long line of great records for Timony. Her KRS debut marks her fourth release as a solo artist, though to this day she is still perhaps best known for fronting the legendary indie band Helium. Mary was kind enough to find some Internet access this week to answer some questions for RFC as her band makes their way across the Midwest leading up to their tour stop this Friday at Schubas.

Download: Mary Timony Band - "Sharpshooter" 

RFC Interview: Great Northern

While they've been called "one of L.A.'s best secrets," fortunately here at RFC we've been in the know for a while now about the band Great Northern thanks to a little help from Joe at our sister blog, Radio Free Silver Lake. A part of the prolific Ship Collective that includes Earlimart, Irving and Silversun Pickups, last month Great Northern finally dropped their debut full-length, Trading Twilight for Daylight, a moody indie-pop affair combining "dusky dual male and female vocals" and tight SoCal hooks. Now the band is embarking on their first major US tour and will be rolling into Schubas on Friday as a part of a Radio Free Chicago presents... show with the Mary Timony Band. We recently caught up with the band via email just as they were getting ready to hit the road for middle America. 

Download: Great Northern - "The Middle"

Download: Great Northern - "Telling Lies"

RFC Interview: Fujiya & Miyagi

It’s a seasonally warm spring evening in Chicago. It’s one of those fleeting clement days that’ll inevitably revert back to a cold spell in a matter of hours. There is a certain buzz in the air as one of the most hyped bands of the year, Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John, prepare to play two back-to-back sold out shows at the Empty Bottle. PB&J (as the cool kids call them) are the hottest ticket in town for the night, but it’s the more under the radar late show opening act, Fujiya & Miyagi, that deserves to have the hype and attention reflected onto them.

RFC Interview: Black Rebel Motrocycle Club

In support of their latest album, Baby 81, Black Rebel Motorcycle are back in town tonight for a headlining gig at The Vic. After taking a slight acoustic folk detour on their previous album, Baby 81 has been heralded as the band's "return to rock" or, in less favorable terms, a "return to form." RFC caught up with guitarist and vocalist Peter Hayes just before the band headed out to start their current North America tour to discuss the new material and how its holding up so far live.

Download: BRMC - "Took Out A Loan"

RFC Interview: El-P

Underground hip-hop mogul El-P is making a stop at The Abbey Pub tonight as a part of his current North American tour supporting his long-awaited sophomore album, I'll Sleep When You're Dead. I talked to El on the phone last weekend for a recent Newcity feature and managed to get some great quips from him that I wasn't able to squeeze in the article; including a hilarious story about how he blacked out at Sonotheque a couple years ago at a Biz3 DJ night.

Listen: El-P passes out at Sonotheque

Listen: El-P talks about downloading and current state the recording industry

Listen: El-P sums up the press coverage for his new record

Get on the List + RFC Interview: Mando Diao

Sweden's biggest exports are paper, steel, and rock music; one of their finest Mando Diao will be storming the Double Door on May 9th and as always RFC wants to get you On The List! We are giving away a Sweet Swede Prize Package, including a guestlist spot (+1), a copy of Mando Diao's new LP Ode To Ochrasy, as well as a yet to be determined Picture Disc. (ohh...ahh..) You want to win this, yes? Then, shoot us an email by Noon on 5/5 to RFCCONTESTS(at)gmail.com, with "MAN, OH, MANDO!" in the subject line, please include your full name. Winner will be drawn at random and will be notified no later than May 6th, 2007.

We also had the chance to conference with the boys of Mando Diao, to discuss their new album, the story behind the name, the draw of Swedish rock, and their favorite bands. Interview, Video, & Download after the Jump!

RFC Interview: The One A.M. Radio

Hrishikesh Hirway is the one man studio junkie behind the name The One A.M. Radio. After scoring critical acclaim with his 2004 release, A Name Writ in Water, Hirway finally reemerged this year with a brand new album titled This Too Shall Pass, released last month on Dangerbird Records. Now, after endless hours of solitary recording, Hirway is bringing his intricate compositions to life on the road and making a stop here this Sunday (3/25) at South Union Arts at Ronny's. RFC recently caught up with Mr. One A.M. Radio via email to discuss his latest opus, but we also ending up getting a great Chicago story that Hirway described as 'one of the best weeks of my life.'

Download: The One A.M. Radio - "Lest I Forget"

RFC Interview: Baby Teeth

Chicago's favorite sons Baby Teeth, whose recent album The Simp was unleashed on Tuesday, are preparing for their Chicago CD Release Party at Schubas' on March 17th, which is sure to be one helluva shindig and will end a five month hiatus. We had the chance to sit with Baby Teeth to discuss the new album, the recording process, and of course their favorite karaoke songs.

Download the Podcast Interview Here or listen via the streaming audio player below:

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Wanna hear the title track off their new album? 
Download: Baby Teeth - "The Simp"

SXSW: A Tale of Two Bands

So yes, I am going down to Austin for SXSW this year, and while I'm looking forward to eating copius amounts of Tex-Mex and drinking myself silly on Shiner Bock, I also will be technically "working" as well. Inspired by the extensive Chicago presence at the festival every year, I'm shooting for a future Newcity cover feature documenting the experience of two local bands running the extensive schmoozing and boozing gauntlet that is the South By Southwest music festival.

To get some context going prior to the event, I sent out the same four questions to the heads of both of my "subjects," Office and The 1900s. I was just hoping to get some notes down for my piece before jumping into things in Austin, but I ended up getting some great responses from both Scott (Office) and Ed (1900s) so I thought I'd share them here on RFC.

RFC Interview: Signal Hill

Over at the offices of Radio Free Silver Lake, we've been cranking up the tasty shoegazing sounds of a local Los Angeles band known as Signal Hill. We haven't covered the band and their haunty/pretty music quite nearly enough, so thought we'd ask them a volley of questions about what they do (so well) and why.

Download: Signall Hill- "Celadon"

Bandwidth Preview: Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop

Finally, in our series of Bandwidth previews, we have an interview with Thea Lux of Let's Get Out of This Terrible Sandwich Shop, a band whose name is definitely a mouthful has seen the best and worst band name lists. But, it is their quirky sense of humor and musical sensibilities that have garnered them much praise on the local scene, including a recent critic's choice nod in the Chicago Reader as well as a guarantee from Alan of The Bitter Tears, that they will "take over Chicago." There is no band in Chicago that can compose witty and entertaining songs about bike lanes, hatchets, and sandwiches quite like Let's Get Out Of This Terrible Sandwich Shop.

Bandwidth Preview: Quasar Wut Wut

We had the opportunity to sit down with Bandwidth featured artist Quasar Wut Wut for an interview, in their studio as they prepare to finish up a soundtrack to The General and begin recording the follow up to their 2004 release Taro Sound. This RFC exclusive podcast kicks off with a new, unreleased track "Ms. Brown." 

Download the Podcast Interview Here or listen via the streaming audio player below:

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Like pictures with your sound? You can also check out photos from the podcast here.

Bandwidth Preview: The Bitter Tears

One of Chicago's most eccentric and exciting live acts, The Bitter Tears romp through time and musical genres with a heightened sense of dramatic form and biting wit. Their live performances are certainly ones not to be missed!

In support of their appearance at Thursday's Bandwidth, The Bitter Tears will be performing live at 2:00PM  today (2/20) on the Mac & Slater show on Fearless Radio.

Click Here to Read Kirstie's recent interview with The Bitter Tears

...more about Mac & Slater and preview tracks after the jump

Bandwidth Preview: Rivulets

There is an enchanting elegance to the dark, delicate compositions that Nathan Amundson weaves together as singer/songwriter of Rivulets. His most recent record, You Are My Home (Important), which was recorded in Chicago by Bob Weston (Shellac, Mission of Burma) features a plethora of guest collaborators and is the perfect soundtrack for a winter "L" ride around the loop or a midnight walk down the street where your ex resides. Nathan experiments with a gamut of emotions in both lyric and orchestration from the drifting melacholy stemming from the torment of a broken heart to the subtle, uplifting instrumentation that is almost filmic in its arrangement. We had a chance to catch up with Nathan before he heads up to Chicago for a headlining spot at SubT on Thursday, February 22nd, as a part of Bandwidth.

RFC Interview: The Submarines

If you haven't heard their story yet, The Submarines are the girl/boy duo who began as a couple, then eventually broke up, but forged ahead as a band anyway to record an album, then somehow managed to patch things up romantically and later became husband and wife by the time their debut full-length hit store shelves last June.

We recently caught up with half of the band, the boy part, John Dragonetti (aka Jack Drag), just as they were completing a month long residency at