Radio Free Chicago

RFC Interview: Azita

After an appearance at WHPK's Pix n' Sounds fest in February, and a recent opening slot for Sam Prekop at the Bottle earlier this month, local artist Azita (aka AZ) gets the spotlight all to herself this Saturday as she'll be a headlining a completely solo (just her and a piano) performance at HotHouse. RFC recently caught with this former Scissor Girl to find out more...

Radio Free Chicago: It seems like your name has been popping up on the concert calendar quite a bit in the past month or two...how have your recent performances gone?

Azita: Saturday will be my second Chicago show since September...But the first one went well!

RFC: Despite your recent appearances, I haven't read anything about a new album coming out anytime soon...are you playing live to test out some new material or did you simply just want to get out and perform?

AZ: I'm always working on new material and I have no way of knowing when we book a show, 4 months in advance of the date, what I'll be doing for the show.

RFC: What can we expect from this Saturday's show at the Hothouse?

AZ: It's a rare occasion for me to get to play on an acoustic grand. I've had a few shows in New York on a real piano and I believe it changes the atmosphere pretty drastically. Also the audience will be seated and hopefully quieter than at a rock venue.

RFC: What else is going on in the life of Azita? (future shows/tours? new album? side projects? etc.)

AZ: I'm working on an album. Pretty single-mindedly

SPEED ROUND

RFC: What are you listening to right now?

AZ: Some birds and an airplane engine.

RFC: What is your favorite Chicago hang-out (and/or venue)?

AZ: Picante

RFC: Analog or digital?

AZ: Depends on how much you have to spend.

RFC: What is your favorite beverage?

AZ: Cucumber

RFC: Who would win in a fight...Scissor Sisters or Scissor Girls?

AZ: Shit....

Saturday's show starts at 9pm, French-Canadian singer/songwriter/cellist Jorane opens. The HotHouse is located downtown, at 31 East Balbo. Must be 21+

buddY presents the International Noise Cartel

Tonight in Liquor Park, buddY gallery presents the International Noise Cartel [not be confused with the (Int'l) Noise Conspiracy]. Who/what is this International Noise Cartel, you ask? Well, according to local noise maven Rotten Milk, tonight's show will feature:

Justice Yeldham and his ribbon device artists formerly known as DJ Smallcock
A man (from Australia), a belt full of pedals, a piece of glass, lubricant, a face. If the looks don't kill, the audio will.

Dave Phillips
His latest CD on Groundfault was a source of much confusion for many. The audio and visuals for this evening will either clarify or confuse said ideas further.

Sara Glaxia
(from Mexico)First she said she wanted a gallon each of three different colors of paint and a mop. Then she said she could do the same with just soda. and then she said, ok, just music for you! Your results may vary.

I Love Presets
over-the-top A/V madness from Chicago

Tonight's show begins at 9pm. All ages are welcome, suggested donation is $7. The event is BYOB. buddY is located upstairs at 1542 N. Milwaukee.

New Releases Tuesday (3/29)

Beck – Guero (Geffen) Kind of like how before every new Radiohead album, everyone hopes it will be The Bends Pt. 2…for years everyone has been looking for Beck to make another album like Odelay. Teaming up again with The Dust Brothers, it seems that Beck has finally appeased the masses and released another sample-heavy, beat-friendly, 2 turntables-and-a-microphone style record in Guero. Now that he’s made his much-heralded “return to form,” he’s getting slammed by rock critics for making a “familiar” record that’s “too-safe.” Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, eh Beck?

I say "bollocks" to it all...ignore all of the "return to form" hype and don't let rock critics hinder your perception of the record. Beck is a great artist, and if you're a fan of his work, I'm guessing you're going to dig Guero. Beck will probably never be able to top the critical and commercial success of Odelay, but that's fine by me...records like Sea Change and Mutations were equally as brilliant in their own right and I hope he's got a few more records like those left in his system. In the meanwhile, I'm going to crank up the bass on the new record and do the "hot dog dance" all the way down to Houston. Yeeeeeee-haaaa!

Ocean Colour Scene - A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad (Sanctuary)
These Brits are relatively huge in their homeland, but virtually unknown in these parts. They’ve put out some amazing singles, (like “Hundred Mile City” from the opening credits of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) but overall their output has been a bit inconsistent…so buyer beware.

Stereophonics - Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (V2)
Another UK favorite that doesn’t get much love stateside…While not complete unknowns here like Ocean Colour Scene, it seems like the few people that have heard of them here can’t stand them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a poster of Kelly Jones on my wall, but I’ve always liked Stereophonics and am looking forward to hearing the new record.

Morrissey "Live At Earls Court" (Attack/Sanctuary)
Companion CD to the live DVD also released today.

Duran Duran "Greatest" (Capitol/EMI)
Milking the reunion of the Taylors with yet another greatest hits comp. How many different copies of "Hungry Like the Wolf" do you really need???

CD Release Parties tonight

As I mentioned last week, the new Beck album drops today and aliveOne will be hosting a CD release party to celebrate the release of Mr. Hansen's latest opus. Festivities begin at 9pm, and all pints (including the tasty Bell's Amber) are only $2.50. aliveOne is located at 2683 N. Halsted, just north of Guitar Center.

Also tonight...Reckless is hosting another one of their famous Ping-Pong Parties at Schuba's. In addition to previewing the new Beck, they'll also be spinning new releases from Nick Cave, Out Hud and The Decmberists. And, yes...there will be plenty of exciting ping-pong action. The event starts around 10pm. Ping-pong and admisson into Schuba's is free, however bottles of Schlitz will put you back about $3.50. Schuba's is located at 3159 N. Southport, at the corner of Belmont and Southport.

Dial 'M' for Moz

Tonight at the Loewes Theatres on Michigan Ave., you can check out the world premiere of Morrissey's new live DVD, Who Put the 'M' in Manchester. Available in stores tomorrow, the DVD Features footage from his May 2004 show in Manchester and features such tracks as "Irish Blood, English Heart," "First Of The Gang To Die," "Let Me Kiss You," "Every Day Is Like Sunday" and "There is a Light That Never Goes Out."

The screening starts at 8:30p and admission is $10. While it probably makes more sense to wait a day and pay about 5 bucks more for a DVD that you get to keep and watch as much as you like, hardcore Moz enthusiasts will probably also want to experience their idol on the big screen, (in hi-definition!) complete with Dolby 5.1 Surround sound. However, the real clincher for fans will probably be the "theatre exclusive" bonus track that will be shown tonight.

Morrissey-solo.com sez: "Get there early to catch a never-before-seen performance of The Smiths' classic "How Soon Is Now" ONLY in theatres and not available on the DVD or anywhere else. Experience the first time Morrissey performed the song on the 2004 tour at the Reading Festival in the UK"

Loewes is located at 600 N. Michigan, for more info call 312-255-9340. Or, pre-order the DVD by clicking here.

Movin' on up...

Movin' on up...

Gramaphone is moving!

This weekend is your last chance to squeeze your arse through the narrow aisles of the original Gramaphone Records. After 36(!) years in the same location, the store is packing up and heading north up the street to a new, more spacious location just across from the Century Mall, at 2843 North Clark. The old store will be closing on Saturday (3/26) and the Gramaphone staff will have the new shop up and running for all your record needs next Wednesday.

If you're not familiar with Gramaphone, it is the place to go in the Chicago to find dance records...house, techno, trance, drum n' bass, etc., you name it, they've got it. They also boast a hefty collection of club-friendly hip-hop and R+B records as well as essential DJ supplies like record bags, slipmats, needles and cartridges.

I always was really annoyed by the cramped space of the original location (especially on the weekends when every serious and wanna-be DJ flocked to the store in masses), so some additional elbow room will be much appreciated. I'd also appreciate it if they could slash their prices a bit...but I'm guessing that's probably not going to happen anytime soon.

Who the fuck you lookin'

Who the fuck you lookin' at?!?

Concert Preview: Graham Coxon

Retired (or "fired" depending on who you believe) Blur guitarist Graham Coxon is playing a solo show Friday night at Double Door. However, you can check out a sneak preview today on KEXP.org. Coxon was just in Seattle last night and he stopped by the KEXP studios earlier in the day for a quick live set. To get a taste of what his Double Door performance might sound like, check out the archived audio of Cheryl Waters' show dated 3/23/05.

Random question/poll...

So Chicago, what are your thoughts on Blur vs. Graham Coxon? No, it's not as heated as Blur vs. Oasis...but what do you think is better? Blur with Coxon or without? Also, should Coxon be famous or infamous for his solo albums?

Discuss!
(click on the "comments" tab below)

Calling all Yo La Tengo fans...

Late word into the RFC offices today is that aliveOne will be hosting a Yo La Tengo cd-release party tonight (3/23) in celebration of their new 3-disc collection, Prisoners of Love:A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs 1985-2003. Party starts at 9pm, High Life's are $2.50...word on the street is that there also might be some free swag available from the good folks at Matador. (don't quote me on that, sometimes those bastards on the street lie!)

Speaking of cd-release parties...mark your calendars, because aliveOne will also be hosting a party next Tuesday (3/29) in celebration of the new Beck full-length, Guero...the long-awaited return of the "funk-soul brotha" version of Beck, complete with production from Odelay masterminds, The Dust Brothers. More on this party and the new Beck record next week...

aliveOne is located at 2683 N. Halsted

Version '05 Perversion tonight at Sonotheque

DJs from Lumpen magazine will be invading Sonotheque tonight for "an evening of regeneration and some serious dance party action." However, the night isn’t all about dancing and debauchery.

Proceeds from the door will go to help fund Version ’05, a hybrid form of festival, conference, arts fair and on-line project. “Driven by an irrepressible urgency for intervention in the roaring bullshit carnival that has become reality,” the event will investigate, debilitate, and agitate contemporary US culture through a diverse program featuring an experimental art expo, artistic disturbances, networked urban events, screenings, interactive software applications, performances, workshops, parties and street action. The madness takes place next month, starting on April 22nd.

But, first, the Lumpen crew needs to raise funding for the event...so, in exchange for a nominal suggested donation, they’ll be providing a line-up of dance-tastic DJs tonight at Sonotheque, including:

DJ Charlie and the Americas with Ken the Explorer
Coco Le Roq
DJ Logan Bay
DJ Rotten Milk
and the All American VJ Team

And, as an added bonus for your philanthropic support tonight, Lumpen will be handing out free copies of their latest publishing project, War News; a tabloid newspaper containing a series of posters “that will make your mother cry.”

Party starts at 9pm, suggested donation is $5-$10. Must be 21+ to enter. Sonotheque is located at 1444 W. Chicago Ave.