Radio Free Chicago

Get On the List: VHS or Beta w/Walter Meego @ Subt 9/4/07

Its a double bill of electro-rawk goodness and we've got your free pass...drop us a line at radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com for your chance to check out Louisville's VHS or Beta with Chicago's very own Walter Meego next Tuesday (9/4). Winner will be drawn at random that morning. Sorry incoming freshmen, this show is 21+

Hereafter Fest this weekend

Sticking around this weekend? You'll definitely want to check out the experimental sounds at Hereafter Fest this weekend at Heaven Gallery. Full details after the jump...

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"

Ida @ Schubas 8/27/07

New York City’s Ida plays the sleepiest songs. It’s like being a child and waking up in a small town. You hear the morning owls. You smell breakfast cooking downstairs. And all the while, you have no adult responsibilities all day. You can simply linger and enjoy each moment, like if you had hours just to design some hopscotch blocks with chalk on a sidewalk.

Download: Ida - "Late Blues"

CBGB's Founder Found Dead

Hilly Kristal, founder of CBGB's, died yesterday due to complications with lung cancer. He was 75. As many know his famous (infamous) venue helped to launch the careers of bands like The Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, and the Talking Heads. After the closing of the venue in October '06 Kristal had planned on moving the club to Los Vegas (by move the club I mean the stage, bars, urinals, etc.). No word on the continuation of the CBGB as a clothing franchise or venue.

The Young Neils @ Schubas 8/27/07

If a man needs a maid, then a maid certainly needs Neil Young. The Young Neils, made up of five harmonizing young musicians, some of whom played with Nomo earlier this summer, are a cover band.  Yes, I know…I can just tell what you’re thinking. A cover band?  Who would want to go out and see that? Well, people, we’re in the age when everything has been done before in one way or another. Every song starts to feel like one small (or sometimes large) theft of another. And The Young Neils, Ida’s personal choice to have open for them, have a way of rectifying that, which is to celebrate a musician they love.

Video Free Chicago: David Lynch @ Hammer Museum

I have to admit, despite being a big fan of Lynch, I was miserable sitting through all 3 hours of the DV debacle that was Inland Empire. However, even though I ended up hating the movie, seeing Lynch speak in person at the Magic Box screening was easily worth the price of the $10 ticket in itself; especially when we were also treated to Lynch performing a quick solo piece on the organ prior to the start of the film. If you missed the action back in January, the new entity Filter TV has clips of Lynch talking prior to a recent screening at LA's Hammer Museum interspersed with him performing an eerie piano piece. Plus, there's also a live recreation of one of the few moments of Inland Empire that was slightly less painful than the rest. Get ready to meet 9 valley girls right now...

New Releases Tuesday - 8/27

Decent amount of new tunage to stock up on in preparation for that long holiday weekend roadtrip or BBQ...

Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
Art In Manila - Set The Woods On Fire
Ben Harper - Lifelines
Liars - Liars
Lyle Lovett - It's Not Big It's Large
Angie Mattson - Given to Sudden Panic and Noisy Retreat
Needtobreathe - The Heat
Northern State - Can I Keep This Pen?
Odd Nosdam - Level Live Wires
Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus! (digital or vinyl only in US, CD version on import)
VHS Or Beta - Bring On The Comets

News and Notes: Permanent Records, Daft Punk, Dirty Projectors

///Permanent Records (1914 W. Chicago) is turning 1 years old. To celebrate they are throwing a party at the Co-Prosperity Sphere (3219 S. Morgan) and will feature performances by Tirra Lirra, Waterbabies, Golden Birthday, Jim III, These Are Powers, and Warhammer 48K.

///Daft Punk has released the track list for their live album "Daft Punk Live 2000." The album, featuring cuts from their Paris performance on June 14th, 2007, will be released on November 20th (perfect stocking stuffer) via Capital. It will be available as a single disc or as a special double disc that features the encore and a 50-page booklet.

///NPR reports on The Dirty Projectors remake from memory of Black Flag's Damaged.

Album Preview: PJ Harvey - White Chalk

New stuff from PJ drops on September 25th, check out the preview track below...

White Chalk is her eighth studio album and highlights PJ Harvey’s incredible ability to consistently create a unique, yet always impactful experience with each new album.  The songs are wonderfully mesmerizing, stripped back and performed to hypnotic effect, and her talents as a songwriter, musician, and producer have never been as powerful, or profound.

Stream: PJ Harvey - "When Under Ether"

News and Notes: Spin, The Cure, My Bloody Valentine, Make Believe

///Spin has the hots for Chicago? About damn time.

///The Cure (pictured) have pushed back their new album to Spring '08 and now the same can be said about their North American tour. It sounds like they were a bit over ambitious on a time table. Kind of reminds me of those house flipping shows. [Thanks, Billboard]

///My Bloody Valentine may reunite to play Coachella '08 with more shows possible after that. [Thanks, BrooklynVegan]

///Rumor is that Chicago's Make Believe will record their 3rd album with recently departed singer Tim Kinsella and after the recording play as a reworked instrumental unit. Nothing is in stone and the band seems to be open to options.

Album Preview: Old Time Relijun: Cartharsis in Crisis

Olympia Washington's Old Time Relijun are releasing Catharsis In Crisis on October 9th through K Records. The band, a mix of punk's brashness, No Wave, a touch of world music, and ostensibly underground sensibilities, recorded the album at Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic Studios and Steve Fisk handled the mixing duties. The result? A clearly defined sound that pushes to the front of the mix of your daily living - refusing to be ignored. The Village Voice and The Last Plane to Jakarta have nice things to say as well.

Listen to the track Daemon Meeting. By the end of the day you'll find yourself shouting along "What does it mean to be human?!"

The band plays Ronny's on October 4th.

Yo La Tengo Unplugged at Lakeshore Theatre

What's this?? The other day it was announced Chicago would be getting a double dose of Decemberists action in the fall, and now we'll also be getting a double shot of acoustic Yo La Tengo as well? Tickets are on sale now, get 'em before they're gone!

News and Notes: The Faint, Brian May, BP Backs Down

///The Faint will record their next album from the comfort of their very own studio. It's called Enamel. [Thanks, Aversion]

///Brian May - you know, from Queen - has completed his doctorate in Astrophysics from London's Imperial College. His thesis was titled "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud." Last year he co-authored a book titled "Bang! The Complete History of the Universe."

///And in non-m usic news - BP has backed down from their promise to damage our drinking water, for now.

Video Free Chicago: Hipster Olympics