Radio Free Chicago

Free Halloween Treats!

• Daytrotter.com is currently offering five free Andrew Bird songs on their site, including the wonderfully titled "The Giant of Illinois." Check out the sesssions here

• El Producto and the boys over at underground hip-hop stalwart Definitive Jux (the kids just call 'em Def Jux) have teamed up with a shady character named DJ Boo to create a delicious mixtape to add some bump to your Hallowween night. (tracklist after the jump)

• We raved about the new Mark Ronson record a few months back and while digging through the office for candy this week we found some extra copies of the disc lying around in the prize closet gathering cob webs. Don't knock on our door tonight, we're too lazy and antisocial to answer to trick or treaters, but if you send an email to radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with "trick or treat" in the subject line, you may mysteriously receive a package in your mailbox containing some eerily good dance versions of some classic underground hits. (tracklist after the jump)

Mannequin Men Gear Stolen

Here at RFC headquarters we are explicitly against stealing. We have signs on the refrigerator, mailboxes, and post-it notes warning against the unlawful use or removal of items from of any of these products. That's why with a mixture of frustration, anger, and embarrassment for our fine city we bring you this news report.

Mannequin Men, who by all accounts played a lovely set at CMJ, had most of their gear stolen while their van was parked in Logan Square. Here is the list of gear, which could be showing up at a local pawn shop near you. Be a gentlemen and contact the band if you see it.

-Gibson SG Special, faded brown color, two open coil Seymour Duncan pick-ups, sticker of Wimpy from Popeye on back

-Epiphone Les Paul Jr., single P-90 pickup, faded yellow, busted input jack sticker of Olive Oyl and Popeye

-Fender DeVille 4X10 combo amp with grey grillcloth 10db input is busted.

-Ampeg combo bass amp

-cymbal bag (with one Zildjian crash and Paiste hi-hats) and hardware bag

[Thanks, Crickets]

Chicago invades Milwaukee - 10/9/07

In early September, two of Chicago's finest musical outputs played separate headlining sold out gigs. One was in the back lots near the Hideout, and the other was at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Both represent Chicago in its purest forms, but in different manners. One is obviously more rock and roll than the other, while the other is obviously more a treat on the eyes. Yet both were a great example of what these two separate acts have risen to. Andrew Bird, playing the main slot of the Hideout Block Party, and Wilco, from its days playing clubs throughout the environs of the Chicago cityscape, culminating to a homecoming show of sorts at the newest gem of the downtown area. It is about persistence for both acts, and well deserved payoffs. A Cinderella story of sorts I suppose, but staving off the need to get nostaligic and sappy about it, it is really just proper rock and roll.

News and Notes: Magnetic Fields, Saul Williams, M.O.T.O.

///The Magnetic Fields have announced that their new album Distortion will be available from Nonesuch Records on January 15th, 2008. They will play a handful of U.S. dates in February and March. [Thanks, NME]

///With the help of Trent Reznor Saul Williams is releasing a new album completely digital. You can pay nothing or $5. IF you pay then you have the option of downloading the album in a lossless format. Stereogum has kept on top of all of this.

///Chicago's M.O.T.O. has a new song posted to their MySpace called "Redivider." Some very nice "na nana na na nana na's."

The Figurines and Dappled Cities Fly @ Schubas 10/24/07

There are a few times each year when I realize how great it is to live in Chicago. Think of it, we have bands coming all the way from Australia and Denmark and we get to experience them in clubs that are most definitely smaller and more intimate than the ones they must be playing to in their native countries. It’s a privilege, really, and I was sure I wasn’t the only one who appreciated it while standing in the crowded area of Schubas music room listening on Wednesday to hear both Dappled Cities Fly and The Figurines.

Download: The Figurines - "Hey Girl"

News and Notes: Peter Moren, KRISTEENYOUNG, Joy Division, The Drones

///Peter Morén is the Peter in Peter, Bjorn, & John. He also has three streaming songs over at his MySpace. [Thanks, BrooklynVegan]

///KRISTEENYOUNG, who was supporting Morrissey on tour, has been fired, because of some remarks she made on stage in reference to Morrissey and oral sex.

///While we normally don't go around posting about Pitchfork reviews this time they're Joy Division reviews. All re-releases. All remastered. Two get 10.0s.

///Australia's The Drones will be releasing the first in a series of 7" from ATP called Custom Made, Custom Made. Artist's are asked to submit four brand new songs for a limited edition release as well as be made available for download. The band will stop by the Metro on No vember 11th and 12th.

Get on the List: Film School 10/31-11/1

Do you enjoy "watery synths and swishing drums"? How about music with a "slightly new wave edge that recalls the atmospheric wane of Joy Division and The Cure"? Well, RFC has you covered as we're giving away a pair of passes to each of Film School's upcoming headlining nights at Schubas this Wednesday and Thursday. Just drop us a line at radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with "Film Me" in the subject line and we'll draw two winners at random tomorrow. Check out the shoegaze-y goodness for yourself below...

Download: Film School - "Lectric"

Download: Film School - "Two Kinds"
 

News and Notes: Melissa Auf Der Maur, New Pornographers, Metric, Second City Scene

///Melissa Auf Der Maur (ex-Smashing Pumpkins, Hole) will be releasing a multimedia project encompassing music, film, comic books, and the internet. In short it is "the eternal female force on the hunt for the heart," or "get the fuck out of our minds and into our heart." A teaser for the project can be found here, but the actual project will not be fully revealed until sometime next year.

///NPR has two new stories, one on the New Pornographers and the other on Metric.

///Ben Rubenstein, writing for PopMatters.com, tries to reconcile the music scenes of New York City and Chicago. With a broad stroke, missing any kind of tell tale subtleties, he makes a plea for Chicago to his New York friends.

Friday 8-track: New Music Sampler (Fall '07)

Time to clean out the inbox and load up the iPod once again...today's 8-track is a sampling of some of the best tunes and new band discoveries that have made their way into RFC HQ in the past couple of months. Official press scouting reports are included in the parentheses.

1. Castanets - "Sway"
(a fusion of electronica and Americana wrought from the violence and loss inherent to a nation's creation)

2. Robert Wyatt (w/Monica Vasconcelos) - "Just As You Are"
(60's psych rock cult figure duets with Brazilian chanteuse, added fretwork from Paul Weller)

3. Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden - "Faster Than Cars"
(melodic indie pop that springs from a melancholy hope)

4. Manatella - "Apocalyptic Owl"
(finally we find a girl group without the bubble gum pop and melodrama)

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Shout Out Louds w/ Johnossi @ Logan Square 10/19/07

Stockholm-based quintet Shout Out Louds released their first record, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff in 2005, introducing their blend of melancholy pop music to the world. They returned a couple of months ago with Our Ill Wills, a denser, more expansive record. Any music coming out of Sweden seems to be hot thanks to the Shout Out Louds, who not only live up to the hype but are incredible live.

Download: Shout Out Louds - "Tonight I Have to Leave It"

News and Notes: The Liars, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The Weakerthans

///The Liars are giving away a free studio session EP. Either snag it from the Brooklyn Vegan or visit the Liars site yourself.

///Chicago's own Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (pictured) are releasing their self-titled sophomore effort on Bloodshot Records this Tuesday (so yesterday, so we are late, so sorry). More than 50 musicians appear on the disc including some from right here in town. Check out the release show this Friday at The Bottle with umm... surprise special guests.

/// Epitaph will be re-releasing The Weakerthans first two albums Fallow and Left & Leaving. They have been unavailable for a bit now, at least in Canada. The band has recently released Reunion Tour and will be coming by The Metro tomorrow (the 25th) for an unfortunately early show. [Thanks, Punknews.org]

RFC Interview: Light FM

Joe over at Radio Silver Lake catches up with former Chicago mainstay Light FM. Check out the full interview here.

Download: Light FM - "Save The Drama"

OiNK Shut Down, Arrests Made

Just when the music pirates thought it was safe it's time again to put on the eye patches and pull out the swords. Interpol (no, not that Interpol) has helped shut down the membership only OiNK file-sharing service. The UK run site has been charged with leaking 60 major pre-release albums this year alone, so the official suspicions sound something like "conspiracy to defraud and infringement of copyright law."

Taking the un-American assumption that these people are guilty, do you think it's a good idea to shut this kind of thing down? Or is file sharing just a way of life and they were the innovators that scare "the system?"

News and Notes: The '20's, Bobby Burg, Tirra Lirra, Mars Volta, Final Fantasy

///Thursday night Them, Roaring Twenties will be playing at their loft on 1278 N. Milwaukee before they head off on a real live tour. It's $5 and starts at 9pm. BYOB.

///Google Maps Streetview has been the talk of the town since its release here in Chicago. Ok, maybe not, but current bass player for Chin Up Chin Up, Make Believe, and Love of Everything, Bobby Burg, can be seen via Streetview riding his bike outside of the Empty Bottle in his "trademark" black and white hat.

///Tirra Lirra (pictured) has posted two new demos on their MySpace. Make sure to to check those out and their new-ish release Breathe Bodies.

///The Mars Volta have set January 29th for the release of their latest effort The Bedlam in Goliath. A video set to the new track "Wax Simulacra" is available on their website. As usual the drumming is excellent.

///Stereogum has some non-album tracks from everyone's favorite loop fanatic Final Fantasy.

New Pornographers @ Metro 10/18/07

It's been a while since the entirety of New Pornographers has been present on tour. Neko and Dan Bejar (a.k.a Destroyer) have both been busy with solo projects, and A.C Newman got married, but they were finally all present Thursday night. It was especially nice to have Neko back since she's the glue in the collective.