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Of course, everyone knows of the world famous Peter Morén of Sweden’s Peter, Bjorn, and John but what they don’t know is that he may just be the main man behind all those glorious pop songs and, if isolated from his other two bandmates, he has the capability to put on a swell show full of not only his own songs but songs from PB&J and fun covers to boot. He’s clearly not going to disappoint anyone who sees him on this tour.
Continue reading "Peter Morén with Tobias Fröberg @ Schubas 4/26/08" »
It seems like every week, there's a new buzz band being imported from the UK. Since the Arctic Monkeys made it big a few years ago, the world has turned its attention to the UK to find the next big thing. People in the UK are more fickle about bands than they are here in the U.S. They may like a band for a hot minute, then discard them and move onto the next over-hyped one. At the beginning of the year, several publications came out with their "bands to watch in 2008" lists. Oxford, England quintet Foals made an appearance touted to breakthrough this year. The band released its debut a few weeks ago, Antidotes, to tepid reviews. In a month they will have been forgotten overseas, which is a shame because Foals' record is solid and its live performances intense, frenetic and satisfying enough to prove just maybe Foals is more than a flash in a pan Vampire Weekend.
Download: Foals - "Two Steps, Twice"
Not to be too Anglophilic in my writing here, but there is sometimes a striking difference between the sounds created from across the blistering North Atlantic, for better or for worse. Luckily for the crowd at the near capacity Subterranean in Chicago, this was to all of ours advantage. Hailing from Oxford, England, the city of one of Western Civilizations oldest universities, (and the home of another little English band, Radiohead) the Foals made a stop here on their first proper tour of these United States.
Continue reading "Mini Interview: Farmer speaks with The Foals" »
Although it’s technically true to say that Earth is a drone band, this genre doesn’t fully describe their sound. There are many drone bands that tend to come off as just downright noise based or trying to be more experimental than anything else. Though this instrumental four piece from Seattle definitely offers an alternative to your standard American pop band, they’ve created music that is effective in eliciting an emotion as well.
Download: Earth - "Engine of Ruin"
Continue reading "Earth with Helen Money @ The Note 4/25/08" »
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.
///Coachella is the big news from over the weekend. BrooklynVegan has some great coverage, but make sure to hit all your favorite sites. Plus, don't forget to check out Prince covering Radiohead and Roger Waters endorsing Obama.
///Speaking of festivals, if you haven't checked out Pitchfork's line-up lately, they have the finalized list available. New additions include The Hold Steady, Caribou, and Sebadoh.
///The Fireside Bowl Project, an effort to artistically remember the rock 'n' roll/bowling haven, officially opens on May 2nd with an opening reception from 5:30pm till 8pm. Check it out at Hokin Center Gallery and Annex, 623 S. Wabash, 1st Floor, Chicago. If you can't make the opening reception go anytime Monday-Thursday: 9am to 7pm or Friday: 9am to 5pm.
///Outkast may be looking at 2009 for a new album. [Thanks, Consequence of Sound]
///In the continuing fiasco that is Amy Winehouse's life, police have given her an official caution after she allegedly found herself in a bar scuffle. [Thanks, Billboard]
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"
///Architecture in Helsinki is back after a bit of a break. To let us all know they are truly serious they are getting ready to release a new EP built around a re-recording of their song "Like it or Not." Polyvinyl Records will be releasing the EP digitally May 27th and in stores on July 8th. [Thanks, Pfork]
///The band that some have been heard to say is the best Chicago punk band right now, the Sass Dragons, have a new album out via Let's Pretend Records/Johann's Face Records. See them at Ronny's on May 17th.
///Superchunk is currently half done writing and recording a new album. The band plans to finish the album, but does not have any kind of schedule to help them get it done. When it is eventually released it will be the first release since 2001's Here's to Shutting Up. [Thanks, Aversion]
///After problems with the final city inspection it looks like the new Bottom Lounge will finally get around to hosting their first show since they moved from their Belmont/Sheffield location. The first show will (probably) be Urge Overkill on May 2nd. [Thanks, Theft Liable]
///Even though Obama lost in Pennsylvania, Arcade Fire will still be playing some free Obama rally show in North Carolina in preparation for the primary on May 6th. If Arcade Fire isn't enough, Superchunk will also be playing at these shows. Tickets are required, but the tickets are free. More info here. [Thanks, Pfork]
///Dirty Projectors have signed with Domino Records for a release in 2009. It also sounds like they are working on a 2nd album for release at about the same time, but it is not clear which label will get to sign their name to and distribute the 2nd record. [Thanks, Spacelab]
///My Bloody Valentine have been working on their curating duties for New York's version of All Tomorrow's Parties, plus planning a tour that will hit 6 to 8 U.S. cities. If you are one of the 3,000 people lucky enough to get tickets (they go on sale the 25th) you'll have the opportunity to see My Bloody Valentine, Built to Spill, Meat Puppets, Thurston Moore, and Tortoise perform some significant albums. Plus Shellac, Low, Mogwai, and many more will be playing some sets as well. [Thanks, BrooklynVegan]
///In my opinion, my favorite new holiday is still Record Store Day, but Beatles Day on July 10th won't be bad either. Liverpool has initiated the holiday in celebration of the 44th anniversary of The Beatles returning from their first American tour. Mop-top wigs and inflatable guitars will be for sale across the city. [Thanks, NME]
///In a game of semantics Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst will be releasing a solo album. As many people know Bright Eyes is the brain child of singer/song writer Oberst, in which he recruits many of his friends to play along and help arrange his songs. The solo album also includes a group of friends, this time they are collectively called The Mystic Valley Players. The solo album, recorded in Mexico, will be hitting store shelves August 5th via Merge Records. [Thanks, Aversion]
In this treacherous election year, the GOP tries to maintain its perch at the White House. San Diego band Grand Ole Party (GOP) thankfully doesn't appear to be Republican (O-bombs is their number one Myspace friend). This trio toured with Rilo Kiley year and had their debut record, Humanimals, produced by Kiley member Blake Sennett. Lead singer Kristin Gundred vocals's encapsulate the blues of Amy Winehouse, the fierceness of Karen O, and the wailing of Janis Joplin. Gundred snarls and brazenly belts out garage-blues songs on love gone wrong, the devil, drinking and other sins, all the right elements for quite a celebration.
Download: Grand Ole Party - "Look Out Young Son"
///Cat Power's Chan Marshall has damaged her vocal chords and has had to cancel a string of dates. It looks like she'll be ready for action early next month. [Thanks, Aversion]
///Mates of State will be releasing their new album, Re-Arrange Us, on May 20th via Barsuk records. They will be going on a short tour in support of the album, including a stop at Lollapalooza.
///Chicago's Yea Big + Kid Static can have their music video in rotation on MTV, but they need votes. Go here to vote and see the video - maybe you can vote them to the top of the 4am rotation!
///The Smashing Pumpkins have hinted at moving away from traditional (i.e. CD's) music formats on any future releases. [Thanks, NME]
Next Tuesday, Radio Free Chicago presents the cheeky, American-pop-culture-obsessed Parisian trio The Teenagers at The Abbey Pub and we've got your hook up for free admission and swag. Check out this sweet prize pack:
-Admission for 2 to show
-Teenagers T-shirt
-Teenagers Reality Check full-length CD
-Teenagers badges
-Set of "Love No" tri-color 7" singles on red/white/blue vinyl
To enter, just drop us a line to radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with "Teenagers Prize Pack" in the subject line. Winners will be drawn at random at the end of the week, though if you happen to slip in a picture of this "Starlett" these kids keep singing about, we may get distracted and just happen to count your entry twice.
Download: The Teenagers - "Starlett Johansen"
