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Obviously the best place to check out coverage from this year's Pitchfork Music Fest is Pitchfork itself (though as I write this, they've yet to post anything yet?!?), but for more even more pretty pictures from the weekend, you can also check out some fine photography from RFC's very own Jeremy and Kirstie on their flickr pages.
Experimental electronic duo Matmos is returning to Chicago this weekend for a headlining "Empty Bottle presents..." gig at Lakeshore Theatre and once again RFC has your hook up. Just drop us a line at radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with "A Chance To Cut Is A Chance To Win" in the subject line for your chance to win admission for two on the house. Good luck!
PS: You can also check out a live in-store performance with Matmos this Saturday at Permanent Records.
Download: Matmos - "Rainbow Flag"
Farmer has been busy shooting pics for KEXP, but he did manage to sneak over to Millenium Park to snag some pics from the Pfork preview party last night with Fleet Foxes (above), Extra Golden and the Boban Markovic Orchestra. It's going to be a long weekend, pace yo-self fools!
///The Pfork announced yesterday afternoon that Sunday afternoon tickets have sold out, leaving only Friday night available at this point. But, of course, there's this magical place called Craig's List where tickets never sell out, so no need to panic.
///If your ticket problem is not so much procrastination as it is lack of funds, remember, tonight's kick off party at Millenium Park with Fleet Foxes and Boban Markovic is free!
///Where all the afterparties at?? Friday night the big after party is at The Hideout with Health, Aleks & The Drummer and Mahjongg, and there are tons more throughout the weekend. Give out a shout out to your afterparty picks in the comments section.
///Seattle's KEXP kicked off their Chicago broadcasts at Engine Studios this morning and will continue to broadcast live band sessions from Bucktown through Friday afternoon. Click here for the full schedule, and keep tabs on the KEXP Blog for continually updated pics from the sessions courtesy of RFC's very own Jeremy Farmer.
///While there was a lot of chirping about the demise of WLUW, it still seems to be business as usual at 88.7 since Loyola took back the reins at the beginning of the month.
///Despite Loyola not making any changes, a group of WLUW DJs did leave the 88.7 airwaves on July 1 anyway and are forging their efforts on the new CHIRP project, which has taken over the reins on the former WLUW Record Fair that will again be a part of this weekend's Pitchfork festivities.
///Jenny Lewis is taking a break from Rilo Kiley for another solo-record jaunt. The new record, Acid Tongue, will feature several guests including (but not limited to) Elvis Costello, Jonathan Rice, and She and Him. Look for it via Warner Brothers. [Thanks, Aversion]
///In more upcoming album news, Oxford Collapse's new record, BITS, is due out August 5th via Sub Pop. If you need a listen, check out the mp3 from the label.
Download: Oxford Collapse - The Birthday Wars
[Thanks, Spacelab]
///Saturday single day tickets are gone for Pitchfork Fest, but you can still catch acts on Friday or Sunday. Unfortunately I'll be out of town and won't be able to see Public Enemy, Ghostface, Mission of Burma, Dinosaur Jr., or Spiritualized. If watching Flavor Flav spit out rhymes and "Yeahh booy!"'s isn't your thing, maybe check out carbon neutral speed dating.
///I'm From Barcelona have finished recording their sophomore album, Who Killed Harry Houdini. The album will appear October, 14th on Mute.
///Masters' of Johnny Cash's songs have been turned loose to a bunch of producers, musicians, and remixers to add a modern touch to the legend. Just to give you an idea of what that might be like, imagine Snoop Dog remixing "I Walk the Line," because that's exactly what's happening. The album, will be available on October 14th, or on a double-vinyl in select independent record stores on September 23rd.
///Paul, from the Chicago-punks M.O.T.O., will be playing an acoustic set Tuesday at The Horseshoe (4115 N. Lincoln) around 10pm. Mike Felton and Danny Malone will also be joining in the fun.
If music can be likened to a relationship, there are many short term tumultuous affairs out there. You have the bands that can easily be crashed and burned on where you listen passionately to their latest album ten times a day and then can't stand it anymore after two weeks have passed. You have bands that have a fairly decent run of a couple good albums that end amicably as well. Then, you have the bands (or in this case, musicians) who are almost like a comforting old friend.
Download - Grant Lee Phillips -Johnny Guitar
As part of the Pitchfork presents lunchtime “Audible Architecture” series, Le Loup returned to Chicago (having played Schubas at the end of March). After seeing them in a relatively smaller space earlier, I wasn’t sure how it would sound in such a large open area. Coming off as equally transcendent throughout their 75 minute set as Grizzly Bear, Le Loup played for over an hour demonstrating that they had grown as a band even since just a few months ago. It was an incredibly impressive set that made me remember how much I loved their album with an impossibly long name *deep breath* Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millenium General Assembly.
You are living in a great city for live music when amongst all the shows happening in all the venues across town you can go to the city zoo and see the oft imitated, but ultimately incomparable Blondie.
Download: Blondie - "Fade Away and Radiate"
///The National have set out to design a t-shirt that will be useless come December. They have put together a pun-able t-shirt combining both the title of their track "Mr. November" with the good lucking mug of Obama. Every penny from the Mr. November t-shirt will be donated to the Obama campaign. Don't forget to continue to stop by RFC for all the latest completely useless campaign news. [Thanks, Pfork]
///Shudder to Think, of Dischord Records, will be reuniting for a few dates this fall. Besides hitting up some of the end of summer festivals the band will be stopping by Chicago's Park West on September 5th. [Thanks, Billboard]
///A Place to Bury Strangers is setting up a U.S. tour to supplement gigs with the likes of Shellac, Nine Inch Nails, and the Dandy Warhols. In Chicago, on September 21th, they will be play at the Empty Bottle with Sian Alice Group. [Thanks, Pfork]
///If you are free and have a plane ticket to England at the end of August be sure to check out Gang of Four at Offset Festival. And if you have time check out sets by Wire and Young Knives. [Thanks, NME]
