forward thinking music & chicago events blog
Handguns are on the fast-track to becoming legal in Chicago? Just what I wanted, more handguns on my block. “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks you better run, better run- faster than my bullet.” For a track that first made an appearance early in the year, Foster The People‘s “Pumped Up Kicks” might be more of a Summer anthem than I originally expected.
Is the Wavves album, King Of The Beach, going to be the ‘Best album of the Summer’ as some would suggest? I can’t say yet, but it seems like a question worth asking after just having myself a once-over. Surf-rock gone indie. Or Punk? Another heads up, Chicago- they’ll be playing an afterparty show for Lollapalooza at Empty Bottle, 8/07. I bought my tickets already.
6/28 : DJ Mehdi & Riton @ Green Dolphin Street
-French electro the way that it was meant to be done. Rarely do the BoomBoomRoom crew seem to feature a Parisian scene.
Hercule & Love Affair – You Belong (Riton Remix)
6/30 : WhoMadeWho @ Schubas
- Gomma Records always gets it right. Every time. If WhoMadeWho is playing as a live band, and I hope they do, it will be a sight worth seeing.
WhoMadeWho – I Lost My Voice (GoldenBug Remix)
7/01 : Nosaj Thing @ Smartbar
- Where can I start here? Simply put: Anyone who is a part of what Brainfeeder is doing in LA right now is cool by me. Period.
Quick heads up here ’cause this will sell out. Interpol is doing a US tour for the first time in over two years, supporting their lastest, Turn On The Bright Lights. I’ll be at The Vic, August 15th for those of you also inclined. Last I saw them was in Indio a few years back. Awesome.
The Joy Formidable released Balloon Called Moaning early May, and this track got a fair amount of traction since. “Whirring” showcases the band’s fuzzy shoegaze indie roots quite well. A solid release from the first band signed to Black Bell Records, the label founded by Passion Pit’s Ayad Al Adhamy.
The second track off of his latest album, Melted, Ty Segall‘s “Caesar” is hitting all the right notes for me right now. Psychedelic Garage Rock with charm only Segall could be responsible for, he describes it’s sound quite well himself: “Cherry Cola, Sno-Cones and Taffy.” Interesting enough.
The Kinks bassist, Pete Quaife, died yesterday. Five Top-10 Singles, Nine Top-40 Albums, and an inducted Rock & Roll Hall of (Fucking) Famer.
I’ve been digging on some blues lately. Sometimes it pays to look backwards. Here’s a favorite of mine, recorded by the blues legend, Leadbelly.
Big Stereo were right on the $$ with this recommendation. Tortoiseshell‘s “This Girl” will be out in 12″ form July 5th through Hole In The Sky, and will include the Canyons pretty little number on it, too. Dreamy!
Tortoiseshell – This Girl (Canyons Dub)
When Dayve Hawk recorded the Memory Tapes album, Seek Magic, “Run Out” stood out for me as one of the stronger tracks. I hope to see more work from them soon. If this is up your alley, right now Weird Tapes is hosting a CREEP remix of Memory Tapes that might interest you.
So.. Aeroplane broke up. But the music will live on in Vito De Luca’s solo material, which will continue under the same nomiker. Their debut full-length, We Can’t Fly, is still expected to be released in September.
Oh my. This one sure is nice. Washed Out comes forth with another incredible single featuring Caroline Polachek. Big ups to Adult Swim- Love effective marketing. Here’s good reason why I’m stoked for Pitchfork.
This past week I’ve been getting into Old Lights pretty heavily. This is David Beeman’s latest project, who’s previously drummed for David Vandervelde and worked as a sound engineer for Cold War Kids, among other bands.
Old Lights – Furthest From The Tree
For all of you that have been waiting for the Kode9 DJ Kicks album, here’s one you’ll be interested in. Martyn‘s “You Don’t Wash” was dropped as a freebie. It’s on you to go get yourself the tracks featuring Zomby, The Bug, Ikonika and Digital Mystikz. Hot.
Kode9- – You Don’t Wash (Martyn Remix)
Another light track for you, Babe Shadow certainly sets a mood. “Sea Serpents” is off of their limited 10″ was released May 31st by the London 4-piece. Very relaxing stuff.
Bad weather this week. Here’s two spots to take shelter in.
I mentioned this earlier a few posts ago, but Tame Impala will be in town tonight. Subterranean to be exact, here for the night before they head on over to New York and play an early, yet sold out show at Piano’s. There’s a soft spot in my heart for synth-driven psych-rock. Pick up Innerspeaker.
Tame Impala – Remember Me (Blue Boy Cover)
Here’s one I’m pretty excited for. Sebastian Krueger’s Inlets will be in town on Tuesday, on a nationwide tour. Playing at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery, it’s not the venue I was expecting but I’ll take it. Here’s one from the latest album, Inter Abiter, titled “In Which, I, Robert” that I am liking these days.
via TeenWolves
I’m sad to say that I missed most of Dirty Projector‘s set at Coachella this year. Foolish, I know, I only stopped in for a second. Most people I talked to said it was a highlight, and it remains a big regret. Especially when you come across songs like these. Rarely am I blown away by Dylan covers. Not many can do the originals the justice they deserve.
Dirty Projectors – I Dreamed I Saw St. Augistine (Bob Dylan Cover)
Speaking of festivals, it seems that Pitchfork Fest Saturday night sold out earlier today. Leaving only Friday open. A few hundred more tickets were announced for those who are quick to the draw. There’s a lot to look forward to, I’m expecting big things from Bear In Heaven, among others..
Bear In Heaven – Lovesick Teenagers
I’ve been playing Starfucker‘s ’08 self-titled debut release, Starfucker a lot lately. Josh Hedges & Dylan Magierek put together some wonderful synth-pop. Too bad Pitchfork panned the release- Seems that they don’t know shit about shit sometimes. The review does say they put on a spectacular show, however. I hope to catch it sometime.
It might be surprising. Might sound crazy. But I do like Indie Rock. See the capital letters there? That shows that I do take it seriously. Deadly serious. In fact, I’m getting pretty excited for the Pitchfork fest. Here’s a little token of my appreciation: A short Summer inspired Mixtape. All awesome. Promise.
01. Blackbird Blackbird : Hawaii
02. The Coral Sea : Ancient Modern People
03. Islands : Switched On
04. Singapore Sling : Heart Of Chrome
05. Temper Trap : Love Lost
06. Starfucker : Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second
07. Vampire Weekend : Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac Cover)
08. Wild Nothing : Chinatown
This is long overdue. Nicolas Jaar has been rocking the boat all year in the techno sphere. At just 19yrs old- he was picked up by Wolf+Lamb in ’08 with his debut, The Student, and ever since has been steadily lighting up high profile record labels, including his own, Clown & Sunset, at a rapid pace. His latest features, on DJ T’s Inner Jukebox Remix EP, and Ellen Allien’s Flashy Flashy release, prove his worth. Subtle, forward thinking techno.
DJ T – Gorilla Hug (Nicolas Jaar Remix)
Ellen Allien- Flashy Flashy (Nicolas Jaar Remix) (download)
Stuff’s pretty great, you gotta admit. But it doesn’t stop there. He has a whole lot of original tracks that are more than worth your time. My favorite, of his solo material, has to be A Time For US, out on W+L this past January. Beautiful stuff.
Nicolas Jaar – Love Teacher (download)
If you’re into all of this, I’d highly encourage you to go over to Resident Advisor and download their latest Podcast, which is a full mix thrown together by Nicolas Jaar for your listening pleasure. There’s also a nice interview, too!
Boston’s Soul Clap will be in town on Friday. Everybody that is “in the know” will probably be there. Why? Because, quite frankly, anything associated with Wolf+Lamb at this point is guaranteed to be worth your time and money. Check ‘em out at Smartbar on Friday. I know I’ll be there.
Bad Rabbits – She’s Bad (Gadi Mizrahi & Soul Clap Remix) (via Funkism)
Guy Gerber‘s deep, soothing, menacing release, Love/Hate, has been pulsing through my headphones for the past 24 hours. It’s quite brilliant. Being his latest release on his own label, Supplement Facts, it certainly has me eagerly awaiting future releases. And digging through their catalog pretty feverishly..
Guy Gerber – Hate/Love (Guy Gerber & Varoslav’s 106 Dalmation Version)
Yeah, pretty great stuff. One track that is not up for preview that I am particularly fond of is “Stockholm Syndrome“- pure afterhours gloom there. Angry and mechanical, the track has a hypnotic growl to it. Hell- Below is a mixtape recorded at the We Love Space Closing fiesta if you want more.
On the heels of the Ex Ex Ex release, In Flagranti are back once again with their latest, Through The Rabbit Hole, released today on Codek. A little less disco, again featuring Natalie Smash’s vox; the single is an interesting ride.
Lifelike recently launched his label, Computer Science, and kicked things off with the Love Emulator EP- out today. Check out these previews- ’cause when it comes to synth-driven goodness, Lifelike is the best o’ the best.
Lifelike/Yota/Namebrand – Love Emulator (Club Mix)
And for good measure, here’s his stellar rework of Pony Pony Run Run wonderful “Walking On A Line”- I always love Lifelike’s remixes.
DJ Koze – Rue Burnout {youtube}
Oh, you like Joris Voorn too? Ahh.. Here’s his latest work, found on the Phuture EP by Harry Romero, and out on Ovum Recording. Full Preview.
via Dutch Uncle
What a nice weekend. Dance music, street fests, farmers markets- Lovely.
Future Classic released a stunning nu-disco EP by Worst Friends. Wonderful music for equally wonderful weather I’ve been experiencing. Seriously digging this Eddie C remix. Peep the full EP here.
Worst Friends – Nerves For None (Eddie C Remix)
Another label that can seemingly do no wrong, Hot Flush, put out the Shake EP by Sigha, that is something worth mentioning, buying, and consecutively playing. Though “Rawww” is not taken from said EP, it remains just as fresh.
I’ve got a Kingdom joint, “Pathfinder”, off of the Scion A/V Sampler that was put out recently. Another bass-driven party starter with that rave element creepin through the background. Lively.
Shows In Chicago
01/25 DJ Heather, Blue J, Julian Pena, Sevron, Stephen P @ Smartbar
