Tag Archives: Chicago

06.18.09
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Lollapalooza 2009 Lineup Announced

Ah, remember the days when Lollapalooza got, well to say the least really crappy and they toured with the festival and no one cared to see it anymore? Well since Lollapalooza has stationed itself permanently as a festival in Chicago, the quality of bands have been getting better every year. Thus, making me wish that  Lollapalooza actually was a touring venture again. Just reading the lineup for the three day event makes my head want to explode with excitement. The best thing about the show is the wide range of bands.

Here are some of our top picks for each day of the festival:

Friday:  Of Montreal, Kings of Leon, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Andrew Bird, Crystal Castles, and Kevin Devine.

Saturday: Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, Chairlift, Langhorne Slim, The Living Things, The Constantines, TV on the Radio, Santongold, Lykke Li and Animal Collective.

Sunday:  Sam Roberts Band, Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, Neko Case, Dan Auerbach, Cold War Kids, Vampire Weekend, Cage the Elephant, Bat for Lashes, Dan Deacon, Dearhunter, Ra Ra Riot, Silversun Pickups, and Band of Horses.

The festival takes place at Grant Park in Chicago from August 7th to August 9th. Unless a bag of money falls from the sky there is no possible way for us to be there. Sad. Let us know how it goes kids.

Check out all of the details on the festival’s main site HERE

05.16.09
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Broken Social Scene Preps New Album (Finally)

Its hard to believe that was last heard from Broken Social Scene, as a collective, nearly 4 years ago.  With all side projects on the back burner now, the band has returned to the studio together to reignite the fire that started it all. BSS is currently recording at Soma Studios in Chicago with producer John McEntire. This of course is a big change for the band since the previous albums were recorded David Newfeld who is currently working on other projects at the moment. With a new producer in tow, how will the new tracks sound? I guess we’ll have to wait and see for now because this is very recent. The band is still in the midst of writing songs and getting reacquainted with each other.

The first book about BSS has also been released this week titled ‘This Book is Broken.’ I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet but it is a given that it will be interesting.  It includes the biography of BSS as well as interviews.

Watch an oldie but goodie, Broken Social Scene’s video for ‘Major Label Debut (fast version)’

04.27.09
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Bound Stems, ‘Happens to Us All Otherwise’

In the past 24 hours, I have become completely obsessed with the Chicago five piece called The Bound Stems. A band that I have discovered on an itunes Podcast of all things. Its really easy to become increasingly interested in this band, which I hate to say, broke up last year after their second release ‘The Family Afloat.’ Sad to say the least, but the band played Lollapalooza, Daytrotter, and South by Southwest amongst other things. Disbanded or not, this is a band worth listening to. It reminds me a bit of Conor Oberst if he started writing really happy songs all the time.

Download the Bound Stems ‘Happens to Us All Otherwise’

Check out Bound Stems on their MYSPACE

04.21.09
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Lollapalooza 2009, We Want to Go There

Lollapalooza’s 2009 lineup has recently been announced, and with 130 bands, it leaves little room to complain. Start saving up now for August’s shows in Chicago which includes such bands as Of Montreal, Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys, Cold War Kids, The Killers, TV on the Radio, Andrew Bird, Vampire Weekend, Decemberists, Neko Case, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Chairlift, Los Campesinos!, Crystal Castles, Santogold and so many more.  This is perhaps the best Lolla lineup we’ve ever seen.

The tickets run about $190 for all 3 days. Pretty sweet deal if you ask us. See you there hopefully!

For more information go to www.lollapalooza.com

03.06.09
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Joan of Arc to Release New Record

Chicago’s own Joan of Arc are set to release their newest record titled Flowers on Polyvinyl, June 9th. What the new album will sound like? Well I guess we’ll have to wait and see at the moment. Frontman Tim Kinsella (and the one and only permenant member of the band) stated in a press release that  “I think it’s harder fora band to make a tenth record, than it is to make a first record; there is more freedom to be daring, but there is also your own standard to live up to and surpass.”

On Flowers the band made an effort to make sure that all of the songs flow into each other, and apparently they have pulled it off perfectly. The album is about life, death, and rebirth, hence that is where the title came from. Joan of Arc is one of the most interesting bands out there. Quite frankily, you never know what Kinsella and crew are going to do next.

Download Explain Yourselves #2

Check out Joan of Arc on Myspace