MWAHAHAHAHAHA

Happy Halloween!

Michael Jackson MTV Music

Hey Champ Becomes a 'Superstar'

Congratulations to our hometown boys in Hey Champ! Yesterday they offically signed with Lupe Fiasco's record label 1st & 15th!

This Is Your Brain on Music

Check out this weeks episode of Sound Opinions (hosted by Chicago’s own Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, of the Sun Times and Tribune, respectively) where their guest is neurologist Oliver Sacks (of 'Awakenings' fame). They discuss the mysterious connections between music and the mind, including the effects of music on patients with amnesia or who are otherwise unresponsive. They also touch on the importance of music education in schools and those nagging earworms.

On a similar note (heh), I am currently reading This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin. Levitin is a former record producer and engineer turned psychologist. The book is also about the connection between music and the human brain and the psychology of why we like it so much. I’ve only gotten through the chapters on music theory and the human brain, which are both daunting topics, but Levitin’s writing makes it entertaining and easy to read.

OFFICE - the good kind

Anyone in Chicago looking for something to do tonight should make their way to Schubas to see OFFICE perform as part of their October Residency.

The best part? Its FREE, so you don't have any excuse. (Yes, I know its Monday, but what better day to listen to some cheery pop music to make you forget that you still have 4 days of work left...)

If you're lucky, they'll play some songs from their as-yet-unreleased new album, Mecca (which is faaaaantastic).

Kevin Barnes has offically gone off the deep end...

Spin warned us. Stereogum gave us our first glimpse. And now they are freaking everywhere. Everyone is talking about the ridiculousness of this new of Montreal stage show (I guess singing from atop white horse - in shorty shorts - on stage in New York City will do that.)

I for one can not wait to see it. Their shows have always been a spectacle, but this is above and beyond. Luckily I’ll be seeing them twice! First in St. Louis (10/24 @ The Pageant) and then back in Chicago (10/27 @ The Riviera).

Find all their remaining tour dates here.

Song of the Day: Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot

I'll admit, I didn't know much about Sonic Youth until last year at Pitchfork Music Festival when they played Daydream Nation in its entirety, and I was totally blown away. First because it was so amazing, secondly because I was disappointed in myself for not knowing how amazing it was before that day. I went out the next day and bought the (lucky for me) newly-released deluxe edition of Daydream Nation.

A New Fave

I have a new favorite song. "be be your love" by Rachel Yamagata. I didn’t know anything about her (other than that she is originally from Chicago) until last night when I saw her at Lakeshore Theater. The girl is almost too cute and charming, with her little anecdotes between songs, even pausing during her set to say hi and give kiss to an old friend. A folk rock singer/songwriter, some of her songs are quiet and reflective, some rock, all are incredibly heart felt. But the part that really got me - her voice, that voice! She’s got a new album coming out October 7th, so you can check it out for yourself.