Happy Birthday Tankboy!

If you haven't figured it out yet, Tankboy is my boyfriend, and today is his birthday! We will be celebrating tonight at Burlington in Logan Square with music from DJs Keep, Pocket Taco and Rudy Tuesday (and probably Tankboy too, among other friends who feel like manning the decks). Come by and buy him a birthday shot of Makers. Or you can come by and buy me a shot so I can put up with drunkypants after all those shots :)

(Drunkypants - aka Tankboy - on Halloween)

Discovered Today...

...cont.

The Ocotpus Project - more shoe-gaze, melodic keyboards, experimental "collectors of sounds."

Sleep Out - Another Chicago indie-pop/rock band, FREE show at Empty Bottle next Monday (6/29) with fellow Brooklynites Motel Motel and Deleted Scenes.

The Rikters - You'll swear that's Ben Folds singing, also Chicago based. Album release party this Saturday at Beat Kitchen.

La Roux - Strong dance pop, for fans of Hot Chip, see her at Lolla.

As if you won't be completely worn out by the end of the day...

Lolla after-shows were offically announced today and there are WAY more than in years past. Check the whole schedule in my post on Chicagoist (Who says competing websites can't be friends!).

Which shows will you be at? Right now I'm looking at Lykke Li, Arctic Monkeys, Dan Auerbach, Fleet Foxes (although that might be a little tough to stay awake for after a day of, well, being in the sun) and of course Beastie Boys.

Discovered Today...

...and possibly to be covered in the future.

Cocosuma - Very French, electric shoe-gaze pop, dreamy vocals, 60's psychedelia influence. Check out their video for "Charlotte's On Fire."

Love in October - Chicago band, indie-rock, record release show this Saturday at Martyrs.

Drug Rug - Low-fi, 50's rock-twang, aptly named.

Reviews: Complete

After a jam-packed weekend of music I had a lot of writing to do, and I've finally finished my reviews of Metric and Phoenix & Amazing Baby. Im proud of both of them, but hey, it's easy to write about shows this good!

Another Big Weekend On Tap

Another big weekend on the horizon.  First off, Ribfest.  Surprisingly, this street festival that takes the namesake of barbecue, has a pretty kick-ass band line up.  I'll be there tonight for Tom Schraeder and the return of OFFICE.  Check out the whole lineup in my preview on Transmission.  Pray that it doesn't rain anymore.  

(Tom Schraeder)

Secondly, two concerts that I am super pumped for that I almost didn't get to go to, but luckily, things worked out and I will be covering both for Gapers Block.  Phoenix and Amazing Baby on Saturday night, and Metric on Sunday.  Look for those reviews early next week (along with a few other previews I am planning).  

So, another jam-music-packed weekend.  Here's to hoping that the weather cooperates.  Seriously, pray that it doesn't rain anymore, I'm not joking, I can't take it anymore.  

It's Tuesday, You Know Where to Find Me

Now that the sun has (finally) come out, our plans for tonight are set. Find us on the lawn behind the MCA drinking some wine and taking in some jazz. Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art hosts "Tuesdays on the Terrace" every Tuesday during the summer, and the best part is that it's FREE. (In fact, admission is free all day on Tuesdays.) They bring in all types of jazz artists throughout the summer, from classic standards to more modern improvised. Tonight's artist is Julia Huff.

So bring a blanket, some friends and check out the current exhibit while you listen to some of the city's most talented musicians. "Tuesdays on the Terrace" runs through September 22, every Tuesday from 5:30-8pm.

Our spread from one Tuesday last summer.

(Although, you might not want to bring your own food, they might yell at you...)

Soundtrack for my day...

Tortoise is streaming their new album, Beacons of Ancestorship (which doesnt come out til June 22), on their website. All I can say is that it is fan-tastic. Listen for yourself.

Discovered Yesterday...

Writing for Transmission I have access to a lot of music, but I don't always have time to write about every great band I come across. So, I decided to start a regular segment on my blog called Discovered Today... where I can at least let you know what's new and notable. I actually back-dated this post so I could highlight some groups that caught my attention a few weeks ago and stay in chronological order (I'm not at all anal). (6/23/09)

So here we go...

The Legends - Another catchy pop group out of Sweeden, but with edge. Check out the song "Always the Same."

Freeland - Power-electro, is that a genre? New album Cope is a non-stop serious party--think if LCD Soundsystem was actually from England.

Sally Shapiro - Disco that's not annoying, Swedish electro pop.

Bachelorette - More electronic pop, this time from New Zealand. One girl and her computer. Check out her single "Mindwarp." Plays (played) The Hideout 6/20/09.