Today is Tankboy's birthday. Happy Birthday Tankboy! You look great for 24 again!
It's also Sweet Treat Wednesday, so come by Beauty Bar early for the party where I'll be playing some of Tankboy's favorite songs! Expect lots of Blur, Bowie, Flaming Lips, and maybe I'll even play something from that Fun. band...maybe.
I just pre-ordered of Montreal's new album False Priest on 2xLP because it comes in red vinyl that is limited to 2000 copies. I am a nerd. I was already looking forward to the release, but I think what pushed me over the edge was an email that Tankboy just got from their publicist gushing about how good and different this album is. Hey, it's only 20 bucks and it comes with tons of free stickers when you pre-order (NERD!). Oh look, there's even a countdown clock on the album download page: only 66d : 12h : 10m until it's available for download. Sheesh.
If you want a preview, you can download the first single "Coquet Coquette" for free right now on Polyvinyl's website.
Normally I avoid the Taste of Chicago like the plague. In my mind sweat and crowds and food should not mix (I was scarred on my first visit years ago by a large sweaty man in a sleeveless shirt, and a turkey leg). But, one thing the Taste does have is music (and from what I remember the stages are sufficiently separated from the food portion), and tonight, beginning at 6:20pm, Salt-n-Pepa take the stage, followed by Bell Biv Devoe. Most bands that usually play fests like this I could take or leave, but something is telling me that I should see Salt-n-Pepa at least once in my life.
The taste continues through July 4. Wondering if there any other acts worth seeing? Download their kick ass app here to have the full schedule at your fingertips.
The first Lollapalooza aftershow I went to was of Montreal (a band I had barely heard of at the time) @ Schubas in '06. Things have changed quite a bit since then. At the time, aftershows seemed a bit of an after thought, with just a few announced just a few weeks before the festival. This year there are 21 official pre-parties and aftershows with even bigger headliners than before. The Black Keys @ Metro? Phoenix @ House of Blues? You can bet you'll find me there, even if you don't find me at the festival.
Sad news yesterday for the Chicago jazz community. Fred Anderson suffered a serious heart attack and is now in a drug-induced coma. Anderson is best known these days as the owner of Velvet Lounge, but he has been a staple in and supporter of Chicago's creative music scene for decades. I've met Fred (at Velvet Lounge, of course, as he is an almost constant figure there, no matter the evening's turnout) and seen him play many times, and he is a kind man and talented, respected musician.
The Reader's Peter Margasak has more details on his condition, and boy are people upset he does... (scroll down to the comments). Flutist Nicole Mitchell suggests in Neil Tesser's article that the best way to show support "would be to pack the Velvet Lounge this weekend." I'd place a bet that that place will be hoppin' this weekend.
UPDATE 6/25/10: Unfortunately, Anderson passed away yesterday at the age of 81. RIP.
The weekend basically started last Wednesday in Chicago when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. I don't know anyone that actually got any work done after that point without really struggling to focus! I'm not even really a hockey fan, but it was crazy to see the city transform. From the spontaneous rally in the streets in Wicker Park (and everywhere else in the city) after the final game to the official parade and rally on Michigan Avenue on Friday (hopefully I'll have my own pictures uploaded soon!), one song you couldn't escape was the Fratellis' "Chelsea Dagger" which was the team's goal song.
I'm finally back in the real world after returning from my first NOLA vacation (well, at least back at work). I've got about a million stories to tell, so if you see me, ask me about the the beignets, the hand grenades, the jambalaya at Mother's, getting caught in a downpour in a cemetery, how Vanna White almost ruined my first trip to Cafe Du Monde, how I got pelted in the head at Oyster Fest, or any multitude of other questions!
One thing I will say is that it was really cool to be immersed in a different musical culture for five days, and hearing it from almost every doorway and window. While I didn't get a chance to see the "mind-blowing jazz" I wanted, here's a sample of a band I DID get to see a few minutes of (they unfortunately took a break right after we walked in!) at Le Bon Temps Roule in Uptown (thanks to the recommendation of @Marcusist): Soul Rebels Brass Band.
I'm in New Orleans stuffing my face full of po' boys, oysters and beignets right now, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still go to Beauty Bar for Sweet Treat! DJ White Lightnin' will be holding down the fort playing our usual awesome tunes from the usual 7-10pm.
And don't forget about their $10 martini and manicure special!
You could almost say my weekend started on Wednesday, since LCD Soundsystem kicked my ass so hard I'm really just now recovering. Here's what I thought of their show at Metro, plus some pretty pictures of James Murphy to look at:
Today is Tankboy's birthday. Happy Birthday Tankboy! You look great for 24 again!
Normally I avoid the Taste of Chicago like the plague. In my mind sweat and crowds and food should not mix (I was scarred on my first visit years ago by a large sweaty man in a sleeveless shirt, and a turkey leg). But, one thing the Taste does have is music (and from what I remember the stages are sufficiently separated from the food portion), and tonight, beginning at 6:20pm, Salt-n-Pepa take the stage, followed by Bell Biv Devoe. Most bands that usually play fests like this I could take or leave, but something is telling me that I should see Salt-n-Pepa at least once in my life.
Sad news yesterday for the Chicago jazz community. Fred Anderson suffered a serious heart attack and is now in a drug-induced coma. Anderson is best known these days as the owner of Velvet Lounge, but he has been a staple in and supporter of Chicago's creative music scene for decades. I've met Fred (at Velvet Lounge, of course, as he is an almost constant figure there, no matter the evening's turnout) and seen him play many times, and he is a kind man and talented, respected musician..jpg)
I'm in New Orleans stuffing my face full of po' boys, oysters and beignets right now, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still go to Beauty Bar for Sweet Treat! DJ White Lightnin' will be holding down the fort playing our usual awesome tunes from the usual 7-10pm. 
You could almost say my weekend started on Wednesday, since LCD Soundsystem kicked my ass so hard I'm really just now recovering. Here's what I thought of their show at Metro, plus some pretty pictures of James Murphy to look at:
