Chi-Town on a Hot Streak

Behind the scenes of the filming of Hey Champ's "Silver City" music video (spy me and Tankboy on the left)...which I realized that I never posted...so here it is:

What's going on this weekend?

If you asked me right now I'd say I just want to stay in tonight and lounge on my couch and eat potato chips and watch the Olympics, but give me a couple hours and some coffee and I'll be changing my mind because there is plenty to do tonight. My girl Neph invited me to Double Door tonight to see Dando, who I honestly don't know much about other than he fronts The Lemonheads.

If you're looking for some low budget fun, Hey Champ is playing a free show at LaSalle Power Company (hey, I never did write that post about how much I hate the 'tude, and well, everything about that place--I'm honestly surprised it's still open).

Also happening tonight is Four Tet (early and late show) at Empty Bottle (who I also dont know much about other than they've got this song they keep playing on woxy that I really like. Bottom line: I want to hear more).

And when you're not quite ready to go home after the show, head on over to The Continental where Tankboy will be manning the decks from 11 til 4am.

I call this one "get out of my dj booth"

TOMORROW, also known as SATURDAY NIGHT, Scott Lucas and the Married Men celebrate the long anticipated (by us at least) release of their debut album, George Lassos the Moon. Tankboy wrote a really great review of the album on Chicagoist including the irresistibly cute story behind the songs where he "gets the girl." All together now... awww.

Also on Saturday: I've already told you how much I love the influential, innovative Tortoise, they will be playing Lincoln Hall.


So even though there's a bunch of snow still on the ground and the temps seem to be hooked forever in the 30's, there's no excuse to not get out of the house this weekend! You'll have all next week to watch the Olympics when the weather turns even crappier.

What do you want for your birthday? A month full of your favorite concerts? Done.

Here we are... December. While it marks the beginning of a cold, snowy winter (which I hate), it's also turning out to be a month full of concerts from some of my favorite bands, which is perfect because it's also the month of my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

It all started with the announcement of the Flaming Lips/Phoenix/Pete Yorn show at Allstate on the 11th; you'd be hard pressed to find a more Mich-perfect bill.

Then, Andrew Bird announced that he would be playing a bunch of "Gezelligheid" (that means "cozy," i.e. small) concerts at Fourth Presbyterian Church. I didn't go for any of those tickets bc I would have felt greedy after getting to see him at The Hideout last year, the Black Cat DC show AND Schubas, but a special someone nabbed a couple guest list spots for us :)

And then last week, there was this curious announcement of Metric playing, of all places, Cubby Bear. They were just here in June, playing a sold out Metro, and did I mention Cubby Bear is a sports bar across from Wrigley Field??? But, the myth has been verified by Tankboy--apparently the show is a part of Q101 partnership with the bar called "Q-Up" and it's serving as the station's official after-party for their "Twisted" holiday concert. Whatever, I get to see Metric at a bar.

Lets see, what else... Tonight we start the month with one of my favorites of '09, Winter Gloves (luckly) returning to Chicago after playing to a nearly empty room in May. And on top of it all, local friends Hey Champ and Tom Schraeder are playing this month too. (I keep telling Tankboy that the only way this month could get any better is if Spoon announced a last minute Chicago show).

So here's to December. It's going to be busy between concerts, holiday parties and unpacking a new home, but hey, I can breathe in January.

Whatta Week!

It's been a busy week already and it's going to get even busier as Lollapalooza looms on the horizon.

Monday night, Tankboy and I went to see Pete Yorn at Park West (review can be read here) and what I thought would be an early night ended up with us meeting Tom Schraeder for drinks at High Dive (where I learned what it means to get "Yorned").

Thats quite a way to start out the week, especially when we should be resting up for a mammoth weekend. The celebration offically starts tonight as Andrew Bird takes over (the under 200 capacity) Schubas. This show was near impossible to get tickets to, but Tankboy managed to get two tickets for us (winning the best boyfriend ever award) and then just yesterday I got on the list for the show!! So we went from "no way we're going" to "who are we going to take with us?"!

Now down to business: If you're going to Lolla you should definitely get your buns there bright and early on Friday to see my Hey Champ buddies at 12:15 on the "Chicago 2016" stage. (Thats right, they're on the big stage!) As for the rest of my picks for the weekend, you can see my "custom schedule" here. Also, on Transmission, we are running features all week in a versus fashion to help you choose between bands playing on opposite ends of the park at the same times (I know, it sucks). My match ups were Andrew Bird/of Montreal/Peter Bjorn & John, Neko Case/Vampire Weekend and Jane's Addiction/Killers.

With all the aftershows, afterparties and other events happening this weekend, I'm sure there will be plenty of stories to share next week!

Tonight:

Hey Champ makes their home stop on tour with The Sounds @ Double Door.  I'll be there.  Will you?

We can finally say it

Hey Champ is playing Lollapalooza!  Along with a bunch of other bands like Jane's Addiction, Tool and Beastie Boys.  

You can see the full line-up on Lollapalooza's website, or on any one of Chicago's gazillion music blogs.  One worth reading though? DeRo's "annotated" lineup.  

Tomorrow Never Knows...

Today I did a write-up for the Tomorrow Never Knows music festival at Schubas beginning this Wednesday and running through Sunday. It's an exciting glimpse of what's to come in the indie music scene. Cursive and Department of Eagles are among the bands slated to play, although individual tickets for those nights are sold out (but you can still purchase a 5-day pass to the event). I'll be there on Saturday to see my friends in Hey Champ headlining Saturday's show (that is, if I'm not already in DC for the inauguration!)

Chicago NYE Roundup

Check out my Feature for Transmission this week with my picks for what to do on New Years Eve in Chicago.
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New Year's Eve is still more than two weeks away, but its about time to start making plans or you just might end up sitting at home by yourself watching the ball drop (insert image of sad person wearing a pointy hat blowing a kazoo here). Here's a look at some of my top concert picks around town to help you bid adieu to 2008 and ring in 2009 the right way.

Revolution Number 9 @ Congress Theater
"Revolution 9" may have been a revolutionary Beatles song, but this year the name is all about the year's hottest electronic dance music. We recently talked about French DJ duo Justice's documentary, A Cross The Universe, which followed them on the final three weeks of their spring tour. But, for one night you can experience them live as they team up with up with Ed Banger labelmate So Me for a pumping dance party. Local electro band Hey Champ, who just returned from a month long tour with Lupe Fiasco, will open, and will be the only ones on the bill playing as a full band. Other DJs who will keep the party going into the early morning include Willy Joy, DJ Zebo, The Glamour, Dark Wave Disco DJs, Skyler, and Bearries. The party starts at 7pm. The Congress Theater is located at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. 17 & up. General Admission tickets are $60 and VIP access (which includes express entry, back stage views, and a private bar) is $200.

The Dandy Warhols @ Metro
The Dandy Warhols are known for their fun version of psychedelic pop rock with hits like "Bohemian Like You" and "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth," and this year they released their sixth studio album, ...Earth To The Dandy Warhols... on their very own label, Beat The World Records. As if starting a record label weren't enough to keep them busy, they're also spearheading the Breathe Easy Benefit, which is a collaborative album project with a bunch of other artists that raises money for Three Rivers Land Conservancy.
We've already told you how excited we are that The Dandy Warhols were announced to play NYE at the Metro, and turns out the Dandys are pretty excited too. If you go to their website you can order a special limited edition t-shirt (just make sure you order before December 19th to get it before New Years). The show starts at 9pm. The Metro is located at 3730 N. Clark St. (18 & over.) Tickets are $55 in advance ($65 day of). VIP Tables are available for $500 and include 4 tickets, 4 seats, 4 limited-edition posters, and 4 drink tickets per person. Formal Attire Encouraged — you could use an excuse to clean up every once in a while.


The Sea & Cake @ Schubas
The Sea & Cake are my favorite band to listen to on a chill, lazy afternoon. Sam Prekop's smooth, infectious vocals can lull anyone straight into relaxation. While they qualify as a pop rock band, they have a heavy jazz influence. They've been making music in Chicago since 1993, but each member has their own side projects, including solo albums and drummer John McEntire's involvement in Tortoise. Their latest album though, Car Alarm, was recorded without taking a break after their previous album, and the result is an even tighter sounding group. The show starts at 10pm. Schubas is located at 3159 N. Southport. (21 & up.) Tickets are $40. There is also a pre-party in the bar before the show from 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets are sold separately for $30 ($35 at the door) and include drinks and appetizers. (This show is part of a two night set, so if you really want to see The Sea & Cake but don't want to shell out 40 bucks, you can see them the night before for half that price.)

Local H @ Bottom Lounge
They found mainstream success with "Bound For The Floor," but that's not all Local H are known for. The alternative duo's live shows are always energetic and always unpredictable. Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair are finally back home after a nationwide tour supporting their latest album, Twelve Angry Months, which came out this spring. Fellow Chicago bands Sybris and pop favorites OFFICE open. Show starts at 8pm. The Bottom Lounge is now located at 1375 W. Lake St. (21 & up.) Tickets are $35.

Quenchers

For those of you who don't want to break the bank, but still want to have a good time and hear some live music, head on over to Quenchers at the corner of Fullerton and Western where the cover is only $10. Local bands Tight Phantomz and Cougars will rock your face off with some hard hitting, classic rock 'n roll. Quenchers is located at 2401 N Western Ave. Music gets going at 9pm.

Song of the Summer

Every summer there is a song that gets constantly remixed, played in dj sets, covered all over the place by other bands, earns the top spot on "Top 25 Most Played" playlist on your iPod, and just downright seeps into your brain.

There has been some talk that this year's song was "Kids" by MGMT, but if you ask me, that song didn't get hot until the end of summer/beginning of fall. For me, 2008's song of summer was definitely "Cold Dust Girl" by Hey Champ. They're local, so this one didn’t dominate across the country, but in my world, it was huge. First of all, they're my friends, so I was going to all their shows anyway, but then they filmed a video for "Cold Dust Girl" starring a bunch of friends (yours truly making an appearance) and it started popping up in DJ sets around town and all over local blogs. And now they're signed to a label and touring with Lupe Fiasco. On top of all the hooplah, the song is incredibly catchy and fun to listen to. The perfect summer soundtrack. What was your song of summer?


Past year's “songs of summer":

2007: "Young Folks" - Peter, Bjorn & John
2006: "Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley
2005: "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
2004: "Toxic" - Britney Spears (ok, guilty pleasure, but I was guiltlessly into pop.)
2003: "SexyBack" "Rock Your Body" - (alright, another guilty pleasure*, but this song rocked my summer on the boat at Party Cove.)

Geez, I had great taste in music for a while there...



*When I bought this cd I actually put it under another cd so no one would see I was buying it--yeah, thats back when we still bought cds, so instead of being on an iPod playlist, the cd was probably in the little holder on the visor in my car.

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!

Super Concert Day

Today is Super Concert Day. I have bought tickets to three different concerts happening in the coming months. Jamie Lidell, Cut Copy and Girl Talk. All the great concerts happen in the fall after the "radius clause" wears off, and bring me back to the small local venues that I love so much. I am also pumped for tomorrow night's James Murphy DJ set at Smartbar. For those of you who don't know who that is, you may know him better as the man behind LCD Soundsystem. That's right, LCD Soundsystem hand picking the tunes in your local bar.

Dance. Party.


Oh, and my friends Hey Champ will be DJing at The Burlington on Saturday. More dance party happiness.

Hey Champ

You may have seen them around town as Hey Champ DJ’s or heard their remixes, but this Chicago trio has their own band, not-so-shockingly called Hey Champ. You’re right if you think you heard synthesizers, they do sound like something straight out of the 80’s dance scene. I’ve even heard that sometimes, vocalist Saam Hagshenas just likes to stay home and play synthesizers.

They have so many songs, their live show is always a little different, but you can bet Cold Dust Girl will be on the setlist, and there will be dancing in the audience. Watch out for Jon Marks to rock out a drum solo (or three) and Pete Dougherty, the most recent addition to the band, wail on the keyboards.

Come see them live, in full effect tomorrow at Market Days on the Roscoe Stage at 4pm.
(*And wish Saam a Happy Birthday :))

Hey Champ - Cold Dust Girl