photos by Sara Pieper

JC Brooks & Ume at BV Chicago // Epitonic SXSW -- 3.13.2013

Last week down at SXSW in Austin, TX, we teamed up with Epitonic to throw a free, two stage day party at adjoining venues Swan Dive and Barbarella Patio on Wednesday, March 13. The day kicked off with sets from Chicago's Many Places and NYC's folky The End of America, and was co-headlined by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Generationals. In between, The Besnard Lakes, Ume, All Eyes West, Twin Peaks, On An On, Eric Pulido (of Midlake), WHY?, Minor Characters, Mister Lies, Autumn Owls, Mahogany, and Tango in the Attic all performed.

In addition to the music, our sponsors Redken were passing out bottles of their Clean Brew Extra Cleansing Shampoo, which helped to keep us smelling great all week long.

BV Chicago photographer Sara Pieper was on the scene and was able to grab pictures of all bands from the late afternoon on. More of her photos can be found below...

Continue reading "BV Chicago // Epitonic SXSW day party in pics (JC Brooks, Generationals, Twin Peaks, Ume, Besnard Lakes & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Twin Peaks - "Stand in the Sand" (MP3) (Rolo & Grady Session)

Young Chicago dudes and Orwells affiliates Twin Peaks self-released their debut album, Sunken, back in July. It's a strong collection of glam-influenced garage rock that DOESN'T sound as if a bunch of youngsters made it. You used to be able to listen to the whole album via their bandcamp, but they've recently inked a deal with Autumn Tone Records (congratulations, guys!), and it disappeared. AT say they'll be releasing a Twin Peaks album in June, so maybe a reissue of Sunken is first on the docket? Twin Peaks recently recorded Sunken's "Stand in the Sand" for a Rolo & Grady session, which you can watch at the bottom of this post. You can also download an MP3 version of the session above.

As discussed, Twin Peaks will be playing our FREE joint SXSW day party with Epitonic on Wednesday, March 13 at Swan Dive // Barbarella Patio. Their set is at 3:45PM at the outdoor Barbarella Patio stage, and is not to be missed if you'll be down in Austin, TX. The guys are also playing the Hideout's SXSW kick-off party on Saturday afternoon (3/9), and then the NineteenTwenty House at night with Sister Crystals, Method Air, and Bell Labs.

All Twin Peaks tour dates and their Rolo & Grady session are below...

Continue reading "Twin Peaks played a Rolo & Grady session (video, MP3), playing a BV Chicago Day Party at SXSW"

Marnie Stern @ BV-CMJ 2010 (more by Andrew St. Clair)

As discussed, guitar heroine Marnie Stern is gearing up for the release of her album, The Chronicles of Marnia, which is due out on March 19 via Kill Rock Stars. You've already heard "Year of the Glad," "East Side Glory," and "Nothing is Easy" from the LP, and NPR are now offering a complete stream. Though her virtuosic style is still present, The Chronicles... sees Marnie really honing in on her songwriting.

Marnie and co. will visit Chicago on their North American tour with Roomrunner for a BV Chicago-presented show at the Empty Bottle on April 17 with openers Mayor Daley. Advance tickets are still available, and we've got a pair of tickets to give away! Details on how to enter to win can be found at the bottom of this post.

All Marnie Stern tour dates, contest details, and a few song streams from her new LP are below...

Continue reading "Marnie Stern streaming new LP; win tickets to her show at the Empty Bottle with Roomrunner & Mayor Daley"

We're excited to announce that BV Chicago will be returning to SXSW this year! We have teamed up with Epitonic to bring you a FREE unofficial two stage day party at Swan Dive and Barbarella Patio (615 Red River Street) on Wednesday, March 13 from noon - 6PM. The outdoor Barbarella Patio stage will feature Chicago-based acts, while the indoor Swan Dive stage boasts an international lineup.

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound will headline the Barbarella Patio stage, along with support from All Eyes West, Twin Peaks, On An On, Minor Characters, Mister Lies, Mahogany, and Many Places. Attendees will be able to move freely between the patio and Swan Dive, which will house Generationals, The Besnard Lakes, Ume, Eric Pulido (of Midlake), WHY?, Autumn Owls, Tango in the Attic, and The End of America throughout the day.

It'll look like this:

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - BV Chicago Stage at Barbarella Patio
12:00PM - Many Places
12:45PM - Mahogany
01:30PM - Mister Lies
02:15PM - Minor Characters
03:00PM - On An On
03:45PM - Twin Peaks
04:30PM - All Eyes West
05:15PM - JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - Epitonic // 1-Up PR Stage at Swan Dive
12:00PM - The End of America
12:45PM - Tango in the Attic
01:30PM - Autumn Owls
02:15PM - WHY?
03:00PM - Eric Pulido (of Midlake)
03:45PM - Ume
04:30PM - The Besnard Lakes
05:15PM - Generationals

Admission to Swan Dive // Barbarella Patio is 100% FREE and no badges/wristbands are required. There IS a 21+ age restriction though, sorry about that!

Thanks to our sponsors Redken for making this party possible. They'll be giving out free samples of their products throughout the day. More free stuff is TBA.

And stay tuned for the announcement of BrooklynVegan's day parties and showcases!

Marnie Stern @ Panchos in 2011 (more by John Yingling)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Marnie Stern is gearing up for the release of her new album, The Chronicles of Marnia, which is due out on March 19 via Kill Rock Stars. ...Marnia is her first without usual skin basher Zach Hill (who's a little busy with his band Death Grips), and instead features the equally bombastic Kid Millions (of Oneida) on percussion. So far, she has revealed two album tracks, called "Year of the Glad" and "East Side Glory," both of which seem to be centered around songwriting rather than guitar heroics. Although that's true, Stern's output hasn't gotten any less bonkers. Take a listen to both of her new songs at the bottom of this post.

Marnie will be touring in support of her hilariously-titled forthcoming LP this spring. That tour hasn't been announced in full, but we're proud to be presenting her Chicago show at the Empty Bottle on April 17 with Roomrunner and Mayor Daley. Tickets go on sale TODAY (2/11) at noon CST.

All known Marnie Stern tour dates and a couple of streams from ...Marnia are below...

Continue reading "Marnie Stern playing the Empty Bottle with Roomrunner & Mayor Daley (BV Chicago presents)"

Little Dragon @ MHoW in August (BKLYN) (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Sweden's Little Dragon are currently on tour supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers, a run which reaches the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Monday (5/28). Tickets are still available for the Chicago-area show and we've also added a Little Dragon DJ set in the city, at Lincoln Hall, happening after the Appart show! Tickets are on sale NOW.

As announced, Little Dragon will return to Chicago in August to perform on Sunday (8/5) of Lollapalooza 2012. Single-day passes are still available for Sunday of the festival now sold out.

All Little Dragon tour dates are listed below, alongside some choice videos.

Continue reading "Little Dragon on tour w/ Red Hot Chili Peppers, playing Allstate Arena & DJing @ Lincoln Hall on Monday (bvC Presents)"

As part of Record Store Day 2012 (Saturday, April 21), we're excited to announce that we've partnered up with our good friends at Saki Records in Logan Square to bring you a full day of in-store performances and MORE!

For those of you who will be searching for RSD's many exclusives, Saki will open up 9AM. The specific releases they'll be carrying can be found HERE. In-store performances will begin at 1PM and continue up until 9PM.

Here's what the day will look like:

1PM - Santah
2PM - Bare Mutants
3PM - Cains & Abels
4PM - Cross Record
5PM - Minor Characters
6PM - Hollows
7PM - Opposites
8PM - The Runnies

CHIRP Radio DJs will be spinning records between sets all day long.

Hang onto your Saki RSD receipt for exclusive deals from other local businesses, such as: $10 off labor at Shake Shop, One free PBR from The Burlington, 10% off at Bucket O' Blood Books & Records, One free small drip coffee from New Wave, and you guessed it.. more TBA.

Aside from DJing all day, CHIRP will also be running a Plinko-style game with prizes.

The Tamale Spaceship food truck will be parked outside all day, serving up delicious treats.

Stay tuned for even more info!

photos by Tim Griffin

Chicago band Gypsyblood are currently working on the follow-up to 2011's Cold In The Guestway and have scheduled an April 14th headlining show at the Cobra Lounge. Advance tickets are on sale. Hamburglars and Hammerdown will act as main support.

Gypsyblood were one of the many bands featured on our bvChicago stage at Hotel Vegan. Above are two new pictures from the Wednesday (March 14), day party. Check out a full set of all acts (including FIELDED, Maps & Atlases, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound) HERE.

Gypsyblood song streams and videos below..

Continue reading "Gypsyblood announce show @ Cobra Lounge; here's a few more pics from bvChicago-SXSW"

photos by Amanda Hatfield

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound @ Hotel Vegan

"...Before we were able to bask in the glory, we were driving in MAD traffic to get across town to Hotel Vegas to play Brooklyn Vegan's "Hotel Vegan" party. We barely got to the stage in time, screeched up, lept out of the van like we were the A-Team. Set up. Go. 11 people in the room, tops. The big names are outside in the back. And then something clicked, we just continue to be locked in. I look up five songs later and the room is packed. Wall to wall hipsters, including friends from Gypsy Blood, The Pinstripes, and Kane Place Record Club. It was a riot. Like a real house party. Next thing I know, we're shaking hands and getting in cell phone pictures and some real cool guy from Chicago with a little city pride takes us all out to dinner..." [JC Brooks SXSW Tour Diary]

Special thanks to a Sailor Jerry, Brooklyn Brewery, HobNob Wines, and Honest Tea for providing refreshments. Thanks also to our backline partners Korg, Vox, and Blackstar Amplification for helping make the sound happen,

Thanks especially to everyone who stopped by and to the many artists who played. Check out more pictures from the whole day, below...

Continue reading "pics: Chicago represented @ Hotel Vegan in Austin (with JC Brooks, Maps & Atlases, Flosstradamus & many more)"

We're excited and pleased to announce BV Chicago's first-ever Austin event, a full stage of Chicago musicians along side TWO MORE BrooklynVegan-programmed stages, at Hotel 'Vegan' (aka Hotel Vegas & Volstead Lounge at1500 E. 6th Street) on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from noon - 6PM. Hotel Vegan will be runing from Wednesday through Saturday during SXSW Music, and we're excited to be showcasing Chicago bands on one of the three stages, on the first of those four days.

Headlining the BV Chicago stage will be JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound (who just announced a big hometown show at Metro). Also on the bill: Flosstradamus (which one half of, J2K, performed at a recent BV Chicago event) with a special guest, The-Drum (who shared that bill with J2K), Maps & Atlases (who have a new album and big hometown show at Metro + tour coming up), White Mystery, FIELDED, Gypsyblood, and Minor Characters (who have a pre-SXSW show at Schubas).

It looks like this:

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - bvChicago Stage at Hotel 'Vegan'
12:00PM - Minor Characters
12:35PM - Gypsyblood
01:15PM - FIELDED
02:00PM - White Mystery
02:45PM - Maps & Atlases
03:30PM - The-Drum
04:15PM - Flosstradamus
05:00PM - JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

Thanks to our backline partners Korg, Vox, and Blackstar Amplification for providing the gear to make this party possible.

And stay tuned for the rest of the "Hotel Vegan" lineups soon!

UPDATE: Here's what another one of the Wednesday stages looks like.

Maps & Atlases @ Lollapalooza 2011 (more by Grant MacAllister)

As previously mentioned, Maps & Atlases' sophomore LP, Beware and Be Grateful, hits stores on April 17 via Barsuk Records. Visit our early-February post to check out the album's cover art, tracklisting, and a stream of its lead single "Winter."

To quote ourselves:

Maps & Atlases will kick off a short string of Midwest dates in March, which takes them down to Austin, TX for SXSW 2012. A two-week European run has been set for April and we can expect a full North American tour in May.

After SXSW as part of their May headlining run, the group will play a big hometown show at Metro on May 11. Tickets go on sale this Saturday (March 3), at noon CST.

A full list of 2012 tour dates can be found below..

Continue reading "Maps & Atlases announce North American tour dates ------- (BVC SXSW & Metro included)"

photos by James Richards IV

J2K @ Vita Hill Social Club on 2/25/2012

On Saturday night (February 25), we hosted a free show at the temporary Vita Hill Social Club in Wicker Park. J2K, one half of Flosstradamus, headlined the event with support from ShowYouSuck and The-Drum (DJs). A full set of pictures from Saturday night are in this post.

During his set, ShowYouSuck announced that he and Flosstradamus, who have produced a number of his tracks in the past, will be releasing a collaborative EP this spring! Stay tuned for more info on the album and in the meantime, you can check out Flosstradamus' brand new EP, Total Recall.

As mentioned in our "What's Going on Monday?" post, ShowYouSuck will headline Debonair Social Club's REHAB tonight.

Thanks to everyone who came out to our show on Saturday night!

More pictures (like the one above) can be found below..

Continue reading "J2K of Flosstradamus, ShowYouSuck & The-Drum (DJs) played a BVC Presents show @ Vita Hill Social Club (pics)"

DOWNLOAD: The-Drum - "Night Driving" (MP3)

The-Drum - Heavy Liquid EP

Chicago psychedelic duo The-Drum released their debut EP, Heavy Liquid, on January 31 via Audraglint. Their "sexed-up sci-fi R&B" revolves around thick, spacey synth leads and chopped up vocal passages. Download the Heavy Liquid-standout, "Night Driving," at the top of this post and/or stream it below.

Drum members Jeremiah Chrome (also of Clique Talk, Valis) and Brandon Boom began working together in the fall of 2010, though tracks weren't posted to their SoundCloud account until about a year ago. One in particular, "Omar," caught the attention of Portland label Audraglint. They also intrigued Chicago footwork duo Sich Mang, with whom they came to release a digital/casette split in early January.

Since the Empty Bottle release show for The-Drum vs. Sich Mang, The-Drum haven't made another live appearance. That changes tonight, as they've joined the lineup of our FREE Playstation Vita Hill Social Club event, kicking things off with a DJ set. Come early to guarantee your spot and to catch the duo. Stick around for ShowYouSuck and J2K of Flosstradamus. Free drinks and snacks will be served.

Some song streams and an updated show flyer, below..

Continue reading "The-Drum have joined our Playstation Vita Hill Social Club lineup (taking place TONIGHT)"

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

Chicago soul revivalists JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound have a number of exciting upcoming gigs.

The first, is an opening slot for fellow Chicagoan Mavis Stapes on Wednesday, February 29 at the Tivoli Theatre in nearby Downers Grove, IL. Advance tickets are on sale. As mentioned, Mavis will also headline the 2012 edition of the Chicago Blues Festival in June.

JC and co. are also playing an Epitonic Saki Session on Sunday, March 5 at 4PM, which will serve as their tour-to-SXSW send-off.

Speaking of Chicago and SXSW, JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are the first artist that we can reveal are playing the BV Chicago-programmed stage at Hotel 'Vegan' on Wednesday, March 14th, from noon - 6PM! We're extremely honored to have them on board and are looking forward to sharing more of the lineup with you soon.

Happy Friday!

All 2012 tour dates, some videos, and the Hotel 'Vegan' flyer, below..

Continue reading "JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound to play Downers Grove w/ Mavis Staples, an Epitonic Saki Session & BV Chicago SXSW"

today in Chicago
* Van Halen @ United Center
* The Steepwater Band @ Martyrs
* Junius, O'Brother @ Beat Kitchen
* Marty Party, Eliot Lipp @ The Mid
* Steve Aoki, Datsik @ Aragon Ballroom
* Elliott Brood, Jeffrey Foucault @ Schubas
* David Wax Museum @ University of Chicago
* That Saturday, Mind Fish, Everlee @ Stage Bar
* Bettye LaVette @ Old Town School of Folk Music
* The Lawrence Peters Outfit, Cloudbirds @ Hideout
* Sharpless, Mars Argo, Dozens, Audiences @ Lincoln Hall
* Life and Times, Sweet Cobra, Electric Hawk @ Empty Bottle
* The Souljazz Orchestra, The Right Now, DJRC @ Double Door
* Deep Sea Mammal, Woodrow Hart & Larry Slaton, Cold Country @ Township
* Run and Punch, The Bomb Sawyers, List of Strangers, The Fabulous Naturals @ Ultra Lounge

BV Chicago Presents: J2K of Flosstradamus & ShowYouSuck at Playstation's Vita Hill Social Club (for FREE) tomorrow night (February 25), from 7-10PM!

Islands have a new video for "Hallways." Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Friday?"

UPDATE: We've added The-Drum (DJs).

We're proud and excited to announce that we'll be throwing a FREE event at Sony Playstation's Vita Hill Social Club Chicago pop-up shop in Wicker Park (1444 N. Milwaukee Ave.) SATURDAY NIGHT (February 25), from 7-10PM.

The brand new Playstation Vita, which hit stores on Wednesday in North America, has been available for demo by the general public at Vita Hill all month. You can still test it out on Saturday night, accompanied by some BV Chicago-programmed live music, free snacks and drinks!

We've got performances by: J2K of Flosstradamus and ShowYouSuck!

Complimentary cocktails provided by Tito's Handmade Vodka for those 21 and over. Free Guayaki Yerba Mate, KIND Healthy Snacks, and Vita Coco Coconut Water for everyone.

Admission will be on a first come-first served basis, until the space hits capacity. Doors open at 7PM.

Come join us at the Vita Hill Social Club Satuday!

--

Speaking of Flosstradamus, they JUST put out a new EP, Total Recall, yesterday via the Mad Decent imprint Jeffree's. Check out its tracklisting below. Stream Total Recall HERE and/or download the files HERE.

Song streams/videos of both artists and Flosstradamus' EP info, below..

Continue reading "BV Chicago Presents: J2K of Flosstradamus & ShowYouSuck @ Playstation's Vita Hill Social Club (FREE this Saturday)"

photos by Ben Rodig

Willis Earl Beal @ Cole's Bar on 2/21/2012

On Tuesday night (February 21), we hosted a 7" release show for Chicago phenomenon Willis Earl Beal at Cole's Bar in Logan Square. The focus of the night, his "Evening's Kiss" b/w "The Later Parade", hit stores yesterday via XL Recordings imprint Hot Charity.

Looking back on his Tomorrow Never Knows 2012 performance at Schubas, this time around Beal played less guitar and utilized more of that gorgeous reel-to-reel player, pouring every ounce of passion into his vocal delivery. One concertgoer said, "Backed only by a reel-to-reel player, Willis Earl Beal delivered more in 25 minutes on Tuesday night than most arena rockers can in 2.5 hours." We agree.

The night kicked off with a fantastic opening set from experimental musicians Pillars and Tongues, who are currently at work on a new album. Paired with Willis' anti-folk and soul, their lush, drone-y stylings made for quite a varied show.

Did you make it out to Cole's? What did you think?

A full set of pictures from the show and a brand new animated video for "Evening's Kiss," below..

Continue reading "Willis Earl Beal & Pillars and Tongues played a BVC Presents show @ Cole's (pics)"

Zola Jesus during CMJ 2011 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

Willis Earl Beal @ Schubas during TNK 2012 (more by Zach Pollack)

today in Chicago
* Sarah and the Tall Boys @ Hideout
* DJ Krush, Orchard Lounge, Maker @ The Mid
* Britt Dignan, Brown Bag, Safe Haven @ Martyrs
* Buxton, The Down Feathers, Spells @ Empty Bottle
* Bronze Radio Return, Katz Company @ Beat Kitchen
* Hennessy Youngman @ Museum of Contemporary Art
* Zola Jesus, Talk Normal, Chris Connelly @ Lincoln Hall
* In Flames, Trivium, Veil of Maya, Kyng @ House of Blues
* Jabberjosh, T'Bone, Truck or Dead Horse @ The Burlington
* Willis Earl Beal, Pillars and Tongues @ Cole's Bar (Free Show)
* All Eyes West, Bully In the Hallway, Eastland Disaster @ Township
* Future Ghosts, Sleep Static, Rocket Miner, The Flips @ Subterranean
* The Mahones, Kevin Flynn & The Avondale Ramblers, The Great Whiskey Project @ Double Door

Tonight, we're presenting a FREE 7" Release Show for Willis Earl Beal at Cole's Bar in Logan Square, with an opening set from Pillars and Tongues. Doors are at 9:30PM.

Zola Jesus headlines Lincoln Hall with support from Talk Normal and Chicago's own Chris Connelly + band.

DJ Krush hits The Mid tonight, as part of his 20th anniversary tour.

@LollaLeaks threw in the towel yesterday and admitted that all of the info was fake, but not before seriously pissing off Perry Farrell.

Bon Iver (but really Justin Vernon and Sean Carey) played a stripped down 4AD//Jagjaguwar session. Check out all 25-minutes of it below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

As mentioned, we're hosting a FREE 7" Release Show for Willis Earl Beal on Tuesday, February 21st at 9:30PM at Cole's Bar in Logan Square (21+).

Fellow Chicagoans Pillars and Tongues will play an opening set. Stream some of their music at the bottom of this post.

Come join us at Cole's next Tuesday! Facebook event HERE.

Continue reading "Pillars and Tongues to open for Willis Earl Beal @ Cole's Bar (BV Chicago Presents)"

Willis Earl Beal @ Schubas during TNK 2012 (more by Zach Pollack)

While browsing at Myopic Books this past February, I saw a peculiar flyer: "I want some friends & stuff," it read. "I am not a Weasel." It included a name--Willis Earl Beal--along with a phone number and a drawing of a slender black man, apparently a self-portrait. I tried calling the number that day--and then several more times over the next few months. In late May, I finally talked to somebody at the other end.

Beal, 27, turns out to be an aspiring artist in several disciplines--he draws, plays music, and writes poetry and fiction. "I like to believe I do art because I have to do it--it's like vomit," he says. "I don't do art because I love it so much. Not that I don't, but it's a natural thing."... [Chicago Reader]

A lot has changed since that late-July Reader story, namely the fact that Beal has been signed to XL Recordings imprint Hot Charity, who will be releasing his debut LP, Acousmatic Sorcery, on April 3rd. As mentioned, he's also been tapped by label cousin SBTRKT to open a number of his North American tour dates before heading out on the road with WU LYF..

Before any of the above takes place though, Beal will be releasing an "Evening's Kiss" 7" b/w "The Later Parade" on February 21st, and BV Chicago is proud to present a FREE Willis Earl Beal 7" release show that's happening that night, at Cole's Bar in Logan Square, at 9:30PM. Opener TBA. First come, first served. Stay tuned for more details.

Video and all dates, including an April 19th show at The Hideout, below....

Continue reading "BV Chicago Presents: Willis Earl Beal @ Cole's Bar (for FREE)"

photos by Josh Darr

Poliça @ Schubas 11/08/2011

On Tuesday night (11/8), Poliça and Bone & Bell played the very first BV Chicago-presents show, at Schubas. Thanks to all who stopped by.

Poliça (pronounced: po-lisa), as you might know, are a fairly new project fronted by Channy Casselle of Gayngs (and formerly Roma Di Luna). We caught their set at one of the BV CMJ day parties at Public Assembly, and had to ask them to come to our city for a show. Thankfully, they accepted, and impressed in Chicago as well!

Their debut LP (which they played most of on Tuesday night) should be out early next year, and skirts the line between haunting-R&B and intricate indie rock. Aside from Casselle's powerful voice, the band also consists of two drummers, a bassist, and some samples. The four members sync up wonderfully live and delivered a thrilling headlining set.

Though unfortunately we don't have any pictures to share of them, locals Bone & Bell kicked off the night. The main outlet of singer-songwriter and front woman Heather Smith self-released an EP titled Loom in 2010. You can actually download the whole thing for FREE via their website. Stay tuned for a full length album to hit stores in 2012.

If you missed the show: Poliça will play Schubas again as part of Tomorrow Never Knows, supporting Chairlift.

Head below to view more pictures of Poliça's Tuesday set (with some from soundcheck too)...

Continue reading "Polica & Bone & Bell @ a BV Chicago show @ Schubas (pics)"