Chicago-based independent record label Thrill Jockey are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a bunch of reissues from seminal artists, plus some new releases too.

All six of Tortoise's albums and two 7"s (Mosquito, Lonesome Sound), six Sea and Cake records, four Trans Am LPs, the Fiery Furnaces' I'm Going Away, Califone's Roomsound and Heron King Blues, and many more releases will be repressed this year. New releases from Golden Void, Golden Retriever, Barn Owl's Jon Porras, Yob's Mike Scheidt, Plankton Wat, kandodo, and Man Forever will all hit the stores in 2012.

Speaking of Tortoise, tickets are still available for their January 24th performance at the Empty Bottle. As mentioned, band member John McEntire is keeping busy this month, recording Anatomy of Habit at Soma Studios.

In semi-related news, Chicago indie label Drag City's preview party for their film Dragonslayer is TONIGHT (1/18), at Rodan. The documentary will premiere at The Music Box on the 24th, along with performances by Mayor Daley and Bitchin Bajas (members of CAVE). More information HERE.

All 2012 Tortoise dates and some videos, below..

Continue reading "Thrill Jockey celebrates 20-years w/ reissues & stuff; tix are still available for Tortoise's show @ the Bottle"

Smith Westerns @ Bowery Ballroom (more by Brook Bobbins)

today in Chicago
* The Fiery Furnaces @ Schubas
* Girlyman, Coyote Grace @ SPACE
* Smith Westerns, Lionlimb @ Lincoln Hall
* Chelsea Handler @ The Chicago Theatre
* Vandaveer, Ferraby Lionheart, Rachele Eve @ Empty Bottle
* Moritat, The Ragtones, The Bears Of Blue River, Later @ Beat Kitchen
* Catheter, Streetwalker, Paucities, Emeticide, Hitokiri, Worn Out @ Treasure Town

Girlyman and Coyote Grace play SPACE again tomorrow night.

What else?

tUnE-yArDs @ Central Park Summerstage in 2010 (more by Chris La Putt)

today in Chicago
* Sickoids, Pukoid @ Pancho's
* The Fiery Furnaces @ Schubas
* tUnE-yArDs, Buke and Gass, Prussia @ Lincoln Hall

The Fiery Furnaces will play Schubas again tomorrow night.

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Eleanor Friedberger - My Mistakes (MP3)

The Fiery Furnces frontwoman Eleanor Friedberger has just signed with Merge Records to release her debut solo effort Last Summer, available on July 12th in the US.

Last Summer, which was recorded, well, last summer, was born out of Take Me Round Again, a collection of cover songs from the previous Fiery Furnaces album. Both Eleanor and Matthew did their own inspired versions of songs they'd written together for their last LP I'm Going Away. Matt's were otherworldly affairs, while Eleanor's were lo-fi and lovely, all recorded in her home, the sound of an artist kicking off her shoes, settling into a big comfy chair with an acoustic guitar, a glass of scotch, and a four-track. She enjoyed the experience so much she decided to move forward with recording songs she had written in her spare time. Eleanor will be touring in support of Last Summer; dates will be announced further into the spring. [Merge Records]

Head to the top of this post to download the album's first single titled "My Mistakes".

In other Eleanor related news, The Fiery Furnaces will kick off a month long tour by playing two nights at NYC's Rockwood Music Hall on May 4th, and May 5th. The duo will grace Chicago's Schubas with the same two night gift on May 10th and 11th. Tickets are still available for both nights.

You can view all 2011 Fiery Furnaces tour dates below...

Continue reading "Eleanor Friedberger signs to Merge Records, releasing solo LP titled 'Last Summer'"

TV On The Radio @ The Roots Picnic 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

TV On The Radio, and Glasser are playing at Metro on April 22nd. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon.

Fiery Furnaces have just announced two shows at Schubas taking place May 10th, and May 11th. Tickets for both go on sale today at noon.

James Blake will play his first Chicago date on May 15th at Schubas. Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

Elizabeth & the Catapult are playing at Schubas on May 17th. Tickets go on sale this Friday at noon.

The Donkeys are playing at Schubas on May 18th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon.

The Airborne Toxic Event have just added a second show at Metro on May 19th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon.

CSS are playing Metro on May 21st. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon.

Beady Eye (featuring former members of Oasis) are playing at Metro on June 18th. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10AM.