The 2012 edition of the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival is slated to take place this weekend (from July 20 - July 22) on, well, Milwaukee Avenue (between Kimball and California) in Logan Square. The street festival features over 100-artists performing on three stages, theater/dance/performance art, an art market, food from local restaurants/food trucks, and more.

The music lineup throughout the weekend includes Disappears, Ana Tijoux, the Yolks, the Runnies, the Mutts, Rabble Rabble, and more. Check out the full lineup below.

Admission is a suggested donation of $5 per day or you can purchase a $10 festival pass for the whole weekend, which is half off until tomorrow (aka you save $10).

There are also a few festival aftershows happening at the Empty Bottle. Disappears, Radar Eyes, and Population play on Friday (tickets). NOMO, The Eternals (trio), and Low Tide Dance play the venue on Saturday (tickets). And Ana Tijoux, Phero & Phillip Morris, Color Brown, and Soulphonetics (DJ set) play on Sunday (tickets).

The full MAAF music lineup and a trailer for the fest are below...

Continue reading "Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival happens this weekend (Disappears, Ana Tijoux, the Yolks, the Runnies & more)"

With the addition of The Soft Pack, Gypsyblood, the Mutts, Young Jesus, and Magic Milk, the 2012 Do Division Street Festival has sealed its schedule. The free street fest (suggested donation of $5), taking place from June 1-3 in Wicker Park, also features a sidewalk sale from participating local shops and tons of food vendors.

Full lineup below...

Continue reading "Do Division finishes off lineup w/ The Soft Pack, Gypsyblood, the Mutts, Young Jesus & Magic Milk"

words by Parker Langvardt, photos by Zach Pollack

Wild Belle @ Schubas on 1/14/2012

Wild Belle is one of Chicago's newest bands. They've only played a handful of shows, and so far only released a single song, but it's a good one. Listen to "Keep You" below and pick up the 12" when it comes out on 2/21.

Formed by Natalie Bergman (singer) and Elliot Bergman (saxophonist/keyboardist) of NOMO, they're joined live by fellow NOMO members Erik Hall (guitar) and Quin Kircher (drums), and a bassist. Erik, Quin, and Elliot are also all in In Tall Buildings.

I was able to catch their performance at Schubas during Tomorrow Never Knows on January 14. Theirs was by far the most eclectic of the night that also included sets by Polica, Class Actress, and Chairlift. Pictures from their set are in this post.

Wild Belle brought funk, reggae, blues, and r&b to the Schubas stage. Natalie has a strong jazz and blues influenced vocal style that fits well over all of those genres - following similar rhythms as Santigold. Their reggae songs remind me of the dark, stoned bounce of 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, but an indie pop version. Elliot started the show by playing baritone sax (the coolest of all the saxes), adding low, buzzy, melodic lines over the natural bass tone. He later switched to keys to play organ and synthesizers.

Stay tuned for another Chicago show to be announced. Meanwhile the band have three upcoming dates in California supporting !!! (Chk Chk Chk), and they'll eventually make their way to Austin, TX for SXSW this year.

All tour dates, more pictures from their set at Schubas, the song, and more below..

Continue reading "meet Wild Belle (members of NOMO & In Tall Buildings) ------- song stream, review & pics from their TNK show @ Schubas"

In Tall Buildings

Speaking of Halloween, Schubas have announced their own plans for the night, which include Chicago-based bands performing full "covers" sets.

In Tall Buildings will be acting as Deerhoof, who visit the Bottom Lounge and Pygmalion on their own, while Cains & Abels will take on the persona of Jonathan Richman's old band The Modern Lovers. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (9/9), at noon CST. Start planning your own costume now.

Other Chicago Halloween shows so far include: Widespread Panic at the Aragon Ballroom, and Hugh Cornwell at Reggie's.

Continue reading "In Tall Buildings will be Deerhoof for Halloween... Schubas announces Halloween show"

Wolves in the Throne Room @ NYU in March (more by Meghan McInnis)

today in Chicago
* Jazz Fest
* Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Ravina Park
* Balmorhea, Brokeback, Jon Mueller @ Empty Bottle
* Redgrave, Coupleskate, Planetsexploder @ Schubas
* In Tall Buildings, Speck Mountain, Gaberdine @ Hideout
* Wolves in the Throne Room, Indian, Bloodiest @ Reggie's
* Rusted Root, Mos Scocious, Flow Theory @ Bottom Lounge
* Zorch, Health & Beauty, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Moonrises @ Ball Hall

What else?

Mountain Man @ 92YTribeca in December (more by Amanda Hatfield)

today in Chicago
* Khaira Arby, Delicate Steve @ Empty Bottle
* In Tall Buildings @ Welles Park (Free Show)
* Mountain Man, Gaberdine, Ever Isles @ Schubas
* Carrie Rodriguez, Doug & Telisha Williams @ SPACE
* Jolie Holland, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside @ Lincoln Hall
* Moon Furies, Noise FM, The Photo Atlas, Sunken Ships @ Fireside Bowl

Panda Bear (and Sonic Boom) played "You Can Count On Me" on Fallon last night. Check out the footage below..

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

DOWNLOAD: Yourself and the Air - "Trampolines" (MP3)

Sondre Lerche @ Club DeVille for BV SXSW 2010 (more by Tim Griffin)

FRIDAY
My Morning Jacket, and Daniel Martin Moore will play the Auditorium Theatre.

Against Me!, Screaming Females, and Lemuria will share the bill at Metro.

The Postelles, The Dig, and The Kickback will play Schubas.

The Taste of Randolph Street Festival will kick off tonight, featuring: The Heavy, Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers, and Anamanaguchi.

SATURDAY
Florence and the Machine, and Hanni El Khatib will play the massive Aragon Ballroom.

Sondre Lerche, Nightlands, and Kishi Bashi will play Schubas.

Beady Eye, and The Dig will play Metro.

The Taste of Randolph Street Festival continues. Today's lineup boasts: Swervedriver, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Here We Go Magic, and In Tall Buildings.

Subterranean will host Yourself and the Air's record release show with special guests: Netherfriends, and Conductive Alliance.
At the top of this post you can download their track, "Trampolines."

SUNDAY
Hanni El Khatib, Bass Drum of Death, Pujol, and The Pleats will play Empty Bottle.

Sondre Lerche, Nightlands, and Kishi Bashi will spend a second night in Chicago. This time around they'll play Lincoln Hall.

Taste of Randolph Street Festival winds down tonight. You can catch sets from The Reverend Horton Heat, Peelander Z, and The 1900′s.

The 2011 edition of the Taste of Randolph Street Festival will take place this upcoming weekend (Friday, June 17th - Sunday, June 19th) in Chicago's West Loop.

Running on W. Randolph Street; between Peoria Street and Racine Avenue, the festival boasts two main stages as well as talented local chefs, and artisans.

Featured acts throughout the weekend include: Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, Here We Go Magic, Anamanaguchi, The Heavy, and more.

The festival will run from 5PM to 10PM on Friday, and noon to 10PM on Saturday & Sunday. All ages, and pets are welcome; with admission being set at just $10.

Head below to view the full lineup.

Continue reading "Taste of Randolph Street Festival - full lineup & details"

The Airborne Toxic Event @ Sasquatch 2009 (more by Chris Graham)

today in Chicago
* The Cars @ the Riv
* Donald Glover, Childish Gambino @ Park West
* Joe Purdy, The Milk Carton Kids @ Lincoln Hall
* The Donkeys, Advance Base, Algebro @ Schubas
* His Name is Alive, In Tall Buildings @ Empty Bottle
* The Airborne Toxic Event, Voxhaul Broadcast @ Metro
* Canadian Rifle, Filmstrip, Company, Dethwarrant @ Strangelight

The Airborne Toxic Event will play a second night at Metro tomorrow.

Raekwon is apparently shooting a music video in the city today.

What else?

DOWNLOAD: In Tall Buildings - "The Way To A Monster's Lair" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: In Tall Buildings - "Alarm Will Sound" (MP3)

In Tall Buildings' Erik Hall

The Chicago-based band In Tall Buildings are slated to play Empty Bottle on Wednesday night. They'll open up for frontman Erik Hall's other project; His Name is Alive.

I happened upon these gentlemen on April 9th at Lincoln Hall, opening up for Sharon Van Etten and Little Scream. Featuring bubbling synth layers, finger-picked guitars, and lyrics that will stir you to the core; Erik Hall's In Tall Buildings are destined for big things.

They released their debut self-titled LP on April 6th, 2010 via Whister Records. At the top of this post you can download the album tracks "The Way To A Monster's Lair" and "Alarm Will Sound."

Giant System Chicago recently caught up with them to do a live taping of "The Way To A Monster's Lair." You can view the footage below, along with some upcoming tour dates.

Continue reading "In Tall Buildings to play Empty Bottle on Wednesday night"

Here We Go Magic @ BV SXSW 2010 at Club DeVille (more by Tim Griffin)

today in Chicago
* Here We Go Magic, AroarA @ Schubas
* Bad Manners, The Crombies @ Lincoln Hall
* In Tall Buildings, Thin Hymns @ The Whistler (Free Show)
* Daniel and The Lion, Simpleton and Cityfolk, The O's @ Double Door
* Malaikat dan Singa, Title Tracks, The Field Auxilary @ Empty Bottle (Free Show)

Bad Manners has been moved up from Thursday, May 12th to Monday, May 9th (tonight). Tickets will be refunded upon request. The show will now also start an hour earlier-- at 8pm. [Lincoln Hall]

What else?

photos by Grant MacAllister

I walked into Lincoln Hall just in time to catch the tail end of Chicago-based In Tall Buildings' set; then wishing that I had arrived just a bit earlier. The Whistler Records signees looked extremely comfortable playing to the already large crowd. After a short set change, it was time for Little Scream. They announced that it was their last show on tour with Sharon Van Etten, and that it has been an honor to work with her. Little Scream consists of two strong female singers (playing guitar and violin respectively), plus an also guitar-toting drummer. Their sound referenced the likes of Andrew Bird-esque violin plucking, interwoven with streams of freak folk and choral arrangements. Little Scream will go out with The Antlers on their Burst Apart tour, starting in mid-May. The tour will hit Metro on June 11th.

Sharon Van Etten took to the stage at 11, sans band. "How is everybody doing?", she offers. The crowd cheers, "That's a relief, otherwise this would be weird!" she quirked back. The Brooklyn, NY songbird then dove into "Call It A Joke", and "Consolation Prize" before inviting her band out to join her on Epic's breakout track "Peace Signs". The crowd was silent, pleasant, and seemingly appreciative to simply have her in town. As an artist, what more could you ask for? The trio gave a flawless performance, that rivaled their set at the 2011 BrooklynVegan SXSW Official Showcase. Sharon's voice really carried throughout the cavernous hall, settling down evenly in the eardrums of adoring fans. Referencing Rod Stewart's show at the United Center she said, "I know some people are probably here begrudgingly. I will never be Rod Stewart, but I hope to have his haircut one day." The Epic heavy set also consisted of older songs, like the now reworked full-band version of "Tornado". Just like her pals The National, Sharon also has one of those wooden bellows pianos, and employed it on tracks such as "Love More". Late into her set, Sharon pulled out an unlikely but amazing rendition of Blaze Foley's "Ooh Love". Speaking of covers, on the second song of her encore her band, and all of Little Scream joined the stage to take part in a version of Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy". As prefaced by Sharon, the Onion A.V. got that same version earlier on in the day. I think I speak for everyone involved, in saying that we'd love to have her back again as soon as possible.

You can view more of Grant's photos, and Sharon Van Etten's setlist below...

Continue reading "Sharon Van Etten, Little Scream, and In Tall Buildings played Lincoln Hall (pics, setlist)"