Perhaps everything is free in the age of downloading, but more and more artists are releasing music free of charge. Or, rather, free of the idea of initially charging for music. Though it’s a tough environment for musicians to try and make a living, some artists—such as Brooklyn hip-hop duo Das Racist—have built and broadened … [Read more…]
Emo, as we’ve come to know it, gets fairly bad press. But Monument is one of a handful of bands across the country that is reimagining the sound by resurrecting something akin to the ’90s version of it. At gigs on the local house-show circuit, Monument can draw 50 or more kids, but sometimes just … [Read more…]
Since opening in July, Logan Square coffee shop Café Mustache has made its mark by providing a performance space for Chicago musicians. via Music to listen to while growing facial hair | Music | The A.V. Club Chicago. Café Mustache is an excellent coffee place, and they do great stuff. They can now add a … [Read more…]
Though the lyrics of Unknown Pleasures deal with Curtis’ depressed outlook, they can easily be re-interpreted to reflect on Hook’s recent history. via Ian Curtis has lost control | Music | The A.V. Club Chicago. There’s nothing quite like re-interpreting pop songs.
The 60 Best Singles of 2010 < PopMatters. It’s end-of-the-year list time, and here’s the first offering: PopMatters “Best Singles of 2010.” I wrote about Here We Go Magic’s “Collector” and the Arcade Fire’s “Sprawl II.” The latter write-up can also be read in the Sacramento Bee‘s “Riff Report,” which focused on the list’s top … [Read more…]
I never made it through All Day. My curiosity couldn’t withstand the boredom I encountered listening to the album. I don’t doubt the talent or sincerity of Gregg Gillis, nor do I look down upon his craft: I recognize that it takes a lot of dedication to pull of what he does, and All Day … [Read more…]
Artificially Sweetened is best treated as something akin to a The Death Set for Dummies: Clearly, the dudes in The Death Set are big fans of all the artists featured on the mixtape, and the brief selections and odd mash-ups of hip-hop acts and punk bands certainly show their mark on the frenetic punk act. … [Read more…]
Drummer Zach Hill collects superlatives like some people collect baseball cards. And for every new review that calls Hill “the greatest,†“the most inventive,†or whatever newfangled expression one can come up with, Hill produces another record or creates another band that challenges even his own fans’ expectations. via Zach Hill: Face Tat < PopMatters. … [Read more…]
Pitchfork picked up reports of a new band from indie figurehead Will Oldham, sometimes better known as Bonnie “Prince†Billy, called The Babblers. Much about the band remains a mystery, but The A.V. Club is absolutely sure that Oldham’s co-singer in the band—who is listed in many of the write-ups as Angela Babbler—is none other … [Read more…]
On Dec. 2, Scooty & JoJo will launch their latest musical mash-up, Alien Queen, a cabaret-style spoof of the first two Alien films that’s soundtracked by the music of Queen. via Behind Alien Queen | Music | A.V. Local Video | The A.V. Club Chicago. Alien. Queen. ‘Nuff said.