A local band on the rise, emo quartet Castevet has garnered acclaim from punk music tastemakers like AbsolutePunk and Alternative Press. That’s because its newest record, The Echo & The Light, culls inspiration from Chicago’s punk past and present to create a sincere, visceral album. via Castevet’s Nick Wakim on five bands to watch | … [Read more…]
“I’ve never felt like much of a member of the metal community, and certainly the other members of the band I think dont really identify with metal so much,” says Hunt-Hendrix. “In New York theres not much of a metal community, at least, that Ive ever been involved with.” via Tomorrow: Liturgy, Brooklyn’s Finest Black … [Read more…]
These days, it might sound foreign to try and release a debut record with just two songs that both stretch beyond the 15-minute mark, but UK experimental metal band Jesu did just that with the 2004 EP Heart Ache. via Jesu: Heart Ache & Dethroned < PopMatters. Review of Jesu’s new/old album – a half … [Read more…]
Welcome to Tapes ’n’ Tapes, a bimonthly video series that focuses on local cassette labels to help get the feel for why some people have turned to tapes for their musical medium. via Tapes ’n’ Tapes: Neon Blossom Records | Music | The A.V. Club Chicago. I’m quite happy this has come to fruition: A … [Read more…]
The holidays can be unbearable for a whole host of reasons, but the most grating has to be that wintry form of a capella—caroling. This won’t be like that. D.C. music fixture Hugh McElroy—formerly of Black Eyes, Horses, and Hand-Fed Babies, and these days of Cephalopods and Ruffian Records—will perform a special, mostly a capella solo set tonight … [Read more…]
When it comes to Kinsellas, Tim and Mike get all the attention. Well, at least in the press (who can say what their familial relations are like). But, those who only have ears for Joan Of Arc or Owen should take note of Tim and Mike’s cousin, Nate. via New music from Nate Kinsella’s Birthmark … [Read more…]
Since July 7, a 30-foot-tall eyeball sculpture has resided at the corner of State and Van Burren. via GoodbEYE: The big eye sculpture comes apart, one weird iris at a time | City Life | The A.V. Club Chicago. Who wouldn’t want to see a gigantic sculpture taken apart?
Standout Track: No. 3, “Waves,†a woozy, fuzzed-out stomper that puts a laptop-pop spin on the blues. via Download Brothers “Waves” Track: A One-Man Dorm-Room Act – Washington City Paper. I happened to stumble upon Brothers while snooping for new D.C. area bands. Needless to say, I found a gem.
Videogames don’t get much respect in the film world. But in R U There, a recent film about a professional gamer, videogame fans may finally find a film that brings an artistic aesthetic to their beloved medium. via Review: Brooding R U There Takes Serious Look at Gaming Life | Underwire | Wired.com. Caught this … [Read more…]
The ukulele isn’t the most respected instrument around: Some describe it as the guitar’s younger sibling you tolerate when it’s around. However, the ukulele has a rich cultural history, and one that extends to Chicago. via Uke can do it | Music | The A.V. Club Chicago. I love it when pun-filled headlines make the … [Read more…]