“Reunion” is a tricky word. It implies a reunification after a long period apart, a return to old ways, a plan. Perhaps that would explain the begrudging look on Tim Kinsella’s face during the Cap’n Jazz set at The Empty Bottle Friday night. His facial expression had nothing to do with his position onstage, singing … [Read more…]
The Internet has been buzzing with rumors of a potential Cap’n Jazz reunion since December. This week, the reunion picture got a little clearer. Jessica Hopper dropped a hint in the Chicago Reader that the rumors may come to fruition at the Joan of Arc Don’t Mind Control Variety Show at the Empty Bottle tonight. … [Read more…]
Say what you will about the Conan O’Brien-NBC rift. A silly distraction or a reflection of the state of Olde World entertainment in the 21st Century? Who cares. Skip those arguments for a moment. Conan’s expensive stunts are where it’s at. Last night, Conan dressed a Bugatti up as a mouse and played the original … [Read more…]
PBS aired an hour-long documentary on sampling about an hour ago, featuring one very odd talking head. “Copyright Criminals” had a fantastic array of characters involved in sampling music, including a pretty interesting discussion with Clyde Stubblefield, who’s “funky drummer” beat has provided countless hip-hop hits with one intense breakbeat. Stubblefield’s inclusion in the doc. … [Read more…]
I’d like to kick off a new feature of weekly music-related videos with this live 8-bit cover of “Party in the U.S.A.” Anamanaguchi‘s Luke Silas took the Miley Cyrus smash-hit and filtered it through an GameBoy for a fast-paced version of the tune that defies chipmunk-like speeds. Take a peek: [youtubevid id=”6VJP_tyINuo”]
There are a few warning signs of what can make or break a band and tend to set off alarms. Any combination of the following three signs found in any band should be considered worrisome: Third-rate, watered down electronic pop-punk/scrunk with little thought put into the music and lyrics. More band tees and general merch … [Read more…]
“Here It Goes Again,” you say? Not quite: [youtubevid id=”u3cCURh8kxI&NR=1″] OK Go is back with a brand-spakin’ new album, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, and the band has kicked their record release off in style once again. As one of the entities that cemented the “viral video” phenomenon, OK Go does have a … [Read more…]
Hot indie bands, one hilarious comedic-actor and a hip-hop mixtape. Great combination, right? Well, almost. Childish Gambino’s new mixtape, I Am Just A Rapper, has so much potential. Yet, the results are a little mixed. Childish Gambino, otherwise known as Donald Glover, is someone to watch out for. When it comes to rhymes, Glover’s got … [Read more…]
This past weekend was a great weekend for playoff football. Grueling match-ups, blowouts and high scoring shootouts abound. Perhaps it was because he missed the field so much this past weekend that a video featuring LaDanian Tomlinson “made by” (according to Pitchfork) music video director Eric Wareheim the “Tim & Eric” team (of Tim & … [Read more…]
There’s a famous scene in Good Will Hunting where an arrogant Harvard student berates Ben Affleck’s Chuckie Sullivan with his in-depth historical knowledge. This is done to bully Sullivan and humiliate him in front of a couple of women Sullivan is trying to hit on. Then, in comes Matt Damon’s Will Hunting to save the … [Read more…]