Something tells me I'm gonna get a little wet on the way home tonight.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Stormy weather...
Stormy weather...
Something tells me I'm gonna get a little wet on the way home tonight.
Something tells me I'm gonna get a little wet on the way home tonight.
I defy you to hum any one of these tunes!
I defy you to hum any one of these tunes!
The googly eyes Greg makes after Jim says "besotted" is alone worth the price of admission.
The googly eyes Greg makes after Jim says "besotted" is alone worth the price of admission.
Um, whoa.
Um, whoa.
For the record, the primary problem with two music critics dating and living and loving under the same roof is navigating an insanely packed concert calendar. If I'm not covering a show, she is, and the other way around. And this week it's so nut we're actually covering different show and hoping to cross paths at some point afterward and before collapsing into our shared berth of comfy sheets.
For the record, the primary problem with two music critics dating and living and loving under the same roof is navigating an insanely packed concert calendar. If I'm not covering a show, she is, and the other way around. And this week it's so nut we're actually covering different show and hoping to cross paths at some point afterward and before collapsing into our shared berth of comfy sheets.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Not more than five minutes ago...
Not more than five minutes ago...
(Setting, a convenience store. Our hero stands at the counter, mid-purchase.*)
*Our hero is buying a single serving bag of cashews, in case you're interested.
(Setting, a convenience store. Our hero stands at the counter, mid-purchase.*)
CLERK
(Looking at the book our hero is juggling while digging for change.)
Does that say Consider The Lobster?
OUR HERO
Uh, yeah.
CLERK
Who wrote that?
OUR HERO
This guy named David Foster Wallace.
CLERK
His middle name is my last name, but I ain't no writer. At least I hope not.
OUR HERO
(Smiling politely as the "I hope not" and its myriad and unknown implications snake around his brain.)
Huh.
(Looking at the book our hero is juggling while digging for change.)
Does that say Consider The Lobster?
OUR HERO
Uh, yeah.
CLERK
Who wrote that?
OUR HERO
This guy named David Foster Wallace.
CLERK
His middle name is my last name, but I ain't no writer. At least I hope not.
OUR HERO
(Smiling politely as the "I hope not" and its myriad and unknown implications snake around his brain.)
Huh.
*Our hero is buying a single serving bag of cashews, in case you're interested.
Internal motivator.
Internal motivator.
Some mornings I really do wake up and just stare at this keyboard in front of me, wondering what to write. At the moment I actually have a list of topics I've been jotting down, but I'm in a hurry this morning so I don't really have the time to properly invest in any of them right now. Some of them are actually things that would fit of Donewaiting, and since it's been eons since I last contributed anything over there, I'm really saving those pieces and savoring their construction.
Like, for instance, I'm beginning to think it's not such a bad idea for the two biggest concert promoters in the country to merge, because while I think the industry would suffer for it in the short run, such a merging will only lead more quickly to their mutual collapse. Or the whole trend of artists constantly pushing back album release dates so they can retool and cajole their music into something that might actually survive an internet hype backlsah (said attempts almost always fail, it should be noted.)
Once upon a time I'd never even put these half-formed ideas out there this early -- what if someone sees them, steals my ideas, and expands on them before I do? -- but what the hell, right? Like I said, some mornings I wake up and just stare, so at least this morning I got something done, even if it was only jotting down some initial thoughts in the hope that'll finally push me to expand on them sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe, getting these ideas out there will elicit early feedback tho provide further outside perspective on the various situations too, right?
"Gear it up" photo by ...Wink...
Some mornings I really do wake up and just stare at this keyboard in front of me, wondering what to write. At the moment I actually have a list of topics I've been jotting down, but I'm in a hurry this morning so I don't really have the time to properly invest in any of them right now. Some of them are actually things that would fit of Donewaiting, and since it's been eons since I last contributed anything over there, I'm really saving those pieces and savoring their construction.
Like, for instance, I'm beginning to think it's not such a bad idea for the two biggest concert promoters in the country to merge, because while I think the industry would suffer for it in the short run, such a merging will only lead more quickly to their mutual collapse. Or the whole trend of artists constantly pushing back album release dates so they can retool and cajole their music into something that might actually survive an internet hype backlsah (said attempts almost always fail, it should be noted.)Once upon a time I'd never even put these half-formed ideas out there this early -- what if someone sees them, steals my ideas, and expands on them before I do? -- but what the hell, right? Like I said, some mornings I wake up and just stare, so at least this morning I got something done, even if it was only jotting down some initial thoughts in the hope that'll finally push me to expand on them sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe, getting these ideas out there will elicit early feedback tho provide further outside perspective on the various situations too, right?
"Gear it up" photo by ...Wink...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
The two reasons you should see District 9 THIS WEEKEND.
The two reasons you should see District 9 THIS WEEKEND.
I saw District 9 a few weeks ago* and the movie's charms are still hooked into the back of my brain. Here's why you should see it this weekend.
I saw District 9 a few weeks ago* and the movie's charms are still hooked into the back of my brain. Here's why you should see it this weekend.
- District 9 is a really, really good movie. Takes sci-fi to a whole new level. Think of what Dark Knight did for comic book movies. District 9 does that for alien flicks.
- The buzz is only going to grow. And if you don't see the movie now your expectations will outgrow any chance the movie has to wow you. Do yourself a favor and don't cheat yourself of the sublime pleasure viewing this movie now will deliver over the backlash you'll have to vault over from folks who didn't walk into the movie on crutches only to skip out unaided upon the film's close.
A thought about "Lollapalooza promoters still searching for Chicago identity."
A thought about "Lollapalooza promoters still searching for Chicago identity."
I'm tired of hearing people wonder why the Lollapalooza folks don't book more Chicago bands. They book plenty! Would Joe Pug have played Lolla if he wasn't from Chicago? No. Moneypenny? Hey Champ? (Well, maybe them.) Tom Schraeder? Ezra Furman? Bald Eagle? Any of them? No, no, and no.
Did Kanye headline? Did Wilco headline? Do we see the city's skyline or shoreline from every direction? Does Lolla bring loads of money into the city coffers and entertain thousands of residents each year? Yes, yes, and yes.
And that radius clause? Yeah, it sort of suck, but only on the headliner level. Any look at this week's music listing show a huge wave of bands that played Lolla flowing through Chicago over the next few months. Hell, at this point I'm beginning to feel I need a break from some of 'em. (Peter Bjorn & John, "five feet back!")
So everyone, stop griping about how Lollapalooza doesn't give enough props to the Chicago music scene. I'm tired of what seems like the majority of other music critics looking for the negative in what is a pretty positive development in the city's music scene.
I'm tired of hearing people wonder why the Lollapalooza folks don't book more Chicago bands. They book plenty! Would Joe Pug have played Lolla if he wasn't from Chicago? No. Moneypenny? Hey Champ? (Well, maybe them.) Tom Schraeder? Ezra Furman? Bald Eagle? Any of them? No, no, and no.Did Kanye headline? Did Wilco headline? Do we see the city's skyline or shoreline from every direction? Does Lolla bring loads of money into the city coffers and entertain thousands of residents each year? Yes, yes, and yes.
And that radius clause? Yeah, it sort of suck, but only on the headliner level. Any look at this week's music listing show a huge wave of bands that played Lolla flowing through Chicago over the next few months. Hell, at this point I'm beginning to feel I need a break from some of 'em. (Peter Bjorn & John, "five feet back!")
So everyone, stop griping about how Lollapalooza doesn't give enough props to the Chicago music scene. I'm tired of what seems like the majority of other music critics looking for the negative in what is a pretty positive development in the city's music scene.
Please forgive yet another intrusion of self-promotion.
Please forgive yet another intrusion of self-promotion.
This evening I will be DJing at the Old Oak Tap. I was looking through my posts of yore and realized at one time I was hawking two to three DJ events a week. Now I hawk a DJ event every two to three weeks. Quite the change! But it was necessary and, ultimately, the best move. While I love DJing, the longer spans of relation between gigs gives me more time to get excited about new tunes, and the past few weeks have been particularly generous in introducing me to some fantastic new music I'm dying to share!
So it's Friday, your Lollapalooza music hangover should have long since abated, and you should be up for an evening of great tunes in a lovely location. So, please, won't you join me at The Ol' Oakie (apologies to Scott Lucas who coined that name in the hopes no one would ever actually repeat it) this evening?
I will be there from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. I have recently cut my hair so short that most long time acquaintances fail to recognize me, so look for the guy quaffing large amounts of Guinness and bourbon, and if you hear a song you like (or have a request) come on over and say hi.
This evening I will be DJing at the Old Oak Tap. I was looking through my posts of yore and realized at one time I was hawking two to three DJ events a week. Now I hawk a DJ event every two to three weeks. Quite the change! But it was necessary and, ultimately, the best move. While I love DJing, the longer spans of relation between gigs gives me more time to get excited about new tunes, and the past few weeks have been particularly generous in introducing me to some fantastic new music I'm dying to share!So it's Friday, your Lollapalooza music hangover should have long since abated, and you should be up for an evening of great tunes in a lovely location. So, please, won't you join me at The Ol' Oakie (apologies to Scott Lucas who coined that name in the hopes no one would ever actually repeat it) this evening?
I will be there from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. I have recently cut my hair so short that most long time acquaintances fail to recognize me, so look for the guy quaffing large amounts of Guinness and bourbon, and if you hear a song you like (or have a request) come on over and say hi.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Aging in reverse!
Aging in reverse!
Clayton took this photo of me last Friday and GalPal thinks I look about 12-years-old in it. I think she may be right!
At least I look happy!
Clayton took this photo of me last Friday and GalPal thinks I look about 12-years-old in it. I think she may be right!
At least I look happy!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Annie's Don't Stop is FINALLY getting released!
Annie's Don't Stop is FINALLY getting released!
Stop the presses!
(I couldn't resist, sorry.)
Yes boys and girls, the Kid Sister of Swedish pop is finally releasing her retooled sophomore disc to the masses on November 17 of this year. I can not wait. I've had the first version of this disc knocking around my hard drive for eons so I'm eagerly awaiting to hear the tweaks Annie made.
Album art looks like this:
Stop the presses!
(I couldn't resist, sorry.)
Yes boys and girls, the Kid Sister of Swedish pop is finally releasing her retooled sophomore disc to the masses on November 17 of this year. I can not wait. I've had the first version of this disc knocking around my hard drive for eons so I'm eagerly awaiting to hear the tweaks Annie made.
Album art looks like this:
How I almost didn't get to photograph the ONE band I really wanted to see at Lollapalooza.
How I almost didn't get to photograph the ONE band I really wanted to see at Lollapalooza.
I've seen Jane's Addiction in many incarnations, from the original line-up in a gym and then their farewell appearance at my first Lollapalooza in 1991. I saw that first reunion go-round with Flea on bass and realized something very basic was missing. I mean, it was still sorta Jane's, but not 100%. The reunions always seemed to be more laid-back than my memories of the band I saw in my younger years. I always wondered if it was just because the guys were older or if, sans Eric Avery, they were just missing a vital component of their chemistry.
Having been shut out of a few photo pits for Lollapalooza headliners over the years I was carrying a healthy skepticism that I would make it into shoot Jane's Addiction. I spent all weekend pestering the promoters and security guys for any news of last minute restrictions, and they all graciously shared whatever up to the minute info they had. As of Sunday late afternoon I had a good idea that I would be able to shoot the set, I just didn't know when they would let us in or how long we would be allowed to shoot for. To be honest, one song was all I wanted, and I'd be happy.
So now it's showtime! The photographers in line are moving in to the pit! And, suddenly, we stop. And are told that at the last second security was told only 30 photographers were going to be allowed in. My heart sank. I did something I've never done which is personally ask a security guard to make an exception. He said he couldn't, annd he felt bad, and I realized he was of course right.
So I made the best of a bad situation. I wormed my way into the crowd and got as close to the stage as I could, promising the folks behind me I'd be gone in two minutes. I got what I could, thanked the folks for sharing their space with me, and then worked my way out of the crowd, stopping briefly to say hi to a new friend I had made the night before.
I was on my way to meet back up with GalPal when I noticed they were suddenly letting another wave of photographers into the pit! I was on my way in! Almost there! And then ... wham, they cut the line off again. I was crushed all over again and just stood there for a second bemoaning my luck. Someone must have been smiling on me though because it was then one security guard caught my eye, one i hadn't even spoken to that day but must have seen me getting those constant updates. He caught my eye, and told the guy manning the line that I was O.K. The next 15 or so minutes are a mild blur since I spent the time trying to get the best shots I could while basking in the white hot attack of the band.
And the band was the group I remember from 1991. It was definitely true that without Eric Avery they just aren't Jane's Addiction. Some of that magic just isn't there. And while I heard plenty of rumors about how the band members were communicating with each other (or not) on this tour, the four guys on stage looked perfect together. It was the set I hoped my girlfriend, who had never seen Jane's play, would see. It's the way I remembered the band at their height and it was glorious.
And I've got the pictures to prove it.
I've seen Jane's Addiction in many incarnations, from the original line-up in a gym and then their farewell appearance at my first Lollapalooza in 1991. I saw that first reunion go-round with Flea on bass and realized something very basic was missing. I mean, it was still sorta Jane's, but not 100%. The reunions always seemed to be more laid-back than my memories of the band I saw in my younger years. I always wondered if it was just because the guys were older or if, sans Eric Avery, they were just missing a vital component of their chemistry.
Having been shut out of a few photo pits for Lollapalooza headliners over the years I was carrying a healthy skepticism that I would make it into shoot Jane's Addiction. I spent all weekend pestering the promoters and security guys for any news of last minute restrictions, and they all graciously shared whatever up to the minute info they had. As of Sunday late afternoon I had a good idea that I would be able to shoot the set, I just didn't know when they would let us in or how long we would be allowed to shoot for. To be honest, one song was all I wanted, and I'd be happy.
So now it's showtime! The photographers in line are moving in to the pit! And, suddenly, we stop. And are told that at the last second security was told only 30 photographers were going to be allowed in. My heart sank. I did something I've never done which is personally ask a security guard to make an exception. He said he couldn't, annd he felt bad, and I realized he was of course right.
So I made the best of a bad situation. I wormed my way into the crowd and got as close to the stage as I could, promising the folks behind me I'd be gone in two minutes. I got what I could, thanked the folks for sharing their space with me, and then worked my way out of the crowd, stopping briefly to say hi to a new friend I had made the night before.
I was on my way to meet back up with GalPal when I noticed they were suddenly letting another wave of photographers into the pit! I was on my way in! Almost there! And then ... wham, they cut the line off again. I was crushed all over again and just stood there for a second bemoaning my luck. Someone must have been smiling on me though because it was then one security guard caught my eye, one i hadn't even spoken to that day but must have seen me getting those constant updates. He caught my eye, and told the guy manning the line that I was O.K. The next 15 or so minutes are a mild blur since I spent the time trying to get the best shots I could while basking in the white hot attack of the band.
And the band was the group I remember from 1991. It was definitely true that without Eric Avery they just aren't Jane's Addiction. Some of that magic just isn't there. And while I heard plenty of rumors about how the band members were communicating with each other (or not) on this tour, the four guys on stage looked perfect together. It was the set I hoped my girlfriend, who had never seen Jane's play, would see. It's the way I remembered the band at their height and it was glorious.
And I've got the pictures to prove it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
O.K., this was kind of cute.
O.K., this was kind of cute.
I think the only person more surprised than me by Barry's* appearance on the Jane's Addiction stage was his girlfriend.
*I have a long history with Barry and while he wasn't my favorite person for a long while, for a vareity of reasons none of which had anything directly to do with me, I've grown fond of him over the last year, so I thought this moment was especially cute.
I think the only person more surprised than me by Barry's* appearance on the Jane's Addiction stage was his girlfriend.
*I have a long history with Barry and while he wasn't my favorite person for a long while, for a vareity of reasons none of which had anything directly to do with me, I've grown fond of him over the last year, so I thought this moment was especially cute.
Monday, August 10, 2009
I am so glad GalPal and I took today off.
I am so glad GalPal and I took today off.
Seriously. We're both up, and being productive working on recaps of the weekend, but man am I glad I can do it at my own pace instead of shoving it in before leaving for work!
Recaps of Lollapalooza are here:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Annnnd, my photo gallery from the weekend will be up tomorrow.
Seriously. We're both up, and being productive working on recaps of the weekend, but man am I glad I can do it at my own pace instead of shoving it in before leaving for work!
Recaps of Lollapalooza are here:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Annnnd, my photo gallery from the weekend will be up tomorrow.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Not going to Lollapalooza this year? Well, there's still plenty of fun to be had!
Not going to Lollapalooza this year? Well, there's still plenty of fun to be had!
In a little over twelve hours my Lollapalooza weekend will kick off with Andrew Bird at Schubas, and I expect it won't slow down until somewhere right around 4 a.m. Monday morning. However, I've had a hand in trying to make sure folks that can't make it to / afford / don't wanna go to the festival still have fun weekend options! Yay you!
Tomorrow night at The Old Oak Tap Rudy is graciously covering my usual shift (I'll be back there covering his shift next week) and by my estimations it should be the place to be tomorrow night. Excellent food, killer tunes, a possible depantsing by Keep and/or 'Balls. Fun, fun, fun!
Saturday night I helped put together a show at Subterranean. It is a show that has been beset by tragedy (the entire original line-up had to cancel for one reason or another) but the upswing is that I've been introduced to two new bands I probably would have never thought of booking in the past! MANY thanks to Shaun Barrett for his aid, and to my Twitter pal Jess for hers. The evening will mark the Chicago debut of Archie Powell & the Exports, and Verona is opening. Please come on out and check out two exciting new local groups!
And me? Well, I'll probably check in tomorrow, with a few links to Chicagoist Lolla stuff we have going up later today. Other than that, wish my ailing frame luck in making it through the next couple of days intact.
In a little over twelve hours my Lollapalooza weekend will kick off with Andrew Bird at Schubas, and I expect it won't slow down until somewhere right around 4 a.m. Monday morning. However, I've had a hand in trying to make sure folks that can't make it to / afford / don't wanna go to the festival still have fun weekend options! Yay you!
Tomorrow night at The Old Oak Tap Rudy is graciously covering my usual shift (I'll be back there covering his shift next week) and by my estimations it should be the place to be tomorrow night. Excellent food, killer tunes, a possible depantsing by Keep and/or 'Balls. Fun, fun, fun!
Saturday night I helped put together a show at Subterranean. It is a show that has been beset by tragedy (the entire original line-up had to cancel for one reason or another) but the upswing is that I've been introduced to two new bands I probably would have never thought of booking in the past! MANY thanks to Shaun Barrett for his aid, and to my Twitter pal Jess for hers. The evening will mark the Chicago debut of Archie Powell & the Exports, and Verona is opening. Please come on out and check out two exciting new local groups!
And me? Well, I'll probably check in tomorrow, with a few links to Chicagoist Lolla stuff we have going up later today. Other than that, wish my ailing frame luck in making it through the next couple of days intact.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Heavy Young Heathens proselytize with conviction.
Heavy Young Heathens proselytize with conviction.
So I get this album emailed to me by this band I've never heard of, which isn't unusual. I mean, I get scads of music sent to me each day, right? And believe it or not, I listen to all of it, even though most of it is just middling. There's a lot of bands out there, right?
Anyway, every once in a while I'm rewarded for my diligence with an album that rises above the relentless stream of mediocrity digitally flowing my way. I had never heard of Heavy Young Heathens before, but their self-titled debut is an aggressive attack of rock and/or roll tinged with a dash of psych here and an amphetamine blues riff there. They're working off the same historical palette that both Amazing baby and MGMT have been playing with, and while I don't think Heavy Young Heathens have quite mastered the genre yet, they are clearly on their way to doing so.
So I'm turned on by this band, and so I check out their webiste and -- amazingly! -- they're offering the whole album to whoever wants it for free! And you can choose between WAV, AIFF, or MP3 formats (something I always love since I can snag the WAV and then compress it if I wish). So now instead off me having to prattle on for three paragraphs trying to convince you to buy the album i can save everyone a lot of time and just tell you to go download the durn thing and let me know what YOU think of it!
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (WAV)
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (AIFF)
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (MP3)
So I get this album emailed to me by this band I've never heard of, which isn't unusual. I mean, I get scads of music sent to me each day, right? And believe it or not, I listen to all of it, even though most of it is just middling. There's a lot of bands out there, right?
Anyway, every once in a while I'm rewarded for my diligence with an album that rises above the relentless stream of mediocrity digitally flowing my way. I had never heard of Heavy Young Heathens before, but their self-titled debut is an aggressive attack of rock and/or roll tinged with a dash of psych here and an amphetamine blues riff there. They're working off the same historical palette that both Amazing baby and MGMT have been playing with, and while I don't think Heavy Young Heathens have quite mastered the genre yet, they are clearly on their way to doing so.So I'm turned on by this band, and so I check out their webiste and -- amazingly! -- they're offering the whole album to whoever wants it for free! And you can choose between WAV, AIFF, or MP3 formats (something I always love since I can snag the WAV and then compress it if I wish). So now instead off me having to prattle on for three paragraphs trying to convince you to buy the album i can save everyone a lot of time and just tell you to go download the durn thing and let me know what YOU think of it!
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (WAV)
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (AIFF)
DOWNLOAD: Heavy Young Heathens - Heavy Young Heathens (MP3)
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Crooked Vultures. Metro. This Sunday. Hell yes!
Crooked Vultures. Metro. This Sunday. Hell yes!
I cracked the code! Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones will make their first (?) public appearance together in Chicago.
I am a genius.
I cracked the code! Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones will make their first (?) public appearance together in Chicago.
I am a genius.
Monday, August 03, 2009
This week's plans ... LAY LOW!
This week's plans ... LAY LOW!
So the weather is now looking like it's gonna hit 90+ degrees by this weekend, just in time to turn Grant Park into a giant roasting oven for Lollapalooza! Yay! And by yay, I mean boo. I should've know that the lovely temperatures we experienced during Pitchfork weren't going to stick around for Lollapalooza, but then again, if I wasn't sweating buckets at Lolla would it still be Lolla? Probably not. And I'm trying to take solace in the fact that steamy temps means gals, including (and most importantly) mine, will be wearing minimal concert attire. It also means the "shirts are for work" male eyesores will be lumbering about too but I'll just pretend they don't exist.
Until this weekend I am laying low. Holing up. Hydrating and exercising. Getting lots of rest. Because from Thursday night (Andrew Bird at Schubas) to early Monday morning (hopefully Hey Champ's DJ set at the hard Rock afterparty) I'm gonna be running on turbocharge.
Photo of me sweating buckets at last year's Lollapaloooza by Clayton Hauck. This year, thanks to my brother's wedding, I will be going into the fest with much shorter hair!
So the weather is now looking like it's gonna hit 90+ degrees by this weekend, just in time to turn Grant Park into a giant roasting oven for Lollapalooza! Yay! And by yay, I mean boo. I should've know that the lovely temperatures we experienced during Pitchfork weren't going to stick around for Lollapalooza, but then again, if I wasn't sweating buckets at Lolla would it still be Lolla? Probably not. And I'm trying to take solace in the fact that steamy temps means gals, including (and most importantly) mine, will be wearing minimal concert attire. It also means the "shirts are for work" male eyesores will be lumbering about too but I'll just pretend they don't exist.Until this weekend I am laying low. Holing up. Hydrating and exercising. Getting lots of rest. Because from Thursday night (Andrew Bird at Schubas) to early Monday morning (hopefully Hey Champ's DJ set at the hard Rock afterparty) I'm gonna be running on turbocharge.
Photo of me sweating buckets at last year's Lollapaloooza by Clayton Hauck. This year, thanks to my brother's wedding, I will be going into the fest with much shorter hair!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
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