This is an online music fan zine. Please support music and musicians by going to shows, purchasing CDs, buying a damn T-shirt!
All mp3s are posted here with permission from the artists/labels/PR folks, and for a very brief time. If you have any issues with content on this zine please email me; atartytart@gmail.com I'm addicted to my Iphone, darlins'... I'll get back to you.
If you like what's up here, it'd be nice to know about it, so leave me some comments, eh? You can always post me love notes and CDs and such at: Love Shack, Baby, PO Box 221235 Chicago, IL 60622 (note new addy)
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And you can find PuppetShow at enjoy.the.puppet.show@gmail.com
Whoa baby! I’m throwing a lot of tracks at ya today! I don’t know what’s got into me lately; I’m blaming the extended winter here in Chicago. All these gloomy grey days and this fucking snow, snow, snow. I can’t seem to get my blogging butt in gear. And I’ve got over 400 emails in my blog submission in-box. That drives me absolutely fucking crazy, ya know? So, I hate doing this, but I know you guys kinda like it because you get a bunch of MP3s and well…. I get to ease my conscience a bit by cleaning out that in-box. So, it’s win/win, eh? And to any of you fellow bloggers who might just pop by who I’ve not been visiting at all lately, I’m sorry. I’ve been holing up here in my own little corner of the world. It’s not you… it’s me, xoxo
Dark Horse mp3Dark Horse mp3 by Bella Ruse, from the EP Bella Ruse…. buy it here! and I got this back in October (!) but I just stumbled on this juicy little song. It’s lovely. Their site says they are working on a full length LP so keep your ears open for it. Her voice is so pretty, I look forward to what’s coming next.
Tour Dates
Feb 26 2010 8:00P 501 Club – at The 501 w/Matt Curney Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 20 2010 10:00P Vaughn’s – at Vaughn’s Orange City, Iowa
Mar 25 2010 10:00P Barbette – at Barbette Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mar 26 2010 10:00P Station 4 – St. Paulopalooza Saint Paul, Minnesota
Khalela (unreleased acoustic version) mp3 from Light In August from Detroit, threw out this unreleased track last fall, and you can get their album over on Amie St The album is more polished and features some really dreamy pop, I will definitely be checking out their live show when they get here on the 11th.
Tour Dates
Feb 26 2010 9:00P Arbor Vitae with Extra Life (NYC) and Our Brother the Native Ann Arbor, Michigan
Feb 28 2010 10:00P Arlene’s Grocery New York, New York
Mar 2 2010 9:00P The National Underground New York, New York
Mar 4 2010 9:00P Wilbert’s Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 5 2010 10:00P The New Way Ferndale, Michigan Mar 11 2010 10:00P Goose Island Brewery Chicago, Illinois
Mar 27 2010 10:00P Dino’s (benefit show) Ferndale, Michigan
Apr 8 2010 9:00P Wheaton College Norton, Massachusetts
And another goodie, (this one allows you to download, click on the teensy arrow on the right hand side of the player) by Jim Croft who is currently based in Berlin by way of Scotland (the Highlands) Jim Kroft – Guess That’s What The Gods Say by Cannonball_PR
Tour Dates
Mar 12 2010 9:00P Bang Bang Club Berlin
Apr 29 2010 9:00P Monto Waterrats London
Apr 30 2010 8:30P Hoxton Underbelly London
Sep 18 2010 9:00P WABE Berlin
You know how much a fan I am of The Depreciation Guild! They’re coming back to Chicago on March 31 with everything we love them for plus new material from their new album Spirit Youth.
I still owe you a post from a wonderful little interview I did with Kurt last Fall. Yes, m’dears, I’ll have it up before they come back to town! Until then, and until we get our ears on this new album, have a re-look at this video for Nautilus, from their debut, it’s even more eerie than I remember. Soooooo good! And you lucky bastards who are going to SXSW, make sure you catch their showcase on March 17th, xoxo
US Tour Dates
With Serena Maneesh
3.17 – 3.20 SXSW
3.22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
3.23 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
3.25 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan
3.26 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
3.27 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
3.30 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry 3.31 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
4.1 – Detroit @ Majestic Theatre
4.2 – Toronto, ON @ The Great Hall
4.3 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
4.4 – Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bears
4.5 – Milford, CT @ Daniel Street
4.6 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
4.7 – Washington, DC @ DC9
4.8 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Generator ^ Second Floor mp3 Freelance Whales Weathervanes …. pre-order it and get the digital download now! (release date, March 16)
Remember me raving about Freelance Whales? Wow, I’m still listening to their album. It’s beautifully, happy, intricate indie music with words that are fun and also meaningful and interesting. I’ll admit to you, my dear readers, one of the things that I grow weary of in the indie scene is the plethora of music with just nonsensical, at best, or inane (more typically) lyrics. It seems that if you don’t want to sing about love and emo-out, then you sometimes end up trying to convince me that photos of your cat just aren’t as amusing to you as they once were. Ugh. However, Freelance Whales’ songs are full of quirky, meaningful words without getting bogged down in heavy music. This song, even as deathly serious as it is, has such a bittersweet feeling.
3/1- Webster Hall – New York, NY (With Shout Out Louds)
3/5 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
3/6 – Rock N Roll Hotel – Washington, D.C
3/7 – Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC
3/9 – The End – Nashville, TN
3/10 – Pilot Light – Knoxville, TN
3/11 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
3/12 – Harvest Of Hope Festival – St. Augustine, FL
3/13 – Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL
3/14 – The Engine Room – Tallahassee, FL
3/16 – Mango’s – Houston, TX
3/22 – The Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
3/23 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
3/24 – The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
3/25 – Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA
3/28 – Crocodile Café – Seattle, WA
3/29 – The Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
3/31 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
4/1 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
4/2 – Replay Lounge – Lawrence, KS
4/3 – Turf Club – St. Paul, MN
4/4 – Schuba’s – Chicago, IL
4/6 – El Mocambo Club – Toronto, ON
4/7 – Il Motore – Montreal, QB
4/8 – The Middle East – Boston, MA
And for a completely different flavor, try this new Apse video on for size! I’ve moaned in delirium about this band’s new album before, on these pages. And “Blown Doors” was on my “Best Makeout Music” playlist, remember? I think you’ll like this too, …. buy Climb Up
And click here, for a little feature toward the end of the show on All Songs Considered, on NPR from September 28 of last year, featuring “The Return” (scroll all the way down, I couldn’t get the player to embed, sorry darlings)
Tour Dates
Feb 27 2010 8:00P Piano’s NYC
May 27 2010 8:00P PRIMAVERA SOUND 2010 Barcelona, ES
Sep 4 2010 8:00P ATP NY 2010 Monticello, New York
Foot of The Cross mp3 White Pines A Face Made of Wood …. buy it Joseph Scott, a.k.a. White Pines is coming to Chicago on Sunday night, with Strand of Oaks and you, my dears, had best come out and see them! I’ve been listening to White Pines EP A Face Made of Wood, for months now and finding it to be just the most peaceful, moving folk music. Having recently finished a tour with Cotton Jones, White Pines is seasoned from the road, and bringing a voice of experience to the modern folk scene. This track, “Foot of the Cross” is one that I listen to quite a lot. His voice is just magical, the repeating melody is just enchanting. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this live. And, there’s a special 7″ for this tour, with two new songs (“Is Passed In Sleep”, “At Night He Hurts.”) You can buy it here and it includes a download link so that you can have the songs while you wait for the vinyl to come to your mailbox Tour Dates
02/19/10* – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon w/ Juniper Tar, Common Loon
02/20/10* – Milwuakee, WI – Cactus Club w/ Daredevil Christopher Wright, Conrad Plymouth
02/21/10* – Chicago, IL – Halfway Lounge w/ Mako Sica
02/24/10* – Bloomington, IN – The Bishop w/ Vollmar, Mayor of Rocky, Ripple
02/25/10* – Akron, OH – The Manitee
02/26/10* – Columbus, OH – Skylab w/ The Black Swans
02/27/10* – Millheim, PA – Elk Creek Tavern w/ Chicken Tractor
02/28/10* – Frostburg, MD – House Show
03/01/10* – Baltimore, MD – The Wind Up Space
03/02/10* – Kutztown, PA – Eckhaus Gallery w/ Bad Temple
03/03/10* – Brooklyn, NY – Zebulon
03/04/10* – Stroudsburg, PA – Main St. Jukebox
03/05/10* – Philadelphia, PA – The Fire w/ Hezekiah Jones
Eef Barzelay and band (Brendan Fitzpatrick, on bass and Ben Martin, on drums) will release their latest albumThe Meat of Life on February 23rd, to what I can guarantee will be critical acclaim. At this juncture in the lifespan of Clem Snide, one can’t help but feel that they’re just hitting their stride. Last year’s Hungry Bird was the culmination of many years wait, and the consternation over it’s release only served to whet the appetite of their fans for more of Eef’s particular take on life and love. These new twelve tracks are perhaps a tad more polished, yet they remain raw enough to convey the aching melodrama that Eef is so skilled at bringing to an audience, in his lyrics and vocal delivery. In a word, The Meat of Life is poignant. Certain words hang in the air for a few seconds before a finishing chord is struck. Eefs voice quavers on songs like “Denver” when he pleads with an unnamed lover to forgive his indiscretion. The title track, “The Meat of Life,” features a powerful contrast between a smooth, dreamy delivery and the harsher, instrumental bridge that allows Fitzpatrick and Martin to let loose. Yes, this matured Clem Snide is well tuned and ready for all those changes of pace.
As on their last record, Hungry Bird, the band has brought songs that tell sad tales as well as love songs to please us. It seems that Eef is full of words, full of introspection, and has so many ways to describe it. This record is quintessential Eef. “Am I ever to feel that free again? Am I ever to feel so light? Am I ever to feel that sweet again? Am I ever to feel alright… again?” And when he sings it, I wonder for myself as well. I’m loving all the tracks, not one is out of place; this album speaks to me. I knew it would.
A special treat awaits you, my darlings. This Saturday, my good friend, Drunk Country, DC as we know him, has crafted a very interesting and unique show for The Waiting Room on WOXY.com. It is a preview of the album AND a fantastic interview DC did with Eef, Brandon and Ben in London back in May, last year. It’s a juicy, juicy show (I got a sneak peek last night of it – I’m a lucky bitch!) so tune in, and hear from the man himself, how Clem Snide got back together, where the band is going, how “the Clem Snide Guitar Sound” has come to be, among other juicy details!
Last but not least, DC is giving away two copies of Clem Snide’s new record, The Meat Of Life. So tune in to to hear how to win!
I reviewed their last show, here in Chicago and I just got word today that they’re coming to back on May 13! xoxo
Tour Dates:
5/12: Tiger Room, FT Wayne
5/13: Lincoln Hall, Chicago
5/14: Frequency, Madison
5/15: 400 Bar, Minneapolis
5/18: Mississippi Studios, Portland
5/19: Tractor Tavern, Seattle
5/20: Humboldt Brews, Arcata
5/21: Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco
5/22: Spaceland, Los Angeles
5/23: Plush, Tucson
5/25: Mohawk, Austin
5/26: Doublewide, Dallas
5/27: Hi Tone, Memphis
Be Human mp3 The Break Welcome to Our Side …. go to their MySpace
I’m not sure you’ve heard about the latest upsetting practices going on in the world of music blogging, but I thought I’d take a minute to fill you in. Lately Google, which has bought up the popular blog tool, Blogger, has been acting in a draconian manner against some of the more popular MP3 blogs… blogs that rank in the highest rankings of importance, clout, influence and all that in our little corner of blogland. Here’s what Bill, from I Rock Cleveland, has been going through. I’ll refer you to this article at techdirt which lays it out nicely for you and also check out this recent post on Boing Boing. Basically, Blogger/Google receives copyright complaints and is obligated, by law (a stupidly made law wherein the burden of proof is laid on you to prove your innocence after you are punished) to inactivate your post. However, a week or so ago, Blogger/Google didn’t just take down a post or two from these blogs. It deleted the whole blog.
No backup. No warning. No apparent recourse.
Needless to say, bloggers were angry, scared, and panicked. If you’re very interested, there’s a timeline of how it went down, on Twitter. And coverage on Pitchfork and so Blogger had to respond, trying to save face, and eventually some blogs were reinstated and some recourse was made known. Yes, the law exists. Yes, copyright should be respected and artists should be compensated for their talent, time, and energy. But there are good blogs that do follow the rules and there are blogs which really are exploiting artists by leaking albums which I will take a stand against.
So, is this blog legal?
Here at Love Shack, Baby I try to post only tracks that are given to me by artists, labels, PR folk or that I find posted on websites that allow and encourage downloading (those are PR companies or label websites that put up MP3s, not other blogs.) That means that I get stated or implied permission from people to rehost MP3s on a host that I pay for so that you can download a song along with whatever words I write about the artist or album. I do this because I believe, as do many people in this industry, that hearing a song and being able to keep it on your Ipod and play it in your car will lead you to buy the album. Being able to give a copy of it away to your friend, to burn it onto a mix tape for your girlfriend, or being able to send it to your sister who’s away at college is an excellent way to get other people excited about music and more likely to buy a ticket when that band comes to their town. If I make you a fan of an artist by giving you their song, with their permission, I might make your friends and family fans too. And that can result in a lot more album sales and concert tickets than a TV commercial because you actually got something from me, something more than 30 seconds of visual aid. I’m hoping you might read 200 or 300 words about why this music is so fucking exciting to me too. I think that helps.
So yes, for the most part, this blog is legal. I might make a misstep here or there, unintentionally. I try to only post the approved songs. And if I don’t, I appreciate an email asking me to remove the offending track. That is NEVER a problem and I act very quickly to remedy that. And as you saw at xmas, I did throw caution to the wind a little, putting out some rare, naughty xmas songs. The temptation was oh so strong, my dears. Remember also though, this blog always, always, includes information (when at all possible) for where to purchase the album, right up next to the track. You have no excuse to not push that button and support that artist. And I take down all my music every two to three weeks. No one needs to give away their hard work for too long. Each of my posts has one, maybe two tracks. I never post an entire album and I never will. Many new artists will give their EPs and albums away and I’ll gladly link to them for you. If they’re on bandcamp.com, please remember you can always contribute money to them there, you don’t HAVE to take it for free.
So, long story short, we are getting fewer MP3s from the big indie labels and none from the big, mainstream labels. You will see more posts here with widgets, asking you for your email address to get the download, and more posts without download tracks at all, and well… that is the way the world works now. You will also see, however, more posts on unsigned and local bands who are more than eager to have you hear and take their music. I hope my ear for talent matches up with your tastes. Let me know, eh?
Most importantly, if you are or know any PR folk or label people, let them know that copyright holders (who don’t use EMI as their distributor) can submit their permitted tracks to jeremy@ifpi.org to have them removed from their bot list. This will greatly reduce the DMCA notice abuse to blogs like this who post legal MP3s, that is, MP3s for which we have been given permission to give to you, dear readers.
(Isn’t it crazy that a bot comes round your blog and alerts them as to what files you have that are in violation?! How does it know whether or not you’ve got permission? In a word, it doesn’t. And in Bill’s case, the offending track wasn’t even working for ages.)
By the way, this track that I’m giving you today is from a band I saw last month. They were pretty cool. I was relatively impressed. And then they played their last song and really tore things up and I looked over at my friend Daniel and he looked over at me, and our faces lit up and we couldn’t stop clapping when they finished that last song. It was incredible. These guys really pulled it off! I went up to Sean, the lead singer, after their set to congratulate him and was absolutely floored to see how young he is. This band, The Break, is certainly one to watch for. You heard it here, maybe first.
Go see The Break:
Mar 5 2010 7:00P Beatles Night Park Ridge, Illinois
Mar 6 2010 7:00P Beatles Night Park Ridge, Illinois
Mar 7 2010 5:00P Subterranean Chicago, Illinois
Apr 1 2010 8:30P Ottos Night Club Dekalb, Illinois
Apr 25 2010 3:00P Reggies Rock Club Chicago, Illinois
Last night these guys lit up the stage at The Vic and it was a transcendent experience. I’ve heard them before, in a much smaller club, and they were very special that night. But last night… that show was wonderful and powerful and I walked away (babbling to Steve, of Baby, You Got a Stew Goin!) just filled with so much admiration for these three guys. The Antlers are coming back, two tours! and with the National and Phantogram, very cool opportunities for them. Don’t miss this show, xoxo
US Tour Dates With Phantogram
Fri-Apr-16 – Columbus, OH – The Basement
Sat-Apr-17 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club
Sun-Apr-18 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
Tue-Apr-20 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre
Wed-Apr-21 – Iowa City, IA – The Blue Moose
Thu-Apr-22 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Fri-Apr-23 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig
Wed-Apr-28 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Fri-Apr-30 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
Sat-May-01 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
Mon-May-03 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Tue-May-04 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
Wed-May-05 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
US Dates With The National
Wed-Jun-02 – Boston, MA – House of Blues w/The National
Thu-Jun-03 – Boston, MA – House of Blues w/The National
Fri-Jun-04 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory w/The National
Sat-Jun-05 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory w/The National
Sun-Jun-06 – Washington, DC – Constitution Hall w/The National
Tue-Jun-08 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall w/The National
Wed-Jun-09 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall w/The National
Wed-Jun-16 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall w/The National
This album titled, Curiouser, is destined to make us just that. The two songs you’ll hear here are catchy, pop, and quirky. Those are qualities that are never dismissed on this blog. Kate Miller-Heidke’s album is out March 16, make sure you catch her showcase at SXSW or one of her parties. I think this will be an interesting addition to your slate, even you die-hard indie enthusiasts. Branch out a bit, eh? And Chicago, did you see all those dates at the Vic??? wow! xoxo
TOUR DATES:
March 15*Joe’s Pub*7PM SXSW – Austin, TX
March 17*Dakota Lounge*Manic Fest Destiny Party (afternoon)
March 18*Antone’s*SIN Sony Music International party
March 18*Hotel Café at The Parish*official SXSW showcase (evening)
March 19*Troubadour Saloon*All Together Now Showcase
March 20*Maggie Mae’s*Aussie BBQ/official SXSW showcase
April – opening for Ben Folds & playing Coachella!
April 6*Boston, MA*House of Blues
April 7*Bridgeport, CT*The Klein
April 9*Montclair, NJ*Wellmont Theatre
April 10*Hershey, PA*Hershey Theatre
April 12*New York, NY*Town Hall
April 13*New York, NY*Town Hall
April 16*Indio, CA*Coachella
April 18*Dayton OH*University of Dayton
April 19*Chicago, IL*Vic Theatre
April 20*Chicago, IL*Vic Theatre
April 21*Chicago, IL*Vic Theatre
Oh my god, have I had fun with this album! Honestly, I have this on constantly and if my stupid iphone could be scrobbled properly to my last.fm profile you would be able to see just how many times I’ve listened to it. It’s almost shameful. Well no, how could it be shameful to listen to music? And this album is especially not a guilty pleasure, in the sense that there is NO reason to feel guilty for loving it. The first track won me over, the banjo, … you know, but it snuck up on me in this one. And I like to be surprised by a banjo.
The second track is what scared me! Well I say scared, but really… thrilled me in that scary way. It’s totally different from the first, all deep grooves and throaty vocals and a strung-out guitar solo backed up by a grinding bass. And it ends with a fade out… oh yeah. So at this point, I’m scratching my head, two tracks in and I’ve got no idea what to expect from this band. Turns out that those first two tracks were pretty indicative of the rest, as different as they are from one another. The Treats, from Madison, WI, are like the best bar band you’ve ever heard and at the same time, much more than that (not to disparage your favorite bar band, but these guys are excellent songwriters!) There’s an amazing groove to these songs and at the same time the versatility of all that is good about indie music today. The title track is a true drinking song, a folk tune, that relates a love story between a Captain and a shape shifting unicorn/woman. It’s lovely and at times ridiculous.
If I had to explain to someone what The Treats were all about, I’d tell them just how easily this band bridges the divide between the rock I love and the indie-folk I’ve come to adore. If you’re my age and still have a soft spot for Fleetwood Mac-ish types, you’ll find this more than beautiful. (If you’re young and think Fleetwood Mac is all heavy percussion and outrageous Stevie-Nicks-tambourine-twirling-with-scarves then you don’t know much anyway. So just listen to this and forget that reference, ha!) But honestly, how many albums do you own that use a fade out? I’m enthralled by Sir Unicorn. Happy Monday, my dears, get your groove on with The Treats today, xoxo
You might recognize the singer/keyboardist of this band; he’s commented on this blog from time to time. Euan and I have been email buddies for a long while now and I’ve heard a few versions of this track and, m’dears, this is absolutely the best and most compelling one yet. I love the orchestration that’s been added to this, it just balances out Euan’s vocals so perfectly, giving this song a really heavy feel in the right sense of the word. “The Hours” sort of sinks into the core of me each time I hear it. That’s one of the defining marks about their music, a mark that I truly enjoy. The Kays Lavelle are a Dundee/Edinburgh band who have bloggers naming them as “ones to watch for” in 2010. Their album, Be Still This Gentle Morning is due out very soon. I’ve been panting for it since last Fall, even more so since hearing it’s been produced by Neil Pennycook of Meursault and recorded by Alex Fenton of Fentek Audio. You’ll soon see this single offered up for free download over at Wiseblood Industries, the label releasing Be Still, but I’ve been fortunate enough to get on the early release list. Many thanks to Halina Rifai of Glasgow PodcART and so many other good things over there! xoxo
The Kays Lavelle are:
Euan McMeeken (vox/keys)
Graeme Anderson (guitar/banjo/vox)
Russell Kostullin (violin/viola/vox)
Chris Alderson (guitar)
Michael Lambert (bass)
Chris Lee-Marr (percussion/vox)
See Them:
Feb 26 2010 8:00P Queen Charlotte Rooms, Leith Edinburgh
Apr 3 2010 8:00P HINTERLAND FESTIVAL, Glasgow details TBC Glasgow
May 8 2010 7:00P ALBUM LAUNCH, Edinburgh – Wee Red Bar Edinburgh
Dark Horse mp3 by Bella Ruse, from the EP Bella Ruse…. buy it here! and I got this back in October (!) but I just stumbled on this juicy little song. It’s lovely. Their site says they are working on a full length LP so keep your ears open for it. Her voice is so pretty, I look forward to what’s coming next.
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