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.
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You know my love for Apteka knows no bounds. This Chicago band has enthralled me with their hard-hitting, guitar and searing sounds. I try to hit all their shows, although I’ve been remiss of late. Saturday night is my chance to redeem myself and in a big way!
They’re hitting the Subterranean Lounge with another great local group who I can’t believe I’ve not yet heard, Secret Colours. Now, THIS is a gig to shake off that winter cold, people! If there’s two bands whose sound is made for each other, it’s these two. Mix a little bit of what their promoter calls “flower power” (I’m dubious, only because I think it’s way more than that) with a strong dose of “turn that motherfucking amp up to ELEVEN!” and I think you’ll understand the dreamy vocal/heavy bass sound of Secret Colours. But scroll down and give their song “Redemption” of their self-titled debut, a listen if you’re still unsure. Here’s their free EP…
Of course, this being Chicago, both these fine young bands are opening for an Indianapolis fave, We Are Hex, whose debut recently came out on My Old Kentucky Blog’s own label, Roaring Colonel Records. Get out here Saturday and see what all the fuss is about, eh? Psssst….. it just so happens to be David Bowie’s birthday, get your makeup and lycra out, xoxo
Well, I’ve saved the best for last, as I’m totally in love with Grace Potter and The Nocturnals. Not all of these photos are the best, but I wanted to give you a feel for the amazing energy this woman has on stage. Even in a festival setting, with all that space and people coming and going, Grace had her audience captivated by her voice, her confidence, her talent. She began to sing a beautiful spiritual. It began slowly and with lots of emotion and the Frat boy behind me was cat-calling her as she built up steam for the chorus. He was silent by the third line. She sang those words right to him and I could feel that gaze as it shot over my head. He soon realized both that he was dealing with an unstoppable force and it was in an inappropriate setting.
She and her band were one of the highlights of my weekend at the North Coast Music Festival. If you haven’t heard their music yet, you must. As one of my readers wrote to me, “can she sing, or what?!” Thanks, Andrew, for the heads up on this one. I’m glad I didn’t miss out.
Here’s a great recording of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Live at Westcott Theater, January 21, 2010. You can go to the awesome Internet Archive to download individual tracks.
Here’s the playlist, if you’re listening here: One Set Disc 1
1-01 Some Kind Of Ride
1-02 Medicine
1-03 2:22
1-04 Oasis
1-05 Money
1-06 One More Goodbye Kiss
1-07 Apologies
1-08 Mastermin
1-09 Ah Mary Disc 2
1-10 Band Intro
1-11 Big White Gate
1-12 Long Low Road
1-13 Joey
1-14 If I Was From Paris
1-15 Sweet Hands Encore Break
1-16 Watching You
1-17 White Rabbit
1-18 Nothing but The Water PT 1 & 2
For The Benefit Of Evil mp3 Red Hot Rebellion
Uh yeah, what the hell was yesterday about? It wasn’t until around 10 p.m. that I realized it was only WEDNESDAY! But once I got my ears on this classic-sounding track I began to unwind a bit. See, sometimes it just takes a good guitar solo and some sass to get that WTF out of your system.
Red Hot Rebellion doesn’t have an album out yet. They’re that new. But the music is old-fashioned, garage rock. They call it “the soundtrack to a bar fight” and yeah, I think I’ve been witness to a few of those with this kind of thing playing on the jukebox. You have to frequent the right kind of bars in the right part of town, mind you.
So, that’s all I’ve got today. I’m off to see the Scissor Sisters tonight and then catch some of North Coast Music Festival this weekend! (Don’t ever accuse me of being a music snob, now!) I’ll give ya the lowdown, don’t fret. xoxo
Anberlin has made a real splash in mainstream radio and TV, and for good reason. The album, Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place, comes out Sept. 7th. I love this song, it’s totally infectious. If you go to their site you’ll see just what a cool band this is! Get this, they’re giving their fans a special “exclusive fan bundle” when you buy ticket to their show. This special includes: immediate download of the single, full album download on release day, your name on a limited edition tour poster, and some cool videos from the band! Now comeon! Wow! In an age where music is arguably becoming de-valued, the concert experience is most definitely not!
Anberlin – North American Tour Dates
9/18 Englewood, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheatre-KTCL Big Gig
9/25 Kansas City, MO Capital Federal Park at Sandston
9/28 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
9/29 Dallas, TX House of Blues
9/30 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom (opening for 30 Seconds to Mars)
10/1 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
10/2 Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theater
10/3 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
10/5 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
10/6 Reno, NV Knitting Factory
10/8 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
10/9 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
10/10 San Francisco, CA The Regency @ The Grand
10/12 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
10/13 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
10/14 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
10/15 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
10/16 Vancouver, BC The Vogue Theater
10/18 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall
10/19 Edmonton, AB Edmonton Event Center
10/20 Saskatoon, SK Odeon
10/21 Winnipeg, MB Garrick Center
10/22 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue 10/23 Chicago, IL House of Blues
10/25 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
10/26 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
10/28 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
10/29 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
10/30 New York, NY The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
10/31 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
11/1 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
11/3 Nashville, TN Rocketown
11/4 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
11/5 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Landing
11/6 Orlando, FL House of Blues
Well, darlins, you know I love this retro trend when it’s done right. And somehow it seems the younger the band the more they seem to get this right, in my book. The Stone Foxes have achieved greatness, in this debut album, which they’ve recorded themselves, “live, with almost no overdubs, in a studio they built themselves” says their press release. It’s the harmonica. The bluesy, lazy-mouthed, wide-open just wild abandon of it all that the harmonica inspires in this album is what particularly stands out for me. More than just four guys playing around with some raw talent, Bears and Bulls covers some pretty wide ground. There’s echoes of Southern Americana from the 70s in this, some old fashioned blues, and Zeppelin-like sensibilities as well as a Chris Robinson spirit to the vocals. The instrumentation is tight. Drums are dished out heavy and hard. Guitar solos are searing and twisted and lead the song through repetitive, grinding goodness (hear “Hyde & Pine.”) I’m imagining this all played loud and live (hear “Young Man,”) and yeah, I’ll be there the second they make it near my great city, xoxo … I know a certain reader of this blog is gonna love this
First off, if you’re in Chicago (I don’t know, I assume some of you are in Chicago, call me crazy) you should pay some mind to Green Music Fest this weekend. I went last year and it was pretty awesome! I first heard one of my favorite local bands there, Sybris, (they’re playing Millennium Park on July 17) and some other great music as well and the people and food and facilities were just wonderful. So support the second annual effort, won’t ya?! My most adored, Maps & Atlases are playing as well as all the bands listed on that pic! Here’s the most awesome part: it costs 5$ and it’s from noon – 10pm. Yes, for $10 you get to hear some truly great music and support local green initiatives. You cannot beat that, my lovelies!
On Saturday night you should come out to the Hideout to see My Gold Mask, Advance tix are only $8, it’s $10 at the door. They are heading out to Sled Island Fest in the beginning of July!
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I’ve also been hit hard with some wonderful music in the inbox lately. So, in my usual half-assed fashion, I’m gifting you with some great tunes:
Jenny’s new album Kindred is coming out July 17… you can stream it on her bandcamp.com page. I think it’s a really nice blend of Regina Spector and Tori Amos with some Fiona Apple-ish undertones. Her vocals are strong and well-phrased and surrounded by dramatic instrumentation that emotes more than the usual folk sense. Kindred lies somewhere in between folk and pop and Hounds of Love. Go listen.
Now you have to forgive me, because The Tins is another one of those albums I’ve had on constant play in my car (did you know i live in my car? Well, I drive around all day and my car is sort of my office, so I listen to 90% of my music in my car!) The wonderful Will of We All Want Someone To Shout For turned me onto this band The Tins at least three months ago. I cannot stop listening to them. Their self-titled album is five tracks of double-packed, tight, tight, tight American Nostaliga rock. Now, Tart, what the fuck is “Nostalgia rock?” you’re asking yourself at this point. You know that sound you know when you think of Elvis Costello, and old Bruce Springsteen, and some Replacements songs, and a little bit of the faster Simon and Garfunkle ones? It’s the minor chords and the jangly guitars and short choruses with really defined bridges – classic songwriting, that reminds me of crisp Fall days. So yeah, in my brain it’s “Nostalgia rock.” It’s also the perfect kind of album to turn up REALLY loud to sing along to in your car. Lead vocals are gorgeous, lyrics are thought-provoking and witty. There’s a certain new-wave feel to the guitar solos which pleases me. But the melodies are all American pop. God, I love this one. These guys have it going ON. You will want this album. This track is indicative of the rest. But the rest is even better, “June Avenue” being my favorite, with its classic sort of surfer rock sound, but so fucking much better. If I had a six year old, he or she would be singing this song (with made up words, cause that’s what kids do) and it would be priceless! xoxo
Amanda Zelina can’t hide from me for long. I got this email from her a few days ago, downloaded her album and then promptly forgot about it. Today I plugged it into my speakers and had no clue who it came from (untagged, grrr!) Had no clue, that is, until the vocals began…. there is simply no mistaking this voice for anyone else once you’ve studied it as I have. Yes, the style is dramatically different from her previous, solo record, Love Me Til I’m Me Again, from 2009. The Coppertone, her new project as a three piece, has a very distinctive blues/rock feel and I’m more than willing to accept that. She wears it well.
Hidden Dreams brings nine tracks to your ears with finesse and smooth, heavy music for a hot summer night. This is sexy. This is a slow, deep kiss. This is reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt and Carly Simon, updated to showcase Amanda’s howling, modern vocals. I can easily imagine this crossing all sorts of scenes and sitting comfortably with anyone who loves twang, the blues, and even R & B. The bass lines are strong, taking initiative for the duration. Track four, “Satisfied Mind” has a nice busyness to it that stays just far enough back to offset a grinding guitar whereupon Amanda rides. Just listen to that You’re going to need a handkerchief for this album, it’s hot and sweaty! Overall, it has a slight homemade feel to it and I love that about Hidden Dreams. It’s intimate and sing-able, and honest. Don’t let this pass you by, this summer gem is worth digging out of hiding.
Jun 18 2010 9:00P NXNE//The Hide Out Toronto, Ontario, CA
Jun 25 2010 10:00P The Black Pirates Pub Thunder Bay, Ontario , CA
Jul 1 2010 9:30P The Victoria Park Boathouse Kitchener, ON
Jul 2 2010 9:00P Not My Dog Toronto, Ontario , CA
The Locals never cease to thrill me. I mean really, how many bands do you know like this? They manage to walk the fine line between girl rock and raw, hyper-fueled, power pop and they do it with such finesse. This new EP, Salt, (itunes link) has four tracks and I love each of them. A step up from their most recent album, The Big Picture,The Locals give us sleeker, more filled out, just beautifully produced music. Salt packs a different kind of punch; it sighs in your ear as it slides its hand in your back pocket. The drums are fast, Kirk squeezes a lot in in a short amount of time. Melodies are well-crafted but what is most striking is Yvonne’s vocals, to be honest. Pushed way up front in the mix, her throaty delivery, as it slides up to those high notes is just beautiful. And then on “Amnesia” she shows her whole range from low, gutsy notes to an intimate, soft bit, to a true rock and roll howl. Christy’s harmonies just add the right amount of edge to what is already got you perked up and listening carefully. The Locals are a all that and a bag of chips. This EP more than proves their versatility and potential. Go see them, add these songs to your playlist now, xoxo
Dates
4/30/10 The Elbo Room 2871 n Lincoln 11pm with: Cyclesomething, The Powwows, 8Inch Betsy (CD RELEASE PARTY)
6/5/10 Cake Chicago Red Line Tap 9pm with: The Barrettes (Milwaukee), Ripley Caine (Chicago)
6/24/10 Skylight 116 North Third Street Lafayette, In with: Vicious Guns
6/25/10 Quenchers 2401 North Western Avenue Chicago, IL with: Vicious Guns, Julie Meckler
7/10/10 -7/11/10 Art Fair on the Square TBD Madison, WI TBD
With SXSW just finished, so many bands are making their way across the country and March has become the month (or so it seems) when there is a great show every night of the week. This week I could see something wonderful every night! So, I’m begging you, please…. go see Manchester Orchestra for me tomorrow, eh? This promises to be a really great time. Their performance at Lolla last year was something I also regret missing and the promise of it was one of the few things that almost convinced me to brave the crowd… almost. It just seems that I’ll never see this band, damnit! …. well, I don’t know if I can resist this one, I’ll let ya know
Now don’t go groaning about the borderline mainstream sound of Manchester Orchestra. They play some awesome, big, verging on “arena rock” or “stadium rock” music. And I’m not opposed to that, not one little bit. Sometimes you just need to rock. the. fuck. out. And Manchester Orchestra brings it, hooks grabbing you hard. Hearing a band like this at the Metro, one of Chicago’s finest venues where you can get up close and personal and still enjoy excellent, loud sound will be a fantastic experience. Go!
Read the wonderful Kata Rokkar’s review of the live show from the Bay Area’s Great American Music Hall, March 15, 2010
Tour Dates
3/18 – Gothic Theatre – Denver, CO 3/23 – Metro – Chicago, IL
3/24 – St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI
3/25 – Mr. Small’s Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA
3/26 – Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY
3/27 – The Phoenix Theatre – Toronto, ON
3/29 – Northern Lights – Clifton Park, NY
3/30 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
3/31 – Chameleon – Lancaster, PA
4/1 – Toad’s Place – New Haven, CT
4/2 – The Fillmore @ Irving – New York, NY
4/3 – The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
4/5 – The Recher Theatre – Townson, MD
4/6 – The Norva – Norfolk, VA
4/7 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrborro, NC
4/8 – The Music Farm – Charleston, SC
4/9 – Jillian’s – Columbia, SC
4/14 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA **
4/15 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA **
4/16 – The Howlin Wolf – New Orleans, LA **
4/17 – The Lyric Oxford – Oxford, MS **
4/18 – WorkPlay Theatre – Birmingham, AL **
4/20 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH **
4/21 – Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH **
4/22 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH **
4/23 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO **
4/24 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI **
4/25 – People’s Court – Des Moines, IA **
4/27 – Eagle’s club room – Vermillion, SD **
4/29 – The Railyard – Billings, MT **
4/30 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA **
5/1 – McDonald Theater – Eugene, OR **
5/3 – Knitting Factory – Reno, NV **
5/4 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA **
5/6 – Majestic Ventura Theatre – Ventura, CA **
5/7 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV **
5/8 – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ **
5/9 – Sunshine Theatre – Albuquerque, NM **
6/10 – Bonnaroo – Manchester, TN
The Soundtrack of Our Lives are coming to Chicago and I’ve been soaking them in all weekend. What a trip it’s been. Yeah, Communion, their latest double albumwas released in 2008, but I never got to it until now. And you know me, I love this hook-laden, rock-n-roll, heavy-bass, guitar-driven kind of music. It’s quite the contrast to The Black Atlantic, the other thing that’s been feeding my ears, I’ll tell you that! And it’s been a welcome contrast. I’m stoked to see them play live.
They’re ending their US tour right here in Chicago at Lincoln Hall with Nico Vega. I’ll be giving you the story, don’t worry, xoxo (it’s a Jam Productions show and therefore sold by Ticketmaster, which as you know, I think is the Devil Incarnate, so I’m sorry that link for Lincoln Hall takes you to them!)
US Tour Dates
Feb 16th – Irving Plaza – New York, NY
Feb 17th – The Note – Philadelphia, PA
Feb 18th – House Of Sweden – Washington, DC
Feb 18th – Black Cat – Washington, DC
Feb 19th – The Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
Feb 20th – Emo’s – Austin, TX
Feb 21st – The Granada – Dallas, TX
Feb 23rd – The Rialto – Tucson, AZ
Feb 24th – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
Feb 25th – Glasshouse – Pomona, CA
Feb 26th – El Rey – Los Angeles, CA
Feb 27th – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
Feb 28th – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
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