Posts tagged Music

Nothing like the lapse between Pitchfork and Lollapalooza to make you Chicagoans feel like your good tastes are breaking the bank. SO, out of the kindness of my precious little heart (and other things that have nothing to do with me), I bring you something that’s incredible, fun, has fabulous music and is FREE. What:The Rumble Tour, Chicago’s July show!Where: The Beauty Bar 1444 W. Chicago AvenueWhen: THIS Wednesday, July 20th @ 9 PMHow much: FREE. All you need is proof that you are 21. Who: This is the best part! Since The Rumble is so good at outdoing itself, we have our best lineup yet!Magic Key (formerly Aleks and the Drummer) Safeword (side project of Mahjongg’s Hunter Husar)Architecture (former members of Panda Riot) Impressed? I thought you might be. Get more scoop via Facebook here and invite your friends to join you! You can also RSVP to insure your spot here! You’re welcome, | N

Nothing like the lapse between Pitchfork and Lollapalooza to make you Chicagoans feel like your good tastes are breaking the bank. SO, out of the kindness of my precious little heart (and other things that have nothing to do with me), I bring you something that’s incredible, fun, has fabulous music and is FREE.

What:The Rumble Tour, Chicago’s July show!
Where: The Beauty Bar 1444 W. Chicago Avenue
When: THIS Wednesday, July 20th @ 9 PM
How much: FREE. All you need is proof that you are 21.
Who: This is the best part! Since The Rumble is so good at outdoing itself, we have our best lineup yet!
Magic Key (formerly Aleks and the Drummer)
Safeword (side project of Mahjongg’s Hunter Husar)
Architecture (former members of Panda Riot)

Impressed? I thought you might be.

Get more scoop via Facebook here and invite your friends to join you!
You can also RSVP to insure your spot here!

You’re welcome,

| N

It’s that time of year. The internet and magazines are buzzing with “Best of 2010” lists, enough to keep you busy through 2011. The music world loves this, possibly more than any other subculture: seriously, what were the top 100 albums this year?
I didn’t love 100 albums this year, I didn’t even love 50. I could easily make a list of 10 albums I absolutely refuse to do with out from this past year, I could probably narrow it down to seven. Not to say that there wasn’t tons of incredible new music this year, only to say that making a list of 100 albums is not a good reflection of most people’s actual listening. Sure, “High Violet” was incredible and deserves many of the top of the list slots it is getting, but I never even burned that album to a CD so I could listen to it over and over again in my car. I did do that for The Dead Weather’s “Sea of Cowards”, which is not quite so popular ‘round these list making parts. And I know that Janelle Monae (who is frequenting the lists) is incredibly talented, but I only listen to her when she’s assisting Of Montreal. Speaking of, an album that would have made my top seven list this year? “Satanic Panic in the Attic”- it was released in 2004.

Here is what I am curious about: if you could invest in three bands or artists, whom would it be?
Sure, Kanye made an incredible album, but his stock is going to cost you. Really think of this as an investment: how much is the stock costing now and how much will it be worth in a year? Five years? Ten years?
Unless you are the artist, and you are a solo artist, there is no guarantee. Any investment is a risk.
But if you had to take that risk, what’s your best choice?
I want to hear about the three artists that coming out of 2010, you would put your money on. They can be well-established or brand new. It can be your band, it can be your cousin’s band, it can be a band you hate.

Leave a comment here or shoot me an email at Nora@TheFiveThreeSix.com.

And of course, it would be just plain rude for me not to give you mine. Please note, this is NOT a “top of 2010” list. That list would be different. (Though I should note that all these artists would make the list)
There are many bands coming out of this year that I refuse to live the rest of my life without, but that doesn’t mean I would invest in them. I am, however, more than eager to buy stock in the following, in no particular order:

1. Suckers
2. Stornoway
3. Mikky Ekko

Thoughts?

| N

MGMT Album Leaked

On MGMT’s website, this is what you will find:

“Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us. We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn’t make sense to anyone but us.”

Be sure to head over to their site and check out the new album, “Congratulations”.

I’m hoping the album was leaked on purpose, because if not that’s kind of sad. Not sure why I have this reaction, but if this happened because someone took advantage, that’s just not cool. Have some respect!! SBI

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This past Friday, Nora and I made some room in our extremely busy schedules to check out a band called California Wives. They opened for Pretty Good Dance Moves at Schubas in Chicago. I feel I must be honest, by busy I mean I was getting ready to take some Nyquil and go to sleep. Yep, you guessed it folks, I was lucky enough to spend my weekend in a flu induced haze. Don’t ya just love that? Anyways, I put on my brave face (which wasn’t exactly looking good), and headed for the venue. I’m sure you’re asking yourselves, “Why on earth would you pass up an opportunity for Nyquil and a warm bed in exchange for…what was their name again? Trophy Wives? No, that’s not it. Oh there it is, California Wives. I knew it was something about wives.” This is a valid question. Very recently, I came across California Wives on the World Wide Web. Where exactly? I’m not even sure what I ate for lunch today, so asking me where I discovered a local indie band is really pushing it. Moving on. After listening to some of their music on their MySpace page, I was really impressed. They have a cool sound and interesting lyrics, two things I love in all music (duh). The most appealing songs are “Bible and Wires,” and “Twenty Three.” Nora and I decided we wanted to see if these guys could put on a good show, and that’s where this review begins…. My feelings are mixed. First, let me say, I see a lot of potential here. If you check out their MySpace page I’m sure you will agree. Did their show impress me? No. For one, their drunk friends were yelling obscenities and inside jokes at them throughout most of their set. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that their friends came out in support; BUT, if they feel that it’s okay to make them look like a bunch of assholes while they’re up on stage, maybe they shouldn’t be inviting those people to their shows. Nora also pointed out that at no point in their set did they say their band’s name. At first I just thought it was her being weird, but then I realized she was totally right. Minus the people that already knew who they were, anyone at that performance is going to say the opener was “some indie band”. In addition, their equipment set up was a bit off. Their poor drummer was hidden off in the corner – it took serious effort to even get a look at him. I’m pretty sure Nora never even got the chance. Bummer, right? With such a short set, there really is no excuse for such inadequacies. Buuuut, to be fair, I did find myself moving to the beat on more than one occasion. Fear not California Wives, all hope is not lost. I’m still interested in your music, and with a bit of brand strategy and some good ol’ hard work, you can transcend and move beyond your current misgivings…I believe in you! | b

This past Friday, Nora and I made some room in our extremely busy schedules to check out a band called California Wives. They opened for Pretty Good Dance Moves at Schubas in Chicago. I feel I must be honest, by busy I mean I was getting ready to take some Nyquil and go to sleep. Yep, you guessed it folks, I was lucky enough to spend my weekend in a flu induced haze. Don’t ya just love that? Anyways, I put on my brave face (which wasn’t exactly looking good), and headed for the venue.
I’m sure you’re asking yourselves, “Why on earth would you pass up an opportunity for Nyquil and a warm bed in exchange for…what was their name again? Trophy Wives? No, that’s not it. Oh there it is, California Wives. I knew it was something about wives.” This is a valid question.
Very recently, I came across California Wives on the World Wide Web. Where exactly? I’m not even sure what I ate for lunch today, so asking me where I discovered a local indie band is really pushing it. Moving on. After listening to some of their music on their MySpace page, I was really impressed. They have a cool sound and interesting lyrics, two things I love in all music (duh). The most appealing songs are “Bible and Wires,” and “Twenty Three.” Nora and I decided we wanted to see if these guys could put on a good show, and that’s where this review begins….
My feelings are mixed. First, let me say, I see a lot of potential here. If you check out their MySpace page I’m sure you will agree. Did their show impress me? No. For one, their drunk friends were yelling obscenities and inside jokes at them throughout most of their set. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that their friends came out in support; BUT, if they feel that it’s okay to make them look like a bunch of assholes while they’re up on stage, maybe they shouldn’t be inviting those people to their shows. Nora also pointed out that at no point in their set did they say their band’s name. At first I just thought it was her being weird, but then I realized she was totally right. Minus the people that already knew who they were, anyone at that performance is going to say the opener was “some indie band”. In addition, their equipment set up was a bit off. Their poor drummer was hidden off in the corner – it took serious effort to even get a look at him. I’m pretty sure Nora never even got the chance. Bummer, right? With such a short set, there really is no excuse for such inadequacies. Buuuut, to be fair, I did find myself moving to the beat on more than one occasion. Fear not California Wives, all hope is not lost. I’m still interested in your music, and with a bit of brand strategy and some good ol’ hard work, you can transcend and move beyond your current misgivings…I believe in you!

| b

She’s great. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for She & Him’s new album, Volume Two, which is being released March 23, 2010. That’s only 8 days! Wow, March is flying by. | b

She’s great. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for She & Him’s new album, Volume Two, which is being released March 23, 2010. That’s only 8 days! Wow, March is flying by.

| b

jaymah:

stunning.

talented musicians.

This is fantastic. I’m speechless. | b

jaymah

Much Love for the Mashup

Really enjoyed this mash-up. Nora made fun of me for wanting to put it up, but I can’t help myself.

Club Love (Usher/Taylor Swift Mashup)

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I love me some Andy Samberg. He’s hilarious. I can’t get enough of his work with The Lonely Island. Let’s just say there have been multiple times that I’ve started cracking up while on the treadmill because I put, “I’m On a Boat,” on my work-out playlist. Somehow in all his hilarity, his music has a great sound. On last night’s SNL, he premiered a new digital short called “Boombox 2010” that featured Julian Casablancas. This song is GOOD.
Maybe Andy needs to start producing other artist’s music? I mean, his girlfriend Joanna Newsom certainly could use some help. SBI.

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Bat for Lashes. Saw her live at Lollapalooza last year. So awesome. Sigh. | b

Bat for Lashes. Saw her live at Lollapalooza last year. So awesome. Sigh.

| b

Everybody Loves Free Stuff

Just in case anyone is interested, I found some sweet freebies on Amazon.com today. Here are some of the free mp3 downloads I came across:
- Wood Hands - “Dancer”
- Beirut - “My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille”
- Local Natives - “Sun Hands”
- SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler (Free CD!)

I also picked up Phoenix’s album, Its Never Been Like That, for $5.00

All in all, it’s been a good day for music downloads.

| b