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Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesIn Rotation: Bitchin’ Bajas
Bitchin' Bajas (created and lead by Cooper Crane of Cave) has a new album out on Drag City. It's currently in heavy rotation on CHIRP Radio, where you hear Chicago artists and bands every hour!
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesTobacco, Stargazer Lillies, and Oscillator Bug Take Over Lincoln Hall on September 17
CHIRP Radio is proud to present Tobacco, who will be performing at Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, September 17th at 9:00pm. But be warned: this is not a show for kiddies. The electronic one-man band, who in other lives is known as Thomas Fec, the front man for Black Moth Super Rainbow, makes edgy music. Not "edgy-cute" like some other synth outfits, but edgy as in daring, jagged, distorted, and warped, with a sneakily libidinous undercurrent moving just under the surface. Do you dance, stand and stare, or start grinding with that honey you locked eyes with at the bar? It'll be a tough decision…
Fec's third album Ultima II Massage released earlier this year on Ghostly International. Wednesday's bill also includes The Stargazer Lillies, who will envelop you in their electrified Dream-Pop, and the experimental electro-stylings of Chicago's own Oscillator Bug. You can buy tickets here.
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle - Happy Birthday Bill Stevenson Edition
originally posted Sept. 10, 2010
He drummed for Black Flag for a spell. He got Paisley Underground legends The Last back together. But, most importantly, he carved out a distinctive niche in punk-pop, first with Descendents and subsequently with All. Bill Stevenson is a triple threat — a creative and wonderful drummer, a substantial songwriter and a terrific producer. He’s played on more catchy songs than you can shake a stick at, and showed that great hooks and complicated song structures can co-exist on one song, and lyrics can run the gamut from juvenile toilet humor to mature perspectives on life as a young (and older) adult. So let’s celebrate Bill’s b-day by grabbing the ol’ iPod/MP3 player, hitting shuffle and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Amanda Roszkowski writesCHIRP Radio welcomes Califone & S. Carey @ Lincoln Hall on Saturday the 14th!
Just because you’re not hitting Riot Fest this weekend, doesn't mean you can’t take in some great tunes! If you’re looking for a more relaxing, chill musical evening, then you’ll want to come out to Lincoln Hall on Sunday, September 14 to enjoy the melodic, soothing tracks of Califone and S. Carey.
Califone will be playing their alma mater city. The experimental rock band really broke into the scene with their album and feature film titled All My Friends are Funeral Singers in 2009. Their latest album Stiches, was released last September.
S. Carey hails from Wisconsin and is best known as the drummer and supporting vocalist of the indie folk band, Bon Iver. He released his first solo album All We Grow, back in 2010. His sound has been likened to that of Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, José González and Steve Reich. His newest album, Range of Light came out this past April, sounds much like his past work but amplifies his taste for percussive elements more.
This CHIRP-sponsored event is a “don’t miss!” Tickets are $18 and can purchased here through Lincoln Hall’s website.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesJazz on a Saturday (and Sunday) Afternoon
I wasn’t planning to go to this year’s Chicago Jazz Festival, but fate allowed me the opportunity to head downtown to catch at least some of it. And I’m very glad I did – I enjoyed it so much I went back the next day. Chicago’s free summer music festivals are a critical part of the city’s cultural life. I’ve never been disappointed going to one, and this was no exception. The weather was great and the vibe was chill. No lines to wait in, no worrying about tickets or not being allowed back in. Just come on down, have a seat (or throw down a blanket) and listen.
Starting this year the festival had relocated to the north side of Millennium Park, with the headliners performing in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion/Great Lawn space. The sound quality was outstanding, and thanks to a giant LCD screen there were no problems seeing the performers as well as hearing them.
Unfortunately, I missed a couple of outstanding artists who have appeared on CHIRP Radio, the Chicago Underground Duo on Saturday and Jason Adasiewicz’s Sun Rooms on Sunday. Such is the nature of having too much quality music to enjoy in just so many days. But I did see a group of stunningly talented musicians including as the Ari Brown Quintet, vibraphonist Gary Burton, the Bobby Broom trio, Miguel Zenon Quartet, and brilliant young vocalist Cécile McLorin.
And I’m glad I stuck around for the festival’s closing performers, the Sun Ra Arkestra, who put on an electrifying performance. Although he passed away 21 years ago, the prolific Avant-Garde composer and bandleader left behind mountains of material along with a philosophy of using music to explore new horizons while keeping rooted firmly in the structures of Blues and Jazz. “Space is the Place!” the band declared, and they made it impossible not to agree with them.
Here are some pictures from the weekend:
The Great Lawn, Millenuim Park, Chicago