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The CHIRP Blog
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Perry Farrell Edition
Jane’s Addiction built an audience organically, offering a fresh take on Led Zeppelin-styled hard rock with a compelling, albeit limited, lead vocalist, Perry Farrell. No one could have suspected that Farrell would become a major music entrepreneur. He started the Lollapalooza package tours back in 1991, and they were an immediate hit, cleverly realizing that he could find bands that by themselves might not fill a shed, but together could draw a crowd of alt-rock fans. After that ran its course, Farrell shrewdly picked up on the fact that stand alone festivals were picking up steam and he brought back his brand and planted a flag on the lakefront here in Chicago. For better or for worse, Lollapalooza, combined with the earlier Pitchfork Festival, makes Chicago the center of cool music in the summer. Let’s pay tribute to Perry on his birthday by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 03/29 to Thursday 04/04
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday March 29
The Western, Model Stranger, The Damn Choir
Beat Kitchen 9pm, 21+
Jonny Craig
Bottom Lounge 6:30pm
Flux Pavilion, Carnage, Torro Torro
Congress Theater 7pm
Aly Jados, The Embraceables, The Fox & the Hounds, Petibone, Em & Them
Double Door 8:30pm, 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
'O Celestial Golfball That Rules The Night... writesWhy I Volunteer: Dave Staples
I’m Dave Staples, CHIRP volunteer & DJ and I love being involved with CHIRP. I originally came for the music. For me, it’s all about discovering & sharing new artists. Being a loyal listener satisfies the former, and being a dedicated DJ satisfies the latter. CHIRP is a refreshing and consistently reliable (compared to non-commercial stations that switch formats from hour to hour) substitute for the standard FM stations that seem hopelessly redundant and frustratingly limited. These dinosaurs of FM play good songs, but they play the same ones over and over and over ad nauseum. This is common knowledge of course, but the point I’m trying to make is that being involved with CHIRP means that I’m part of the antidote, and I couldn’t possibly be more proud of that.
This is why I became a DJ. I’m compelled by the same drive that I’ve always had when I come across a new band or artist that captures my attention. My first reaction is to think “which of my friends would appreciate this album? Who can I share this with?” That’s what it boils down to at the core. Let’s ask that question again; Who can I share this with? Nowadays the answer is anyone. All you have to do is tune in.
Having a chance to share fascinating and awesome music for three hours per week scratches an itch that I’ve had for half my life. (and don’t get me started about all the like-minded friends I’ve made since joining!) -- Dave Staples (Volunteer)
Maddie Hannes writesJacco Gardner, MMOSS and Beliefs at the Empty Bottle (3/19/2013)
CHIRP photographer and volunteer Patrick Bobilin was in the crowd at the Empty Bottle last Tuesday, March 19 to catch a show from 24-year-old Dutch singer-songwriter Jacco Gardner, whose 60s-style psych pop was preceded by the drone-folk of New Hampshire rockers MMOSS and the shoegaze sounds of Toronto band Beliefs. Check out his photos below.
Jeremy Peruski writesChicago Represented at SXSW
(above JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound @ Brooklyn Vegan Chicago day party @ Barbarella 03-13-13)
I don't mean to spam you with more SXSW coverage but I want to share with you images of Chicago bands that I was able to capture at this year's South by Southwest! This is by no means a comphensive re-cap of any sorts. This is only a small representation of Chicago bands that were at SXSW. If you've ever been to the festival than you'll realize that it is impossible to see every band and it's hard to get a camera into every show. The following is for your viewing pleasure....