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The CHIRP Blog
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Jonathan Richman Edition
He led the first great band to build on The Velvet Underground, which didn’t mean as much as it could, as The Modern Lovers’ sole album was released in 1976, two years after they band broke up. In the meantime, Jonathan Richman reinvented himself into an acoustic troubadour with a strong ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll bent and, at times, a childlike innocence. Of course, this was considered terminally uncool by some, but Richman persevered, as his direct songs helped garner him a rabid fan base. Since then, he’s had bouts of fame (especially from his appearance in the movie There’s Something About Mary), but generally, he’s been a reliable performer who has explored other genres and various nuances in his core style. Jonathan Richman is a rock original. In honor of his birthday, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.
E. Malcolm Martinez writesof Montreal at Lincoln Hall on Friday May 16th!
Kevin Barnes’ rolling experimental art project makes a stop at Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln Avenue) on Friday, May 16th as his band, of Montreal, takes the stage. Cincinnati’s Dream Tiger opens the evening at 9pm, with a set by local party savior DJ LA*Jesus to follow.
Barnes formed the band in Athens, GA in the mid 90s and is considered part of the second wave of the Elephant 6 collective, a group of Athens based bands and musicians signed to the Elephant 6 Recording Company (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Apples In Stereo, The Olivia Tremor Control) that helped shape the sound of indie music in the late 90s. of Montreal’s sound has evolved in many different directions over the years but the common core remains in Barnes’ solid songwriting, foot-tapping rhythms and often complex lyricism.
Lousy With Sylvanbriar (Polyvinyl), of Montreal’s latest recording, was released in the fall of 2013. A documentary about the band, The Past Is A Grotesque Animal, is scheduled for release by Oscilloscope Laboratories this summer. You can read more about the band at their website, [url=http://www.ofmontreal.net]http://www.ofmontreal.net[/url].
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday May 16 to Thursday May 22
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday May 16
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Adia and The 7 Eyes, Burnside And Hooker, Moody and The Mellow
Beat Kitchen 10pm, 21+
SOHN Mr. Little Jeans
Bottom Lounge 8pm, 21+
The Whigs Turbo Fruits
Double Door 9pm, 21+
The Element Empire | The Luckless Pedestrians and more
Elbo Room 8:30pm, 21+
Wags writesShow Notes: Archie Powell & The Exports - Release Show
I've only recently been introduced to Archie Powell's local brand of power-punk as a DJ at Chirp but I’m a total sucker for their catchy melodies and the self-deprecating humor of their lyrics. After hearing their latest album Back in Black I decided I had to see them live. Wouldn't you know it but their record release show happened to be a week ago at the Subterranean.
Wags writesCHIRP Radio Welcomes Nothing to Subterranean on Friday May 15th!
Chirp Radio & Kickstand Productions are proud to host Philadelphia Shoegaze rockers Nothing at Subterranean on Saturday May 15th. Nothing are currently touring in support of Guilty of Everything, their first full-length record released earlier this year. Nothing blends equal parts beauty and brutality by filtering their distorted dream-pop through their hardcore punk roots. Opening for Nothing will be Chicago’s own Airiel whose music is described a loud, pretty, and danceable.
The show is 17 and up and the doors open at 8 PM. Subterranean is located in the heart of Wicker Park at 2011 W. North Ave. Visit www.subt.net for more information.