Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

Monday, May 10th, 2010

The Gaslamp KillerTaking inspiration from a diverse background of musics, William Benjamin Bensussen better known by his musical alter ego, The Gaslamp Killer is set to take over the hearts and minds of the Chicago music scene, playing at local electronic hotspot and heavy bass venue, Smart Bar on May 13th.  Playing along side local Djs, Caural, K-Kruz, Dj Solo and Chris Widman, for a heavy hitting lineup sure to cause a stir.

Its a rare thing, to catch a glimpse of an artist that pulls something from everything, however, if there was a good example of one, The Gaslamp Killer would be it.  Hard to place in a specific genre, The Gaslamp Killer can have a track that has fast, heavy electro synths, indian inspired guitar and vocals, on top of Hip Hop laden vocals and horns, all in one song, which makes it clear to see how broad and diverse his influences truly are.  Growing up and taking inspiration from the likes of Jimmi Hendrix, Dr Dre, and DJ Shadow to name just a few, he has the ability to create a diverse enough sound to be extremely unique, while simultaneously having an almost child like experience from earlier, more epic records in music history.

Fast paced, epic, slow, and harmonic are just some of the feelings radiating from a single diverse and ambient track of Gaslamp’s, that will sure to get you not only inspired, but energized by something unique and truly one off.  May 13th is sure to bring with it an array of styles from not only The Gaslamp Killer, but from the Chicago DJ’s that always bring the party and get you excited for what is to come.  It takes an army to carry a genre, it only takes one to start one, and this is the goal for The Gaslamp Killer and for what is sure to come.

For your own good, and the good of your musical tastes, be sure to check out The Gaslamp Killer on MySpace and at his show at local hot spot, Smart Bar Chicago on May 13th.

MySpace.com/TheGaslampKiller

MySpace.com/DJSoloIsAwesome

MySpace.com/Caural

MySpace.com/ KKruz

& Smart Bar Chicago Resident DJ, Chris Widman

Story by, Chris Hemstreet

AEMMP RELEASE: Big Science Skyscraper Sound EP due out May 25th

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Skyscraper Sound

It’s official: Big Science will release its sophomore EP, Skyscraper Sound, June 29th on AEMMP Records.  This is why you should care:

Besides the fact that Skyscraper Sound is a masterfully self-produced effort by some of the hardest working, nicest musicians you’ll ever meet… and besides the fact that it is a great follow-up to their phenomenal self-released ‘09 debut, Coast of Nowhere… The EP is also the first to be released on the newly revamped AEMMP Records at Columbia College!

AEMMP has been working closely with the band ever since they appeared on our IMA Award Winning Chompilation last May. Signed in the fall, Big Science went to work all winter, pouring over literally hundreds of songs to pick and rework their best material for the band’s first label release (see portions of the actual list below). The resulting Skyscraper Sound is a remarkable work of sophisticated modern rock with new wave roots.

The list!IMG_0454

And now the forbidden fruit must be tasted! To celebrate, Big Science and AEMMP are throwing a party at Subterranean on Saturday, May 22nd. Big Science will also be appearing at Columbia College’s annual Manifest Urban Arts Festival at 3PM on May 14th.

Come out to both shows and help AEMMP celebrate the release of this incredible EP!

AEMMP Records To Hold Hip-Hop Showcase at Subterranean

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Hip Hop Poster

In the midst of a search for Chicago’s hottest new emcee, AEMMP Records will be hosting its first ever Hip-Hop showcase. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 5th, from 9PM – 1AM at the popular Wicker Park Club, Subterranean. AEMMP hopes to use the showcase to feature and support several rising Chicago artists including Rockie Fresh, Big Homie Doe, Darnell Williams, and JDP. AEMMP is also proud to have DJ RTC from Rubyhornet.com on turntables for the night. The show is accessible and affordable at only $7 for those who are 17+

So come support AEMMP Hip-Hop!

Click here to order tickets.

Miike Snow Sells Out 2 Nights at the Metro

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Miike Snow

Miike Snow

It was a wet spring evening in Chicago, one of many in the early months of the spring season.  Chicago has extremely unpredictable weather, and gruesome winter months as well.  It would be an understatement to say that April 5th was any exception.  With even the gloomy weather in account, this did not stop the Swedish three piece, Miike Snow, and their endless amount of supporters from lining up in the rain for what was to be the second day in a sold out visit to Chicago’s Metro.

Some bands have a hard time filling a single venue, while others, as in the case of more recent showcase, sold out 2 back-to-back days of the Swedish group’s most recent and arguably most successful tour to date.  With the up and coming group, Delorean starting out the night with a bang, the lineup was an obvious reason for the tours success.  “Amazing”, “epic”, “visually spectacular” were just some of the responses to the group’s live show that left spectators wanting more.  With multiple live instrumentations and the overall performance mixed with what seemed like an absurd amount of lighting, their live show had a unique feel that is rarely seen in, “smaller scale” venues and more so in arena style performances.

It began with the entrance of each individual band member in white artisan masks that showed anything but any sort of expression.  The blank emotions on each of the band member’s faces started the show off with a theatrical bang.  Heading up the rear was front man Andrew Wyatt, shoeless, and ready to get down to business, the musically talented singer/song writer/pianist/guitarist wasn’t going to settle for a mediocre show.  Seeing him singing his heart filled lines into the microphone like it was the first time playing in front of a live audience was a refreshing change of pace compared to mass touring bands that lose interest and emotion after performing the same songs night after night.

With a talented drummer, and multi faceted dj, their night didn’t end with the end of the show at the Metro as they went on to play a late night DJ set at The Metro’s adjacent nightclub, Smart Bar.  This gave the unfortunate Miike Snow fans that were unable to purchase tickets to the sold out show, as well as die hard fans, an epic encore to end the night on.  Never leaving the fans feeling as if they didn’t get their moneys worth, yet still leaving them wanting more was the perfect combination for any music fan.  Its fairly obvious to see why the group has formed such a strong bond between fan and performer, drawing the line much closer than you would think as they drew off energy from the crowd to fuel their seemingly never ending supply of vigor and the drive to create something musically unique.

Story by, Chris Hemstreet

For a list of shows, and touring schedule and a peek at their tunes, check out the artists MySpace’s:

Miike Snow:  MySpace.com/MiikeSnow

Delorean:  MySpace.com/DeloreanDanz

Lupe Fiasco Exposes Music Industry Faults

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

lupefiasco-bw

Chicago artist Lupe Fiasco recently talked about the uncertainty of being on a major label. His highly anticipated third album realease on Atlantic Records/1st & 15th, has no set release date. In an interview on Triple J Radio, Lupe States that “If they want to put it out, put it on the shelf, take six years to put it out, it all depends on the record label, if they wanna chop it up and re-arrange it and do whatever they wanna do.” Later Lupe expressed his issues about being powerless once a major label artist turns their project in. “At a certain point, it’s out of your hands. As far as a date for Lasers, it’s truly on the record label. I have no idea what they’re gonna do.” As a huge Lupe fan, and speaking for the many other Lupe fans out there we desperately hope that this album doesn’t get delayed too long. Lupe is one of the few hip-hop artist that can bring some new and intriguing to the table every time. Those types of artists are hard to come by these days.

After his obligation to Atlantic Records is up, I can really see Lupe taking his 1st & 15th label in a totally independent direction. He has the following and business sense to make it work, so why not? The gap between major labels and indies is shriking daily, I think Lupe and his team would be fine signing just a distribution deal with a major, or if he just hired me to run the label everything would be golden lol.
In an interview with Team Invasion, Lupe hinted to possibly dropping two albums this year. “I might do that this year too,” Lupe said about releasing two albums for 2010. “FYI, maybe, maybe. If there’s room. We’ll see. We’ll see. But even with that, I try not to rush because there’s trends and you might get hyped up — but before you know it, that trend has worn off and you look like the old dude…I think there’s some people that sold a lot of records that kinda burned their candle at both ends…['I'm Beaming,'] just like it is with all my music, it’s official now…It leaked out, so we had to chase it. It wasn’t meant to be the first single, but it’s the first look produced by The Neptunes — it’s actually the first record on the album.” (”Toca Tuesdays”)
Either way I’m really looking forward to hearing some new Lupe tunes pretty soon.

Free Thursday Night Festivities in Wicker Park!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

wicker

Local music fan? Jobless and broke? Lonely and depressed? The Double Door has just what you need! (Well, besides the loneliness/depression thing…you’re on your own there). Head over to the Double Door (1572 North Milwaukee) tonight around 8PM for a full line up of great Chicago rock bands at the extra-special price of FREE.99. Headlining is Knockhopper (pop/rock), with The Moves (glam rock) and Welcome To Ashley (post-punk/pop) supporting. The show promises to be a good time, is 21+ and should offer some great Bailout-style beer specials. So come on out and support the scene throughout the shitty weather!

Welcome To Ashley – Nothing But Great Skies Ahead

Pet Lions at the Metro

Monday, January 11th, 2010

pet lions at metro

Pet Lions and 3 more great bands are playing on Friday, January 22 at the Metro. This will likely be their last Chicago show for some time since they are focusing on writing and recording for our debut full length. It’s also FREE if you print this image, or check here. Don’t miss out!

Devendra Keeps It Nice and Clean

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

devendra452[1].jpg

Devendra Banhart played Chicago’s Vic Theatre this past Monday night and kept it surprisingly clean. Though the show did not sell out, it was certainly packed. Kicking off the tour for his new album What Will We Be, he played nearly half of the record on his 90 min set. I thought the show was a lot tamer than usual. The new album has a very soft and breezy summer feel to it. While some songs still rock, for the most part it is more mellow. He did play numerous songs from previous albums such as Cripple Crow, Oh Me Oh My, and Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. He gave credit where credit was due to band Members Greg Rogrove from Priestbird and Rodrigo Amarante of Little Joy as they played some of their own tunes throughout the night. The man also kept his clothes on all night till the encore where the shirt came off but that was pretty mild for him. The biggest excitement during the last song a parade of feather wearing fans climbed onto the stage to “dance” with the band. Another interesting note was the T-shirts that he claimed were specifically for Chicago. He has always created most of the art for his records and merchandise and these T-Shirts along with his signature artwork had a huge head of the Chicago Bulls, Bull. Pretty great market here in Chicago for that one. Overall besides the occasional swooning fans the show was really good. The music sounded great live and the band really did good justice to the songs on the new and old records. Seeing him at Chicago’s Vic also made it a pleasurable experience. The new album’s warm subtle harmonies definitely mellowed out the crowd and the mood.

Why Chicago?

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Chicago

Growing up in Louisville, KY, I always felt a strong connection with Chicago. In high school, I was incredibly active in the local music scene. With my friends, I played in bands, booked shows, and ran our self-funded “record label” into the ground. One of the primary reasons I moved to Chicago from Louisville was the music scene. For me the most influential musicians and labels were mainly from the powerhouses of Chicago, Washington DC, and Louisville. The history that Louisville and Chicago shared made it almost impossible for me to consider moving anywhere else for college.

It is my belief that where a person lives can be one of the most important positive or negative factors in their growth, creativity, and overall happiness. Recently I have noticed a lot of people around me, particularly other students, forgetting why they came to Chicago. Many of them are unaware how important of a role Chicago plays in music, business, technology, design, art, and more. For this reason, many students have taken for granted the amount of history and culture around Chicago.

At the moment I am in a deep struggle with whether or not to stay in Chicago upon graduation. There is a strong pull to the SF bay area and NYC that I am not sure can be wholly ignored. It is almost certain I will at least try one before making the decision to stay Chicago or not.

Please help me remind the people of Chicago why we live here. Take a moment to fill out the form behind the link below.

Why Chicago?

More on Chicago (and Indiana’s) David Costa

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

David Costa live at the Underground

David Costa, the artist who rounded out the AEMMP Records Chompilation, is on the rise and he’s not taking his time.

Costa and crew (Jacob Bough on Drums, Chris Figueroa on vocals, Kyle Norris on Bass, Bradford Snow on Keys and backing vocals and the newest addition, Josh Ramon on guitar) were recently interviewed on fearlessradio.com and were kind enough to pass on a way to hear the interview (skip to minute 4:00) after the fact.

You can keep up with what Costa is up to by following him and the band on their Twitter. Or check out a few tracks on their Myspace.