Live Pics:Tijuana Hercules@The Abbey 11/29/05

With a full horn section in tow, John Forbes and the boys in Tijuana Hercules cranked out their patented bluesy garage rock jams last night at The Abbey. Check out the full set of pics in the RFC Live Photo Archive. Click here to download Tijuana Hercules MP3's via their website at TijuanaHercules.com.

New Releases Tuesday (11/29)

New releases are virtually non-existent this week, so here's a couple of holiday shopping ideas: Insound's "Indie-Rock-In-A-Box" On-line indie music shop Insound.com has compiled a list of their top 100 selling CDs of 2005 and are featuring a special box set deal. If you purchase 10 or more albums from the list, they'll knock off 25% of the total, cancel the shipping charges and wrap it all in a stylish "Indie Rock Box." I'm Dreaming of an RIAA-free Christmas The 15 Minute Hipster recommends filling the stockings of your friends and family with music exclusively by independent bands and artists so your holiday shopping doesn't "indirectly help fund the RIAA's nefarious activities." Check out this invaluable site to find out more about the evils of the RIAA and how you can find out what bands are members. You can also simply shop by record label. If an artist is on an indie label like Matador or Sub Pop you're almost always guaranteed RIAA-free material. RFC Recommends If you like to buy your music via Amazon.com, be sure to scroll down to the "RFC Recommends" links on the right hand column of the site. It's about as painless as shopping gets, and if you buy directly off the link, Amazon makes a small contribution to RFC 's weekly beer fund.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

RFC returns full speed on Monday with the second installment of Robyn's "Seven Indie Favorites from 2005." Meanwhile, check out these interview leftovers from the last few months: Tom Vek Laromlab Theory Anesthetic Coltrane Motion Stereo Total

We had never heard of a dump closed on Thanksgiving before...

As much of a tradition as cranberry sauce and stuffing, yes it's time once again to dust off your copy of Arlo Guthries' "Alice's Restaurant" and spin it all Thanksgiving morning. http://radiofreechicago.blogspot.com/2004/11/tradition-almost-as-essential-as.html

Last minute show tonight at Big Horse

This just in... Tigerbeat6 recording artists Genders will be headlining a bill tonight at everyone's favorite taco bar/music venue, The Big Horse. Currently on tour with Adult., some tour van problems left the band stuck in Chicago, so they hooked up this minute gig tonight at Big Horse. Show starts at 10pm, drink specials will be had. Genders will be back opening for Adult. Friday at the Logan Square Auditorium. That show starts at 8:30pm, with a post-party at Lava Lounge directly following the show. Don't miss any of the electro-madness.

New Releases Tuesday (11/22)

It's about time...Sufjan's ode to our beloved state is finally available on the vastly superior analog vinyl format. This irritating analog delay is becoming far too commonplace lately, and the conspiracy nut in me swears that record execs are doing this on purpose in an attempt to sell more product. For example...the first couple of weeks after a release date the CDs are going to fly off the shelves because everyone is excited about the new album. After a month or two, the excitement dies down and sales dwindle down to nothing. Then, just when the record is almost forgotten...BAM, collector's edition vinyl! Excitement builds again and some people may end up buying the album for a second time because they were too impatient to wait for the vinyl release. As far as sleazy music industry behavior goes, this is about as tame as it gets...however, it still really pisses me off. Why should I be punished for having discerning ears? Also out this week... Ray Davies - Thanksgiving Day [ep] Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions [i.e. Jorge sings Bowie] Queens of the Stone Age - Over the Years and Through the Woods [Live DVD/CD]

Live Pics: The Clientele@The Abbey 11/21/05

English indie popsters and Merge recording artists The Clientele serenaded Chicago with their dreamy autumnal jams Saturday night at The Abbey. Speaking of which, Pat Sansone and John Stirratt of The Autumn Defense (and Wilco) were in attendance and Sansone even joined the British trio on stage for one song (as pictured above). Check out the full lot of pictures here in the RFC Live Photo Archive. For best results, click on "view as a slideshow."

Everybody will be killed with discounts!

This weekend, Hyde Park Records will be celebrating its 1 Year Anniversary with live in-store performances, free snacks galore and insane discounts. In fact, the word on 53rd Street is that "everybody will be killed with discounts." Local ethereal rockers Arks are scheduled to play Friday at 8pm, while DJ King Titan & Crew will be spinning the tunes on Saturday. If you're a fellow North Sider like myself who loves rekids, it's seriously worth the trip down there. They have an amazing selection of vinyl and, unlike Reckless, everything isn't always so damn picked over. In fact, last year for their opening party I dropped like 90 bucks because I found so many cheap used LPs and 12"s that I'd never been able to find elsewhere. Here's the official info: Hyde Park Records 377 E. 53rd St.Chicago, IL 60615 (773) 288.6588 www.hydeparkrecords.net Click here for map

I'd be disgruntled with my life too if I had to market Ben Gibbard side projects...

Check out this hilarious rant from a former Sub Pop employee who got burnt out from the scene and is now pawning off his Postal Service gold record on eBay: (via Brooklynvegan) After my departure from Sub Pop Records in June of this year I took a spiritual journey to find my ancestral roots in the continent known as Eurasia. As I traveled I became more in touch with myself and began to realize that there are bigger things to life than money and so called 'Indie Cred.' As I returned to New York for the CMJ festival I became aware of how much working in the music industry can be a soul sucking experience. At the tender age of 25 I was already jaded...

Click here to check out the complete listing

New Releases Tuesday (11/15)

Wilco - Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (Nonesuch) Damn, I was really looking forward to the live Wilco DVD, but as you probably already know, that release got shelved, and the result is this two-CD consolation prize. Actually, the CD set was scheduled to be released anyway, as a companion piece to the DVD, and the oddly prophetic "Kicking Television" was indeed its original title. Regardless, this will still make a great holiday gift for all the Wilco fans on your shopping list. (Speaking of the holidays, it's pretty much all gravy from here on New Releases Tuesday...nothing but box sets, live albums, best-of's and other stocking stuffer fare through the end of the year. ) Lady Sovereign - Vertically Challenged (Chocolate Industries) Make way for the S - O - Veeeee! This is an excellent little ep to hold stateside fans (who don't buy singles like they do in the UK) over until her proper full-length debut drops later next year. Features the hits "Ch-Ching," "Random" and a couple of remixes. If you missed her show at Sonotheque in July, make sure you secure your ticket to her upcoming gig at The Empty Bottle on the 6th of December.

?uestlove returns to Sonotheque

?uestlove, the backbone of The Roots, will be headlining another DJ night tonight at Sonotheque. The event is free, but you must RSVP HERE or via the Sonotheque website by 5pm today. No word on who the "special guests" might be.

Weekend Music Outlook

In addition to the highly recommended Tom Vek bill Sunday night at Schubas, there's also a couple of great shows on Saturday. At the Abbey, RJD2 is headlining a great night of underground hip-hop with openers DJ Relm, Glue and Ohmega Watts. I've raved about RJD2 plenty here before, but I'd also have to recommend getting to the show early to check out Ohmega Watts. Based in Portland, OR, Ohmega Watts is a 25 year old producer and MC (known to his familiy as Milton Campbell) who creates old school funky hip-hop jams ala Jurassic 5. Also on Saturday, Meiotic is presenting Eliot Lipp as a part of their "Your Formula Life" series at Tiny Martini in Logan Square. Lipp is a former Chicago resident who cranks out a delicious blend of electro and instrumental hip-hop. Click here for my complete preview of the show and the full details of the event.

RFC Interview: Tom Vek

Tom Vek is a 24 year old multi-instrumentalist from London who has been generating all sorts of buzz on both sides of the pond thanks to his amazing debut record, We Have Sound. Recorded in his father's basement, the record combines raw garage rock energy, subtle electronic touches and rigid, angular funk. RFC caught up with Tom Vek via email on his current North American tour that will be bringing him back to Chicago this Sunday at Schubas. RadioFreeChicago: First off, love the new record...an amazing debut. You basically wrote, performed and recorded the whole thing in your dad's basement?? It sure sounds one hell of a lot better than 99% of the basement/garage recordings that I've ever heard. (not just in sound quality but also in the writing, instrumentation, vocals, etc.) What's your secret? Tom Vek: Well thanks very much! I've been pretty much locked in there in any spare time I've had over the years. I'm well aware the stereotype of recording in a garage and of that "garage sound," but garage rock wasn't what I was trying to achieve, you know? I was spending most of my time working out how to get it to sound as hi-fi as possible, which I think kinda forced a little bit of innovation and free thinking as I wasn't content with the garage sound, although [the song] "If I Had Changed My Mind" couldn't be any more garage rock. So maybe that kinda outlook on it gave it an optimistic excitable feel. More specifically, working with the producer Tom Rixton helped me to do some things, mainly with computers, that I've never been able to do before. It was like using it as an instrument, only to do things that only a computer could do. RFC: What was the original inspiration for creating these songs? Did you have any strong musical influences that made you want to become a recording artist yourself? TV: The thing is this spans back to when I first discovered instruments and their relationships, which was more from actual instruments themselves than necessarily other music I was listening to. It's [been] so long ago that I can't remember the first time I felt it, but I have felt it ever since, you know? It's just a natural thing. If I didn't feel like doing it, I wouldn't. RFC: Was it difficult trying to get a record deal in America? I first heard your songs on KCRW a few months ago, well before the domestic release of the record. Did the love from Nic Harcourt and Co. help speed up the process a bit? TV: A lot of stuff had happened in the UK that meant there were people who we could talk to and wanted to talk to us. I signed a fairly serious worldwide deal in the UK for the license of this record and some more so on paper. There was already a setup in place, but after playing SXSW some really enthusiastic independents got in touch and amazingly we managed to license it back to an independent, which I think was totally the right thing to do because this record IS an indie record and its really good that its being presented appropriately. RFC: How is the tour going? Do you have any crazy stories from your time in The States so far? TV: Well, my live drummer walked out last night so I guess that's crazy. Looks like I'll be drumming from now on. I did it on the record so I don't see why not. RFC: Finally, what can we expect from your live show? TV: At the moment I'd very much like to know that myself. SPEED ROUND: What's in heavy rotation right now on the tour bus?: The new Constantines record, Tournament of Hearts incredible. Best thing about touring America: Wi-fi access everywhere Worst thing about touring America: Crap tea...seriously. I have actually packed my own teabags this time. Favorite post-show drink: I have to alternate each night to keep it fresh. I think tonight its the "veksterminator" which is whisky and apple tango. It tastes like ginger wine but it makes you angry. Best artist/band from the UK that we haven't heard yet: The Chap (thechap.org) Tom Vek's Sunday (11/13) show at Schubas starts at 8pm, with openers Mobius Band and Walter Meego. Don't miss this show, this is an amazing line-up and admission (18 and over) is a ridiculously cheap $8 bucks. For more info about Tom Vek, check out www.TomVek.tv. Crank up his latest singles at www.myspace.com/tomvek. Technorati: Tom Vek

Free PBR+shots of GBV=indie rock heaven

This is classic... (via Metro's email list) ---- The Onion and Pabst Blue Ribbon Present... GUIDED BY VOICES PRE-RELEASE PARTY FOR THE ELECTRIFYING CONCLUSION DVD Come to this FREE special screening of the new DVD of GBV's final show, filmed at Metro on New Years Eve 2004. Pre-order the DVD and receive a free GBV shot glass (pictured above) and poster! Free Pabst Blue Ribbon from 7-8PM! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2005 7PM-10PM / 21+OVER / FREE! SMARTBAR / 3730 N CLARK ST / CHICAGO

RFC Night...now with balls!

Don't forget, bowling tonight in Hyde Park with some of WHPK's finest...stay tuned here tomorrow for RFC's interview with Tom Vek. -------- After a long hiatus, Radio Free Chicago Night returns next Wednesday and this time we've joined forces with WHPK-FM, aka "The Pride of the South Side," for a night of DJs, debauchery, booze...and bowling? Yes, that's right, we're going to get our bowl on with a party at Seven Ten Lanes on 55th Street in Hyde Park that will feature four solid hours of live DJs spinning indie rock, post-punk, techno, hip-hop, funk/soul, indie pop, IDM, grime, breakcore, punk rock, and more. Manning the decks from WHPK will be DJ Colin, DJ Personal Bankruptcy, DJ Chitty Chitty Bling Bling and DJ Misplaced Modifier. Closing out the night will be a set from yours truly, DJ Lucifer Sam. Here's the official details: RFC Night with WHPK Wednesday, November 9th 8 pm ‘til midnight SEVEN TEN LANES 1055 East 55th Street (773) 347-2695 Admission is free and open to all ages Must be 21+ with valid I.D. to drink (duh!)

New Releases Tuesday (11/8)

Kate Bush - Aerial (Sony) It's been 12 years since her last record, but Kate Bush is back with a vengeance with a double album and an amazing new single, "King of the Mountain." Wordly downtempo radio host John Diliberto (from PRI's Echoes) puts in his two cents on Amazon: With its Depeche Mode-influenced synth pads, electro pulses, and lyric cadences, "King of the Mountain" is vintage Bush pop. But many of the songs attain more epic proportions, like the dynamic "Joanni," a hymn to Joan of Arc. It's the second disc--a suite called A Sky of Honey--on which Bush really comes into her own. Using metaphors of the turning of the day and the flight of birds, she orchestrates a meditation on the cycles of life...embracing her relatively new motherhood, as well as the death of her mother, Aerial is a deeply personal album, and a welcome return from one of pop music's true icons and vocal wonders. Also check out these fine releases: Beastie Boys - Solid Gold Hits (Capitol) Gris Gris - For the Season (Birdman) Knut - Terraformer (Hydrahead) Tarantula A.D. - Book of Sand (Kemado) Tristeza - A Colores (Better Looking)

Rob Mazurek returns as São Paulo Underground

Formerly the ringmaster of the Chicago Underground Duo/Trio/Quartet, trumpet virtuoso Rob Mazurek is back with another new project, the São Paulo Underground. Why the name change? Well, these days Mazurek resides in Brazil and he's been working on a new jazz combo there with local musicians Maurício Takara (drums) and Guilherme Granado (vocals, samples). In town this past weekend as a part of the MCA's Tropicália exhibition, the São Paulo Underground will also be performing tomorrow night for a special "Empty Bottle presents" live show at Sonotheque. Doors open at 10, admission is $10, must be 21+ to enter. Takara and Granado will open with DJ sets.

Okkervil River wants your requests

Okkervil River are back in town again this weekend (at the Abbey) and apparently this time they're taking requests! Via BrooklynVegan: "We’re taking requests for this tour, and they can be sent to the e-mail address requests@jound.com. Sets are filling up fast, so send those requests in soon. If you can, though, try to limit them to one or two – we’ve been getting a few e-mails for, like, 15 songs. " Okkervil River plays Sunday night (11/6) at the Abbey Pub, with openers Minus Story. Show starts at 9pm, tickets are $12 at the door. Must be 18+ to attend. Check out Okkervil's latest video here

New Releases Tuesday (11/1)

Looks like the record industry is also a bit hungover from the long Halloween weekend...very limited release schedule today. In fact, the one big name release today, Nirvana's Sliver collection isn't even that significant because it's just a shortenened rehash of last year's box set. Anway...here's the short list: Goldfrapp - No. 1 [ep] (Mute) Allison, why must you tease us like this? UK fans have been enjoying your latest full-length record since August and all we get is this 6-song EP? Sun Kil Moon - Tiny Cities (Caldo Verde) Second release from Mark Kozalek's post-Red House Painters project. Imogen Heap - S/T (RCA) Debut domestic release from the vocalist of Frou Frou.