Fusebox! Fusebox! Fusebox!
The Mother Falcon Seaholm Power Plant show has come and gone, but the Fusebox Festival is still going very very strong, with happenin’s all over town, lasting until 5/1. Musical performances from The Blue Cranes, How I Quit Crack, and The Mediums still to come. Get on out there and play a town lake piano.
(photo by Sam Grenadier)
Ducktails play 285 Kent in Williamsburg on Saturday April 22.
Ducktails (brainchild of guitarist Matt Mondanile) deserve more credit than just the "lo-fi" or "chill wave" genre branding. While the home recorded bedroom grainy recordings are obviously there, their songs carry an intense brightness and warmth with them, triggering nostalgia for happy childhood days – maybe that’s the reason of that playful band name… The band will be playing an all ages show at 285 Kent Ave @ South 1st in W’burg on April 22, do not miss.
Thick Shakes — Why Buy the Cow
Thick Shakes make me happy like girls in bobby socks and poodle skirts. Their most recent release, a 7” titled Why Buy the Cow (Aurora 7 Records) is just more of their Farfisa-soaked rave-up jams.
I had the pleasure of attending the release party at TT’s on April 20, which saw them share a stage with Barreracudas and punk rock funny men, Personal & the Pizzas. As one would expect, they focused their set on the 3 tracks on the disc. They played all three beautifully, but the stand-out to me is the high voltage Banned from the Laundromat which is both silly confessional and get down and do the twist music. The chorus in Go Back to New York deserves a full sing along and the bouncing of that floor tom during the verses definitely makes head bobbing mandatory. Neighbor’s Goods has such a Nancy Sinatra-meets-Coachwhips quality that’s fantastic as well. It’s a lovely little collection of smartly written rockin’ dance tunes and is available at Aurora 7 Records or is available digitally for download via the Thick Shakes’ bandcamp.
–Chris Saenz
Secret Colours “Chemical Swirl”
Secret Colours have made a video with the talented Sean Michael Pheanis for their dreamy track "Chemical Swirl".
Secret Colours are performing at Empty Bottle on April 26th with Asteroid #4.
NYC Artists on the rise: Jump into the Gospel play Mercury on 04.25
With wide range vocals reminiscent of some Brit bands of the 90s (Primal Scream and happy Monday maybe?), and a growing set of eclectic songs incorporating pop, soul, dance, electro and rock elements, Jump into the Gospel are an up and coming NYC band with a sound that doesn’t go unnoticed. The resulting compound is a lot of fun, in particular when the guys get the chorus just right, like in "Photovoltaic". We recommend you check Jump Into The Gospel live at Mercury Lounge on April 25.
Cameron McGill & What Army @ Schubas
The new album, Is A Beast, by hometown favorites Cameron McGill & What Army was offically released on April 12th, but the hype has been building for a while. McGill returns to Chicago to celebrate the release on April 29th with a show at Schubas. McGill has been endlessly touring since the release of his last album in 2009. This is the band’s fifth full-length studio album, and you can stream and/or purchase the album here.
You can also catch Cameron McGill & What Army on JBTV tomorrow (4/23).
FREE Download: “Wonderful Day (Feat. Freeway)” – Ground Up
Wonderful Day (Feat. Freeway) by Ground Up
Best of NYC #90: We Are All Romans – play Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. at Glasslands on May 25
Brian Patrick Hill and Angus Tarnawsky of no wave duo We Are All Romans (who placed 90th on our latest Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll) cite inspirations ranging from modern classical to hip hop sampling. The band is currently in the studio recording their debut EP with Wu-Tang producer Noah Rubin. We are All Romans is scheduled to play an explosive bill at Glasslands during The Deli’s NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest) 2010 on Wednesday May 25, together with YVETTE, Shapes, Gung Ho and Dirty Fences. (photo by Joanna Trimble)
Chuck L.I. “Office Space”
It’s Friday, leave the office early and blast this new track from Chuck L.I. as you roll out of the parking lot. "Office Space" was produced by fellow Chicagoan Stefan Ponce, and you can download the track here.