THE DELI

It’s been three years since we last heard new material from Skybox, and the success of Arco Iris and their need to tour and recover is good reason for the wait. However, there is also that fear of a sophomore release not meeting or surpassing the expectation of its predecessor. Yet, just as their live performances have become near legendary, often evolving into spectacles that in the past have included costumes, confetti, dancing girls, snack cakes and the occasional chicken suit, Morning After Cuts will only work to build the legend and respect for this quartet. Tim Ellis and Christian Fields, Mike Holtz and Dan Ingenthron have clearly matured, experienced, and learned over the last three years and have poured every ounce of knowledge and passion into this album. Ellis’ signature falsetto and provocative nature is in full force on each of these danceable tracks. He’s currently channeling a mixture of Bowie and Kevin Barnes (Of Montreal) and Daniel Smith. Recorded with acclaimed producer Sean O’Keefe at Smart Studios in Madison, WI and Chicago’s Black Sheep Music, it’s clear that this album will be an even bigger launching pad, when it is released on January 10th, than its predecessor. To expect a big 2010, with even wilder performances, from the boys of Skybox is not unreasonable. The first single from Morning After Cuts is called “In A Dream” (mp3). Skybox will be a part of Schubas Tomorrow Never Knows Fest on Jan. 17th.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were talking about the debut ep from Cast Spells, but Dave Davison is at it again. On December 2nd Dave will be releasing a new split ep with tour mates Good Old War via Sargent House. Following the release he will tour the East Coast with Good Old War and then come back home to record session with Daytrotter. If that wasn’t enough Dave, a member of Maps & Atlases, plans to tour this Spring through Europe with another project of his Hey! Tonal. He is busy, but productive. The two songs he contributed to this new split ep are fascinating tales while gentle folk melodies. You can stream and purchase both the split ep and Cast Spells debut, Bright Works And Baton, here.

It seems like an unusual pairing, the echoing folk-pop of Netherfriends and the underground thump of Jams Dean, but they have show in the single they recorded together that it can mix nicely. Now these two are hitting the road together, mostly to fend off boredom but also to expose certain cities to what Chicago has to offer. Netherfriends (aka Shawn Rosenblatt) released his latest ep this year and has been touring frequently ever since. I can’t tell if his love for the road is passion or craziness, but it is clear that he has infected emcee Jams Dean with it. Jams (aka Blake Gardner) has been touching the blogs (and the girls) with his old school rhymes and his love from the ladies of Chicago. On December 11th many things will happen including the launch of the Netherfriends/Jams Dean tour. Jams will be releasing a full-length lp, The Criterion Collection, filled with all of his latest tracks for free download. He will also be releasing a split tour cassette with Netherfriends that will feature remixes of each others work, and that cassette will also be accompanied by a handwritten zine these two have put together. Jams will also be released a zine he created called "Rap Songs I Wrote" by Jams Dean that will feature the lyrics to the song on The Criterion Collection. It’s a big day for both Shawn and Blake. Below is Jams’ lyrics to his soon to be famous "Chicago Girls" track over the top of The XX song "Heart Skipped A Beat"

The tour launches on December 11th here in Chicago at Weirder Park with Jams Dean and Netherfriends ($5 donation at the door). You can also catch Netherfriends for free on Dec. 3rd at Loophole (618 S. Michigan 2 floor) with Truman & His Trophy & Carbon Tigers! (photo by Jake Moreland)