As I begin to receive a few Christmas covers from Chicago musicians I feel as though I have missed an opportunity to do something bigger. Maybe next year there will be a Deli Christmas song project or something. Regardless, the Christmas spirit has infected Brendan Losch and I am happy to share with you his interpretation of the classic "White Christmas".
Wormburner sell out Mercury, release Christmas song
WORMBURNER are an Indie Rock five-piece from New York City who play rootsy, lyrical Powerpop with Punk and New Wave ingredients. After a couple of self produced releasestheir music made its way to David Lowery (frontman for Cracker & Camper van Beethoven) who ended up helping them craft a full length album, titled "A Hero’s Welcome" released on DIVE Records in the Fall of 2006. But the quintet, that sold out Mercury on Saturday 12.12, is not all crash and crunch, as proven by a CHRISTMAS tune, called "The Bells Of St. Ignatius," and you can download it here.
Top 15 Chicago Songs of the Year: No. 12
Number twelve is the wonderfully inventive song and video from Volcano! "So Many Lemons" which was released as a single back in March.
Top 15 Chicago Songs of the Year: No. 13
Our number thirteen selection comes from the BBU crew. "Chi Don’t Dance" no only captures a snapshot the hip hop scene in 2009, but also focuses on a style of dance that is original to the city.
Via Tania Covers Nina
2009 was a great year for Tania Bowers (a.k.a. Via Tania) and to close out the year she has sent us a beautiful Nina Simone cover. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is a perfect track for Tania and you can that it is meaningful to her. You can download the track here.
Via Tania already has some big plans for 2010 including a trip to SXSW. She will also be releasing a New single "Fields", as well as an exciting music video shot by none other than Aussie production team Moop Jaw (The Temper Trap, The Presets, The Golden Filter, Peaches, Miami Horror, Neon Indian) who will be taking Tania into the beautiful, rural mountain lands of Mount Buller, a spectacular locale known for its sunsets and breathtaking landscapes. Basically, we will be hearing much more from Tania Bowers next year.
Top 15 Chicago Songs of the Year: No. 14
Number 14 comes from Anni Rossi’s Rockwell album which was released in March of this year. The track is "The West Coast".
I’ll Come Back
This brand new video from Treaty of Paris is taken from their 2007 release Sweet Dreams, Sucker. The band is releasing their much anticipated follow-up ep, Currents, on January 9th via a celebration at The Metro. Joining them will be other local bands AM Taxi (Virgin Records), The Insecurities, Last Fast Action, and The Victory Gins. Doors for the concert open at 5:00PM.
The Saps New Album Is A Lightening Fast Pop Punk Rocker!
The Saps have had a storied history in the Chicago music scene. They have released several EPs, which never got them any critical attention from major labels. Maybe it was the nasty abrasiveness from there old school sound being in a contemporary scene. Maybe it was the lyrics "I got so drunk last night/I wanted to piss in your eye".
Either way there music never got the full attention that front man Daniel Lastick may have wanted. But rather than pull an "88 Fingers Larry" move and go on to bigger skyline success *cough* Rise Against *cough*, he instead chose to give a big middle finger to the record labels and keep making the music he wanted to make.
This attitude is portrayed perfectly on two of the major tracks on the EP. "Ricky": A song about working tirelessly in the studio only to be rejected by every label. Many young bands can identify with this one. Other hard-hitting tracks on the album are "Radio": a song about doing almost nothing with your life while still being a success in music, a perfect anthem for any schoolyard boy who has big dreams (tweed uniform not included). "Piece Of Glass": Was written entirely for the fans and was only released on their approval. It shows a mellow side to them with almost beach boy harmonies, it’s a bit surprising.
All in all The Saps latest attempt is definitely for the fans, but it does seem that they are trying to get a little poppy for another possible chance at record label attention. Either way, good luck guys! – Nick Coamey
La Paz Light Night: Coach Vs. Potamus
Remember those new dance parties at La Paz Restaurant we mentioned a while ago? No? Well we went, and it turns out they’re pretty sweet. That DJ Potamus can throw down some pretty phat tunes, there’s no cover, and the drink specials don’t hurt either. But this week is going to be even sweeter because Coach (from 12th and Porter’s Coach Vs. Kase) is going to be the guest DJ this week! Looks like they’re pulling out all the stops this time, so make sure you check out Nashville’s newest weekly dance party this Friday!
See Cave Country, save Pehrspace
Benefit Alert: Pehrspace has been host to a number of memorable Deli LA nights, so it infinitely bums us out that the BYOB rock art house is going through a financial predicament that could jeopardize the future of a favorite local hideout. Come out this Saturday night in support of keeping Pehrspace’s doors open and, while you’re at it, stick around for a set by roots favorites Cave Country and others found on the bill below.
100 million mile trek for 100 Monkeys’s 100 city tour starts at Roxy
Yep, that’s a guy in a banana suit. Cheap attention-grabbing trick? Perhaps. Take a listen to 100 Monkeys‘s MySpace tunes and discover that they’re not as kitchsy as a banana suit would make for first impressions. The lyrically clever blues/2-step/analog rock/we-can-really-go-on group are as musically enigmatic as they are silly, but we’re listening. Check them out December 27th at The Roxy, the second of 100 dates in their 100 city tour, all in support for their new LP Grape.
The French Semester kick off 2010 world domination with Echo residency
Next January, pop-art outfit The French Semester hold the legendary Monday night residency at The Echo. With a new member and the recent release of their latest EP Forces Afield, the group seem re-energized and ready to take over 2010 with their mid-fi sound ringing back early Shins and Guided By Voices. But don’t be fooled — their sound’s nonchalance has an agenda. Shoegaze? Hardly.