For someone who told Pitchfork they don’t feel like a musician just yet, Willis Earl Beal does a fine job of conveying emotions through soulful vocals and incredibly relatable lyrics just like one would expect a (good) musician to do. In his video for “Evening’s Kiss,” which channels the piercing acoustic style of Elliott Smith, we see an melancholic Beal walk through what seems like a pretty typical day. The video, which Beal illustrated, tugs at the heart strings and reminds of “Waking Life.” Beal’s debut Acousmatic Sorcery is out April 3.
Nothing lifts the soul quite like a soothing dreampop tune. Chicago duo Tiny Fireflies are back with a new single called “Picture Perfect.”
The song features the same light and breezy vocals by singer Kristine Capua that we’ve all come to know and love, and combines them with cheery beats and lush guitar styled by Lisle Mitnik. The end result is shoegaze perfection. Listen to the track here: “Picture Perfect”
“Picture Perfect” is being released as a split single with Japanese shoegazers Lily of the Valley. The split is due out via Cloudberry Records on March 15. However, if you’re in need of a Tiny Fireflies fix sooner, the band will appear at Schubas along with tourmates Memoryhouse on Tuesday, February 28.
Three reasons to shake, rattle and/or roll all night long at the VFW tonight…
1. Nothing gets you in the mood to dance more than bouncy garage rock jams that have the power to transport you into a swinging 60s state of mind. Thankfully, Chicago’s own Magic Milk, one of our Bands to Watch in 2012, is here to serve this pressing community need. Throw out your copy of “Surfin’ Bird” and get down to Magic Milk’s sleazy, distortion-heavy rocker “Demolition Blue.” LISTEN: “Demolition Blue“
Three reasons to race out the door for some fine Kentucky bourbon tonight at the Whistler…
1. I’m willing to bet not many bands appear to have as much fun on stage as Americana outfit Dastardly. Swilling Jim Beam, leading drunken sing-alongs and crooning about heartache, Dastardly really gives a show their all. And word on the Facebook street is this will be Dastardly’s last show for a while. Don’t miss it. LISTEN: “Exercises in Self Loathing“
Local H has announced that it plans to release a new live DVD on March 5 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Here Comes the Zoo album.
The DVD entitled There Went The Zoo will feature footage from the band’s sold-out homecoming show, filmed at The Vic in Chicago, on March 4, 2002.
Here Comes the Zoo, originally released on March 5, 2002, marked an important milestone for Chicago hard rock duo because it was the first full-length to feature drummer Brian St. Clair.
The DVD is now available for pre-order for $14 through Local H’s webstore, G&P Records. It will also be available at any of the band’s upcoming tour stops (listed below).
Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.
• Dave Grohl’s controversial Grammy speech, which scolded other musicians for lacking the “human element,” inspired Fox Chicago to reach out to local singer Jennifer Hall, Double Door co-owner Sean Mulroney, sound engineer Jay O’Rourke and entertainment lawyer Peter Strand to discuss what it takes to make it in the business today.
WBEZ announced earlier last week that it will begin incorporating local programming from its sister station Vocalo (89.5 FM) on its radio frequency (91.5 FM).
Beginning this Saturday, February 18, The Music Vox/Live From Studio 10 host Jesse Menendez will take the helm of a new two-hour program simply named Vocalo on WBEZ.
As host of the aforementioned shows, Menendez and his crew shine a spotlight on the local music scene and give a voice to many independent musicians and artists that might not otherwise see the exposure.
Nothing lifts the soul quite like a soothing dreampop tune. Chicago duo 
