In order to pay for their most recent album Foolish Croon, Chicago dance rockers Blane Fonda took to Kickstarter. Donors came through for the band and Blane Fonda is showing their gratitude by releasing videos featuring selected cover songs. The latest is a blistering version of Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” The band does a fairly decent rendition of the song with singer Mark Wetzel able to capture Geddy Lee’s vocal inflections. The video also comes equipped with a big American flag in the background and a bald eagle. Since Rush is from Canada, the move seems a bit odd, but… U S A! U S A! The other videos and artwork the band created for its kickstarter donors can be found at the band’s Tumblr page.
Chicago musicians Bob Nanna and Lauren LoPiccolo have united to create simple, but dreamy, acoustic pop ditties under the moniker Jack and Ace.
“I’m Sorry That You are the Black Death” pairs delicately plucked guitar melodies with earnest lyrics about, what else, love. Jack and Ace prove that melancholy doesn’t need to be so complicated to be effective.
Nanna is better known for his work with influential post-hardcore (or emo, if you like) outfit Braid and Hey Mercedes. LoPiccolo previously teamed up with Nanna in the City on Film.
Jack and Ace will appear tonight at Township (formerly Panchos), 2200 N. California Ave., along with Exit Ghost and Lost Lander. Tickets are $5.
The story of Willis Earl Beal rise to professional musician status sounds more like an inspirational disney movie than reality.
After working a number of odd jobs in Albuquerque, NM, Beal was discovered originally not for his music, but an intriguing letter left on a city sidewalk in which he was seemingly looking for a female companion.
In fact, the Chicago Reader’s Leor Galil did a great job of describing his, I guess, humble beginnings to his move back to his hometown of Chicago and eventual arrival as one of Chicago’s most enigmatic artists.
Then something quite extraordinary happened last month as Beal inked a deal with Hot Charity – an imprint of the indie label XL Recordings.
If you missed experimental psych poppers E+ at Schubas last week or just want to relive the experience, the band posted a few videos from the gig on its Facebook page. E+, a Chicago group made up of members from Verma, Heavy Times and Disappears, conjures dark and mysterious forces while dabbling in distortion. E+ track “Substance D” emits a steady hypnotic rhythm and plenty of groovy synthesizer embellishments. All you need to do is sit back and sway in your chair.
Chances are you’ve seen this video all over the net in the past week, but it’s too cool for us not to share. Wilco collaborated with King Features for the video for The Whole Love‘s upbeat groover “Dawned On me.” The result is the first original, hand-drawn Popeye cartoon in over 30 years. And yep, the gangs all here: Olive Oyl, Wimpy, Swee’Pea, Nels Cline, John Stirratt…you get the picture. Anyway, watch the fun, Wilco-soundtracked nostalgia trip below:
Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Local pop punkers Swimsuit Addition have unveiled a head boppin’ new track called “Cartoon Paper Cup,” the lead single off the group’s upcoming Kittyhawk EP.
“Cartoon Paper Cup” kicks off with a tight drum intro and bouncing bass line before metallic guitars riffs rip through the mix. The song’s perky, upbeat vibe is enough to rouse anyone suffering from a food- or work-induced coma.
Check out the single at the top left and then catch Swimsuit Addition, one of our 12 Bands to Watch in 2012, on February 24 at the Burlington with Vamos and House Sounds. Tickets are $5.
Narrow Sparrow has easily established itself as a band that cares as much about its visuals as it does about its soundscapes. For the Chicago group’s new video “Spooky Head,” Narrow Sparrow couples ghoulish Disney-style 1920s animation with buzzy atmospherics that come off as an electro-pop version of doo wop that could be ideal for the slow dance at a prom. You know, if your prom committee includes Crispin Glover and Edward Scissorhands. Narrow Sparrow’s Synthworks EP is available for free download on its Bandcamp page.
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