Well, if you couldn’t tell by stepping outside this morning, Summer is ending and Fall is near. It’s practically chilly in the shade! Still, Chicago’s festival season and outdoor performances roll on. Of course there’s the North Coast Music Festival set to take over Union Park this weekend. Be sure to check out our North Coast Music Festival Preview before heading out there this afternoon. Also set for this weekend is the Joyous Outdoor Event with music curated by the Metro and featuring My Gold Mask, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and more.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This weekend, we’re highlighting Chicago’s own California Wives at Schubas, Bitchin Bajas at the Hideout, Bash On Wabash and so much more!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

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By Staff  \  comments

A few weeks back, we tipped you off to some new My Gold Mask material in the form of a rough mix titled “Bobbi”. Now, we have a little more information on the new My Gold Mask release on which the song will appear.

Yesterday, the band announced a four-song, 12″ vinyl, titled A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last), will be available on Saturday, November 13. Sans record player? Don’t worry! According to the art rock duo’s Facebook page, the release will also be available digitally. Also, that pic in the upper left hand corner? That’s the sweet album art for A Million Miles (From Where We Were Last).

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By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Over the course of the legendary Syl Johnson’s over 50 year career, the Chicago soul singer has amassed a voluminous catalog of some of the soulfulest tunes around.

That catalog is getting the Numero Group treatment in the form of the box set, Syl Johnson: Complete Mythology, a four CD, six LP collection that spans the entirety of Johnson’s storied career.

To celebrate this release Johnson will take the stage at the Old Town School of Folk Music on November 27 and for the first time ever he’ll be performing songs from throughout his 50 year career, many of which have never been played outside the walls of the studio.

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By Andrew Kahn  \  comments

Three so-top-secret-that-if-I-told-you-I-just-might-have-to-kill-you reasons to drop everything and head on over to the Empty Bottle tonight…

1. Nashville’s JEFF The Brotherhood have made an appearance on the big Daily Diversion show before, but aint no reason we can’t spotlight their sweet maybe we’ll call it flanged out grunge pop again. I mean, they’ve come up from Nashville to play for y’all so the least we can do is tell you they are rad and that you should go check them out. Am I right or am I right?

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By Ross Meyerson  \  comments

Los Angeles-via-Chicago pop rockers are keeping busy this fall.

First off, according to Soundcheck Magazine, OK Go will launch a remix contest early next week for their latest single, “White Knuckles”. The contest is set to run from September 7 until October 14, and beginning September 21, track producer Dave Fridmann will pick his favorite remixes to use across OK Go’s web properties. More information about the contest will available net week on OKGo.net.

Additionally, OK Go are hitting the road this fall. Of course, they’ll be stopping in their hometown! The band plays Chicago’s House Of Blues on Sunday, October 10. Tickets for the show are on sale right now at Livenation.com for $28.77.

Check out OK Go’s complete Fall 2010 tour dates after the jump.

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By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

On May 24, 2009, Award winning multi-instrumentalist, producer and ex-Wilco collaborator Jay Bennett passed away. But his music and impact on the Illinois music scene won’t be quickly forgotten.

On Saturday, September 25, a benefit show for the Jay Bennett Foundation, an organization supporting music and education, will celebrate Bennett’s life and music as well as the release of his posthumous album, Kicking at The Perfumed Air.

The benefit will feature Edward Burch and the Third Verse Quiets performing songs from The Palace at 4am, an album in which Bennett and Burch collaborated, and Kicking at The Perfumed Air.

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By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Three Taco-Tuesday-can-be-a-public-event-or-a-private-moment-and-who’s-to-say-which-is-better-really reasons to maybe read a book for once and then head over to Ronny’s tonight…

1. Chicago’s Magic Ian is a one man band. A goofy one man band. He’s beholden to no one genre as his songs run from fuzzed out lo-fi to blues-like acoustic. Unlike Jon Spencer and his shtick soaked blues, oddly enough Magic Ian’s seems to have a strange legitimacy to it. Yes, it’s shticky as well, but still it’s one man playing his acoustic guitar. And, well, isn’t that what you think of when you think of the blues? Kind of? Close enough.

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By Ross Meyerson  \  comments