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.

• • Time Out Chicago says due to increased demand for tickets, Spring Awakening Music Festival will move its main stage inside Soldier Field.
• • Christmas has come early for Braid fans. Frontman Bob Nanna told Gossip Wolf that the band is planning a new album for 2013. Additionally, Gossip Wolf also breaks the bad news that post-hardcore quartet Coping is breaking up. Bummer.
• • Magic Milk have arrived. The Tribune’s Jessica Hopper interviews frontman Kenny Alden about the band’s recent release Mellows and what ensues is a pretty thoughtful and informative interview. The lesson? Don’t judge a book solely because his pants are always down.
• • Chicagoist’s Eric Hehr reviews Hollows record release show at Subterranean this past Thursday. Despite what Hehr felt was a “subdued” performance, he seemed to enjoy the retro-poppers’ sound.
• • Congress Theater’s owner Eddie Carranza speaks with Chicago Pipeline’s Jon Graef about the lawsuit he recently filed against the city regarding an ordinance that he feels is being unfairly applied to his business.

By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Hollows first made waves in Chicago with their bopping, sometimes spooky garage rock that garnered comparisons to The Shangri-Las and Ronnie Spector. Those comparisons were fair and fine seeing as their tunes had a proclivity to lean on classic girl group vibes (FWIW, the drummer is a dude). But their latest track “V Is For Vulture,” from their new record Vulture, finds the band in a more reflective mood that even features a near chamber-pop bridge that’s downright heavenly. Unlike some of their more popular contemporaries, one thing that’s undeniable about Hollows is that their songs, regardless of sound or style, are soulful in all the right places. LISTEN: “V Is For Vulture” | Radar Eyes, Coffin Pricks and Summer Girlfriends open.

8:30 p.m. Thursday, 5/17. Subterranean. 21+. $8.

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

In a world filled with dubstep DJs and party rock anthems, Chicago punks Coffin Pricks are standing tall under the banner of “unchill wave.”

Coffin Pricks take a page or two from bands like Mission of Burma and Husker Du by displaying speed and agility while maintaining a minimalist punk approach. Because of this, the lead track on the group’s recent EP, “Group Home Haircut,” isn’t overly intimidating. There’s enough melody and catchy guitar parts to compel listeners to dance while the back beats crackle at their feet.

If “Group Home Haircut” sounds like a weary, but wise old track, maybe it’s because Coffin Pricks themselves have seen and heard it all while playing in previous bands such as Ignition, Maximum Wage, Daylight Robbery, and Bob Tilton.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this Saturday, April 21, is the fourth annual Record Store Day. Like the past three years, record stores around the country are offering exclusive releases, great deals, free goodies and even in-store performances for Saturday’s celebration of independently owned record stores. The event is even better if you live in Chicago because there are many great record stores strewn across the city, but it’s hard to keep count of which one is doing what. Therefore, once again, we’ve done the dirty work for you in this handy guide to record store day in Chicago in which we break down which stores have what releases and even which bands you might find playing.

One thing to keep in mind: If you’re on the hunt for the Record Store Day Exclusives, GET THERE EARLY. All of the exclusive releases are being released in limited quantities. Plus, some stores are even offering free goodies, but only to the first few who show up. Finally, we’ll be updating our guide up until Saturday morning with more information as to who will have what and maybe even add some additional locations that we’ve found will be participating as well. But enough small talk. On with the Loud Loop Press Guide to Record Store Day in Chicago:

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By Staff  \  1 comment

When we last heard from Hollows, the quintet was trying to get us into a tasty summer groove with their head boppin’ single “Hot Sand.” Now the group is back with some new tunes on its sophomore album, Vulture.

The album’s first single “V for Vultures” may be Hollows most serious song yet with its somber, steady vibe and mini-orchestra backing singer Maria Jenkins’ earnest and thoughtful vocals. The song is rounded out plenty of dense drum beats and Jenkins’ familiar organ looping throughout. Listen to the track after the jump.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Yeah, it might be pretty, um, snowy outside. But, like, there’s some totally awesome shows going this weekend. We’re talking Psych Fest at the Hideout, The Runnies at Ultra Lounge, Gaberdine at Subterranean and more!

Let’s go…

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By Staff  \  comments

Three Here-comes-the-sun reasons to get your drink on at The Burlington tonight…

1. Chicago quintet Hollows are celebrating its new 7-inch Hot Sand with a free show. What could be better than that? The four ladies and one fellow of Hollows create some outstandingly catchy garage pop jingles replete with spooky organ provided by lead singer Maria Jenkins. Don’t let these girls (and guy) fool you with their adorable outward appearance because underneath all those groovy girl-group-esque harmonies lurks a darker, tougher interior as exhibited on the Halloween appropriate “Shadows in the Dark.” Of course, you won’t be scared for long because the group will have you dancing in no time. I’m pretty sure this is how Stella got her groove back.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments