Hopefully, you have all managed to get through this blackest of Black Fridays without getting trampled upon for a $2 waffle maker, Chicagoans, because we’ve got an incredible line-up of musical acts setting up shop all round this fair city.

We’re talking Scott Lucas and the Married Men at Hard Rock Cafe, My Gold Mask at Empty Bottle, Tandoori Knights at Bottom Lounge and so much more.

Come on, Pilgrim!

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By Staff  \  comments

Three tennis-Mondays-continue-as-we-all-try-to-get-in-the-swing-of-things-get-it-swing reasons to get your weary self to the Empty Bottle tonight…

1. It’s Monday, it must be free. It’s Monday, you probably just sighed heavily. Fret not, music lovers, Chicago’s Unicycle Loves You wish to turn that sigh upside-down. These kids play just about the most up-beat and infectiously peppy music this side of the Mississippi. If you love them half as much as they love themselves, well, you’ll love them a whole lot.

2. La Scala is an interesting band. I say that because the group’s music is meticulous and rather adult. You don’t often come across music this serious and dark in our little underground scene. Maybe the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir would be a kindred spirit but even they sound like La Scala’s snotty younger brother at best. It’s refreshing the hear some locals take themselves seriously without sounding bloated and pretentious. Plus, Adam, formerly of Unicycle Loves You fame, has joined La Scala, basically moving from the kid’s table to the adult one. Cute.

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By Ross Meyerson  \  comments

Three this-week-is-really-flying-by reasons to head over to the Hideout tonight…

1. I love duos. The best ones are creative and masterful enough to make their sound larger and fuller than two musicians rightfully should be able to. Chicago orchestral art rockers The Loneliest Monk cozily fit into this category. The duo of cellist Michelle Morales and pianist/percussionist Miles Benjamin at times channel a stripped-down Broken Social Scene with lush orchestrations and beautiful simultaneous male and female harmonies. Visually, the Loneliest Monk impress with dramatic costumes truly worthy of the theatre stage.

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Howdy, Chicago! Tis the week before Lollapalooza and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except…oh…Wicker Park Fest! Yeah, a pretty nice prelude to next week’s big enchilada. Our own Audrey Leon breaks it down below.

But that’s not all that’s going on in the windy city this weekend. Plenty more great shows like La Scala at the Empty Bottle, Light Pollution at the Hideout and much more!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

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By Staff  \  1 comment

Earlier this week in a post featuring a video of My Gold Mask covering Swedish pop sensation Robyn at the Hideout, we teased a cover collaboration between half of My Gold Mask and Chicago indie rockers La Scala.

Well, the wait for the cover collaboration to surface didn’t take long. It seems La Scala, just in time for the release of their new LP on July 30, and My Gold Mask singer/percussionist Gretta Rochelle have covered the song “Tu Farai”, which is a 1960′s Italian pop song originally performed by Italian pop singer Mina. La Scala did all the music for the track, while Rochelle sings entirely in Italian. This isn’t the first time La Scala and My Gold Mask have worked together, as La Scala front man Balthazar de Ley, had a hand in recording all of My Gold Mask’s previous releases.

Anyway, here now for your listening (or downloading) pleasure is La Scala and Gretta Rochella’s version of “Tu Farai”:

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

You may remember way back in our infancy we here at LoudLoopPress.com championed a show by Chicago’s own La Scala. Ah, November. We were so young then but not naive. La Scala had been a bit on and off at that point, and unfortunately went a little off again afterward, but with good reason.

That reason? To record. So fear not Chicago, as La Scala are definitely “on” these days and their debut full length The Last Carousel is about to hit the streets running.

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By Ross Meyerson  \  1 comment

Loud Loop Press presents La Scala this Wednesday, Nov 11th at the Empty Bottle!

Fronted by Balthazar de Ley (formerly of Hum and Menthol) on guitar and vocals and backed by guitarist Kirk Mcmahon, bassist Ryan Jewell and drummer Joshua Lohr, La Scala’s music embodies all of their influences. Sure, there’s indie rock in there, but both Balthazar and Joshua come from or spent formidable years abroad. And that international flair is evident in their sound. It’s equal parts cabaret and indie pop and probably unlike anything you’ve heard before. They’ve been kicking around this summer working on material for a full length record and this show is their re-introduction to the outside world.

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By Ross Meyerson  \  1 comment