Since the M in MTV stopped standing for Music ages ago, musicians have decidedly taken to the Internet when releasing music videos. Sites such as YouTube or Vimeo have opened the doors for bands who wouldn't have even received airplay back during MTV's heyday to create their own music videos, which can be seen by hundreds or thousands at the click of a button.
Chicago's massive music scene features quite a few acts that still see the music video as a prominent art form. There were literally hundreds of music videos from local bands and artists released last year. Therefore, we decided to comb through the footage and choose 10 videos that struck us visually and sonically. This is Loud Loop Press' Top 10 Local Music Videos Of 2010...
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Like written above, there were hundreds of local music videos released this year. We begin with a few that were great in their own right, but didn't quite make the cut.
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Secret Colours - "Popstar"
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The Maybenauts - "Not Aware"
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My Gold Mask - "Violet Eyes"
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JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound - "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" (Wilco Cover)
THE TOP 10
10. THE GORILLA PRESS -
"Anger In The Drains"
Experimental post-rockers The Gorilla Press delight with songs both soft and hard charging in nature. This clip featuring “Anger in the Drains” from their debut album, combines crazy animation, an addictive looping bass line and brooding rock stars. What’s not to like? (
Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UGlwopNvKg
9. THE STREETS ON FIRE -
“Astronaut Love Triangle”
Released just in time for consideration, The Streets On Fire have seemingly captured their gritty nature in this video featuring shots of a dive-y pool hall, roller rink and a raunchy-looking party. If it's not dirty and danceable, it's not Chicago's The Streets On Fire. (
Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipU9_hLNAec
8. MAPS & ATLASES -
"Solid Ground"
With the help of directors Taryn Gould and Emily Kowalczyk, the “Solid Ground” music video from melodic prog-rockers Maps and Atlases manages to visually capture a direct reflection of their sonic complexity. Filmed in the breath-taking mountains of western Massachusetts, band members try coaxing lead singer Dave Davison to shore as he lies in a boat filled with soil floating helplessly out of control, all the while singing of solid ground. (
Britni Day)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSlA7x98Yfw
7. A LULL -
“Weapons for War”
Chicago’s indie-psych sextet, A Lull, put out “Weapons for War” as a single from their album
Confetti due out in April 2011. Beautifully shot by director Anthony Ciannamea, the music video tells the story is of two creepy eagle/hawk/ram/things who share a love/hate relationship with each other in a field. Of course, it is quite the avant-garde mindfuck we all expected from a band like A Lull. (
Britni Day)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgxnWHQAkYM
6. SHAPERS -
"Happy Birthday Polywog"
Sometimes you just need some psychedelic visuals to go with your rocking new tune and that is what the Shapers deliver in "Happy Birthday Polywog". It kind of looks like old school comic art blown up real big. Right? Probably. (
Ross Meyerson)
5. PANDA RIOT -
"Motown Glass"
There's probably no better match for the swirling synths and rapid fire drums of Panda Riot's "Motown Glass" than a violet and blue sky behind an warbling animated skyline. Add that the band is frolicking between clouds and dancing clouds, and you've got yourself a real winner. (
Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1LW1k7AIg0
4. LOYAL DIVIDE -
“Vision Vision”
When we first wrote about this video from local indie-psych outfit Loyal Divide, we
mistakenly stated that it was animated. But after
we interviewed Loyal Divide bassist and songwriter Adam Johnson, we discovered that the
Maxim Bohichik & Alex Bergman-directed video actually features real people in stick figure costumes simply acting violently. Pretty sure that makes it 100-times more bad ass. (
Richard Giraldi)
3. WHITE MYSTERY -
"Powerglove"
Garage rockers White Mystery set the Chicago music community ablaze with its self-titled debut album and its electric live shows. Wanting to capture that same spirit, redheaded brother/sister duo Alex and Francis White asked all their ginger friends and fans to come out to the Empty Bottle and dance for this clip featuring the song “Powerglove.” If MIA’s Born Free is about discrimination (of Redheads), “Powerglove” is about celebration. (
Audrey Leon)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE9gh4COMdI
2. NETHERFRIENDS -
"Brett Easton Ellis Novel"
Sure, the video for Netherfriends "Brett Easton Ellis Novel" might give you a seizure by the end, but the frenetic pace does match that of the song. And even cynical old me thinks the part where the clothes line up on the floor and then magically appear on Shawn is just too damned cute. (
Ross Meyerson)
1. YAWN -
"Kind Of Guy"
The colors, man. THE COLORS! But seriously, Chicago's YAWN harness the power of the yawn and unleash some Z-waves in this great looking video that gets all psychedelic. The light cones even synch up to the song's twinkling keyboard line, but they honestly had me at the light up bass strings. Be one with your spirit core, and watch this video, won't you? (
Richard Giraldi)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtY5oi-K1Hs
By Staff \ 3 comments
In 2001, a four-day, female-centric indie rock festival known as Ladyfest Midwest landed in Chicago with a mission to raise funds and treat spectators to sights and sounds of famed lady rockers such as Le Tigre, Tegan & Sara and Bratmobile.
Ten years later, the organizers have announced an anniversary edition to take place August 19-21 boasting talented local female musicians. The festival will also once again raise funds for the Chicago Women’s Health Center.
The festivities kick-off on Friday, August 19 with a dance party at Northwest side club Late Bar, 3534 W. Belmont Ave., featuring guest DJ’s Sam O’Rama from Laurie’s Planet of Sound, Maybenauts’ drummer and CHIRP DJ Emily Agustin, and Rebecca Crawford from Permanent Records. Crawford is also one of the original organizers of Ladyfest Midwest 2001.
Ladyfest continues on Saturday, August 20 with a concert at the Empty Bottle featuring punk rockers The Wanton Looks, The Cathy Santonies, spooky garage rockers Hollows and dance DJ Reaganomix. Poonie’s Cabaret host Jyl Fehrenkamp will host the event. Tickets are $15.
Also on Saturday (12-5 p.m.) as well as Sunday, August 21 (2-5 p.m.), there will be a Ladyfest Midwest 2001 archive exhibit, including video, photos and other material, at LivingRoom Gallery on 1530 W. Superior St.
According to its website, Ladyfest Midwest 2001 hosted 4,000 people and raised almost $20,000 to benefit the organizations Chicago Women’s Health Center and Women in the Director’s Chair.
For more information on the tenth anniversary of Ladyfest Midwest, like how to submit your photos, videos, and stories from the first edition or how to donate money to the festival, check out ladyfestmidwest.com By Audrey Leon \ comments
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File this under "unfortunate."
It was announced on the Maybenauts 
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Chicago glam rockers the 
Chicago’s own glam rockers the 
