Three learn-from-your-mistakes reasons to come out to Schubas tonight…

1. Oak Park-native Eleanor Friedberger once again finds herself in Chicago to promote her excellent 2011 solo album Last Summer. Friedberger, one-half of the sibling art poppers Fiery Furnaces, chooses to indulge her nostalgic side on her first album away from brother and creative partner, Matthew. She crafts serious pop songs that are wistful and brooding lyrically, while sonically maintaining an outwardly sunny disposition. The collection serves as the perfect vehicle for Friedberger’s sensual smoke-tinged vocals. Getting lost in the past has never sounded so good.
LISTEN: “Inn of the Seventh Ray“

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By Audrey Leon  \  comments

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the Lakeshore Theatre, located at 3175 N. Broadway, will be shuttering its doors as of April 10.

The 342-capacity theatre has most recently become a bustling venue for popular comedians.

However, the Lakeshore Theatre has also been home to quite a few concerts over its existence including Alkaline Trio, BrightonMA, Watson Twins and the Fiery Furnaces.

All shows scheduled after April 10 have been canceled.

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Three reasons to see The Fiery Furnaces tonight at Schubas…

1. Honestly, the first time I wrote my Top 10 Albums of 2009, I initially had 11 on the list. After much debate, the one I took off was The Fiery Furnaces’ I’m Going Away. It was a very, very difficult decision, but that doesn’t make I’m Going Away any less of an album. The Brooklyn-via-Chicago bro and sis duo take their sound to a whole new level on I’m Going Away by offering some ’70s arena/lounge-esque rock that recalls Wings or Elton John. The melodies are there and the songs are focused, but they still offer their classic art rock sabtogery (Neologism!) that they’re known for…just this time around it’s a bit more palatable.

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By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

The air is getting chilly, the leaves on trees are changing – yes autumn has come to Chicago.  That of course means only one thing: It’s time to starting making plans for which concert to go to on New Year’s Eve. Several acts have announced plans to hosts shows in Chicago for the last night of the decade.

UPDATE: Chicagoist reports that The Jesus Lizard will headline The Metro’s NYE show. The show is 18+, and tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon. Additionally, the Jesus Lizard dates on November 27 & 28 at the Metro are sold out.

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By Andrew Kahn  \  3 comments

Yes, you read that correctly.

According to Pitchfork.com, the Brooklyn via Chicago art-rock sibling outfit The Fiery Furnaces are set to release a cover album of their latest effort I’m Going Away…with a twist.

Furnaces’ masterminds Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger will each release their own version of the guitar and piano rock-driven I’m Going Away, which was easily their most accessible and stream-lined release. Knowing these two’s penchant for difficult, usually keyboard or organ driven, art rock mash ups, these new I’m Going Away’s should be anything but accessible.

These separate and new versions will be released in two parts starting in September.

More details, including a call to fans to create their own versions of I’m Going Away tracks, straight from thefieryfurnaces.com:

Matthew and Eleanor are taking time out from watching season two of Mad Men to record separate, complete, cover, tribute, albums, of, to, I’m Going Away. Only the words will remain the same. Though in Eleanor’s case, the singer remains the same. The song, never. Or mostly never.

In other words: complete cover-album versions of the Fiery Furnaces by the Fiery Furnaces. Or The Fiery Furnaces. By the two of them, separately. To be released in two parts, together.

Six songs by one with six by the other. And then another six by six. The first batch comes out sometime in New York City– meaning September.

Tell us when your cover version will come out. Write to thefieryfurnacesemail@gmail.com.

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Before their latest release, I’m Going Away, The Fiery Furnaces’ last record was an over-stuffed 51-track, song spliced and mind numbing live album titled Remember. And before that was 2007’s hodgepodge of fuzzy guitars, psychedelic organs and off-kilter melodies, Widow City. So while the term “experimental” might be played out as a musical descriptor, The Fiery Furnaces hardly went out of their way to do anything near the realm of normal. Until now, that is.

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By Richard Giraldi  \  2 comments

I swear it was cool and rainy this morning…now it’s sunny and humid? Whacky. Anyway, here are some sweet shows for this week:

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

Chicago via the Bay Area’s Casiotone For The Painfully Alone play Friday, July 10th at The Hideout. According the their site it seems that Owen will not be so, you know, painfully alone (I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one to make that painfully obvious joke). A full band of Gordon Ashworth, Nick Tamburro, and Tyson Thurston will be backing up the multi-keyboarded Owen. That should be a treat for fans who have only seen Owen up there as a one man band. Headliners that night are Oakland, Ca.’s Cryptacize who, if to be believed, play a mix of r ‘n b, flamenco, and show tunes although listening to their music on their myspace page makes me feel it’s a bit more lo-fi indie. Maybe they were being ironic? Either way get out there and support my two favorite cities: my hometown of Oakland and adopted hometown Chicago.- Ross Meyerson

10:00 PM. Friday, 7/10 at The Hideout. $10.

The Fiery Furnaces

This art rock brother & sister Chicago (though they’ve spent a lot of time in Brooklyn recently) group is on a mini-tour of the Windy City this week in support of their soon the be released accessible classic-piano-rock influenced effort I’m Going Away. They played the Hideout last night, FitzGerald’s in Berwyn tonight, and tomorrow they are part of Millennium Park’s Great Performers Of Illinois 2009. They’ll hit the Wrigley Square Stage at 4:45 p.m. and admission is FREE!

4:45 PM. Friday 7/11 at Millennium Park: Wrigley Square Stage. FREE.

WEST FEST!

The west side of town gets funky this weekend with two days of music. Chicago favorites Local H headline Saturday and Red Red Meat close out the fest on Sunday. Also West Fest features a DJ Stage, a Kid Fest, and a Pet Fest! Killa Killa!

NOON – 10:00 PM. Saturday, 7/11 & Sunday 7/12. Chicago Avenue between Damen & Wood. $5 Donation.

By Richard Giraldi  \  comments