AVANT/CHICAGO

5 Band Hump Day

AMP Booking Presents Pete Dressman at Elbo Room. Wednesday with 4 other smoking bands. Featuring $2 PBR.

Eyes Of The World

Grateful Dead : Egypt 1978 (New Compilation).

In this new context (entitled 'Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978') the Dead’s pilgrimage to Egypt is shown in a different light. Now, through the revisionist history of compiling the best tracks from each night, we are presented with an alternate view of the Egypt run; one more in tune with what the band must wanted (they had originally planned to get a live album out of the trip, but alas, shit happens).

The Fans Rule

The synergy between music and the fans is getting more and more interesting each day. For example the Parts Labor Album Features Hundreds of Fan Samples integrated into the songs. They're also letting fans call a toll free number, leave sounds and then they are sampling them live at thier shows. Innovation and participation at its finest.

Highly Exposed

Ye's been in the news so much lately he'd better pay his PR crew an extra bonus this holiday. Can def tell he's got an album on the way. Here's another tidbit Kanye West: Love Lockdown (Remix ft. R. Kelly) [Mp3]. Much better then this.

Don't Let The Economy Cramp Your Style

Out Da Trunk is a weekend event promising to be the joint to kick off the holiday party and shopping season with true style.  We'e talking Indie desingers, slick music, art, and DIY fashion. Friday there's free food and wine and Saturday is an all day shopping bonanza. Prizes, deals, giveaways and gaggles of hot peeps. At Che+Zie Studio Friday and Saturday.

For Those About To Rock

New Video - Pelican. For the song Lost in the Headlights. Play Wednesday at Sub't.

Severinsen, Shaffer, Weinberg, The Roots?

The Roots To Be Jimmy Fallon's House Band? First off we don't pay attention to TV, but we had no idea Fallon was going to muck up the late night tube. The only reason we'd even think of watching the show is for the Roots. It'd be quite the interesting move for one of the most popular and respected bands in hip-hop.

CBGB Ain't Punk Anymore

Radio Free Chicago is giving out a Free Ticket 4-Pack to CBGB Festival.

The Congress Theater will host the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival. While rooted in the foot-stomping influences of bluegrass and blues, the CBGB Festival will transport the concertgoer through the genre-defying evolution of music today. The one-day event will serve as a tribute to two schools of music that continue to shape and inspire contemporary music.

LaLa Blog

Fleet Foxes do it live for La Blogtheque. Vidcast from the LA blog.

Hype Machine Rolls Out For This

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy aka Will Oldham: Beware gets release date of Mar. 17th. Tracklist is inlcuded at the link as well.

Wanna Go For A Ride?

This has been out for a couple weeks, but My Morning Jacket - Black Cab Sessions video is worth a listen. Wish we got in a cab with Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt 2 going down live.

Four Things With Justice

Justice – Across The Universe – Exclusive Clips. NME has put up some clips for the Electro duo's Nov. 24th released DVD.  See the guys give each other pre show kisses, blow shit up and just be goofy in the 4 short snipets from the film.

Setlist 11/14/08

A/C Radio Fridays 6-8AM WLUW

• Secret Machines - Last Believer, Drop Dead
• Yo La Tengo - Big Day Coming
• T. Rex - New York City
• Super Fury Animals - Tron Mr Urdd
• Women - Lawncare
• Pnuma Trio - Avid
• Brighton, MA. - Sunblinded

Bounce Wit Me, Bounce Wit Me

The Cool Kids are keeping a blog on their Bounce Tour. We agree - blogs are where it's at.

The Main Attraction

Elvis Costello Talk Show - Sundance Channel will launch the debut season of the new talk/performance series "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. Comprised of 13 one-hour episodes the show airs on Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. et. Guest for the first season will include Norah Jones, President Clinton, She & Him, Herbie Hancock, Lou Reed and others.

Back For More

Franz Ferdinand is still around. Wondering what they've been up too? News on their latest album, single and a remix contest is out now.

Free Full Albums

Largehearted Boy: Try It Before You Buy It (November 11th Releases). This week Fryday freebies include - Genesis, the Smiths, Cheap Trick, Tracey Chapman. Slower week, pretty Eighties.

Across the Justiverse

Justice has become a DJ duo of major proportions A screening of thier new DVD Across the Universe tonight at the Metro. Dance party with lesser known DJs to follow.  They'll also be in town for NYE with the Darkwave Disco Crew.

Dare 2 Dream Benefit w/ Kings of Leon

On January 24th, 2009, Platform One Entertainment presents Dare 2 Dream, a benefit concert and silent auction at House of Blues Chicago featuring Kings of Leon. (keep checking back at the Platform One site becasue they plan to add more to make this show amazing) Proceeds will benefit University of Chicago’s state-of-the-art  Children’s Hospital, which proudly employs care for children of all ages. Tickets go on sale Saturday.  And local bands get this - you have a chance to open the show for KOL. Find out how here.

Muxtape Rides Again

Video: Justin Ouellette Talks About the New Muxtape

Rather than allowing anyone to create and share mixes from the MP3s on their computer, the new iteration provides bands with an ad-free way to promote their own music through a  version of Muxtape's interface, which stands in stark contrast to the more cluttered interface on ad-supported social networks.

Hovering Around

We've been digging hard on local band Helicopters since they sent us a copy of their latest album, Sizing Up The Distance. People are certainly hearing much about the band since they won a Lolla slot and have been featured on XRT. Now it's your turn. Here's a link (zip) to their aforementioned album.

We Love The Ladies

Women are a noise-pop quartet from Calgary. Their music is catchy and raw. Worth a listen.

Folk Duo

Rachel Ries and Anais Mitchell come together for “the country e.p.”. Ries was a staple around our old Indiana town for a few years before coming to Chicago and is still friends with some of our friends. Anais Mitchell is big in the Michigan folk scene. Together they make a sweet lil' album.

Cut Copy/Matt & Kim Tour

It's not until March, but they will be touring together. Hitting the Vic on the 18th.

Preview Of Andrew Bird's Latest

'Noble Beast' (due Jan. 27) is by far the most accessible of Bird's efforts, with some songs sounding like they could fit right in on a triple A radio playlist. But die-hard fans take note: Bird unleashes his well-known whistle throughout the record.

Answer MeThis

Q & A with Jim DeRogatis of the Sun-Times.

Many music fans and critics alike have lamented about the lack of true music criticism, which to a large extent is true. Most modern music writing is mild critique with Q & A attached. However, that doesn't mean there aren't music writers out there holding it down for true, abashed rock crit.

Music Sessions

Daytrotter's new free MP3 sessions up for the likes of the Lonely H, Aesop Rock, Born Ruffians and a few others.

Fusing Together Old & New

Kick The Mcgee at Martyrs tonight. Kick The Mcgee is a once-in-awhile project featuring Umphrey's Mcgee drummer Kris Meyers with old and new band mates. Bumpus opens. In other UM news Halloween may be a bit stale by now, but the band's show out in San Fran saw them getting down as a mashup of characters. Can you tell who is The Incredible Hulk Hogan?

Rock Star Demands

If you've never seen this or haven't for awhile take a look at The Smoking Gun: Backstage Pass. Lists the items bands put on their rider's (contracts) for 'stuff' to be at the venue for their shows. (updates for Rage, MIA, Bjork and more) Who needs condoms, a half bottle of champange and cotton briefs? Find out.

Let Me Market For You

New "I'm A PC" spot starring Girl Talk in his hotel room fails to identify why PCs are better, but we can assume it's because GT needs a laptop that can withstand flailing hipsters spilling Sparks. Watch video here. And peep some hot pix from his show last weekend.