In some town in Missouri but it could be anywhere it could be right here on Ruth Street, in fact it’s happened here and it happened where you’re sitting, wherever that might be It happened last weekend and it will happen again next week And when they turned him over, they were surprised there was … Read more
ALL PHOTOS BY AMANDA KOELLNER Weezer + Phantogram recently performed at The Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Please enjoy these photos by Amanda Koellner. PHANTOGRAM
ALL PHOTOS BY BRIDGETTE AIKENS Glass Animals performed in Charlotte last week at The Fillmore. Please enjoy these photos by Bridgette Aikens.
PHOTO BY RACHEL WATERS Moving Hearts and Hips: Gina Chavez’ Musical Legacy Written by Elisa Regulski “It starts raining on us in the desert, men are screaming for Rhianna, and I’m just like ‘this is totally not what I expected in Saudi Arabia.’” Six days at a massive music festival in Austin was nothing compared … Read more
PHOTO BY JASON GONULSEN White noise I don’t know if there’s breathing or not Butterflied arms tell me that this one has flown Blood seems black against the skin of your porcelain back A still life is the last I will see of you A painting of a panic attack He died in his sleep … Read more
ALL PHOTOS BY JOE O’TOOLE Brian Setzer Shreds Christmas Cheer Words and Photos by Joe O’Toole Legendary rockabilly guitarist Brian Setzer and his 16-piece orchestra (and two beautiful backup singers) threw the Christmas party of the year on Thursday night to a sold out crowd at Phoenix’s famed Celebrity Theatre. This being the 13th Annual … Read more
Ingrid Michaelson is charming as hell. Can we all agree on that? Plus, the girl can write pretty much whatever she wants — including tearjerkers and pop masterpieces, which is what her new single, “Parachute,” is. The video, directed by Adria Petty (Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and Duffy’s “Mercy”), shows Ingrid being rocketed off into space. … Read more
Last Saturday night, Swedish dance pop princess Robyn graced Chicago with her presence. The night before, in Toronto, Robyn fell ill and was forced to cancel her concert. The Chicago show seemed in jeopardy, but the pint sized pop powerhouse rallied and rocked Metro Chicago’s sold out crowd. Dancing was required and the joint was … Read more
Photo credit: Robert Bellamy Banjo or Freakout is Alessio Natalizia, an Italian multi-instrumentalist and producer living in London. You might know his previous work: remixes and reworks for such bands as Bloc Party, LCD Soundsystem, The Soft Pack, and Bombay Bicycle Club. Today’s JOTD, though, is synthy, folky, shoegaze-y pop all his own. Named “105” … Read more
Last Friday, Saint Louis local music fans packed Off Broadway to celebrate the release of Beth Bombara’s new solo album, Wish I Were You. For the girl who, admittedly, went from “punk to country,” it was clear, as she played to an adoring crowd, that she made the right move. On Sunday, she tweeted about … Read more
I have a special affinity for small town girls, particularly those from my original neck o’ the woods. Cassie Morgan, a local musician and songwriter, is one of those girls. As a fellow “chick from the sticks” turned resident of a medium-sized city, I’m always equally amazed-slash-proud of native Southern Illinoisans who take the road … Read more
With its frank and personal folk- and country-influenced personality, our Jam of the Day, “Summer Fruit,” has a bare, emotional style that’s far from the innocent optimism and lighthearted psychedelia of Great Lakes‘ first two records. And the band’s new LP, Ways of Escape, is equally adorned with gentle guitar, stately piano, beautiful pedal steel, … Read more
Sometimes looks can be deceiving, and I fully admit to judging those books by their covers on more than one occasion (a day). But being narrow-minded and judgmental can sometimes pay off in the form of surprises when you least expect them. Insert Ben S. and his band of merry men now known as Lord … Read more
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, a foursome from New York City, is back with the new track, “Heart In Your Heartbreak.” After multiple listens, I’ve come to this conclusion: the song is the musical equivalent to one of Willy Wonka’s Fizzy Lifting Drinks. I’m pretty sure that if you scoped the list of ingredients for both, … Read more
For a record that has been described as blatantly honest, and even rude at times, this song suuuure is pretty. Judging by the title though, even the happiest-sounding pop songs on the new Elizabeth and the Catapult record, The Other Side of Zero, have a tinge of regret and darkness to them. And you know, … Read more
Photo Credit: Katie Guymon When I saw Frightened Rabbit in Portland last month, there were two things that left me impressed. One, Scott Hutchison is a heck of a front man. He’s personable, he has passion, and he genuinely gives the impression that there’s nowhere he’d rather be when on stage performing in front of … Read more
I’m going to start the week by opening up fully with you guys. I think we’re to that point now in our blogger/reader relationship, right? I mean, I have a toothbrush at your house now, so blunt honesty should be allowed at this point without the worry of ruining the good thing we have going. … Read more
In early 2008, I fell in love with New Zealand indie-pop-rock sensation Brooke Fraser’s second album, Albertine. I played it everywhere – in my house, in my car, even outside while I fertilized my lawn. I enjoyed its honesty and pop flavor; songs like “Shadowfeet” and “Albertine” were among my favorites of the year. What … Read more
Singer-songwriter Hannah Miller grabbed my attention the other day. See, I’m a sucker for a gal, a voice, and a guitar, and her song “At My Best” sure did the trick. I like simplicity in music; I like the cold truth. Give me something that is real any day over what has been manufactured, or … Read more
Bright Eyes will release their seventh album, The People’s Key, on February 15th via Saddle Creek. They’ll celebrate the release at Radio City Music Hall on March 9th and London’s Royal Albert Hall on June 23rd. Full track list for The People’s Key: 1 Firewall 2 Shell Games 3 Jejune Stars 4 Approximate Sunlight 5 Haile … Read more
Since he last left us, Ryan Adams has quit the music industry, gotten married, started a record label, become a sheriff, become a musician again, and put out a heavy metal record. Now, he’s moved on to archiving some old shiz and letting us hear it. But whether it’s material that is new or just … Read more
The White Buffalo is a one-man show, a solo act with the same name as a 1997 western film starring Charles Bronson, Jack Warden, and – get this – Slim Pickens. The first track off his new EP, Prepare For Black & Blue, “Oh Darlin’ What Have I Done” is also cinematic: a whiskey-fueled trip … Read more
A Speakers in Code Proclamation: We, the united bloggers of Speakers in Code, henceforth declare this tenth year of the 21st century, the official year of the percussive-stringed instrument known as the banjo. It’s an unlikely instrument, in a landscape of electronic bleeps and bloops, auto-tune, and mashups, but the banjo has stirred up underground … Read more
Hazards of Love was on your 2009 year-end best of lists, right? Right? It’s pretty much a fact: the last Decemberists effort was crazily adored by just about everyone we know. That’s why today’s announcement makes us all giddy and squrimy like a newborn pup. Colin Meloy’s gaggle of storytellers and musicians has announced a … Read more
Well y’all, it’s the first of November and if you’re like us, there’s a void in your life that was previously filled with the anticipation of scary/slutty costumes, roasted pumpkin seeds, and “The Monster Mash.” Now, all we have are rotting jack-o-lanterns on our porches and a half-full bowl of unused trick-or-treat candy we’re likely … Read more
What’s your seasonal soundtrack? Is it a jolly ol’ beat? Or do you prefer a little peace and love with your lyrics? Discover the fresh songs below to rekindle your spirit – A free gift from Target to your ears. Download HERE. Tracklist below! 1 Guster – “Tiny Tree Christmas” 2 Blackalicious – “Toy Jackpot” … Read more
What happens when a “chance meeting” brings together a California gal (Joy Williams) and an Alabama guy (John Paul White)? Well, last Friday, let’s just say it took me all of three minutes and forty one seconds to decide that I have a new favorite duo: Williams and White of The Civil Wars. One listen … Read more
Look out, America. A Chicago rock outfit known as Smith Westerns is packing some serious heat. This garage-ish, ’70s-inspired, band of youths (all just reaching, or close to reaching, 20 years of age, but still seasoned vets in the Chicago rock club scene) are set to release their second full length LP, Dye It Blonde, … Read more
The Poison Tree is the new project by The King of France frontman, Steve Salett. According to Salett, the upcoming album has been a long time in the making…since high school, to be exact. Carefully crafted, The Poison Tree’s songs were developed with the help of a rotating cast of collaborators including Dawn Landes and … Read more
The indie scene in 2011 has seen more ’60s girl group-inspired tracks than Carter’s got liver pills. (Think: The Crystals, The Shirelles, and The Shangri-Las). And I’ve got more antiquated sayings than you can shake a stick at. You can thank artists like Lissie, La Sera, and now Tennis for the former. You can thank … Read more