Blog: Radio Free Chicago

People (Sorta) Covering Songs I Love with... Florence and En Vogue!

Apr 1, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
Florence & The Machine sings En Vogue 'Dont Let Go'
Anyone whose heard even a bit of a Florence song can tell that she's got Godpipes but she still manages to surprise with the things she uses her magnificent voice for! Her performance on the 2011 Grammys singing Aretha Franklin songs with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Hudson is probably the best example I can think of for that. I mean, of course Florence's voice is soulful, but  I never thought of it as soul ful. But the more you know, the more exciting life is! A [...]
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Tales From The East... Theodore Treehouse

Mar 30, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
It’s was a warm summer Saturday night in Portland, Maine. I’m standing outside Space Gallery on Congress Street chatting with my old friend Jeff Roberts (of the band Pinksy ) and David Lopez. On this night, Dead Man’s Clothes are having their much anticipated CD release show. I’ve come out to support my favorite local band as have many other friends and well-wishers. There isn’t a hint of moisture in the air as a slight breeze coasts down the road towards Monument Square.  It’s coming up on 9 p.m. [...]
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Artist:Theodore Treehouse
Title:Big Monsters
Link Text:Theodore Treehouse - Big Monsters
File Name:04-big-monsters.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Indie Rock
Artist:Theodore Treehouse
Title:Maple Syrup Moon
Link Text:Theodore Treehouse - Maple Syrup Moon
File Name:01-maple-syrup-moon.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Indie Rock
Artist:Theodore Treehouse
Title:Springtime
Link Text:Theodore Treehouse - Springtime
File Name:08-springtime.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Indie Rock

RFC Thinks You Should Know: The White Ravens

Mar 29, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
Sparks - The White Ravens (Official Music Video)
While I attended high school, I shared a piano teacher with Will Bennett, keyboardist of The White Ravens . Once, as I sat at my family’s black Wurlizter about to show off my practice progress, I recall her mentioning how she reconsidered her move from Michigan in order to instruct him longer because he was "something special." At the time, he had started to compose hybrid classical-rock pieces. My curiosity to hear his melodic musings quickly spiked.   One winter day, Amy Bennett, who had received bass instruction, tried collaborating with her pianist [...]
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Artist:The White Ravens
Title:Tick Tock
Link Text:The White Ravens - Tick Tock
File Name:the_white_ravens_-_tick_tock_- _2.mp3
Bitrate:176 kbps

Wanna Go On A Date? I Mean Cruise?

Mar 28, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
Jukebox the Ghost played The Pike Room/The Eagle Theatre/The Crofoot on Wednesday February 16th and knocked everybody's socks off. Jukebox the Ghost has a way of charming the pants off of everybody in the room, except for maybe the couple who was getting it on against me and my fellow Ghost-goers, they probably already had their pants off, good God. The best song of the night (including the sets of Gold Motel , Now, Now , and You, Me, and Everyone We Know - don't get me wrong, they were all very [...]
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Artist:Jukebox the Ghost
Title:Half Crazy
Link Text:Jukebox the Ghost - Half Crazy
File Name:02---half-crazy-2.mp3

RFC Reviews: Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows' Debut Album: D.R.U.G.S

Mar 27, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
[Album Reveal Video] - "The Only Thing You Talk About"
Ever since Cra ig Owens was let go as the lead singer of Chiodos , loyal fans have been waiting eagerly  to see exactly what the vocalist’s next move was.  Not long after his release from the band, rumors started surfacing regarding a new band.  One by one band members were revealed and soon a whole new group of talented musicians was ready to take the stage.  Almost.  Gradually, more and more information regarding this “mystery band” was released until finally fans were given a taste of what was to come.  [...]
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Title:Graveyard Dancing
Link Text:D.R.U.G.S. - Graveyard Dancing
File Name:d.r.u.g.s.---03---graveyard-da ncing.mp3
Year:2011

On the Road with Josh LaMore Part 2: Actually on the Road

Mar 26, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
In The Middle-Josh LaMore // La Salle, IL (Out Like a Lamb Tour)
For those of you following me on Twitter , you have probably already realized how much fun I had going on tour with Josh LaMore . Myself along with two of my closest friends, Hailey Williams and Christina Guerrero , enjoyed probably one of the best weekends any of us have experienced in a long time. For those of you not following me on Twitter, I’m going to tell you all about it right now! Tour got started on Friday , March 11 th at Lock 16 [...]
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Ok Go Covering Songs I Love

Mar 25, 2011, 9:56am Radio Free Chicago
Most people know Ok Go for their music videos. When the band showed up on the Sasquatch! Music Festival lineup last year, I couldn’t contain my excitement, but a friend contested with (paraphrased) “but how great could their live show be when they can’t implement their video gimmickry?” I then went on to explain that, um, Ok Go is first and foremost about the music, and anyone who doesn’t realize that needs to listen to them. It wasn’t until a couple of years after I began listening to the band that I [...]
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Artist:OK Go
Title:Gigantic (Pixies Cover)
Link Text:Ok Go - Gigantic
File Name:disc-2-05---gigantic-pixies-co ver.mp3
Genre:Alternative Rock
Year:2010
Artist:Ok Go
Title:The Lovecats
Link Text:Ok Go - The Lovecats
File Name:14-the-lovecats.mp3
Bitrate:160 kbps
Genre:Alternative
Year:2005
Artist:Pixies
Title:Gigantic
Link Text:The Pixies - Gigantic
File Name:05---gigantic.mp3
Genre:Alternative Rock
Year:2003
Artist:The Cure
Title:The Lovecats
Link Text:The Cure - The Lovecats
File Name:15-the-lovecats.mp3
Bitrate:160 kbps
Genre:Alternative
Year:2001

Young Galaxy and Winter Gloves Bring Canada to the Empty Bottle

Mar 24, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
Montreal's Young Galaxy will be stopping by the Empty Bottle on March 25th as part of their small U.S. tour. Their recent album, Shapeshifting , was released in early February through Paper Bag Records . A complete transitional shift from Invisible Republic, the songs were given to Dan Lissvik across the vast Atlantic in Sweden to put the finishing polishes on. What came out of emails and Skype discussions is one of my personal favorites of the year, a refreshing wash of atmospheric indie dipped in electronic beats and synth [...]
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Artist:YG
Title:We Have Everything
Link Text:Young Galaxy - We Have Everything
File Name:wehaveeverything.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps

The Mutts - An RFC Interview

Mar 23, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
In the basement of Double Door, I had the chance to sit down and ask The members of The Mutts a few questions twenty minutes before they went on stage... So, The Mutts... Mike: I have never really explained the band name before, this is an inaugural explanation... combination of liking dogs and making a living walking dogs. First question... Most important, is, why? [...]
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Artist:Mutts
Title:Terranaut
Link Text: Terranaut
File Name:01-terranaut.mp3
Bitrate:128 kbps
Genre:Rock
Year:2010

Stairway To Zeppelin: One Skeptic's Journey To Fandom (Part Three)

Mar 21, 2011, 10:00am Radio Free Chicago
Led Zeppelin III The Immigrant Song: Led Zeppelin’s softest album ironically opens with a bang. Like “Heartbreaker,” I was familiar with “The Immigrant Song” before I started these reviews. Actually, I’m pretty sure it was the first Zeppelin song I ever heard. The riff is one of Zeppelin’s catchiest, and Plant’s vocals are perfect. The lyrics are seemingly about Norse vikings or something. John is the real star here, his bass runs during the chorus sound effortless. At two minutes and [...]
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Wiping Off The Dust... Sean Lennon's Friendly Fire.

Mar 8, 2011, 10:01am Radio Free Chicago
Sean Lennon - Parachute - From Friendly Fire, A Film
I feel like one of the most shocking statements I've ever said is "You know who's really underrated? Sean Lennon!" This isn't shocking because Sean Lennon is overrated or because he doesn't deserve to be given accolades. To see the looks on my friends and colleagues faces, however, when I proclaim that the youngest Lennon is, in fact, a talent, you'd think I'd just told a the Pope, "You know who's really underrated? Satan!" It's easy to dismiss the career of Sean Lennon , much as it was easy in the mid-90's to [...]
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Artist:Sean Lennon
Title:Friendly Fire
Link Text:Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire
File Name:04-friendly-fire.mp3
Bitrate:200 kbps
Genre:Alternative
Year:2006
Artist:Sean Lennon
Title:Wait For Me
Link Text:Sean Lennon - Wait For Me
File Name:02-wait-for-me.mp3
Bitrate:202 kbps
Genre:Alternative
Year:2006

On the Road with Josh LaMore Part 1: Not Actually on the Road Yet

Mar 7, 2011, 5:07pm Radio Free Chicago
Oh, hello.  Didn’t see you guys there.  Well, I’m glad you’re all here, because I have something awesome to tell you about!  Come closer.  Closer.  A little closer.  Okay, that’s good.  Remember my good friend, Josh LaMore ?  Well, if you took my genius advice and listened to his music, then of course you do!  If you like Josh’s music and want to hear it live, you’re in luck! The “Out Like a Lamb” tour is coming to a city near you!  That is, assuming you live near LaSalle, IL, Manteno, IL, or Greenfield IN!  I’m honestly [...]
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Title:In the Middle
Link Text:07 In the Middle
File Name:07-in-the-middle.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Other

Wiping Off The Dust... Jon Brion's "Meaningless".

Mar 4, 2011, 9:18am Radio Free Chicago
Jon Brion - "I Believe She's Lying"
There are certain moments in your life when you realize that you've stumbled across something special that's going to stick with you for a while. It could be at a bar, locking eyes with the most beautiful person you've ever seen. Or at a concert, hearing a band you'd never heard of before that you find yourself so taken with that you have an inkling they're going to soundtrack some very important events in your future. Regardless of the who, what, when, or where, we've all gone through those moments when we first see or hear something and we know [...]
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Artist:Jon Brion
Title:Her ghost
Link Text:Jon Brion - Her Ghost
File Name:09-her-ghost.mp3
Bitrate:160 kbps
Genre:Rock/Pop
Year:2001
Artist:Jon Brion
Title:I Believe She's Lying
Link Text:Jon Brion - I Believe She's Lying
File Name:02-i-believe-shes-lying.mp3
Bitrate:160 kbps
Genre:Rock/Pop
Year:2001
Artist:Jon Brion
Title:Walking Through Walls
Link Text:Jon Brion - Walking Through Walls
File Name:05-walking-through-walls.mp3
Bitrate:160 kbps
Genre:Rock/Pop
Year:2001

Wiping Off The Dust: RFC Reviews Vs by Mission of Burma

Mar 3, 2011, 9:36am Radio Free Chicago
In 1979 Peter Dayton recorded Mission of Burma ’s first single Peaking Spring/This Is Not A Photograph . The singles weren’t for stores. Instead, they were given out to college radio stations with the hope of promoting the then unknown Mission of Burma. It worked. MIT’s radio station WMBR loved “Peaking Spring” so much it became their most played song of 1979. The band was off to a great start. Everyone in Boston was talking about them. The band was generating enough buzz that [...]
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Artist:Mission Of Burma
Title:That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate
Link Text:That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate - Mission Of Burma
File Name:12---thats-how-i-escaped-my-ce rtain-fate.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Alt/Punk
Year:2008
Artist:Mission Of Burma
Title:The Ballad Of Johnny Burma
Link Text:The Ballad Of Johnny Burma - Mission Of Burma
File Name:09---the-ballad-of-johnny-burm a.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Genre:Alt/Punk
Year:2008

RFC Thinks You Should Know...Anna Vogelzang

Mar 1, 2011, 9:20am Radio Free Chicago
The snow is covering up one third of my living room window. It makes it difficult to see what's going on in the real world. From what I can tell right now, the real world is being peppered by more snow. For some strange reason, I'm okay with this today. You see, I'm not living in the real world today. It bores me. Today I dwell in my realm of fantasy. Before I start my next paragraph, I’m going to pour two cups of coffee. One for myself and one for my imaginary guest: the wonderful Wisconsin songstress Anna [...]
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The Next Best Thing to Portlandia: Y La Bamba

Feb 26, 2011, 10:31pm Radio Free Chicago
Y La Bamba - Juniper
Most recently the world has turned towards none other than Portland, be it through their penchant to put a bird on it or adult hide and seek leagues make it a refreshing mecca for creativity. Ok, I guess I should visit Portland first before taking the plunge, as Portlandia may not best represent the city (I hope so, it feels like a modern day Pleasantville). Regardless, musicians abound in the city of VooDoo Doughnuts . One such group stole my accolades of best album of 2010 with Lupon . An album that stuns and [...]
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People Covering Daniel Johnston Songs I Love.

Feb 25, 2011, 7:00am Radio Free Chicago
  Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You in the End Beck -  True Love Will Find You in the End M. Ward -  Story of an Artist   Bright Eyes -  Devil Town  
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Artist:Beck
Title:True Love Will Find You in the End
Link Text:Beck -  True Love Will Find You in the End
File Name:10-true-love-will-find-you-in- the-en.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Year:2004
Artist:Bright Eyes
Title:Devil Town
Link Text:Bright Eyes -  Devil Town
File Name:08-devil-town.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Year:2004
Artist:Daniel Johnston
Title:True Love Will Find You in the End
Link Text:Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You in the End
File Name:2-10-true-love-will-find-you-i n-the.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Year:2004
Artist:M. Ward
Title:Story of an Artist
Link Text:M. Ward -  Story of an Artist
File Name:16-story-of-an-artist.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Year:2004

Wiping Off The Dust: RFC Reviews Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Feb 24, 2011, 8:53am Radio Free Chicago
I feel incredibly banal writing this review, because it seems like anyone who’s even remotely interested in music has heard of In The Aeroplane Over The Sea before. According to besteveralbums.com it’s the 21st most critically acclaimed album of all time. Hipster bible pitchfork.com lists it as the fourth best album of the 90s. Try this, go to a place where hipsters hang out, approach one, and ask them what their favorite album is. If they’re a poser who doesn’t care about music, chances are they’ll say In [...]
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Artist:Neutral Milk Hotel
Title:In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Link Text:Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
File Name:03-in-the-aeroplane-over-the-s ea-1.mp3
Bitrate:128 kbps
Year:1998
Artist:Neutral Milk Hotel
Title:Oh Comely
Link Text:Neutral Milk Hotel - Oh Comely
File Name:08-oh-comely.mp3
Bitrate:128 kbps
Year:1998
Artist:Neutral Milk Hotel
Title:The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
Link Text:Neutral Milk Hotel - The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
File Name:01-the-king-of-carrot-flowers- pt.-on.mp3
Bitrate:128 kbps
Year:1998

The 74-Play Challenge: Shearwater's "Rooks"

Feb 23, 2011, 10:23am Radio Free Chicago
Shearwater's Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Music
I make no secret of the fact that Okkervil River   is my favorite band. In fact, I make no secret of the fact that I harbor what borders on an "unhealthy obsession" with Will Sheff and his Austin multi-instrumentalists. Given this information, it's only natural that   Shearwater holds a special place in my heart. Shearwater, formed alongside Okkervil River by Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg, eventually parted ways with Okkervil River (Although Meiburg is very much still a part [...]
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Artist:Shearwater
Title:Rooks
Link Text:Shearwater - Rooks
File Name:02-rooks-1.mp3
Bitrate:192 kbps
Year:2008

Kings of the New Sincerity: An Opening Volley

Feb 22, 2011, 8:51am Radio Free Chicago
“Be Sincere.” That’s it really, in a nutshell, distilled to its very essence. That is our simple entreaty, something held more vital than a manifesto, but not quite dogma. It a sense, there’s not much to it, or at least not much concrete. There’s something about it, though, something compelling. Sincerity is one of those lovely little ideas both ultimately mutable and utterly inarguable. One can be sincere about almost anything, yet once you are, it is a statement of ultimate purpose and conviction. It’s a form of truth. I’ll admit, the [...]
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Artist:Dawes
Title:Love Is All I Am
Link Text:Dawes - Love Is All I Am
File Name:02-love-is-all-i-am.mp3
Bitrate:236 kbps
Artist:Local Natives
Title:Sun Hands
Link Text:Local Natives - Sun Hands
File Name:03-sun-hands-1.mp3
Bitrate:184 kbps
Year:2009
Artist:Salem
Title:King Night
Link Text: Salem - King Night
File Name:71-king-night.mp3
Bitrate:320 kbps
Year:2010
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