Blog: loudloop

We're mere hours away from starting the weekend, and with the season finale of football over, we'll actually have to go outside. Luckily, there are tons of great shows, and many fundraising for a good cause, over the next few days. Let's get to it. FRIDAY SOFT SPEAKER The Brit pop-inspired Chicago outfit come out swinging with plenty of lingering guitar licks, hazy psychedelic rhythms and even some [...]

It's hard to consider Radar Eyes' self-titled debut anything other than a pop record. While Radar Eyes is an amalgamation of garage, psychedelic and punk rock, the band manages to tightly piece those distinct sounds together. The album maybe rough around the edges tonally, but it's crystal clear in delivering a melodic palette, which provides just the right amount of catchiness and accessibility without losing that rock and roll edge. While Radar Eyes touch on the acidic nature of Spacemen 3 or [...]

Chicago musicians Bob Nanna and Lauren LoPiccolo have united to create simple, but dreamy, acoustic pop ditties under the moniker Jack and Ace . "I'm Sorry That You are the Black Death" pairs delicately plucked guitar melodies with earnest lyrics about, what else, love. Jack and Ace prove that melancholy doesn't need to be so complicated to be effective. Nanna is better known for his work with influential post-hardcore (or emo, if you like) outfit Braid and Hey Mercedes. LoPiccolo previously teamed up with Nanna in the City on Film. [...]

michael lux and the bad sons Three reasons to leave the bros to their Thirsty Thursday rituals and head on over to Empty Bottle tonight... 1. Chicago's own Michael Lux and the Bad Sons are human time machines. Listening to a few simple chords, the alt-rockers conjure up the ghosts of alternative legends like The Replacements and Husker Du without coming off like desperate fan boys. Lux's low, scratchy howls are effortless and well-supported by distressed guitar and snappy backbeats. The set is sure to be a [...]

The story of Willis Earl Beal rise to professional musician status sounds more like an inspirational disney movie than reality. After working a number of odd jobs in Albuquerque, NM, Beal was discovered originally not for his music, but an intriguing letter left on city sidewalks in which he was seemingly looking for a female companion. In fact, the Chicago Reader's Leor Galil did a great job of describing his, I guess, humble beginnings to his move back to his hometown of Chicago and eventual arrival [...]

Cowboy Indian Bear Three reasons to pour some mello yello on the curb and chill at the Beat Kitchen tonight... 1. Visiting from Lawrence, Kansas, are quartet Cowboy Indian Bear . The indie rockers specialize in mellow pop rock in the same vein as Death Cab for Cutie. Songs like "Heart Be," from the band's debut Each Other All the Time , conjures in the same tender feelings accompanied by bouncy guitar and floating harmonies. LISTEN: " Heart Be ." [...]

If you missed experimental psych poppers E+ at Schubas last week or just want to relive the experience, the band posted a few videos from the gig on its Facebook page. E+, a Chicago group made up of members from Verma, Heavy Times and Disappears, conjures dark and mysterious forces while dabbling in distortion. E+ track "Substance D" emits a steady hypnotic rhythm and plenty of groovy synthesizer embellishments. All you need to do is sit back and sway in your chair.

Three reasons to shake it on over to the Burlington tonight... 1. Are you Jimmy Ray? No, it's actually K Records' Jeremy Jay that will bring his moody and smooth tunes to the Burlington tonight. Taking more from new wave and folk than the ever popular chillwave, Jay spices his tunes with cues from '80s synth-pop while letting his subtle croon set the vibe. LISTEN: "Wild Orchids" 2. Golden Birthday [...]

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed. • WBEZ's Jim DeRogatis has the scoop on the Cook County Board of Commissioner's recent move to grab control over the amusement tax waiver provided to Lollapalooza . The county estimates that the annual summer festival's tax exemption adds up to approximately $350,000 a year to the county alone. • 'Soul Train' creator Don Cornelius tragically passed away last week [...]

Veronica Falls Ukrainian Village venue the Empty Bottle and WBEZ announced that they will team up again with 312 to present a new live series called "High Fidelity Music Series." The Bottle and partners will produce five events under the High Fidelity banner to be held at WBEZ's studios at Navy Pier this year. The first one takes place on Thursday, February 16, with London indie poppers Veronica Falls . The group will also appear later that night at The Empty Bottle. [...]

And now three reasons to shake off that Superbowl hangover and get your pizza butt on over to the Empty Bottle this evening... 1. We try to stay ahead of the curve most of the time, which is why Radar Eyes appeared on our 11 Chicago Bands To Watch in 2011 list . That's not to say they didn't have a grand 2011 as they released a 73, played HoZac's Blackout Fest, opened for Wild Flag and more. But 2012 is shaping up for be the breakout [...]

Summer Girlfriends Another day, another box of stolen pens. Like Bill Murray, we all survived Groundhog's Day, so let's get out on the town and live it up. We're talking great shows at The Burlington, Cole's and Panchos (or Township, if you like). Looks like at least six more weeks of rock to me. FRIDAY SUMMER GIRLFRIENDS Get some upbeat, jangly garage pop in [...]

Chances are you've seen this video all over the net in the past week, but it's too cool for us not to share. Wilco collaborated with King Features for the video for The Whole Love 's upbeat groover "Dawned On me." The result is the first original, hand-drawn Popeye cartoon in over 30 years. And yep, the gangs all here: Olive Oyl, Wimpy, Swee'Pea, Nels Cline, John Stirratt...you get the picture. Anyway, watch the fun, Wilco-soundtracked nostalgia trip below: [...]

Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Local pop punkers Swimsuit Addition have unveiled a head boppin' new track called "Cartoon Paper Cup," the lead single off the group's upcoming Kittyhawk EP. "Cartoon Paper Cup" kicks off with a tight drum intro and bouncing bass line before metallic guitars riffs rip through the mix. The song's perky, upbeat vibe is enough to rouse anyone suffering from a food- or work-induced coma. Cartoon Paper Cup by Swimsuit Addition Check out the single and then catch [...]

ellusive parallelograms Three reasons why you should break your Groundhog Day cycle and rock out at Panchos tonight... 1. Milwaukee pop rockers Elusive Parallelograms are fairly impressive in the way they can combine alt-rock epic-ness with sparkling psychedelics and infectious pop structure without it overwhelming the listener with its differences. LISTEN: " Intelligent Design " 2. I've got a fever for more spooky garage pop. And Chicago's Rabbit [...]

Get excited Maps & Atlases fans! The Chicago indie rockers released a trailer on their Facebook page this morning announcing their new LP, Beware and Be Grateful , which is set for a US release on Tuesday, April 17. The trailer is quite an intriguing one that features a coffee-drinking, suited man dramatically describing a car accident from afar that may or may not have happened. Near the end he opens a door to a club that also allows our first listen of Maps & Atlases' new material. [...]

Three "Wednesday is the new Friday" reasons to mosey on down to Schubas tonight... 1. Having a (slight) bit of down time can be a marvelous thing, especially when members of bands such as Disappears, Heavy Times and Verma decide to join forces. E+ specialize in doling out rhythms so fuzzy, creating atmosphere so dark and moody that they ultimately entrance the listener with swirling fits of minimalist psychedelics. LISTEN: " {Mithra} Sunn 88 (Live at Beat Kitchen) " [...]

Narrow Sparrow has easily established itself as a band that cares as much about its visuals as it does about its soundscapes. For the Chicago group's new video "Spooky Head," Narrow Sparrow couples ghoulish Disney-style 1920s animation with buzzy atmospherics that come off as an electro-pop version of doo wop that could be ideal for the slow dance at a prom. You know, if your prom committee includes Crispin Glover and Edward Scissorhands. Narrow Sparrow's Synthworks EP is available for free download on its Bandcamp page .

Hay Perro 1. Hay Perro play the kind of old school metal slash hard rock that offers absolutely no hidden agendas. Their chugging, Motorhead-esque riffage, aggressive vocals and wailing Thin Lizzy leads would go just right with downing cheap beers and shots of Jameson. LISTEN: "No Visons" 2. Yes, locals Knife Of Simpson did take their from OJ's murder weapon. [...]

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed. • In stories that make you go "hmm" news, Gossip Wolf reveals that Chicago math rockers Del Ray have noticed a sales boost in Germany . Naturally, this can only be attributed to confusion with pouty pop temptress Lana Del Ray? • Brooklyn Vegan Chicago has some rad shots from last Tuesday's Tortoise show at the Empty Bottle . [...]