JASON URICK(Live on-air Saturday, April 28 @ 2:00 PM) Taking inspiration from outer space, Jason Urick concocts experimental soundscapes that are innovative and sometimes uncomfortably creepy, but only in the best way. His latest record, I Love You, takes inspiration from Marco Ferreri's film of the same name. Urick broke down the mantra of "I Love You" and, as a result, felt at peace with the music-making process during production. Catch him opening for Thrill Jockey labelmates Tortoise Saturday night, April 28, at the Empty Bottle. http://jasonurick.com/
CODE SWITCHING(Recorded 4/24/2012) Code-switching is practiced by speakers of all languages, sometimes without conscious action. Depending on who we are speaking to and where we are, we may change our dialect or style. In our music, Code-switching strives to find a common sonic dialect, weaving through situations of ambience, noise, jazz, rock, improvisation and experimentation.
Daniel Burke (Illusion of Safety, Tertium Quid, Cheer Accident) - modular synthesizer, live processing
Rob Frye (El is a Sound of Joy, Flux Bikes, Herbivore) - saxophone, flute, guitar, sampler
Jim Lechocki (Sadhu Sadhu, The Great Society Mind Destroyers) - drums, objects
THE BIG SHIP(Recorded 4/22/2012) The Big Ship is a song by Brian Eno. Brian Eno is a human being idolized by two other human beings, Doug Kaplan and Aeron Small, who record music together as The Big Ship. The two buds have been developing their complex guitar interplay in various bands over the last ten years (circa high-school) – but their album "A Circle Is Forever" represents the concentrated creative output of nine-months of cohabitation. The pair's home recordings aim to capture the same lush textures and genre-swallowing compositions of Jim O'Rourke's releases – roping together Fahey-esque fingerpicked acoustic folk, long-form Conrad-esque drones, and multi-tracked guitar melodies. Their sound borrows analog synthesis stratagems from modern synth warlocks Emeralds, driving minimalism from Kraut mainstays Neu!, and buttery 70's Psychedelia from Jerry, Dickey, etc. Their meticulous production style and copious free time provoke them to layer these tracks with more ambiences, Moog overdubs, and obscured samples than is probably wise – while padding their promotional material with an equal amount of referential bullshit. Look: there are, by our count, 20 adjectives, 15 vague genre signifying nouns, and 8 bands/artists blatantly namechecked here in like four sentences. You've entered some nerdy territory here, y'all. If you're down, The Big Ship will definitely please your ears, though – reminding them of other cool stuff they've enjoyed before, but, you know, sailing off into the future too (right?).
Doug and Aeron recruited Max Allison – Doug's bandmate in post-rockers The Earth is a Man and doom/droners Good Willsmith – and additional buds Matt Baer, and Stephen Waller into a live ensemble to bring their project to life around Chicago and hopefully the rest of whole GD world.
Listen to the first track from the forthcoming album here:
Http://thebigshipband.bandcamp.com
Also look for the album on vinyl, CD and digital release this summer on Hausu Mountain Records. http://thebigshipband.bandcamp.com/
K-HOLES (Recorded 3/20/2012) Killer, loud set from this Brooklyn-based Hozac recording artist. A little bit sloppy, a little bit silly, and a whole lot of attitude. Plus there's a saxophone. http://thek-holes.blogspot.com/
REDRICK SULTAN (Recorded 3/15/2012) Redrick Sultan has been playing and gigging together for over 9 years. Their live set is based on vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. In the studio the group utilizes their multi-instrumentalist talents, which includes keyboards, bass clarinet, flute, oud, mandolin, trombone. They have been inspired by a multitude of artists such as Gentle Giant, Velvet Underground, JS Bach, Led Zeppelin, Thelonious Monk, Tom Waits, and Frank Zappa. Redrick Sultan's live show is an intensely energetic event. Their music combines catchy melodies, intricate arrangements, beautiful party grooves, and improvisation. They strive to make each performance a unique experience. http://redricksultanband.bandcamp.com/
TRS-80 (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 8/22/2009)
SOLEMN MEANT WALKS(Live on-air Saturday, February 25 @ 4:00 PM) SOLEMN MEANT WALKS- "Innovative, Melodic, Haunting, Eccentric" Dream Pop meets Experimental Rock.
A Chicago native and band's founder Ami Gloria (Singer/Songwriter/Keys/-Rhythm/Lead Guitarist) had a vision to transform dreamy ethereal pop into a more angular scenario.
Doug Tompkins (Rhythm/Lead Guitarist) was introduced to A. Gloria through a local ad he had placed.
Soon thereafter they met to audition, and immediately realized they had instant chemistry!
They proceeded to work together and recorded songs previously written by A. Gloria and produced demos such as "Interlude", "Evening Let In" and "Reach".
Much time was spent writing, recording and auditioning drummers.
In the spring of 2009 they had found a drummer and from 2009 to 2010, Solemn Meant Walks had been a trio and had been booked on many shows and played venues such as Reggie's. Mutiny, Bottom Lounge, Cobra Lounge,
Cole's, Ronny's, Quencher's etc. They also performed on ENE's cable access show Channel 25 and Internet access show "Good Evening Chicago".
Later their name had been mentioned in Time Out Magazine and to their surprise with much publicity and newly formed recognition, their drummer shockingly resigned.
Despite the odds, Solemn Meant Walks continued to move forward and in 2011 found new drummer Andrew Sole and new bassist Allie Casey.
They debut the stage for the first time ever as a four piece on February 27th 2012 at The Empty Bottle.
Solemn Meant Walks plan on releasing their self-entitled EP later this year. http://www.myspace.com/solemnmeantwalks
MANNEQUIN MEN(From the Airplay Archives - recorded 11/14/2007) All their gear just got stolen so everything they played with was backup/borrowed--the squeaky kick drum pedal was particularly quaint--but the whole thing fit very well with their set of upbeat, unpredictable and clever garage rock nuggets. In a time when lots of bands are being too serious and adding cellos or whatever, ManMen just want to rock out and kick ass. We approve 100%.
MELT-BANANA (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 11/02/1996) Crazy noise spazz rockers from Tokyo,Japan. At the time of this set, their "Scratch Or Stitch" album had just come out on the Chicago Skin Graft record label recorded by Steve Albini and jim O'Rourke. Yasuko O.-vocals; Agata-guitar; Rika Yamamoto-bass; Sudoh Tokiashi-drums. Great set: 1)"Scratch or Stitch" 2)"RRAGG" 3)"It's In the Pillcase" 4)"Bad Gut Missed First" 5)"Stop the Cuckoo Test" 6)Untitled 7)"Tail in Garbage" 8)"Paint It Black" (Rolling Stones cover) 9)"Plot in a Pot".
BEN VIDA ENSEMBLE (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 2/01/1997) Great set from Chicago experimental guitar player Vida. Josh Abrams on bass.
UZ JSME DOMA (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 6/24/2000) Though they were formed in 1985 in The Czech Republic, it wasn't until the Velvet Revolution of late 1989 that these punkers were able to become the ambassadors of Central European rock. Powerful set.
LYNX (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 8/12/2000) Great angular instrumental rock quartet who just moved to Chicago from Boston.
JAPANTHER (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 2/03/2005) Texas rockers Japanther came showed us ever so briefly how to love again.
SHELLAC (From the Airplay Archives - recorded 10/07/2000) Live in auditorium with audience. Dare we say legendary trio of Steve Albini (Big Black, Rapeman and producer of many a famous band) on guitar, Bob Weston (Volcano Suns, Juliana Hatfield Band) on bass, and Todd Trainer (Rifle Sport, Brick Layer Cake) on drums.
