Author Archive
After a few years of writing for Phonologue, I moved to Seattle, which seemed like the logical next step in my life. Although it’s a much smaller city, I’m constantly inspired by the musical community here; anyone and everyone is encouraged to play what they like, and there is always a venue for them to perform [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Sam Shepherd burned the night oil hard while making this full-length—he was earning his PhD in neuroscience at the same time. The result is a meticulously-orchestrated monument of the times. The zeitgeist these days is individualist, but community still factors into the decisions we make – some even argue that it should be the basis of [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
This album has cute track titles that don’t capture the intricacy of the music. Case in point: “Pursuit of the Jetsonmobile,” which conjures an image of a saxophone player jamming to his heart’s content with a snare drum going off at every smokey high note. In some ways, it’s the epitome of acid jazz; the funky undercurrents [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
The Dance Mania dudes gave us another jukealicious album to grind to on the dance floor. Standout tracks include “1112” by DJ Deeon, Tyree’s “Nuthin Wrong,” and “Ghetto Booty” by Parris Mitchell. Kudos to these guys for keeping classic house going strong all these years. The album’s a blend of Houz Mon-esque vibes and basement tracks, [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Shed – Constant Power 12″ – The Final Experiment . . . . . . . . Olin – De Bus 12″ – God Particle . . . . . . . . Far – Inevitable Collapse 12″ – Electric Deluxe . . . . . . . . Fort Romeau – Fairlights 12″ – [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
At its best, Ultraviolet I captures what it means to brood about, mingle with, and move alongside other people. Shaun Reeves, Lee Curtiss, and Ryan Crosson have moved on without Seth Troxler (hold the applause) to produce a 3-disc compilation full of dancey tracks that take us on a spiritual journey from start to finish. The first two [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
If you march to the beat of your own drum, join us for the third edition of Clark Street Jams at Danny’s in Wicker Park tonight at 10 pm, 21+. Garrett David, Adam Rowe, Jacob Meehan, and Mr. White will be your selectors for the evening. All we ask is that you help us cut [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
This year, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival presents an RA showcase full of heavy hitters that you won’t want to miss. The show is at Detroit’s iconic TV Lounge. Derek Plaslaiko, the unofficial king of techno, headlines the set with Grammy-award winning superstar DJ David Morales. But you won’t be hearing any reworked Mariah Carey [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Get busy with the latest and greatest from local label Perpetual Rhythms: a Cosmic Expressions EP. It’s been a trend amongst musicians to take after the skies and name their releases after the vastness up above. Unlike Claude Young Jr.’s recent Celestial Bodies 12″, this release is housey, soulful, and full of hi-hats. A chill, [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Come to Gramaphone this Thursday for a two-fold release party full of bangers and smooth jazzy edits. Start with a nod to the Tugboat Edits label. The cause for celebration? Their latest release: Tugboat Edits 5. This record is a collaboration between head honcho Tim Zawada and Chrissy, aka Chrissy Murderbot (Nite Owl Diner co-founder.) Italo disco [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
If you haven’t heard of Pure Moods by now, you’re likely just scratching the surface of the musical animal that thrives in Chicago. Come to Wang’s on Saturday at 10 PM for an intimate dance party with m50 (Kimochi Sound) and the Bell Boys, Adam Rowe and Garrett David (Stripped & Chewed), behind the decks. [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Like the Big Dipper in the sky, Innerspace Halflife is without question something we expect to see on the radar for years to come. They put out some of the finest blends of techno-dub-house we’ve ever heard, and it just keeps getting better. Hakim Murphy and Ike Release (né Velez) will release their debut LP, [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Celebrate hump day with a coming-together of the Gramapham–that is, the Gramaphone family–at Smartbar tonight at 10 PM. How often does Queen! happen on a Wednesday? There’s no cover, free pizza while it lasts, and $2 beer and shot specials to rev up the good times. Justin Long and Derrick Carter each used to work [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Chrissy Murderbot (né Shively) released a Greatest Hits CD that’s not actually a compilation of hits. The title is a joke, and it puts cuts and scratches all over the pristine image of a faux-glam club scene. Murderbot’s got a way of remixing classics into a ghetto-house goo – you’re stuck with the buildup and [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Nadine Shah – Love Your Dum And Mad LP – Apollo Rothko – Forty Years To Find A Voice LP – Lo Deflecting – Panic 12″ – Techno Gipsy Dapayk & Midnight / Ezekiel Honig – split 10″ – Fenou Matthew Dear – Dog Days 12″ – Spectral Sound[ READ MORE ]
Kimochi Sound is making the rounds this month with several showcases throughout the country. They’re hitting close to home at Jerry’s on Division this Saturday. Combining the best of both worlds, Strategy’s dubby ZamZam output and Dreamlogicc’s Oakland influence round out m50’s wide-ranging tastes while still catering to Chicago’s ardent house music listeners. There’s no [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Swing by Gramaphone records today for a release party featuring exclusive live sets from Strategy (ZamZam Sounds) and dreamlogicc aka Justin James; and a DJ set from m50. Strategy’s latest release, Boxology, blends techno, house, hardware, and melody, which balances out Dreamlogicc’s hardware-centric music. It’s best to come expecting the unexpected. These three have been [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Francois K is French-Armenian, and his music is an equally exotic amalgamation of beats and melody. Come see him do his thing this Thursday night at the South Side’s staple venue, Riff Music Lounge. Doors open at 8 pm, 21+. The music starts at 9 pm, and the cover is $10 if you buy tickets [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
E S T A R A lends itself well to natural body movement. Walking, stretching, sex, and cooking are infinitely better with this quasi-movie-soundtrack playing in the background. Unlike most ambient music, it doesn’t fade from consciousness. “Holiday” leads listeners off the path most traveled into a verdant empty field. Through the mist, a film [&hellip[ READ MORE ]
Beautiful Granville Records works in tandem with Tevo Howard Recordings, which has been supported by Perc, Kate Simko, and other heavy hitters. Tevo Howard’s Ruby Foreword is somewhere in between water and air. Tender and atmospheric, it lends itself to meditative strolls with its angelic melodies. Howard continues to set himself apart from the enormous outpouring [&hellip[ READ MORE ]