Live Nation - Ticketmaster Merger

Rather than re-iterate what was already said so well, we think you should head over to LA Times' site and give a read to their article on the newly confirmed merger between two concert heavyweights.

As fans of indie music, it was nice to not get the exorbitant Ticketmaster fees (or the 'bend over' fees, as we like to call them) on the smaller shows we were able to get at Ticket Now. While it might not directly effect most of the shows we recommend here, the bigger name shows you head out to will almost definitely get much more expensive thanks to all the aspects of touring the newly formed Live Nation Entertainment handles. See the story for the full scoop.

The Mynabirds - Your New Favorite Indie Songstress

The Mynabirds is the new project from, former Georgie James member, Laura Burhen. The band's debut is set to drop on April 27th on Saddle Creek, but we've been lucky enough to get an early listen and have been bowled over by the sexy sixties-esque piano-led pop it contains. We strongly recommend checking out an early sampling at Saddle Creek's site, where you can download "Numbers Don't Lie" for yourself. We do warn you, though, this will cost you - since you will be instantly compelled to place a pre-order for the album.

Check back here, and we will keep you updated on tour dates as we find out about them.

Spoon Sporks In At #4 On Charts, Tour Dates Announced

Texas indie pop giants, Spoon debuted #4 on Billboard with their latest, Transference. The impressive slot marks the highest week's sales of the band's career, and bests the #10 debut of the last album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

Britt Daniel and crew will hit take the show on the road, starting March 17th in their hometown of Austin Texas. Chicagoans get their chance to see them April 1st at Aragon Ballroom. No April Fool's here.

17-Mar Stubbs - Austin, TX
18-Mar Republic - New Orleans, LA
19-Mar Workplay Soundstage - Birmingham, AL
20-Mar Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
22-Mar 9:30 Club - Washington, DC * SOLD OUT
23-Mar 9:30 Club - Washington, DC * SOLD OUT
24-Mar The National - Richmond, VA
26-Mar Radio City Music Hall - New York, NY
27-Mar House of Blues - Boston, MA, USA
29-Mar Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
30-Mar Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal - Oak, MI
1-Apr Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
2-Apr First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
3-Apr First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
5-Apr Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
6-Apr Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
7-Apr In the Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
9-Apr Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA
10-Apr Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA
11-Apr Orpheum Theatre - Vancouver, BC
13-Apr Fox Theater - Oakland, CA
14-Apr Indio, CA - Coachella
*Deerhunter direct support on all dates.
*New Orleans - Royal Oak w/ The Strange Boys
*Chicago - Oakland w/ Micachu & the Shapes

Company Of Thieves Return To Chicago

Chicago's finest, Company Of Thieves is set to return to the Windy City March 18th at Lincoln Hall. Get your tickets immediately, because it is not a matter of whether this will sell out - it is a matter of when. We featured their fantastic November show at Logan Square Auditorium before we even really launched the site because it was too amazing not to share.

We called them 'the new Pretenders' on our first podcast, as we gushed over how incredible they are live. We mean it. You have been warned.

They currently have 'Guest' listed as support. How about an all-Chicago show and add Canasta and Pet Lions in support? Just a thought.

As Tall As Lions Announce Tour With Cage The Elephant, Coachella Appearance

New York-based indie rock geniuses, As Tall As Lions have just announced a string of dates with up-and-coming Cage The Elephant, in support of their 2009 album, You Can't Take It With You. I felt the album was a slight step backwards for the band on the heels of their stellar sophomore album, but it's better to have experimented with your sound with mixed results than have gotten stale. Regardless of how you feel about their latest work, they are definitely a band worth catching live! The band also is now confirmed for the 2010 edition of Coachella, for those able to hit the West coast festival.

There are no Chicago dates listed, but we can always hope the space between the final Cage The Elephant date and Coachella gets filled in with one.

Upcoming Tour Dates
Headlining:
29-Jan Albany, NY Jillians (Free Show 21+)
w/Cage The Elephant:
15-Feb Augusta, GA Sky City
16-Feb Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
18-Feb Knoxville, TN The Valarium
19-Feb Asheville, NC The Orange Peel
21-Feb Charlotte, NC Amos' Southend
22-Feb Charleston, SC The Music Farm
23-Feb Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
25-Feb Washington, DC 9:30 Club
26-Feb Towson, MD The Recher Theatre
27-Feb Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of The Living Arts
5-Mar Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
6-Mar Portland, ME Port City Music Hall
8-Mar S Burlington, VT Higher Ground/Showcase Lounge
10-Mar Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
12-Mar Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
Coachella
16-Apr Indio, CA Coachella

Upcoming Shows - Week ending January 31st

Friday, January 29th - Schubas - Hacienda, Alberta Cross - 10 pm - $12

The debut from Alberta Cross, The Broken Side Of Time, is the kind of ass-kicking blues-drenched rock that we feel confident recommending without even seeing them yet. There is no way a songs like "ATX and "Song 3Three Blues" can disappoint live.

Friday, January 29th - Cubby Bear - Erin Martin, Brent James & The Contraband, Red Wanting Blue - 8pm - $7

As Nate mentioned on this week's podcast, this is one he hasn't seen yet - but has heard nothing but rave reviews of. Think poppy roots rock.

Saturday, January 30th - The Vic - Cold War Kids - 8pm - SOLD OUT

Rickety indie rock delivered with a soulful edge, Cold War Kids are back on tour in support of their new Behave Yourselves EP. The show is sold out with good reason. We wouldn't blame you if you stood outside and begged for tickets. They are worth it.

Monday, February 1st - Lincoln Hall - Moneypenny, Yes Giantess, La Roux - SOLD OUT

It seems crazy that they were even offering 'at the door' prices. La Roux is a HUGE deal in the UK, and this show sold out for good reason. The duo's brand of throwback synth-heavy pop is a breath of fresh air.

Podcast 2

Our second podcast is officially up and ready for your ears at iTunes.

This week the guys discuss the strange feeling of wanting to attend Lilith Fair, find out what The Cardinals are up to, and finally get around to that news about the debut from Chicago’s AM Taxi. We (almost) head out to see Pet Lions and recommend La Roux at Lincoln Hall (2/1) and many more shows.

Please subscribe to the show via iTunes, and rate (or even possibly review) the show.

Thanks for listening!

Lilith Fair Adds Artists

The reformed Lilith Fair just added a boatload of very cool artists that might make you reconsider what you thought of Sarah McLaughlin's female-friendly festival. The latest to jump on board for the touring festival are: Loretta Lynn, Heart, Norah Jones, Cat Power, Sia, Gossip, La Roux, Beth Orton, Ceci Bastida, Erin McCarley, Frazey Ford, Julia Othmer, Kate Nash, Lights, Missy Higgins, Lissie, Marina & The Diamonds, Priscilla Renea, Rosie Thomas, Melissa McClelland, Toby Lightman and Elizaveta.

With more 'major artists' promised to be announced in the coming weeks, and site favorites like Tegan And Sara, Brandi Carlile and Grace Potter And The Nocturnals already on the list, it is hard to imagine passing up this collection of talent.

Check the Lilith Fair site for the full list of artists currently committed to the tour. We will update you as soon as we find out where and when Lilith hits Chicago.

The Temper Trap Announce US Tour Dates

Australia seems determined the last several years to not have UK deliver the only great imports. Some of our favorite artists hail from 'down under', including The Cat Empire, Eskimo Joe, and Missy Higgins. Indie rock quartet, The Temper Trap are set to hit stages stateside this Spring. The dates lead up to their appearance at Coachella, which makes their appearance at Metro on March 24th seem like a great time to catch them. Coachella and getting to play St. Patrick's Day in Boston? These guys must be doing something right.

March
10- Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
12- San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
14- Portland, OR @ Peter's Room
17- Boston, MA @ Hurricane O’Reillys, WFNX St. Patrick’s Day Party
20- Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
22- Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
23- Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Hall
24- Chicago, IL @ Metro
26- Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall, CD101 Low Dough Show
27- Cleveland, OH @ Cambridge House at HOB
30- Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club
31- Montreal, QUE @ The Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire
April
2- New York, NY @ Webster Hall
3- Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
6- Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
12- Dallas, TX @ Pontiac Garage at HOB
13- Austin, TX @ Emo’s
15- Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
17- Indio, CA @ Coachella

Paste Magazine's Songs For Haiti

Hey everyone! It's Nate from Chi-Town Notes. Today, I received an interesting e-mail from Paste Magazine about a pretty large MP3 catalog you can have access to for donating toward relief and support efforts in Haiti. I'm by no means telling anyone to donate. In the economic condition of the day, I completely understand if you don't and/or can't donate. I just figured, if you're a music junkie, this might be a great way to check out a ton of artists for a very minimal price. Artists like Andrew Bird, Carey Brothers, Ari Hest, Rural Alberta Advantage, Gomez, The Gaslight Anthem and others all have songs up for download. If you have already donated to the cause, do not fret. You don't need to donate again. According to Paste, you can have access to the catalog if you have previously donated elsewhere. Check out the info below for all the particulars. Cheers!

Paste Magazine says, "Today, Paste launched "Songs for Haiti" (http://songsforhaiti.org).

Like so many others, Paste has been moved by the tragedy facing the survivors of the Haitian earthquake.Wondering how we could help, we remembered the website we built last year for the Save Paste Campaign. Thanks to your generosity, and that of over 150 artists who donated songs, we raised more than $250,000 to help our magazine survive its darkest hour.

But what we faced was nothing compared to what hundreds of thousands of people are experiencing right now in Haiti. The need is staggering, and help will be needed for months and years to come. To help raise money and keep awareness high, Paste and diverse artists—Ludacris, Of Montreal, Andrew Bird, Hanson, Umphrey's McGee, Switchfoot, Bruce Cockburn, Xiu Xiu, and over 200 others—are offering free MP3s (many previously unavailable) to everyone who donates to help Haiti.

You can donate through Paste or to a charity of your choice (just tell us), and you will have access to our Download Vault and 250 songs (and counting). We don’t think people should donate to the relief efforts in Haiti just to get a reward. But this gives Paste and artists a way to help, using the thing we’re most passionate about—music.

If you've already donated elsewhere, we hope you'll tell us and take advantage of the free songs. We want to make a strong statement of concern and show the generosity of our readers and the music community in general. We also hope you'll continue giving as you are able.

You can donate (or tell us about donations you made elsewhere) at: SongsForHaiti.org. You'll also find resources (banner ads, Twitter &Facebook icons, etc.) to help spread the word.

100% of money contributed through “Songs for Haiti” will be spread among three charities active in Haiti: Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, and Wyclef Jean’sYele Haiti Earthquake Fund. (Note that donations submitted directly to “Songs for Haiti” are not tax deductible, since Paste is not a charitable organization.)

For more details, including the full list of artists participating, see: SongsForHaiti.org"

New Lucy Schwartz EP Dropping January 26th

The piano pop songstress landscape has gotten awfully crowded lately, so it is a bit surprising when one manages to stand out. Such is the case with self-released EP, Help Me! Help Me!, from up-and-coming Lucy Schwartz. The EP is a great five-track introduction to her diverse sound, including a smokey acoustic cover of Aretha Franklin's "Respect". Bouncy "Those Days" is probably the best of the bunch, but there is plenty to love about each of them.

Having already caught the attention of filmmakers and TV music supervisors, you may want to get your hands on this one early. Something tells us that if she is not self-releasing this as a conscious decision, some label is going to scoop her up in a hurry and make this EP disappear until her major label debut hits.

New Zeland Sensation Supported By Ryan Adams' Cardinals For Debut

Having won the International Songwriting Competition at the age of sixteen, New Zealander Gin Wigmore is set to unveil her full-length debut here in the states on March 16th. The album, Holy Smoke, was recorded in LA with, site-favorite Ryan Adams' former backing band, The Cardinals. We will definitely be keeping an eye out for possible tour dates closer to the US release date.

Upcoming Shows - Week ending January 24th

You have it easy this week, Chicago. It is a slow week at the local venues, and you can actually get in for free. We thought about recommending former New Kids On The Block member Joey McIntyre's show at Lincoln Hall tomorrow, but we're still too new for jokes like that...

Friday, January 22nd - Metro - The Dirty Diamonds, White Mystery, Post Honeymoon, Pet Lions - 9 pm - $6 in advance, $9 day of show

From the moment last.fm graced my earbuds with "Roman History", I became a fan of Chicago's Pet Lions. Stop what you're doing, give it a listen, and good luck resisting. Their breezy indie pop is the kind of addictive, melodic bliss that makes you feel like Spring is right around the corner. The band takes a break from putting the finishing touches on their debut for their coming out party at Metro. Local blog, Gapers Block is sponsoring the show - and you can even get in free if you arrive before 9pm with a flyer at Pet Lions' site. There is no valid excuse for missing this one.

Chicago's AM Taxi Debut To Hit In June

Chicago quintet, AM Taxi is set to unleash their pessimistically-named debut album, We Don't Stand A Chance, through Virgin Records this June. With influences that range from Paul Revere and the Raiders to Sam Cooke and Ryan Adams to Otis Redding, the album is sure to offer a wealth of styles. The band is one of two projects formed from the ashes of, local favorites, Lucky Boys Confusion. Former LBC guitarist, Adam Krier serves as front-man for AM Taxi and is joined by former LBC bassist Jason Schultejann. Head over to the band's site for a free download of the new single, "The Mistake".

The band is set to hit Lincoln Hall for a headlining show on February 6th, with quirky rockers Royal Bangs lending support, before they head out as part of this year's Warped Tour.

Podcast 1 Live!

The first official Chi-Town Notes podcast is live, and will land on iTunes shortly. In the meantime, you can get it yourself and add the link manually to iTunes with the following feed: http://chitownnotes.podbean.com/feed

For the first show, we introduce the site and give our favorite shows and albums of 2009, to let you know where we're coming from. We also give our thoughts on the latest shows we've hit - The Damnwells at Double Door and The Cribs at Lincoln Hall. To end the show, we also give you a few upcoming shows that we think you should make time for. Oh, and we fight Malaysia.

Update: We're officially on iTunes now! Please rate the show and let us know what you think. We appreciate you listening!

Portugal. The Man Announce New Album, Tour

Alaska's Portugal. The Man will do nothing to dispel their well-earned labels as prolific tour addicts in 2010. The band is set to head back on tour with the support of, excellent live act, Port O'Brien and The Dig. In addition to a string of dates, starting February 24th in Fargo, the band has announced plans to release a new album shortly, called American Ghetto. According to the band, the album is for the fans - and will not be releasing it early to press (damn!) or radio. Instead, they will be releasing the album as soon as it is finished (tba) to everyone on the same day. Head over to their site and pick up a free tour sampler of music from all three bands. As they proved to us last year at Schubas, they are a must-see live band that will blow your mind. We have a rule around here about seeing a band twice before calling them 'must-see'... but they were good enough to make us break that rule without hesitation. We will definitely be there for the February 26th show to report on the festivities.

Tour Dates

2/24 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
2/25 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
2/26 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
2/27 Louis, MO @ The Gargoyle
3/1 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry's
3/3 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues / Pontiac Garage
3/4 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live (Studio)
3/5 Austin, TX @ The Parish
3/6 Austin, TX @ The Parish
3/9 Gainesville, FL @ Common Ground
3/10 Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
3/11 Orlando, FL @ The Social
3/12 Elkton, FL @ Harvest of Hope Festival
3/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
3/18 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
3/19 New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
3/20 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre
3/21 Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theatre
3/24 Columbia, MO @ Mojo's
3/26 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
3/27 Vail, CO @ The Sandbar
3/28 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen

David Bazan Adds Tour Dates

Ex-Pedro The Lion and Headphones member, David Bazan is set to continue touring support for his fantastic solo debut, Curse Your Branches. The tour kicks off near Barsuk HQ on March 4th, in Eugene Oregon, and winds through the Midwest before finishing up back in the Northwest, on April 10th in Bellingham Washington. The closest they tour gets to Chicago is DeKalb, on April 3rd at House Cafe. Armed with one of the best albums of 2009 and Champaign's Headlights lending support it is well-worth the drive.

Tour Dates

March:
04 EUGENE, OR - Sam Bond's !@
05 SACRAMENTO, CA - Blue Lamp !@
06 VISALIA, CA - Cellar Door !@
07 SANTA BARBARA, CA - SOhO Restaurant and Music Club !#
08 LONG BEACH, CA - Alex's Bar !@
09 LAS VEGAS, NV - Beauty Bar !@
10 TEMPE, AZ - Sail Inn !@
12 NORMAN, OK - Opolis !@
13 SPRINGFIELD, MO - Gallery Sounds !#
14 ST. LOUIS, MO - Old Rock House !@
15 NEWPORT, KY - Southgate House !#
17 NASHVILLE, TN - Exit In !@
18 ASHEVILLE, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall !#
19 COLUMBIA, SC - New Brookland !@
20 RICHMOND, VA - Alley Katz !$
21 BALTIMORE, MD - Ottobar !#
22 PHILADELPHIA, PA - First Unitarian !#
23 BROOKLYN, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg !$
27 GRANTHAM, PA - Larsen Student Union at Messiah College !@
28 COLUMBUS, OH - Summit !$
29 BLOOMINGTON, IN - Bishop !$
30 GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Ladies Literary Club !#
April:
03 DEKALB, IL - House Café !#
04 MILWAUKEE, WI - Pabst Theater !@
05 ST. PAUL, MN - Turf Club !@
06 FARGO, ND - Aquarium !@
08 MISSOULA, MT - Palace $
09 SPOKANE, WA - Empyrean #
10 BELLINGHAM, WA - WWU Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room #

! with Headlights
@ 21+
# all-ages
$ 18+

Rogue Wave Announce New Album, Tour Dates

Bay Area indie rockers, Rogue Wave are set to unleash their fourth album, Permalight, on March 2nd. It will mark the band's second release on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, and marks a shift in their sound described by frontman Zach Rogue as, "for lack of a better word, fun." The band sets out on two months worth of dates in late February, including a stop at the fantastic Lincoln Hall in Chicago on April 17th.

Tracklisting

Solitary Gun
Good Morning
Sleepwalker
Stars and Stripes
Permalight
Fear Itself
Right With You
We Will Make A Song Destroy
I’ll Never Leave You
Per Anger
You Have Boarded
All That Remains

Tour Dates

02/24 - San Francisco, CA @ Noise Pop
02/26 - Toronto, ON, CA @ Mod Club
03/01 - Club Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock
03/02 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
03/03 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
03/04 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church Sanctuary
03/05 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
03/06 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
03/08 - Atlanta, GA @ The Loft
03/09 - Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
03/10 - Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
03/13 - Orlando, FL @ The Social
03/15 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
03/16 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
03/17 - Dallas, TX @ The Loft
03/18 - 03/20 @ SXSW
04/07 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
04/09 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/10 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
04/13 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
04/14 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
04/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Cafe
04/16 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
04/17 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
04/20 - Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s
04/21 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
04/24 - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
04/27 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
04/29 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
04/30 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

New Eels Album Streaming On MySpace Now

We've been chewing on Eels' latest, End Times, for about a week now and now your chance to get an early listen is here. Head over to the band's MySpace for a streaming listen ahead of its release next Tuesday, January 19th. It is nowhere near the feel-good fun of last year's Hombre Lobo, but if you are in the market for soulbaringly honest songwriting, you are not going to find much better than this. Think of it as folk's answer to Marvin Gaye's Here, My Dear.

The Cribs - January 13, 2010

The opening night of 2010's Tomorrow Never Knows series, split between the newly opened Lincoln Hall and Schubas, was a strong one. The shows are intended to highlight up and coming talent, but The Cribs already have all the help they need. There is some irony in the biggest draw in a night of upcoming bands in a new club being a well-established icon.

Portland's The Dead Trees kicked the evening off with a solid half-hour set of folk-tinged rock that a times verged on a twangy take on Foo Fighters, and occasionally felt like a less psychedelic Vietnam. Call them what you want, the set was unfortunately short and has us salivating for their Chicago return. Thankfully, the band returned to the stage to serve as Adam Green's backing band; stealing the spotlight from the clown prince of punk-lounge. Green's set began as the kind of tiresome, obnoxiousness that would normally send you packing for the bar. The wild, attention-starved dancing and deep crooner vocals smacked of Tom Green and Jim Morrison's drunken child attempting to play a lounge singer. In the midst of the fifties-inspired rock backing, it was awkward and annoying. Then, somewhere around the middle of "Nat King Cole", Stockholm Syndrome set in and his on-stage antics started to seem amusing. The former Moldy Peaches member is the rock equivalent of a b-movie, in all the right ways. How can you not sit back and enjoy his, ode to Ms. Simpson, "Jessica", or his attempts to sing and crowd surf simultaneously? Despite wanting to leave when it started, Green ended up convincing us that his set is not to be missed for the sheer insanity of it all.

The Cribs hit the stage right around eleven for their hour and fifteen minute set, jumping into the new Marr-led soundscape quickly with the spangly riffs of "We Were Aborted". Johnny Marr's classic wide-legged power stance served as a glorious reminder of where he comes from, while fitting right in with the band on stage. Any trepidation as to what may happen with the older material was set at ease on "I'm A Realist", where Marr laid back and colored in the spaces of an already great song. Fan favorite, "Men's Needs" got a bit more of a touch-up, with the wildly flailing guitar of Marr adding a new dimension. The brothers Jarman were no more upstaged by Marr live than they are on Ignore The Ignorant, holding their own in the presence of greatness. The band's more mature sound is even more apparent live, with the dazzling "We Share The Same Skies" delivering well-deserved chills. Old anthems like "Our Bovine Public" fit in well with new shout-a-longs like "Hari Kari", where snarled vocals played well against the slamming beat and desperate riffs. Spoken word rocker, "Be Safe" used the venue's video screen to display the video of Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo delivering the spoken portion as the band jammed over it for one of the highlights of the set.

If the tour is coming through your town, you would be insane not to jump on the chance to see the band in its current form. Regardless of how long Marr is with the band, it is clear The Cribs are better for the experience. They were already a damn good band, but are now a great one.

Set List
We Were Aborted
Hey Scenesters!
I'm A Realist
Emasculate Me
Last Year's Snow
Cheat On Me
We Share The Same Skies
Direction
Hari Kari
Save your Secrets
Our Bovine Public
Another Number
Ignore The Ignorant
Be Safe
Mirror Kissers
Men's Needs
City Of Bugs

Laura Veirs Tour Dates Announced

Fresh off the release of her seventh album, July Flame, Laura Veirs and her band are set to embark on a nationwide tour. Songwriters occasionally turn to strange places for inspiration, but Veirs ending her self-proclaimed songwriting slump off a variety of peach sold at a Portland farmers market is about as odd as it gets. Regardless of the strange inspiration, the album (out now) is a gorgeous set of indie folk sure to win over new fans; already garnering strong reviews and is now the featured 'indie spotlight' on iTunes and is set to be the 'Single Of The Week' next week.

The Band sets sail starting February 12th in Vermont, with the final date currently set for March 9th in LA. Something tells us with all the exposure the fantastic new album is getting, you will have your chance to see her soon enough if your city is not yet listed. Lucky for us, she hits Schubas in Chicago on February 27th!

February:
12 Burlington, VT at Higher Ground
13 Cambridge, MA at The Middle East
14 Northhampton, MA at The Iron Horse
15 New York, NY at Mercury Lounge
17 Philadelphia, PA at World Café Live
18 Washington DC at IOTA Club & Cafe
19 Chapel Hill, NC at Local 506
20 Atlanta, GA at Star Bar
21 Nashville, TN at The Basement
23 Austin, TX at Mohawk
24 Denton, TX at Dan’s Silverleaf
26 St Louis, MO at Off Broadway
27 Chicago, IL at Schubas
28 Madison, WI at The Frequency

March:
02 Minneapolis, MN at Cedar St. Cultural Center
03 Omaha, NE at Waiting Room
05 Denver, CO at Larimer Lounge
06 Manitou Springs, CO at Venue 515
08 San Diego, CA at Casbah
09 Los Angeles, CA at Spaceland

Upcoming Shows - Week ending January 17th

There is plenty to check out this week, with 2010's installment of Tomorrow Never Knows blowing through Schubas and Lincon Hall this week. Honestly, there may not be a better concertgoing deal until the Lollapalooza pre-sale than Tomorrow Never Knows' uber-cheap $75 pass for the five-day event. Here are the two shows from the series that we like best.

Wednesday, January 13th - Lincoln Hall - The Dead Trees, Adam Green, The Cribs - 9 pm - $15

Having caught The Cribs at Lollapalooza, when they were supporting Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, we know are already a sure-bet to kick your ass live. With the addition of Johnny Marr to the band, there is no telling how much better they will sound - but the leap in quality from a good band to a great one is apparent on their most recent album, Ignore The Ignorant. This is easily the best show of the Tomorrow Never Knows set, and it is a crime that there are still tickets available. Take advantage!

Saturday, January 16th - Lincoln Hall - Julie Dorion, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Bowerbirds - 10pm - $15

Having somehow missed out on the previous times Canada's The Rural Alberta Advantage have made it through the Windy City, it seems like the perfect time to give the band a chance live. Their debut, Hometowns, was one of our favorite debuts of 2009; with a quaint folk-pop sound that feels like it could have been recorded in your living room. Despite some softer moments, like lovely love song "The Air", the ramshackle production is carefully disguising just how hard jittery tunes like "The Dethbridge In Lethbridge" rock. From the sounds of it, they are a great fit to open for Bowerbirds, but we are here to sing the praises of The RAA. Best yet, the album hit Canada in 2008, so you have to guess they have written some new tracks to show off.

Slayer Postpones Tour

Formed in 1981, the near thirty-year run of metal for Slayer is going to take a bit of an unfortunate break. Front man, Tom Araya first started feeling back pain on the band's October tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. With the pain steadily increasing, Araya played through it and ended up seeing an orthopedic specialist when they returned to the states. After passing on major surgery in favor of a series of minimally invasive procedures on the Cervical Radiculpathy. Still dealing with bouts of severe pain, numbness, and muscle spasms, Araya will undergo an Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion, which according to the band's press release 'is a relatively routine practice and the recovery rate is excellent.'

As a result, the band's planned American and Canadian Carnage tours have been postponed, along with their European tour in March and April. Booking agents are working to reschedule the dates, with purchased tickets being honored at the new dates.

We don't normally cover metal here, but memories of jean jackets with Slayer patches sewn on and a slow news day made us do it. We wish Araya a speedy recovery!

The Cribs Kick Off Tour In Chicago Next Week

UK indie rockers, The Cribs are set to hit our shores for a brief tour starting with an appearance at next week's annual Tomorrow Never Knows series in Chicago. Already a fantastic band, the former trio made news last year for adding a guitarist to the mix. That is not normally a big deal, but when the axe-man in question is ex-Smiths' legend Johnny Marr, you tend to take note. Hot on the heels of the newly released, Marr-fuelled, Ignore The Ignorant, the band is set to unleash their brilliance here at the following dates, through January:

January
13 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall !
14 Ferndale, MI - The Magic Bag !
15 Toronta, ONT - Phoenix Theatre !
16 New York, NY - Irving Plaza !
17 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club !
19 Washington, DC - 9.30 Club !
20 Atlanta, GA - The Earl !
22 Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre !
23 Austin, TX - The Parish !
26 Pomona, CA - The Glass House *
27 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo 365 *
29 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom *
30 Seattle, WA - Showbox Theatre *
31 Vancouver, BC - The Venue *

! with Adam Green & The Dead Trees
* with Jemima Pearl

Be sure to catch them while they're here, and head on over to Filter (here) to register to win a Fender Classic Player Jaguar Special Guitar - the same kind Marr plays.

The Dear & Departed Hit The Road With Alkaline Trio

Armed with a new EP, Chapters, produced by New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, Cali-based rockers The Dear & Departed are set to head out on tour with Alkaline Trio and Cursive for a string of dates starting February 16th, in Pomona, CA. You may recognize frontman, Dan Smith, from the most recent season of L.A. Ink; where his work as a tattoo artist is on display. Fear not, unlike most reality stars, Smith (and his crew) have talent.

The expansive month and a half tour weaves around most of the country, giving you no reason not to head out and check out what should be a damn-fine line-up before the jump across the pond for some UK dates with A.F.I. They hit our native Chicago for two shows at Metro on February 27th and 28th. The rest of the dates are as follows:

w/Alkaline Trio
2/16 Pomona, CA @ Glass House
2/17 Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
2/18 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
2/19 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
2/20 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's
2/23 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
2/24 Salt Lake City, UT @ In the Venue
2/25 Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
2/26 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
2/27 Chicago, IL @ Metro
2/28 Chicago, IL @ Metro
3/2 Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak
3/3 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
3/4 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
3/5 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
3/6 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
3/8 Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Light
3/9 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
3/11 Philadelphia, PA @ Tracadero
3/12 New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
3/13 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
3/14 Providence, RI @ Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
3/16 Towson, MD @ Recher Theatre
3/17 Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend
3/18 Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
3/19 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
3/20 Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live
3/22 Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
3/23 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
3/25 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
3/26 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
3/27 Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
3/28 Austin, TX @ Emo's
3/30 Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
4/1 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
4/2 Los Angeles @ House of Blues

w/AFI
4/5 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
4/6 London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
4/8 Glasgow, UK @ ABC1
4/9 Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
4/11 Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy Newcastle
4/12 Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham

Mute Math - Armistice - Album Review

Though they run the gambit from the sparse electronica of The Postal Service ("Pins And Needles") to the jazzy funk of Jamiroqui ("Armistice"), Mute Math is essentially a rock-raised pop band. They spray to all fields on their sophomore effort, but their pop sensibilities and the soulful flair of the vocals are the binding agents for this satisfying sonic gumbo.

The band's affinity for infectious dance beats to drive hooks is reminiscent of Maroon 5, though with more of a rock edge on tracks like the steadily ticking mayhem of "Spotlight". They are at their best on "Backfire", where a ramshackle, thundering beat slams under the rich vocals delivering an irresistibly gooey hook as guitars creak and moan in the backdrop. The twitchy angst of "The Nerve" blares out of the speakers with a funk-laced shout-a-long, "Set it on fire", hook. Things really only fall short when they drop the tempo on lackluster ballads like piano-led "Lost Year". Most times they decide to tangle with the ivories, it is used as more of an accent, as on the wondrous buzzing symphony of "Clipping".

Seek - "Backfire", "The Nerve", "Electrify"

Upcoming Shows - Week ending January 9th

It is a slow start to 2010, so there's really only one show on our radar this week, but we promise it is a good one!

Saturday, January 9th - Double Door - Katie Todd, Flame Shark, The Damnwells - 9 pm - $12 in advance or $14 at the door

The Damnwells have turned over half the lineup since "Sleepsinging" began gracing XRT airwaves a few years ago, but front man Alex Dezen's great songwriting remain the principle reason the band is so damn good. Online freebie One Last Century was the first without lead guitarist Dave Chernis, and though the sound relied less on the blazing guitar of 'The Furnace', tracks like "55 Pictures" and "Bastard Of Midnight" showed there is still plenty to love. The band is in the midst of crafting their fourth full length, funded by fan donations in a partnership with Pledge Music - with a portion of the funds going to The Global Fund, fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. With the wealth of b-sides available for free to those who donated to the album, it will be great to see just how much of the yet-to-be-titled album gets played on Saturday.