Phantogram Extends Tour

NY electro-pop duo, Phantogram continues to ride a well-deserved wave of success, adding a handful of west coast tour dates with, UK buzz-band, The XX to their list of things to do. The June dates come after the end of their run opening for The Antlers and a stretch of May headlining dates stretching from Oregon to New York. Keep an eye on the site for any Chicago dates, but in the meantime, enjoy the Alan Wilkis Remix of "Mouthful Of Diamonds" here.

with The Antlers
4/30 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
5/1 San Francisco, CA Independent
5/3 Portland, OR Doug Fir
5/4 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret
5/5 Seattle, WA Neumo's
Headlining Dates
5/8 Eugene , OR University of Oregon
5/10 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
5/12 Aspen, CO Belly Up *
5/13 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge *
5/14 Kansas City, MO Riot Room *
5/15 Bloomington, IN The Bishop *
5/17 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop *
5/18 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell's *
5/19 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom *
5/20 Lewiston, ME WRBC Bates College *
5/21 Providence, RI Jerkey's *
5/22 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights *
5/31 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
* w/ Light Pollution
with The XX
6/1 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
6/2 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
6/3 Big Sur, CA Henry Miller Library
6/5 Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theater
6/6 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern
6/8 San Diego, CA House of Blues

Podcast 14 - Play It, Don't Spray It

After a week away, the guys discuss upcoming shows from Canasta, Kate Nash, Frightened Rabbit, and review recent shows from Phantogram and The Whigs.

You can get to the podcast by subscribing to it through iTunes or Zune, or using the feed in any other podcast provider. Or, you can simply listen with the widget on the right of the page.

Phantogram - April 22, 2010

here is a reason we like to see a band twice before we like to crown them must-see. In the case of, electro-pop duo, Phantogram, seeing them a second time is essential to find out just how fresh the experience is each time out. With a video-screen display to give the set a more dynamic visual appearance, and a duo made up of a dj and a guitarist, you wonder just how unique the set can really be from one to the next. As the New York duo demonstrated Thursday night at Lincoln Hall, they keep things plenty fresh each outing.

The duo were an energetic, engaging success at Schubas a few months back, but they seem to have evolved even further as a live act since then. A larger screen and new videos to accompany the songs were fantastic, but the biggest changes were in regards to the sound. The duo, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, incorporated looping vocals into the songs, allowing them to remix their songs on the fly. It gave the mysterious thump and flickering guitar of "Running From The Cops" a more playful twist. Between the aquatic imagery and thick on-stage fog, the tranquil, Roxy Music-esque "You Are The Ocean" was a definite highlight of the set, showcasing both Carter's unique charm as a vocalist and the duo's great harmonies as Barthel twisted and danced to the beat.

Barthel sang "This Is The Future", heavy on her looping, sampled vocals, over a twitchy beat and thick bass line. The new track feels like it could use a little work, especially to iron out the cluttered prog-rock feeling moments that feel out of place. Barthel seemed a little more involved in the vocals of the bass-heavy "Turn It Off", making it feel more like a duet than the Carter-led version on the album. The set ended with the hauntingly sexy "When I'm Small", with Barthel belting out vocals with a brasher, more passionate edge that displayed just how great her voice is, and left you wishing she used that side of her voice a little more often. They actually got a decent amount of the sold-out crowd dancing for the club-ready jam; a massive accomplishment in Chicago. Phantogram's willingness to tinker with their already infectious songs makes them a band not to miss.

The party unfortunately stopped when The Antlers hit the stage. The Brooklyn-based trio opened with the slow burning falsetto of "Kettering". It showed off the pipes of front-man Peter Silberman, and the gradual climb to the song's eventual fiery explosion was great. The dramatically sparse verses and overwhelming, epic flush of sound of the chorus on "Sylvia" again showed off Silberman's fantastic vocal range. If it were only the near theatrical vocals or their knack for stretching out the last moments of a song for several minutes each, they may have been more effective. Instead, it made everything feel heavy and overly self-important; which is quite the opposite of the feeling you get from them on album. The intense drama of every song made The Antlers a bit of an exhausting downer following on the heels of the energetic duo that opened. In the end, it felt like the sets should have been flipped. Half an hour of the somber, dramatic rock from The Antlers is plenty, but you can always go for more Phantogram.

Upcoming Shows - Week ending April 25th

Thursday, April 22nd - Lincoln Hall - 9pm - $13

Headliner: The Antlers

Opener: Phantogram

We begged you to catch, electro-pop duo, Phantogram when they played Schubas a few months ago, warning you that it would be a rare chance to catch the rising stars at a smallish venue. Now they are at the larger Lincoln Hall opening for, fellow buzz-band, The Antlers. It will not be long before venues this size will be a memory for them too.

Thursday, April 22nd - Congress Theater - 7pm - $25

Headliner: Passion Pit

Openers: Mayer Hawthorne & The Country

Having sold out Congress Theater earlier this month, Passion Pit return for what should be another sold out performance. Get your tickets while you can, as word of just how great their dance-happy, synth-fuelled rock is spreads.

Friday, April 23rd - Bottom Lounge - 8pm - $15

Headliner: The Whigs

Openers: Empires, Old Fake

You have a choice tonight, but one listen to the latest album from, Athens-based grunge rockers, The Whigs and the decision becomes clear. Blending blues and classic rock with their affinity for nineties grunge this time around works wonders for their already great sound. Get an early listen to a band you should not miss at Lollapalooza this year.

Friday, April 23rd - Park West - 8pm - $27

Headliner: Martin Sexton

Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton provides a great back-up plan for those who will get shut out of the sure-to-sell-out Whigs show. His amazing vocal range, heartfelt songwriting, and music that blends soul, blues, and roots rock is sure to please.

Sunday, April 25th - The Vic - 7pm - $21.50
Headliner: Sia

Sunday is a tough decision, sure to spread concert-loving Chicagoans across a few venues. There is no wrong choice here, and Australia's Sia certainly is a very good one. Her sound is pop, but is as unique, varied, and refreshing as her collaborations – which recently have included appearances on The Flight Of The Conchords' sophomore album, writing songs for Christina Aguilera's upcoming album, and laid down guest vocals on the David Byrne and Fatboy Slim album.

Sunday, April 25th - Lincoln Hall - 9pm - $14
Headliner: The Album Leaf
Opener: Sea Wolf

We do not normally recommend heading out to shows to see an opening act, but Sea Wolf is not normally an opening act. We love the gypsy-flavored acoustic rock of Sea Wolf more than we can possibly explain here. There is nothing quite like them in music today, and Alex Church Brown's knack for storytelling in the lyrics is just as gorgeous as the music. On album, Sea Wolf are a tranquil beauty. Live, they are an indie rock party. If you have never seen them live, you need to be at Lincoln Hall on Sunday night.
Sunday, April 25th - Metro - 9pm - $13
Headliner: White Rabbits
Openers: Here We Go Magic, Pet Lions

All you really need to know about White Rabbits can be seen in the clip of them playing "Percussion Gun" on Letterman last year. Soulful vocals, two drummers, and a ragged, heart-pounding indie rock sound make them a must-see band. Add in Chicago's own up-and-coming indie pop sensations Pet Lions, and we are not quite sure how there can possibly still be tickets available.

Phantogram Adds Tour Dates

NY electro-pop duo, Phantogram is set to return to Chicago as they lend support to, fellow buzz-worthy New Yorkers', The Antlers. We warned you back in February that the Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel project was not long for the smaller stages of places like Schubas, so jump on this opportunity to see them at Lincoln Hall while it lasts. You have been warned - be at Lincoln Hall early for their April 22nd show! If you still need convincing, head over to Pitchfork and check out the video for the mesmerizing "Mouthful Of Diamonds".

April:
15 Buffalo, NY Soundlab
16 Columbus, OH The Basement *
17 Urbana IL, Canopy Club *
18 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon *
20 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre *
21 Iowa City, IA The Blue Moose *
22 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall *
23 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig *
24 Rock Island, IL Rock Island Brewing Company *
26 Boulder, CO Fox Theater *
28 San Diego, CA Casbah *
29 Costa Mesa, CA Detroit Bar *
30 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour *
May:
1 San Francisco, CA Independent *
3 Portland, OR Doug Fir *
4 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret *
5 Seattle, WA Neumo's *
18 Hoboken, NJ Maxwell's
19 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
31 George, WA Sasquatch! Music Festival
* w/ The Antlers

Single Of The Week - Phantogram "When I'm Small"

If you subscribe to our podcast feed, you will get a little gift next time you open your podcast provider. This week's song is from electro-rock duo Phantogram, who we loved live a few weeks back. The track, "When I'm Small", is from their fantastic debut album, Eyelid Movies. If this grabs you, and we have a hard time imagining it won't, be sure to pick up the whole album. You will not be disappointed.

Podcast 6 Up... FINALLY!

After a little break, we are proud to announce that Podcast 6 is finally up and ready for your listening pleasure. You can download and subscribe on iTunes, use our feed on Podbean, or just click and listen to the stream below.

This week, the guys give their thoughts on the Lady GaGa at Lollapalooza rumors, review Editors, Phantogram, Portugal. The Man, and Pet Lions shows, and then recommend a crap-ton of shows for you to head out to.

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Phantogram - February 17th, 2010

As evidenced by the night's opening act, Junk Culture, electronic music can be a serious bore in a live setting. While it is easy to see how Junk Culture ended up on the same bill as Phantogram, the two acts showed the two extremes of the genre Wednesday night. To be fair, Junk Culture was without a drummer, who recently got married, that may have flushed out the songs a bit. As delivered, it was a dj only set played in front of a projector screen showing off artfully looped images from the fifties and sixties; some of which worked better than others. Though there was clearly something there in the songs to enjoy, the excessively repetitious songs and general malaise involved with watching a dj at a rock bar were a bit much to take.

In setup, Phantogram's set was not much different. Sarah Barthel worked the dj gear and Josh Carter played guitar as a slick city night traffic scene played out on the projector screen for "As Far As I Can See". The blend of glossy horns, Barthel's soul-tinged vocals, and flickering guitar made fit wonderfully with the visuals. The two charmed the crowd, continuing the chilled start with Barthel gently cooing "Let Me Go", as the dynamic of dj and guitarist on stage really came together well. She proved to be a solid singer on "Mouthful Of Diamonds", where the guitar came alive a bit more, leaving you wishing it was a bit more noticeable on album.

Carter took over vocals for a bit, beginning with "Running From The Cops"; fuelled by a grubby bass line. The strangely compelling harmonies of the gently swaying "You Are The Ocean" and jittery, looping "Turn It Off" worked extremely well live. The set ended with the chilling vocals of Barthel on sexed-up "When I'm Small", with a heavy bass thump and clanging guitar flickering in the distance. The planned two-song encore, the only negative with the video production being a lack of spontaneity, concluded the hour-long set with atmospheric ballad "All Dried Up" and the sparse, guitar-led "Voices".

We have been warning you for weeks not to miss the show, and their vibrant live set and energetic stage presence proved us right. The nearly-packed venue all but ensures they will not be confined to the city's smaller stages for long. Phantogram would, and should, destroy a side stage at Lollapalooza this summer. The duo is a shining example of electronic rock done right.

As Far As I Can See
Let Me Go
Mouthful Of Diamonds
Running From The Cops
You Are The Ocean
This Is The Future*
Turn It Off
When I'm Small

All Dried Up
Voices

Upcoming Shows - Week Ending February 21st

We've got a few shows to recommend this week, with a decision to make on Friday.

Wednesday February 17th - Schubas - Headliner: Phantogram - Opener: Junk Culture - 9pm - $8 in advance, $10 at the door

We have been loving Phantogram since we first heard their fantastic EP, and the debut LP, Eyelid Movies, only added to how great we think this NY electro-pop duo is. Trust us, they will not be playing venues as small as Schubas much longer, if at all. Just wait till they are all over trendy shows like Gossip Girl. Shows like this are what inspired what we do here.

Friday, February 19th - Ballydoyle Pub - Headliner: Red Wanting Blue - 9pm - $?

Nate was all about this Ohio roots rock band on Podcast 3 and now is your chance to catch them at a new suburban venue in Bloomingdale. We can't quite find a ticket or cover price, but we can't imagine it not being worth the price of admission - whatever that may be.

Friday, February 19th - Subterranean - Headliner: Lucky Boys Confusion - Opener: The Action Blast - 9pm - $15

With all the excitement over AM Taxi lately, it is easy for us to all but forget how good Lucky Boys Confusion is. Do not make that mistake. If AM Taxi takes off like we expect them to, shows like this will only become rarer. If you are in the city this Friday, the decision between LBC and RWB is an easy one.

Podcast 5 Up!

This week, the guys talk new albums from Josh Ritter and Portugal. The Man, and get ready for a busy string of shows in the next month - including John Butler Trio, Editors, Phantogram, Port OBrien, Pet Lions, and many more!

We've 'upgraded' to an mp3 file, to make it a bit easier for everyone to listen.

Look for the new Song Of The Week 'podcast' later this week!