Make sure to mark them on your calendar.

This week’s lineup:

Menomena, “TAOS”
Metro, Saturday, September 25

Wavves, “King of the Beach”
Lincoln Hall, Sunday, September 12

Wooden Birds, “False Alarm”
Schuba’s, Tuesday, August 24

Little Gold, “Chainsaw”
Not Playing Here (See Tour Dates)

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Mike Phillips, Nneka and Gary

Once it was confirmed that I would be interviewing Nneka for Sound Citizen, I started my research. I watched previous interviews, listened to her music and plowed through Wikipedia for information on her homeland of Nigeria. When I was done, I felt like I just crammed for a political science final exam.

Nneka was shaping up to be a political, emotional tornado, expressing herself with a powerful mix of reggae, hip-hop, soul and rock. She is petite but her voice and presence is anything but small. Born in Nigeria, the half-German singer grew up in a musical incubator and among turmoil, exploitation and a people accustomed to expressing themselves in any way they can. I was feeling very much out of my element.

But Nneka immediately disarmed me as she walked through the hotel lobby in Chicago, looking directly into my eyes, then down while playfully lifting her gray fedora and saying, “Good day to you, sir” in one of the most delightful accents I’ve ever heard. Suddenly, I felt silly with my list of politically-charged questions.

We walked up the stairs to the second-floor lobby along with Nneka’s tour manager and Gary, her six-and-a-half-foot tall drummer. After finding a corner of the hotel restaurant with the lowest level of ambient music, we sat down and I started asking questions.

It turns out that Nneka is indeed politically and emotionally driven. But that’s not to be confused with being “emotional.” She is thoughtful, intelligent and focused even if, at times, she appears lost in her own thoughts. It’s not because she doesn’t know what to say but because she’s trying to figure out the best, most meaningful way to say it — just like she does in her music.

I would like to thank Nneka for this tremendous opportunity. And Gary, too — our impromptu camera man for the day.

The clip below has some volume issues, so crank it up and wear headphones if you have them. It was a challenging environment, acoustically, and I need new equipment.

Below the interview is some footage from a live performance of “The Uncomfortable Truth” from a performance in Philadelphia. Hear more of Nneka’s music.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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(Video included) Love at first sight — catching the eye of someone on a train or across the room at a party and being instantly smitten. Love at first listen — hearing a band for the first time and knowing without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be at their next show (and the next and the next), I’ll buy their next album and, even though I haven’t even heard the rest of the current one, that I’ll love it. Bands like Frisbie, Fanfarlo, Free Energy, and Freelance Whales (there’s got to be ones outside of the letter F, right?). Sure there is … Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Freelance Whales

So, it was with a true thrill that I saw the double bill of Freelance Whales and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros announced as a Lollapalooza aftershow several months ago. I knew it would be a hot ticket, but I endeavored to snap one up. I failed. As the day approached, I got a bad feeling that there would be tickets, but way out of my price range. A quick search of Craigslist revealed that not only were there NO sellers, but people were willing to pay $100 a ticket. Holy hot ticket. I held out hope that all the music karma I’ve put into the universe would come back to me — I’d get a ticket at the last moment on Craigslist or something. I was not disappointed.

I’d seen Freelance Whales before (they’ve been to Chicago at least three or four times in at least as many months) but I was starting to figure that my anticipation of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros was more than deserved. I didn’t know if they’d been here before, but I suspected this was more than Lolla after-show hype. This was going to be something. What exactly, I had no possible way of knowing.

Freelance Whales started things off on a crowded stage filled with all manners of drum, keyboard, harmonica, glockenspiel and guitar. The five-piece, who hail from Queens, bring an instant energy to the stage — dancing and hopping along with the music as they play. Their enthusiasm is contagious and it’s hard not to be caught up in it all. The music is filled with contradiction; it’s both organic and electronic, it’s orchestral and synthesized. They manage to channel The Decemberists, XTC and The Postal Service (Judah Dadone’s vocals often are reminiscent of Ben Gibbard). But with their five-piece harmonies coming in big and bold on so many of the songs, as well as their obvious talent for songcraft, I suspect that one day people will eventually say that other bands “sound like the Freelance Whales.”

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

However, the night was yet to reveal itself. As the Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros show started, I looked up and there were instantly 10 people on stage. I counted. I counted them again. And the leader of them all was Alex Ebert, otherwise known as Edward Sharpe. His beard and hair along with white suit instantly evoke a picture of Jesus Christ, and the way he came forward to the stage to let the crowd embrace him, laying hands on him with a wild fervor did nothing to disabuse me of that visual. As the band started up and I re-focused my eyes back on the tableau of the stage, I was struck by the new visual that struck me: Partridge Family. Manson Family.

The band started and the crowd went wild. They were hopelessly, completely, instantly taken with this band, this man. They were disciples. They would have done anything he asked. Perhaps they were just hungry for the live presence; Edward/Alex said that he thought they had only been to Chicago two times before he announced that he “wanted this to be a party, and it didn’t feel like a party” so he crossed over the stage and got into the middle of the crowd to sing. He was Devendra, he was Brian Jonestown (without the anger and the meltdowns), he was completely wonderfully riveting and mesmerizing and I, too, would have followed him anywhere.

There have been musicals made from Billy Joel songs, from ABBA songs, from Green Day songs. I thought to myself: I want to make a musical from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros songs*. There was always so much going on and so much to think about. Often, I had the sense that I was at a tent revival; the only things jarring me from that notion were the smells of pot and incense swirling around me at any given moment. Aurally, there were two drummers, two guitarists, a bassists, a keyboardist, a pianist, various percussionists and always “Edward” at the helm and sometimes joined on lead vocals by Jade Castrinos who had her own huge, commanding voice.

Even when they performed their most commercial song, “Janglin’” (it’s literally in a car commercial that’s played all the time), it didn’t feel over played. Instead, I believed them when they sang:

Well your wartime is Funny
Your guns don’t bother me
I said we’re out to prove the truth of
The man from Galilee
Well your laws are for Dummies, yes
Your institutions dead
I say we’re out to blow the trumpet
To wake you all from bed – from bed

It was so much — Neil Diamond, Elvis, Jim Morrison, Johnny Cash, the Mamas and the Papas. It was a gospel service, it was a hootenanny, it really was a big old party.  I was completely surprised and thrilled and sold on whatever they weren’t selling. I didn’t ever want it to be over and I can’t wait for it to happen again.

*Apparently, they’re on it: According to WIkipedia, “On June 5, 2009, the band released “Desert Song”, a music video which is part 1 of a 12-part feature-length musical. Part 2, “Kisses Over Babylon” was released November 24, 2009 through Spinner.com.”

Editor’s Notes: Our thanks to Jocelyn Geboy for writing this piece for Sound Citizen. Another note — this was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen, no joke. Those late-night discussions where you list your “top five of all time” … firmly planted. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros just make me freaking happy. And I like that.

Below are a few videos. I recommend watching all of them. The third video is an up-close view of Alex’s foray into the crowd during 40 Day Dream, the opening song of the set. Start that one at the 1:30 mark and keep watching … IT’S WORTH IT.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, “Home”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, “Janglin”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, “40 Day Dream” (start at 1:30)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Freelance Whales, “Hannah”

Click here to view the embedded video.

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What was unexpected was the following behind Mumford & Sons. Turning the corner to the Playstation stage I was fairly shocked to see the Mumford crowd extend into the lawn for the Budweiser stage. And while I’d like to think that Sound Citizen had something to do with this, I’m not delusional – Mumford & Sons are just that good. The crowd was ready, both in spirit and in their collective, intimate knowledge of the band’s repertoire.

It’s impossible not to get in the groove when these guys are in full jam – the guitar, drums, keyboard, stand-up bass and blistering banjo all come together seamlessly. Marcus Mumford’s vocals are gritty, bringing life to passionate lyrics penned to music that is written from the heart and explosive in performance.

This was an absolute highlight of Lollapalooza 2010. Below are videos for Little Lion Man, and The Cave. Enjoy, and get out and see them on tour, including Oct. 31 in Chicago.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Rage has been a favorite ever since I first heard them in college. Then, when I saw them live, they entered into that “top 10″ list of all-time best live shows where they have remained to this day. No live act (the Beastie Boys come very, very close) delivers and creates the energy of a Rage concert.

You might not be a fan of their music or their outspoken political views, but watch these videos below to get a sense of the frenzy they can create. It’s truly a spectacle and one I hope to witness again in the future. Our thanks to those who shot the vids.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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I like music with conviction, creativity and in the interests of the common man. Mumford & Sons, I like. I like them so much that I’ve considered spending the obnoxious ticket price of one day of Lollapalooza just to see them. Because as we all know, you can’t really get to know a band until you’ve seen them live. And I’m committed to getting to know these folks.

Mumford & Sons might not be for everyone, although I’m not sure why someone wouldn’t like them.

Oh hell … just have a listen. (Might take a second to load – try skipping ahead if it won’t)

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Don’t forget to subscribe to Sound Citizen Radio here, or on iTunes by searching “Sound Citizen” and, as always, please send any feedback, suggestions or accolades to soundcitizenmike@gmail.com. Enjoy the festival!

This week’s lineup:

Local Natives, “Sun Hands”
Pitchfork Music Fest, Sunday, July 18, 3:35pm

The Tallest Man on Earth, “King of Spain”
Pitchfork Music Fest, Friday, July 16, 4pm

Surfer Blood, “Swim (to reach the end)”
Pitchfork Music Fest, Sunday, July 18, 4:45pm

Smith Westerns, “Be My Girl”
Pitchfork Music Fest, Saturday, July 17, 4:45pm

Futurebirds, “Breathe for Days”
Empty Bottle, Sundday, July 25

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This week we feature three bands with shows over this holiday weekend, and they’re all Chicago folk. Not included, but recommended is The Streets on Fire at Double Door on July 2.

Send any future Sound Citizen Radio suggestions, comments and questions to soundcitizenmike@gmail.com.

This week’s lineup:

Joe Pug, “The Sharpest Crown”
Fitzgeralds, Berwyn, July 2, 3

Filligar, “Gray Area”
Lincoln Hall, July 7

The Shams Band, “Working Man”
Beat Kitchen, July 8

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We took in his show at Martyr’s in Chicago and soon discovered that he’s a country boy at heart but, true to True Blood, has dark undertones. What makes this guy unique starts with his voice – it’s deep, loud and brooding. But he has a flair for the lighter side of things too. For instance, while struggling to tune his Gibson guitar, he remarked, “These Gibson’s, always going out of tune. They look great, though. Kind of like my ex-girlfriend — I couldn’t get her in tune either. And I was married to for five years.”

Everett is out touring now, promoting a new album and trying to capitalize on his True Blood fame. Which, he should. And he’s keenly aware of it – at the start of the show he talked about how he’s known as “The True Blood guy” but that he’d get to that later, so people would stay to hear more of his stuff. But he also acknowledged being truly grateful for the opportunity that song has brought. In all, Jace Everett is talented and rather humble. He knows his roots, too, closing out the set with a Bo Diddly song and remarking how, in his home state, Bo Diddly was brought to the white kids and that “Bo Diddly has been smiling ever since.”

A quick crowd note: Everett apparently has many friends and fans in the UK. There was a table of across-the-pond silver foxes hanging on every note. And they line dance, which you can see in the video. Everett referred to them often, happy they were there to support him.

The night’s opener was Tiffany Strietelmeier, featuring the Piscotti brothers (Dave and Tony) on guitar and drums. They play a nice mix of songs that are upbeat and heart-felt. Tony Piscotti is smooth on the guitar and brother Dave’s timing on the drums is spot-on. And from what I understand they are only getting better. You can check them out around town.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Let’s start with Thursday, August 5:

Devo, with Dirty Projectors are at Congress Thetaer at 7:30

Slightly Stoopid with Collie Buddz are at House of Blues at 8.

The New Pornographers with The Dodos are at Metro at 8.

The Big Pink with Night Gallery are at Lincoln Hall at 8

Cymbals Eat Guitars with Young Galaxy are at Schuba’s at 8

Out of these, our choice is Slightly Stoopid with Collie Buddz. It’s a tough call over The New Pornographers and Cymbals Eat Guitars. But Slightly Stoopid is perfect summer music and House of Blues is a great downtown Chicago venue.

Friday, August 6:

MGMT is at House of Blues at 10.

Cut Copy with Dragonette is at Metro at 10.

The Walkmen with Warpaint is at Double Door at 10.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros with Freelance Whales at Lincoln Hall at 10.

Wild Beasts at Empty Bottle at 10.

Rogue Wave with Gamble House at Schubas at 10.

Lackluster, if you ask me. But we’ll go with Edward Sharpe and Freelance Whales. The two bands go well together, which should make for a good all-around experience and Lincoln Hall is one great venue.

Saturday, August 7:

The National with The Antlers at House of Blues at 10.

The Black Keys with The Morning Benders at Metro at 10.

Minus the Bear with Miniature Tigers at Double Door at 10.

Blitzen Trapper with Avi Buffalo at Lincoln Hall at 10.

The Soft Pack with Royal Bangs at Schuba’s at 10.

Wavves with Harlem at Empty Bottle at 10.

Gogol Bordello at Subterranean at 10.

Precision Guided Musicians featuring Hot Chip (live), Rusko, Steve Porter Ancient Astronauts and Perry Farrell at Congress Theater at 10. CANCELED

Far and away, Saturday features the most difficult choices. I’d be happy with The National, The Black Keys, Minus the Bear or The Soft Pack. I’ve seen The Black Keys several times, although not on the most recent album. I’ve seen The National at Pitchfork. I’ve seen Minus the Bear at The Riviera. All are impressive. The one I haven’t seen is The Soft Pack and they are one of our new favorite bands — so we’ll choose them by default. That is, unless we see them at Lolla. If so, it’s The Black Keys once again. Seriously, you can’t go wrong.

Sunday, August 8:

Phoenix with Toro Y Moi at House of Blues at 10.

Health with Chandeliers at Reggie’s Rock Club at 10.

Phoenix should be entertaining.

What do you think? Leave your comments below!

Click to buy Lollapalooza 2010 aftershow tickets.

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