First, let me thank you all for being supporters of Sound Citizen. I love this website, and I love Chicago and music. But without people such as yourselves, all of it would be meaningless.
You’re waiting for a “catch” aren’t you? Well here it is: Chicago Reader is running their “Best of Chicago 2010″ contest and I would be downright indebted if you would help earn Sound Citizen the title of Best Local Music Blog. There’s no cash reward or anything like that but it would go a long way toward getting more exposure for Sound Citizen and helping fulfill our commitment to promoting the local music scene. In short, the more people know about Sound Citizen, the more we can promote this city’s amazing music scene and all the bands and individuals behind it.
Here’s what to do:
You can go to this Chicago Reader contest page, then type in SoundCitizen.com in the space under “Best local music blog,” about halfway down the page.
Alternatively, you can vote via text message. Text ‘CR42′ to 30364. You will get a message reply asking for your vote for best local music blog. Just type SoundCitizen.com and hit send. That’s it.
Remember, this is Chicago — vote early and often. There’s no limit to the number of submissions.
Thank you for your votes and continued support.
-Mike
Welcome to another edition of Sound Citizen Radio. This week we celebrate three of our favorite Chicago music venues in The Hideout, Beat Kitchen and Lincoln Hall.
The past two weeks on SoundCitizen.com we reviewed Local Natives, interviewed and reviewed Clem Snide and made some Austin City Limits recommendations. Check them out after listening to the podcast!
And GO BLACKHAWKS!
This week’s lineup:
Jonny Rumble, “BRZRKR”
June 25, Beat Kitchen, Chicago
Visqueen, “Jimmy vs. James”
May 31, The Hideout, Chicago
Gold Motel, “We’re on the Run”
June 11, Lincoln Hall
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Last Wednesday was one of those times when you stumble into a show you won’t soon forget. You usually stumble out, too.
As it were, we hit up the Tonic Room on Chicago’s north side to see little-known but soon-to-be-famous JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound. And we couldn’t have had better timing. JC and the crew are breaking out. They’ve been on the scene just a year or so but have managed to capture soul, funk, R&B and even rock in their sound. And it’s all Chicago, as it should be. But don’t expect these cats to pull up stakes and leave if they hit it big. As guitarist Billy Bungeroth told Centerstage Chicago’s Jeff Minn:
A lot of people think Chicago is the step on the road to another destination. It’s not. Chicago is the destination. We live in the greatest city on Earth. Mind it, support it. If you dig music and you like to dance and you like heart-drenched ballads and funky post-punk workouts then there’s a dude named Mr. JC Brooks in Chicago I think you ought to go and see.
JC is a student of soul music, but he started in an indie-rock band. That should give you an idea of the versatility of the sound. Need further proof? In the video below, you’ll hear King Floyd’s “Groove me Baby,” and “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” a Wilco cover that has become JC’s most popular song.
It was a good night for Chicago music – a rising star with soul, in a small venue with an eclectic crowd.
These guys can bring it.
Below is some video from the show at the Tonic Room. Watch it. Also check out this photo gallery from Wednesday night.
Hear more JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound.
Welcome to another edition of Sound Citizen Radio. This week we feature songs from three Chicago bands and they are all playing Chicago concerts this week and next. It’s a diverse group too — we have some rock, a little blues and soul and even a country tune that will get your toes tapping. As always, we feature “screw the scalper” — where we tell you when tickets go on sale for those Chicago concerts likely to sell out so you don’t get gouged to see your favorite artists.
We hope you enjoy this week’s installment and please send your suggestions, comments and opinions to soundcitizenmike@gmail.com. For all you bands and artists out there, if you would like to be featured on Sound Citizen radio, please send an email with a link to your music.
We’re trying to help spread good music through Chicago, and could use your help. If you like anything you hear, please take a moment to share this podcast with your friends — you can use the Facebook or ShareThis buttons below, or simply copy the URL and share it that way. Thank you!
This week’s lineup:
The Blacks (pictured), “I’m in Love”
Schubas, Saturday, March 6.
Listen to more.
J.C. Brooks & The Uptwon Sound, “I’m Trying to Break Your Heart”
The Tonic Room, Wednesday, March 10.
Listen to more.
The Lost Cartographers, “Goodbye Ohio”
Uncommon Ground, Saturday, March 13.
Listen to more.
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We have another great show for you this week, including three new bands playing in Chicago in the next couple weeks – from Philadelphia and all the way from Australia. Also featured is an up-and-coming Chicago band and some news about Lollapallooza 2010 and Pitchfork.
As always, we make some recommendations about upcoming shows to look out for in the coming months. Hang tight, winter is almost over and that means the local music scene is coming alive again.
If you have any recommendations for us, comments, thoughts or opinions, please send an email to soundcitizenmike@gmail.com. And bands, if you want to be featured on Sound Citizen Radio, email an MP3 or a link where some of your music can be downloaded.
This weeks’ lineup:
Strand of Oaks, “Two Kids”
February 21, Halfway Lounge, Chicago
Young Jesus, (pictured) “God Put a Curse on Us”
Feb. 17, Matz Hall, Winnetka
March 5, Martyrs, Chicago
Grand Atlantic, “Coast is Clear”
March 9, Martyrs, Chicago
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Welcome back to Sound Citizen Radio! It’s ladies week, so we’re bringing you a couple of rocking all-women bands. Two that you’ll hear will be playing a special event called Girls out of the Garage, on January 28, at Lincoln Hall. It’s going to be a lot of fun. And, as if you really needed a reason to go, we’re giving away a pair of free tickets. Just become a fan of Sound Citizen on Facebook.
This week’s podcast is at the bottom of this post.
Here’s the lineup for Girls out of the Garage:
The Wanton Looks (pictured at right, 11 PM)
Leslie Hunt (10 PM)
The Maybenauts (9 PM)
Scotia Widows (8 PM)
Also this week we have a song from Kid You’ll Move Mountains, an up-and-coming Chicago band who will be featured on a new Travel Channel show called The Last Adventure. The band plays February 5, at Lincoln Hall, where The Travel Channel will be recording.
Enjoy the podcast. One correction – I mention The Black Lips are playing March 1. It’s actually April 1.
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