Welcome to #42, loyal Surfers! Locals Bur put out an album, and we were on hand to celebrate at The Empty Bottle with Courtney and headliner Star Tropics. We caught a free Monday show featuring our favorites The Curls, the crazy jazz stylings of Kevin and Hell, and the post rock/punk mix of Les Strychnine! Oozing Wound announced a new album and dropped the first single, and Noname released a new track before her world tour and appearance on Jimmy Fallon with Saba and Smino on Tuesday! It was a winning week for Chicago music! Make sure to check out our Spotify playlist on the button below as you take in this week’s musical happenings. See you next week, Surfers!  

Keep Seeing Live Music!

KPL & JCB

Star Tropics / all photos by LPL
 

My apologies to Zack Johnson, aka Topaz. I did miss your set, to my demir. Johnson’s new album 'High Society' is set to be released on January 29th. We will watch for the release to share his dreamy vibes. In the meantime, readers should check out the content Johnson has on Soundcloud, if not only to view the track artwork by Pedro Andrade, and then purchase a few tracks on Bandcamp.

Courtney is a three-piece group comprised of Dan MacDonald, Mareva Lindo, and welcoming Andy Taylor to the group on drums. You might recognize MacDonald and Lindo from my review of Old Lazarus’ harp back in ISSUE #32 or our Year In Review. They are well-known in the folk music scene. Tonight was a refreshing showing of the breadth of their abilities, now performing as grunge rock group Courtney.

After kicking things off with “Good Time Party People,” MacDonald introduced the band in their first show of 2019 (and their first weekend show at The Empty Bottle) and highlighted Bur’s first tape release of 2019! This being a night of firsts, Courtney brought us a few new songs, including “Girl” which was dedicated to Jess McIntosh (Joybird) who was hanging out at a true fan’s distance: she had plenty of room to dance around. The song tells the story of a little fish who is going to make a difference if she continues to be given the room to grow.

“Stay Awake” is also a new tune harkening back to the romantic songs we slow-danced to at those awkward school flings as we sang along to the rather grown-up postulations. “The World, August 2016” also sends us back to what seems like a distant memory that isn’t distant enough just yet - “the world is fucking nuts / the world just needs to chill out / take a chill pill world / you’re making us look like shit.” One can imagine the frustration required to write such a song inside of a rather chill band. Applicable frustrations resurfaced as MacDonald and Taylor went as “nuts” as they could within their self-prescribed chill limits of the band’s calm demeanor.

For a bit of grounding, Lindo took us on a shining vocal journey through “The Good Years Are Going By.” She sings of opportunities slipping with a weight just shy of tangibility, longing for travel. As I closed my eyes, I visualized plains of the west passing my window on a drive, knowing the gorgeous landscape of the mountains awaits, but opportunity also lies in those plains. For me, it was like an opportunity to pass through the beauty of the plains as they make way for the beauty of the elevated woods. Even if only a daydream, it was a healthy reprieve from my place in the city to reflect on my own goals for this new year.

Tonight was my first introduction to Bur, and I was welcome in celebrating the release of their sophomore album, “Sample Quincy, “which released the same day as the show. (Read KPL’s reaction in this week’s album reviews).

I scanned the scene to gather every detail I could. From the first chord, their sound was clean. With 17 tracks between two albums, Bur began their set with “10th prestige level 70” which is not in their recorded catalog. Following lead singer Jeremy Kush’s fingers as they danced along the strings, I noticed he had that unmistakable “Under 21” X drawn in permanent marker on the back of his hand. These four young gents aired a lot of passion and talent through their music, although that belief hadn’t quite yet translated into their postures.

A few successful jams and a bit of audience applause allowed for the nervous gravity to dissipate from the corner of their mouths and feet - Bur had become one on stage in their celebration. Fluidity replaced gravity, and their sneaker laces began to float behind their hops.

On “Fever Dream,” Colin Burns’ and Juan Jauregui’s guitars scaled up to take the “ooh” and “aah” lyrics right out of Kush’s mouth creating a sense of cerebral conversation, played out through vocals, percussion and guitars.

Bur rocked through “Bored On A Floor” for their tape release finale. All three guitarists turned towards Anthony Voccaro during his drum interlude, creating a stage for the band member often tucked in the back, hidden from camera view. Their friends and fans pressed to the stage to give an immediate congratulations, holding their cassettes up in the air in a show of their love and support.

Star Tropics wrapped up this night of celebration with plenty of consuming dreamy pop tunes. During their hit “Chapel Hill” I turned to see the audience, who had been quite still this evening, dancing along the jangly paths laid in front of each and every one of them, including Jess and Mareva’s shared friends’ embrace.

Star Tropics gained strength and they entered into Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.” The cheers rolled in, and the stage appeared to be one with the crowd... How quickly fear fades when an audience interacts. Keep the cheers coming. Every band on stage deserves it!

-LPL

Old Lazarus’ Harp has a brunch residency at Beat Kitchen every other Saturday, beginning Jan 12th.

The Curls / all photos by KPL

The first free Monday show of 2019 at the good ol’ Empty Bottle was an evening full of nutty, aural pleasure. Three genre-bending acts, each with their own special blend of musical cacophony, played to an engaged, yet tame, crowd. The bands brought the energy but the new year doldrums had descended, and only a few onlookers were able to reciprocate with some dancing to show their appreciation for the quirky, funky jams.

No one quite sounds like The Curls, and after a quick line check they launched into a breakneck set full of their art-rock, neo-soul, and funk-inspired mish-mash. We dubbed them “hipster soul” after their Pitchfork set last summer, but they are so much more than that! Mick Fansler leads the juggernaut of sound through the jaunty rhythms of his guitar, while Jen Marshall (keys), Matt Puhr (bass), and Carl Swoveland (drums) hold down the beat; leaving Rami Atassi to layer in spectacular guitar madness that weaves its way through and under the rest of the band adding an element that could easily go unnoticed but is essential to the overall aesthetic. However, the hardest workers are vocalist/dancer Anna Holmquist who never stopped moving and had the set highlight with her impassioned vocals on “I Can’t Tell U;” and Marshall who also plays horns. One of her sax solos left her and us breathless. With plenty of tunes off their last full length Super Unit, along with both of last years singles “Tidal Wave” and “Bad Boi,” this seemed to be a gear-up set for what should be a full year for The Curls. Their new album should be out soon which will undoubtedly garner more praise on the already decorated local talent.

-KPL

ALBUM REVIEWS

WHAT WE'RE JAMMING TO THIS WEEK

NEW RELEASES

NEW RELEASES WE MISSED LAST WEEK:

THIS WEEK’S NEW RELEASES:

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NEWS & NOTES

• Tomorrow Never Knows musicfest five-day passes have sold out. If you slept on yours, there’s still hope. Many of the fest’s shows still have tix left. Get over to their site and pick a couple or one for every day!

• We are pleased to announce that the first real victory was scored in the fight against Lincoln Yards! The large Live Nation-backed venue and entertainment district has been scrapped! According to the Tribune, Ald. Brain Hopkins (2nd) does not support the plan for the stadium, which also may have housed a United Soccer League team, and the entertainment district which may have contained up to five other Live Nation owned venues. The uproar already spurred the formation of CIVL (Chicago Independent Venue League) and their representation has not gone unnoticed! Check out the Tribune article. Collaboration needs to continue in order for the development to truly reflect the area’s needs.

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See you at the show Chicago!