Music & Arts news from Chicago-based web media, featuring some of the city’s most insightful writers.
- Local release roundup: cerebral grooves from beat maker Radius
Local release roundup: cerebral grooves from beat maker Radius, enlightened bangers from BBU, and more
by Miles Raymer
Radius Sleeping Wide Awake…[ Read more][ Subscribe to the comments on this story ] - Artist on Artist: Robert Glasper talks to Justin Dillard
Jazz pianists Robert Glasper and Justin Dillard talk “fire alarm music” and warm, fluffy SteinwaysWith his well-crafted new album, Black Radio (Blue Note), pianist Robert Glasper puts a spotlight on the reality of most contemporary jazz musicians: they’re not interested in playing just “jazz.” On most of his records he’s added flourishes of hip-hop and modern R&B, but this one goes all the way, with instrumental solos kept to a minimum and vocals on every cut—including contributions from Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Ledisi, and Yasin Bey (aka Mos Def).…[ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ] - SXSW and Chicago: Where does the second city rank?
Friday marks the start of South By Southwest 2012- universally known simply as SXSW. The little conference that began in Austin, Tex. in 1987 has grown into a cultural and corporate behemoth that is virtually inescapable each March. Nearly 50,000 people will travel to…
- Gingrich asks judge to dismiss song lawsuit
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him for allegedly violating copyrights by playing “Eye of the Tiger” at campaign events.
A defense filing in U.S. District Court in Chicago denies any wrongdoing and says recordings played of the Rocky III anthem constituted fair use. Monday’s filing also raises jurisdictional issues.
The federal lawsuit filed recently by Rude Music Inc. contends Gingrich has used…
- CIMMFest tix on sale now
Over the last three years, the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival has become an increasingly vital merger of sound and vision, and the few films announced so far for 2012 hold considerable promise.
Taking place at several venues in Wicker Park and Logan Square from April 12 to 15, the fourth annual four-day “celebration of outstanding films, intense concerts, incredible DJ/VJ events, daring live score performances and more” once again will showcase “what music and movies…
- Remembering Davy Jones with ‘Sound Opinions’ Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis
Listen to Sound Opinions’ hosts remember Davy Jones on Afternoon Shift
…
- Global Notes: Flamenco fusion
In honor of the Tenth Annual Chicago Flamenco Festival, which is going on right now, Jerome and Global Notes contributor Catalina Maria Johnson listen to some flamenco fusion.
For a schedule of the festival’s events, click here.
Track List:
1. “Traveller” –…
- Rihanna, Chris Brown, and pop music’s female trouble
Whether the subject is contraception or M.I.A.’s middle finger, America wants to keep women in line
by Miles Raymer
Internet leaks of songs by major artists have become so commonplace—and faked leaks such an integral part of the publicist’s tool kit—that hardly anyone makes a fuss over them anymore. But on February 20 what looked like coordinated leaks of a remix of Rihanna’s “Birthday Cake” featuring Chris Brown and a remix of Chris Brown’s “Turn Up the Music” featuring Rihanna sent pop-culture observers the world over into paroxysms of disgust, titillation, and horror.…[ Read more][ Subscribe to the comments on this story ] - Gossip Wolf: Pitchfork predictions, round two
More Pitchfork picks, emo people watching at the Promise Ring, and new orch-pop from Panoramic & True
by Jessica Hopper and J.R. Nelson
On Tuesday the Pitchfork Music Festival announced its first confirmed acts, though surely regular readers weren’t surprised by much—weeks ago Gossip Wolf called Willis Earl Beal and Cloud Nothings and guessed Grimes. Topping the bill so far are Vampire Weekend, Feist, and Godspeed You!…[ Read more][ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
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