Karl Blau and Your Heart Breaks played a great show last night at The Hideout. It was the record release part for Karl’s new CD called “AM” on Whistler Records (a new Chicago label). They put out the Slow Down Joe b/w Lake King Daughter 7″ that you can get from the K Mail Order Dept (on the back it shows a different label name, but they changed it to Whistler recently).

Anyway, it was a really fun show. I bought all three of the CDs available from Your Heart Breaks, they are really good. I also picked up Karl’s new CD and it is also wonderful. It should be coming out in January. I’m going to see if I can help the Whistler guys out, you might be able to buy it online sooner, more on that later.

Your Heart Breaks

Karl Blau

Tags: chicago, hideout, karl blau, your heart breaks

It was great seeing Phil and Karl play South Union Arts. Before the show I said hello and picked up the new Mount Eerie (parts 6 & 7) book / picture disc. Karl is playing a full set @ The Hideout (21+) in Chicago tonight, I strongly urge you to come out!

Karl Blau

Mount Eerie

Tags: chicago, karl blau, mount eerie, south union arts

What a night!

My ears are still buzzing. Tonight was one of the most amazing nights of live music I’ve ever witnessed. Chicago native Anni Rossi played a very warm and upbeat opening set. If I had enough tape on hand, I would have taped her performance, but sadly I only had a tape and a half.

Bryce Panic played a very energetic, yet brief set. Old Time Relijun played an amazing, slam-dancing set, filled with the best soul-dance rock you’ve ever heard. Then comes Monotonix, who I’ve never seen live before. Boy, what a completely unique, inspiring, and awesome night it was! Monotonix finished their set when I was running out of tape, I only had 4 minutes left.

The night couldn’t have gone better. After speaking to both Monotonix and Arrington de Dionyso, I was able to introduce myself to Calvin Johnson before heading out. I complimented him on a job well done producing the latest Old Time Relijun record, as well as the recent performance in Chicago at South Union Arts in June. I asked Calvin if he had plans of coming back to the Chicago area, he said “sometime next spring”. I asked if he is working on new Halo Benders material and that I was sorry I missed the shows in Boise. To that, he responded that “you’ll see us again”.

I highly encourage all of you to watch all three sets. Highlights include Calvin Johnson dancing to Old Time Relijun’s “Cold Water”, Arrington de Dionyso going nuts for Bryce Panic, and Monotonix just completely going nuts, tearing the place apart. Enjoy.

Bryce Panic

Old Time Relijun

Monotonix

Tags: bryce panic, calvin johnson, chicago, halo benders, k records, monotonix, old time relijun, ronny’s bar

Khaela Maricich played the Empty Bottle last night in Chicago. With Jona Bechtolt no longer a part of the operation, she is playing her last set of shows in support of last year’s Paper Television.

I’m curious to see what Khaela has in mind for The Blow’s future. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be interesting.

Tags: chicago, empty bottle, k records, khaela maricich, the blow