Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!

This week you get to meet Kelynn Smith and Colleen Mares from The Axis World // Lewis & Clark!

Lewis & Clark are DJs, curators of THEAXISWORLD and creators of $FREE99. Known in the real world as Colleen & Kelynn, the pair has been adventuring around Chicago since 2009, when they met as randomly paired roommates at Columbia College. Natives of the Midwest and always starting new projects, they began THEAXISWORLD in 2010 as an outlet for all the weird stuff they like, and $FREE99 to make studded snapbacks for their friends.  Both have grown to successful ventures they plan to continue, along with DJing their signature electro house blends all over the city – from the Hard Rock Hotel to the Double Door.

What event is currently on your radar?

We actually just found out (ya’ll are the first to know!) we’ll be DJing at Summerfest in Milwaukee opening for Fun. and Miniature Tigers on Friday, June 29th.  We’re super stoked.  Fun. is killing it right now and we’ve never played a show in Wisconsin but know tons of kids there so it’s going to be crazy.

What are you looking forward to most this summer?

Summer festivals definitely.  I’m not sure we could pick just one.  We’re going to Bonnaroo in 3 weeks which we’re super excited for.  We went last year and it was like 101 or something during the day so we just roasted but had the best time.  We’ll also be going to Pitchfork, Lollapalooza and North Coast.  We’re big festival people.  Any time you can be outside listening to music life is good.

Where is your favorite place to escape the city, in the city?

Probably our apartment affectionately named “The Beach House”.  It’s a pretty hot hang out spot in the summer.  We got 2 porches, a mini grill, beers and a stoop, pretty much all you need.

I can hear your music blaring from here, what are you listening to?

Our guilty pleasure right now is Marina and The Diamonds Primadonna. Such a catchy dance tune, it’s on repeat at The Beach House.  But besides that we’re stuck on a lot of Childish Gambino and Flaming Lips because they’re awesome summer music.

On the count of three, tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. 1… 2… 3….

Flamingo. Colleen just walked into our bathroom and saw our neon pink flamingo light that’s been glowing for way to damn long because neither of us are tall enough to change the light. So if anyone reading is 6′3″ + hit us up.

Lost in Concert shares The Fox & The Hounds at Subterranean

Orville Kline shares Porn And Chicken TV Episode 43: Oh, the places you’ll bang! This is our recital of Dr. Suess’  Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

One Kiss by Perfect Kiss

Ear Candy Chicago shares Perfect Kiss’s new single “One Kiss”, released TODAY and available for 1,000 free downloads!

ASL Media took photos of Stardust at Berlin Nightclub.

Chicago Mixtape shares “A thing of beauty is rare, the wise man said… This Mixtape contains many.”


White Mystery shares their new stop motion video – Rapid Overdrive.

Ruby Hornet shares an interview with the Beastie Boys.

Ruby Hornet shares ShowYouSuck’s response to the Chicago Reader (Official Statement)

Ruby Hornet shares an interview with Andy Cohn (Publisher of the Fader)

Stic of the Week shares Dolphins, Cold Blue Kid, and My My My at Subterranean.

Stic of the Week shares the music video for Ha Ha Tonka – “Lonely Fortunes”

Stic of the Week shares Converse Rubber Tracks: Oh, Hello – Tennis.

Stic of the Week shares “Listen – Animal Collective“.

Stic of the Week shares Best Coast – “The Only Place” on NPR.

Stic of the Week shares Passion Pit’s new single “Take A Walk“.

The Broke Hipster Music Blog reviews M83 at Riviera Theater.

Windish Agency shares Navtronix debut album – available for free download.

Windish Agency Shares Z-Trip’s Beastie Boy megamix for free download.

Windish Agency shares Chromatics release of free, drumless version of “Kill For Love“.

Mia Jones shares an awesome tune from Auto Body.

Psalm One shares her view on Nato and the Fear of Excitement.

Heave Media shares their treatise on ice cream.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Reggie Watts.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of The Polyphonic Spree.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Here We Go Magic.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Yamantaka // Sonic Titan.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of The Klezmatics.

Chicago Innerview shares their preview of Roky Erickson.

Chicago Innerview shares their “innerview” with Active Child.

Chicago Innerview shares their “innerview” with Xiu Xiu.

Gapers Block reviews a “Dastardly” concert at Subterranean.

Gapers Block shares Hip Hop Artists Outrage over Misrepresentation in the Reader.

Dani Deahl shares her video ‘Diplo Hates You’ – it is up this week in MTVU’s contest, The Freshman!

Beauty Bar has Mayer Hawthorne [DJ Set] Official After Party on Thursday, May 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

React Presents has Kele of Bloc Party on Thursday, May 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Jenae Williams has Stardust Presents: Trannika’s Tea Party on Thursday, May 17th. RSVP for free entry before 11pm!

House of Blues has Little Ozzy with Judas Beast on Friday, May 18th. RSVP to get on the Do312 guest list!

ManbQue has The Kissfits, I Love Rich, and Black Magic Kingdom on Friday, May 18th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

React Presents has Ikebe Shakedown, Soul Summit DJ’s Dave Mata, Duke Grip, Sloppy White on Friday, May 18th.

Front312 has Subculture – New Wave and 80’s Night on Saturday, May 19th.

React Presents has Sami Grisafe, GIRLBAND, Kelsey Montanez, Patti Rain, Dustin Burley, and DJ Filibusta on Saturday, May 19th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

ManbQue has Crosstown Cookoff: Northside vs. Southside Burger on Saturday, May 19th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

NoVo Arts has Chiara Mangiameli presents A Traves Del Espejo from Friday, May 18th until Sunday, May 20th.

Ruby Hornet and MTV2 Present: Digital Freshness – Chicago Hip-Hop on Saturday, May 19th.

White Mystery has HoZac Blackout Fest 2012 on Saturday, May 19th.

Partyline Chicago has Jammin on the WOLF PreParty with Special DUBSTEP BATTLE: Tornado Vs. Khaos! on Sunday, May 20th.

Dom Brown has Porn and Chicken: Bye Bye Beard Banger! on Monday, May 21st.

SPACE has Dark Dark Dark on Monday, May 21st. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Front312 has Droogies, Come Out to Play! A Street Gang / Cult Film Dance Party on Friday, May 25th.

Mia Jones has The L Stop 1 Year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 26th.

Partyline Chicago has DJ JAM to the WOLF guest **WYLLYS** {NY Hustler Ensemble} and 8 DJ Showcase on Monday, May 28th.

Partyline Chicago has DJ Jam to the WOLF special guest {DJ Lady D!} the HOUSE DIVISION SHOWCASE on Sunday, June 3rd.

Stic of the Week has Electric Youth, Hank & Cupcakes, Ghosthouse, Risky DJ’s and Glass Lux on Friday, June 8th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Partyline Chicago has Jammin on the Wolf on Friday, July 27th.

Live Nation has 311 & Slightly Stoopid on Friday, August 17th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Metropia is giving the opportunity to one lucky artist to play their festival! Voting opens on May 16th!

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NATO and the Fear of Excitement.

Chicago is red hot. In addition to a recent boost in our entertainment and sports scenes, the political climate is expected to hit a fever pitch this weekend with the NATO Summit coming up.

The Chicago Police Department has already beefed up the force, and several protesters who rallied outside President Obama’s campaign headquarters were arrested yesterday. Many believe this to be the calm before the storm.

Thousands upon thousands of protesters are expected to rally this weekend for the summit; activists who plan on making their interests known to the powers that be.
In essence, many are protesting our government’s interests abroad when there are so many issues to address here in our own communities.

Whatever your political stance is, whatever your gripe with NATO, or the UN, or Obama, or Rahm Emmanuel or WHOEVER it may be… I ask you to PLEASE be safe. Be smart this weekend, keep your eyes peeled and know that if you antagonize the Chicago Police, they have a rich history of not giving a fuck. It’s best to act with intelligent power.

Everyone involved will be in my prayers.

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Damon Does Do312

By: Damon Ranger

Listen (all) ya’ll it’s a sabotage!!! So this past week, we received some tragic news that Beastie Boys’ MC (and founder) Adam “MCA” Yauch passed away after a 3-year battle with cancer, he was 47. My mother passed away from it 11 months ago, she was 63. My best friend, who’s like a brother to me is going thru treatments now (and) he’s only 35. My dog Molly is 10 and she has it too. Man, what the fuck is it with cancer!!!!!???? It seems to me that more and more people are getting it at younger and younger ages. Take our parents for example, in the 50’s, 60’s 70’s cancer wasn’t claiming as many lives as now…. you could say population overflow, but is it really that? Let’s start with simple things, (and I’m just rattling off the top of my head, I don’t claim to be an expert.) Bottled water and soda…. back in the day they had all that shit in glass, now it’s in recycled plastic. All that shit sits in hot warehouses, hot trucks, in the sun at ballgames, do you not think that causes some chemical imbalance? Let’s take our dairy and meat products…back in the day they didn’t pump them full of hormones and chemicals to make them bigger and stronger, now that’s all they do…. most pigs, cows, and especially chickens that we eat, have cancer. We are putting that shit right into our bodies quicker than you can say super size it!!! Now let’s look at fruits and veggies…. they have so many pesticides on ‘em, back in the day they weren’t covered in that crap. Smoking…well, if you’re doing that, shame on you, you know what you’re in for. Let’s not even get started on cell phones and wi-fi everywhere…I know we can’t live without them, but man, you know that shit is no good. Obviously some of this is unavoidable, I’m not saying let’s get all Amish on yo ass…we need cell phones, I-pads, I-Phones, shit to do our jobs….but all I’m saying is cancer is fucking everywhere, and killing us at younger and younger ages. Almost everyone I know has had someone in his or her life affected by it.

The studies say 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetime. This year about 564,800 Americans are expected to die of cancer—more than 1,500 people a day. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. One of every four deaths in the US is from cancer. Since 1990, there have been approximately 5 million cancer deaths. By the year 2030, 2.3 million people in the U.S. will be living with a diagnosis of cancer, compared to about 1.6 million in 2010, says radiation oncologist Benjamin Smith, MD. So what can we do? If Steve Jobs couldn’t buy his way out of it, we are all fucked right? Well, take a look at my hairdresser Laura Barsotti www.laurabarsotti.com she looks 27…she’s not at all…she’d probably kill me if I said her real age so I won’t…but she aint 27. She follows Karyn Calabrese, one of the most popular and an innovative leader in the holistic health industry…who at age 64 looks nothing like 64. She’s a pillar of health! In Chicago we know her from her restaurants Karyn’s Raw, Karyn’s Cooked, Karyn’s on Green, she’s a healer and health expert. She teaches healthy living and her food is good. Check her out at www.karynraw.com for more info. That’s just one example; there are other options too. Certain foods can be a preventative for cancers. Please don’t take the Steve Jobs approach and think that food alone will cure cancer, go get that shit proton blasted. All I’m saying is…I don’t believe we should be eating the foods we’ve been eating in mass quantities. Plastic bottles freak me out, there has to be a better alternative. A little discipline in your diet could be the key to slightly longer longevity. Obviously sometimes shit is unavoidable and you gotta figure out how to deal with it. If my mom didn’t smoke, she probably wouldn’t have died from lung cancer…. but my dog Molly might not be fighting cancer, had I fed her more natural food. We as a society have been innovative in life’s technology. We’ve been cutting edge with the advance of music and performances. We’ve got savvy gadgets that do cool shit. We’ve put men on the moon. But, we still can’t figure out ways to eat healthier? We have to be just as cutting edge with ourselves as we are with the gadgets that we can’t live without. Don’t expect help from the big corporations, this is a completely DIY thing. You gotta start with yourself, cause at the end of the day…no one is going to care more about you, than you!

Now I’m going to go back to being a musician! And….since you made it through this, and scarfing down a cancer filled chicken burger, I thought i’d leave ya with something cool. Check out theses leaked versions of “Have It All” and “Come Back” from Foo Fighters-Million Dollar Demos! This was the first version of their Grammy award winning record “One By One” that they scrapped after spending A MILLION $$$$$! It’s pretty cool! I’d love to hear your thoughts…

hit me up at rocksuperstar@aol.com or on FACEbook or on twitter @damonranger

And show some love for my band BlackBox!

This week I’m giving away a cool item. In honor of MCA passing the mic…I’m passing on an autographed hand signed Adam Yauch MCA Beastie Boys Poster from 2003. RIP bro!

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A Melodious Journey: The Dandy Warhols

By: John Matthew Simon

The Dandy Warhols have come a long way from their early days as a whimsical local group in Portland, Oregon who stunned stoned audiences with an unattired stage presence. From their debut record Dandys Rule Ok to their early success with …The Dandy Warhols Come Down the band has always had a knack for an impacting sonic assault and infectious pouncing hooks. They have always startled, whether it is their nuanced sound that has never fit the mainstream or their ambitious writing that purports and propels. The Dandy Warhols back down for no one. They have consistently written material that is to their liking, never allowing themselves to be creatively slighted by or caught up in the centrifugal force of mass consumerism. Organic, grassroots, bohemian, punk rock… Whatever you choose to call it is fine and dandy (I had too, cliché is me.); however don’t think it will deter a group who has found hard work to be the best payoff to date. And their drudgery is certainly paying off; the group has just released their eighth studio album This Machine too much critical praise. It is a throw back to the guitar drenched noise-gaze of 90s lore and has had this writer listening intently. Lead singer and guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor was kind enough to answer some of Do312’s questions in lieu of their upcoming tour which will see them playing at the Metro on June 10th with 1776.

Do312 - After writing seven records how did you guys reevaluate your writing process and change up your approach for your eighth record, This Machine?

Courtney Taylor-Taylor - writing is such a random event that it never really starts or stops or has any plan at all.  I’m just lucky that they occasionally keep coming out of me.

Do312 - It feels like you pushed all the synthetics to the side and made a raucous rock record. What was the reason for this and why now? For me the record stands up and out as homage to Sonic Youth and other guitar leaning noise rock records of the past…  What records were you listening to, or better yet who influenced this record? To be cliché, what sparked the fire?

CTT - I guess its just mainly a reaction to what we don’t want to do.  Keyboards and indie disco and loops/beats and hipness in general had to make way for crusty rock as much as possible.  It’s hard to be inspired about music what with the overload of really good crap out there, a daily full frontal assault that one cannot duck or run from.  For us this record is about the only thing we could do that didn’t fit into someone else’s trend.  When you find yourself expressing yourself honestly you’ve still got to make sure that you don’t sound like someone else who isn’t.

Do312 - However, your records have always been awash with many differing tones and styles, is that due to collaborative writing? Or is it more or less that you allow each song to have it’s own sonic space? Explain.

CTT - Exactly, we have always said that every song needs to be extremely something.  Something being what it is supposed to be.  Listen to your voice change throughout the day.   Every feeling and situation requires a different part of you and elicits that whether you mean to or not.  Our music must do that too or its not music, its entertainment.

Do312 - Is rock and roll coming back? Or has electronic dance music stake it’s claim, a claim that will be hard to wrangle from them? Any thoughts?

CTT - rock and roll is antiquated music.  Its for people who like that era of history.  Like classical or jazz.

Do312 - With rock and alternative radio stations like Q101 disappearing across the country, how has your approach to the industry changed? Does a band like The Dandy Warhols feel the reverberations of these closures?

CTT - We’ve never had any relationship or success at radio in America.  ”alternative” meant Green Day at its very best.  Now it would mean Foster the People.  These are huge bands that sell like hip hop numbers.  We don’t.   It’s a club that we have never been members of.  Any changes in the industry are lost on us.

Do312 - It’s rare that a TV show, especially a satirical one, has an uplifting and positive affect on the city it takes place in… somewhat like The Chicago Code (who’s accents and allegiances offended). Have you guys had the desire or have you been approached to be on Portlandia? And what are your thoughts about the show? Has Portland embraced its presence?

CTT - I’ve never seen it and I don’t really hear about it much.  People seem to like it around the world but I guess its not in the nature of nu-Portlanders to watch a satirical show about a fictional Portland.

Do312 - What’s your favorite place to go to when in Chicago?

CTT - I don’t really have one.  Chicago is so huge that even with having had a girlfriend there for a year or so and touring thru for 16, I’ve never really done the same thing twice.  The place seems endless and constantly changing.

Do312 – What are your favorite tour memories of Chicago? Can you share with us your most outlandish story?

CTT - Dennis Rodman’s club.  Can I talk about that?  I mean jeezuz, when the waitress came by your curtained-in booth to take your order there were more options off the menu than on it.  I vaguely recall that the entrance was like under a bridge or something.  Completely dark and desolate. Then once inside…VA-VOOM! Awesome.  Fully out of control.

Do312 - Who has been your favorite Chicago band that you have played with in the last 18 years?

CTT - I don’t think we’ve ever played with a Chicago band, have we?  My favorite Chicago band I’d have to say is thee greatest Chicago band: The Smashing Pumpkins.  What a legacy.   Did you hear the record they put out a couple years ago?   Turns out they are still amazing.  Probably always will be.

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Curtain Lifter: La Dispute at the Metro

By: Katie Karpowicz

Wildlife is the name of La Dispute’s sophomore album, released late last year. I can only assume it’s also how the band members would describe the past two years. La Dispute’s rise in popularity has been somewhat meteoric and downright deserved. I got hooked in the fall of 2009 when I caught them opening for the opener of the opener at the Bottom Lounge (Thursday was headlining the show, in case you’re curious), so it was quite a shock seeing them headline the Metro (this past) Sunday night. La Dispute has been holding it down as one of the Midwest’s (they hail from Grand Rapids, Michigan) biggest reps for a semi-new sound in rock music that falls somewhere in between punk, hardcore and experimental.

The genre’s biggest hook is its lack there of. Devoid of matching outfits, radio-ready choruses and “hot” front men, La Dispute and their contemporaries (such as last night’s opener Balance & Composure) have helped create a scene that thrives on pure musical ingenuity and dedication. The five members of the band greeted a packed house on Sunday not with a gaudy backdrop, not with a fancy light show, but with 75 minutes of blistering passion and musical precision.

Despite the fact that the tour was in support of La Dispute’s latest release, there were still plenty of tracks from their debut full-length Somewhere At the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair mixed into the set list. Older songs like “New Storms for Older Lovers” and “Sad Prayers for Guilty Bodies” set the stage for heavy hitting newer cuts like “Harder Harmonies” and “The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit.” One gets the feeling that each member of the band has an equal hand in creating the distinct sound that is La Dispute, but perhaps the most intriguing member of the group is front man Jordan Dreyer. He doesn’t stand taller than 5’6” and can’t weigh more than 130 pounds soaking wet, but his vocals are deafening thunder to the musical storm that his mates create. His lyrics leave him both vocally and emotionally exposed, there’s an exciting eeriness to his on-stage confessions. Sure, they might be relatable, but are you willing to admit it? (“I guess that makes me sound crazy but that’s all right. Lately, I feel like I might be, not that I’ve heard any voices or anything. Just like that everyday kind, where you forget things you shouldn’t and you think too much about death,” from Wildlife’s opening track, “a Departure.”)

Sunday nights show was actually the last of a six-week tour, but that didn’t stop La Dispute from bringing their all to the stage right up til their encore performance of Wildlife’s seven-minute centerpiece “King Park.” Forget any fatigue or vocal strain that six weeks on the road might bring, it is clear La Dispute are in this for the long haul. Every show counts. That’s why they’re on the fast track to the top of their game. Watching dedicated musicians ride the waves of a rising music genre can be fun. Watching them make the waves is an absolute blast.

La Dispute – Edit Your Hometown

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Let me preface this by saying I love Kanye West, and I love Chicago Hip Hop.

This is truly an exciting time for Chi-City street music. As LEP Bogus Boys, King Louie and the notable 16 year old Chief Keef, have all in the last 12 months truly found themselves in great positions in hip hop. For the latter, Keef garnered even more national attention last week by having Kanye West remix one of his standout tracks, “I Don’t Like”.

Being the music nerd I am, I totally rushed to my Internets to give the track a listen and brushed up on my Keef knowledge. After some generous listening, I found the track and Keef to be normal street fare. Although it’s obvious the youngster has talent, the golden nugget of a story however, is Keef scoring this remix while on house arrest.

We all know that everyone loves a good backstory, but Chief Keef’s is violent yet poignant. At present, Chicago is one of the bloodiest cities in America. Obviously, this is nothing to celebrate. Keef’s music and West’s remix is garden-variety street fare. NBC Chicago even reports Keef’s arrest (for allegedly pointing a gun at police officers) isn’t “necessarily a bad thing”. When you consider the current climate of hip-hop this statement rings true.

Here’s where I become seriously torn:

On the one hand, a 16 year old on house arrest having the opportunity to work with Kanye West is truly amazing. On the other, West (along with every powerful force in hip hop) is looking for the next big thing to exploit. Keef could “fall off” after a few bad songs, much less an album, making him even more of a statistic. I hope this doesn’t happen.

Similarly: On the one hand, Keef living out his musical aspirations should keep him out of trouble. On the other, he’s rapping about (and glorifying) the same sh*t that most likely landed him on the track to house arrest in the first place.

See where I’m going here? Good. Let’s go further…

Remember that awesome song, “Murder to Excellence” from that Watch the Throne album where Kanye waxes poetic about the horrible violence overcoming our Chicago streets? Where was that Kanye when he was remixing Keef’s record? Where was the Kanye that donates money to Chicago Public Schools and (seemingly) tries to prevent kids just like Keef from going down the “wrong path”?

Personally, I do my part for Chicago youngsters every week I’m in town, and it’s like pulling teeth to get (bigger) local media outlets to report about it. In my experience, ABC Chicago, CBS and WGCI have all “tried” to run stories regarding my youth mentoring program, Charm Lab, but have all ended up giving excuses as to why they didn’t run it (much love goes out to all the media outlets who give indie stories more shine).

This doesn’t surprise me either — I am a medium fish in a large pond. I am far from a “mainstream” act. To see an outlet like NBC do a story on Keef and glaze over the issues of violence isn’t surprising, but it does eat at the very soul of what we as Chicagoans so desperately want and need — safe streets and protected kids.

Hip Hop isn’t responsible for street violence, but Hip Hop’s hands are far from clean.

I can’t even blame Kanye for re-making a hot Chicago street track from a young, and up-and-coming Internet star. He’s got to remain relevant at a time where the changing of the guard is extremely evident. And we can’t expect artists to make the same songs over and over. This includes Kanye. But seriously, Damn. With all of the shitty violence going on in the streets, there’s way more for us as hip hop voices from Chicago to talk about. Clothes, hoes, cars, drugs and guns… still? Really? Where’s Common (Sense)? Oh yeah…Hollywood!

Please, for the kids. Stop the Insanity.

In conclusion, dear Readers: with all these interesting things to be torn about, one can’t deny how talented Chicago is. And that is very cool, and very news-worthy. Here’s hoping we as music nerds get a full range of topics from such an interesting pool of home-grown talent.

Listen To: \” I don\’t Like it\” Remix!

Listen To: \”Murder to Excellence\”

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Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!

This week you get to meet Brendan Shanley from Lost In Print!

Brendan has always been a creative. As a youth, Brendan discovered removing his diapers would provide him “magic markers” he could paint the walls with. Even though his parents weren’t entirely thrilled about this they didn’t cut Brendan’s creative path there. Since earning his BFA in Visual Communications at The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg, Brendan has worked in multiple graphic design-related positions. Currently he is a Senior Designer for the design agency McGuffin Creative Group while moonlighting as a Photographer for his own small business Lost In Print. Using skills developed in college and on the job, Brendan founded and launched the online music publication Lost In Concert in hopes to provide an already abundant community with a more photographic focused approach to live music reviews and interviews. For over 2 years, Brendan has also served on the Board of Directors for the Chicago chapter of the professional design association AIGA.

Would you rather explore the ocean or outer space?

This is obvious—outer space! Going into the ocean will simply give me a headache if I get too deep. Plus, it ends. Outer space on the other hand, floating around weightlessly and having the chance to see a side of nature that’s reserved for essentially no one any more. That would be incredible. Maybe I’d even get lucky and find some kind of black whole that could take me back to the ’70s so I could see Led Zeppelin rock out live.

What artist is currently tickling your fancy?

Lately, I’ve been really enjoying photographer Dean Bradshaw.

He creates amazing composite photographs that accentuate the imagination.

Cake or Pie? – please elaborate on your reasoning.

My vote goes to Pie on this one. Cake is expected and common. We get one almost every year for our birthdays. Whether the cake is mini or not is another story depending on how trendy you are. Pie, however, is great served hot or cold. The aromas from the oven that’s been baking a pie are much more appealing. You can put essentially anything you could put on a cake on a pie. I’ve never seen ice cream melt over a cake before.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Chicago? Favorite meal there?

Damn. Since there’s no one to tell me ‘no’ I’m going to put two meals on this table. The first would be A Tavola’s Gnocchi. And for the main course I’m going to the West Town Tavern for their amazing Pot Roast.

If the world was ending tomorrow, what would do?

Assuming I knew that life was ending, I’d definitely stop answering interview questions and book a private jet to take me and all my friends to New Zealand. I imagine the world ending would look much more interesting from the gorgeous mountain tops. Also, it kind of seems appropriate to try and position ourselves near some volcanic activity to make is more like Mordor. What would really top it off is to have Creed fall into some burning hot lava first.


Dani Deahl shares Mixin Vixen –  video profile featuring Diplo


Chicago Mixtape shares a the new mix tape – 065

Gapers Block shares photos and a review of Yann Tiersen at the Cabaret Metro on May 4th.

Gapers Block exposes awesome classical music offerings throughout Chicago in May.

Gapers Block announces the stop of the US Air Guitar Regionals competition in Chicago June 29th!


PartyLine Chicago covers Rusko at the Congress theater on May 5th.

PartyLine Chicago is hosting a 32 DJ Contest to play at Jammin On The Wolf.


Lost in Concert reviews the Spectrals at the Metro on April 20th.

Lost in Concert reviews Electric Touch at House of Blues on April 21st.

Mia Jones shares her show picks for this week.


Popstache reviews the new album, “Boys & Girls” by Alabama Shakes.

Popstache shares a review of Carolina Chocolate Drops at Lincoln Hall on May 5th.

Stic-of-the-Week has new music & video from Little Boots.

Stic-of-the-Week shares the new song, “Neightbors”, by Sam Moss.

Stic-of-the-Week shares a new track by Stepdad.


Double Door shares a photo from Local-H’s Cinco De Mayo Show. (Instagram with a Double Door tag and be entered to win tickets to a Double Door show of your choice!)

Double Door shares a video of Local -H’s cover of You Gotta Fight For Your Right


Front 312 shares a new Mr. Automatic remix of Dead On Tv

Chicago InnerView shares a review of Plants and Animals.

Chicago InnerView shares an interview with Black Dice.

Chicago InnerView shares a preview for VHS or Beta.


Dead Hub shares a review of Counting Crows’ packed Chicago show at the Riviera.

Dead Hub shares the future of drinking wine!

Dead Hub shares photos of Dragonforce at the Rave in Milwaukee on April 27th.

Dom Brown has  SRTB presents: PORN AND CHICKEN: Cinco de Mike-o! at evilOlive on Monday, May 7th. RSVP for no cover before 12am!

NoVo Arts has The Hudson Branch (record release), Clip Art, The Belfry Hollers at Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, May 8th.

Schubas has Ornery Little Darlings, Sleepy Kitty on Tuesday, May 8th. RSVP for VIP Schlitz Reception from 8-9pm.

Martyrs has Alan Evans Trio (from Soulive), Spare Parts, Brainchild on Tuesday, May 8th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win free tickets.

House of Blues has StarKid Presents: Apocalyptour Day 1 on Wednesday, May 9th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Beauty Bar & Do312.com have BARGAIN WAVE $1 Beers All Night+Hosted Schlitz + More on Wednesday, May 9th. RSVP for free Schlitz.

Lincoln Hall has Lee Fields & The Expressions on Wednesday, May 9th.

Junior Sports Lounge has From Disco to Techno – A Pilsen Dane Party on Wednesday, May 9th.

Sdust & Hot Dog Records have EchoDroides, Marco Morales, Zebo and Monkey Virus at Berlin on Thursday, May 10th. RSVP for free entry before 11pm!

House of Blues has StarKid Presents: Apocalyptour Day 1 on Thursday, May 10th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Martyrs has The GrandMothers of Invention on Thursday, May 10th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Subterranean has Dastardly, The Shams Band and The Dirty Feathers on Thursday, May 10th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Cubby Bear has George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic on Thursday, May 10th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Schubas has Saturday Looks Good To Me, Wild Moccasins, Love of Everything on Thursday, May 10th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

The Burlington has Old Monk (Brooklyn) and Soft Jolts on Thursday, May 10th. RSVP for hosted PBR bar from 9-10pm!

Empty Bottle has Deathtram, Del Mas Alla, Krol Kleks on Thursday, May 10th. RSVP for free NO cover!

Double Door has Grape Juice Records Presents: Jon Drake & The Shakes, Frontier Ruckus, Rachele Eve on Friday, May 5th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

House of Blues has An Evening with the Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute on Friday, May 11th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Martyrs has Toubab Krewe, Gianta Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, DJ Sound Culture on Friday, May 11th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

The Mid has Dirty Loud – Lucky Date – Phenom – MAYHAM at the Mid on Friday, May 11th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Zebo has Zebo Says Dance w guest DJ Rex at evilOlive on Friday, May 11th. RSVP for free admission until 1am!

NoVo Arts has Machine Gun Mojo, Derek Nelson & The Musicians, Saint Anyway at The Hideout on Friday, May 11th.

The Congress Theater has Above and Beyond, Cosmic Gate and Mat Zo on Saturday, May 12th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

NoVo Arts has Mutts Vinyl Release Celebration at The Burlington on Saturday, May 12th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets and a copy of the album!

Cubby Bear North has Back by Popular Demand! Sebastian Bach on Saturday, May 12th. RSVP to get on the Do312 guest list!

Double Door has Electric Six: Performing “Fire” in its Entirety on Saturday, May 12th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Martyrs has Toubab Krewe, Gianta Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, DJ Sound Culture Day 2 on Saturday, May 12th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets.

Silver Wrapper & React have Spongle Present: The Masquerade w/Phutureprimitive on Saturday, May 5th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

House of Blues has Adrenaline Mob w/ Kill Devil Hill on Sunday, May 13th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Beauty Bar has Salonathon on Monday, May 14th. RSVP for hosted Sobieski from 8-9pm.

SPACE has Sarah Jarosz on Monday, May 14th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Exit Chicago has Subculture – New Wave & 80s night on Saturday, May 19th.

Chrome Attic has Rock & RollOTFLMAO at Wayne’s Lanes on Friday, May 25th.

Stic-of-the-Week has Electric Youth, Hank & Cupcakes, Ghosthouse, Risky DJ’s and Glass Lux at Subterranean on Friday, June 8th.

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Curtain Lifter: Rusko at The Congress Theater

By: Katie Karpowicz

Spring Awakening. Wavefront. North Coast. Perry’s Stage at Lollapalooza. There are a lot of places to catch some of the biggest names in EDM in Chicago this summer. With so many festivals boasting bills chocked full of big name DJs and producers, it’s no surprise that we’re starting to see some overlap. This year, Perry’s Stage traded last year’s headliner Pretty Lights to North Coast Music Festival for its 2011 performers Bassnectar and Big Gigantic. Skrillex is stopping off in Chicago for a festival performance (as one of Spring Awakening Music Festival’s headliners) for the second summer in a row. And Wavefront Music Fest’s headliners Boys Noize are no strangers to our city and its music festivals.

However, one name that was sadly absent from all of the festival lineups this year was Rusko. The English-born producer/DJ put on one of the most aggressively energetic sets at North Coast last September and is fresh off the release of his second full-length album, Songs. He’ll be missed amongst the dozens of other artists he shares the genre with that will be blowing through the Windy City’s festival circuit this summer, but, lucky for me and anyone else that was at Congress Theater last night, we got him all to ourselves.

Songs was a seemingly conscious step away from the negatively connotative “brostep” label that Rusko is often unfairly slapped with. Since the new album contains so much more melody and throwbacks to traditional dub music (you know, of the Jamaican origin), I expected his set last night to follow suit. That it did not. But that’s not a bad thing.

I remember this being the case at North Coast last year, as well. What’s interesting about Rusko’s sets is that—while you’re sure to hear a bundle of album cuts like “Hold On”—they’re decidedly heavier than what you’ll hear on the records. Last night was eruptive, full of rumbling bass and his trademark “woo boosts.” I’m always cautious to throw around the term “epic,” but when you combine the explosive sounds that Rusko was spinning with the army of strobes, lasers and the six gigantic LED screens (spelling out “R-U-S-K-O”) that floated behind the stage, it’s hard to deny that last night was a damn good party.

And then there’s Rusko himself. He’s a performer with an energy that’s almost as electric as his beats. After watching his infectious dancing, clapping and fist pumping for ninety-minutes, I found myself thinking over and over, “Man, I want that job.”Also, for anyone wondering about the rumors that Rusko performs without his shoes on, it’s true. Just some black Nike socks. I saw it myself.

Rusko – Everyday

Rusko – Somebody To Love

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Beastie Boys Official Statement on the Death of Founder Adam “MCA” Yauch.

Adam Yauch | 1964-2012


“It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam “MCA” Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer. He was 47 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Yauch taught himself to play bass in high school, forming a band for his 17th birthday party that would later become known the world over as Beastie Boys.

With fellow members Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Adrock” Horovitz, Beastie Boys would go on to sell over 40 million records, release four #1 albums–including the first hip hop album ever to top the Billboard 200, the band’s 1986 debut full length, Licensed To Ill–win three Grammys, and the MTV Video Vanguard Lifetime Achievement award. Last month Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Diamond and Horovitz reading an acceptance speech on behalf of Yauch, who was unable to attend.

In addition to his hand in creating such historic Beastie Boys albums as Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty and more, Yauch was a founder of the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and activism regarding the injustices perpetrated on native Tibetans by Chinese occupational government and military forces. In 1996, Milarepa produced the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which was attended by 100,000 people, making it the biggest benefit concert on U.S. soil since 1985′s Live Aid. The Tibetan Freedom Concert series would continue to stage some of the most significant benefit shows in the world for nearly a decade following in New York City, Washington DC, Tokyo, Sydney, Amsterdam, Taipei and other cities.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, Milarepa organized New Yorkers Against Violence, a benefit headlined by Beastie Boys at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, with net proceeds disbursed to the New York Women’s Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA) September 11th Fund for New Americans–each chosen for their efforts on behalf of 9/11 victims least likely to receive help from other sources.

Under the alias of Nathanial Hörnblowér, Yauch directed iconic Beastie Boys videos including “So Whatcha Want,” “Intergalactic,” “Body Movin” and “Ch-Check It Out.” Under his own name, Yauch directed last year’s Fight For Your Right Revisited, an extended video for “Make Some Noise” from Beastie Boys’ Hot Sauce Committee Part Two, starring Elijah Wood, Danny McBride and Seth Rogen as the 1986 Beastie Boys, making their way through a half hour of cameo-studded misadventures before squaring off against Jack Black, Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as Beastie Boys of the future.

Yauch’s passion and talent for filmmaking led to his founding of Oscilloscope Laboratories, which in 2008 released his directorial film debut, the basketball documentary Gunnin’ For That #1 Spot and has since become a major force in independent video distribution, amassing a catalogue of such acclaimed titles as Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy, Oren Moverman’s The Messenger, Banksy’s Exit Through The Gift Shop, Lance Bangs and Spike Jonze’s Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak, and many more.

Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen and his daughter Tenzin Losel, as well as his parents Frances and Noel Yauch.”

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Damon Does Do312

By: Damon Ranger

So I’m not a big politico kind of guy… I figure most people are smart enough to make their own decisions or they just follow the pack… either case, it just is what it is…but I gotta say I’ve never seen so many protests in our sexy city of Chicago. It seems like people are up in arms, and really vocal in what they believe in, just ask em’ they’ll tell ya… but is it working? I see all the media, all the time at these events…mostly waiting for the protestors or the police to do something wrong, not to terribly concerned about what people are actually protesting, which just seems wrong in itself…but my question is, are the protestors themselves even clear on their message? Go around an occupy rally and most will tell you a different reason on why they are there. That’s okay, occupy is kind of a gathering of unorganized chaos anyways. Mayday seemed to be a pre NATO protest, mixed in with immigration, and some bank of America protests, I get it. But what I’m talking about are the daily protests in Daley Plaza, the ones inside city hall, schools, teachers, construction, the ones that are just up and down the street. With so many protests in this city are the messages getting lost? In our attention deficit society does anyone really give a shit after they heard it? I blame reality TV for that btw…that’s a whole other rant. My point is, when you are constantly getting bombarded with people in a tizzy about something do you get numb to it? Are the messages lost? it also seems that there’s a lot of people out there protesting just to protest. I’m upset about a lot of stuff too, but organizing a bunch of people and directing my opinion to masses, I don’t think is the answer. The civil rights movement had a direct and clear message, rightfully so, and it worked! Vietnam, same thing…it worked!! Some might say that the G8 got moved, due to the Chicago protests. I don’t buy it. Chicago is still the focal point for protesting this year for NATO and G8, and it would be a shame if people actually do to Chicago what happened in Toronto and Pittsburgh. You want to know why the messages aren’t heard loud and clear, cuz people go about it the wrong way, they try to destroy stuff, be “anarchists.” that gives all movements a bad name. Not everyone is guilty of this; hopefully the NATO protests will be like the mayday ones and be a peaceful kind of gathering…hopefully our sexy city doesn’t burn down to the ground. This is not meant as a challenge for protestors to cause chaos, just be cool! I hope your message gets heard loud and clear! Hopefully the media will cover the messages ya’ll are protesting about, instead of the security vs. protestor angle…. like I said, I’m not a political kind of guy, I’m a musician, I’m an outsider looking in.. It’s just my observation…isn’t the world ending in Dec anyways ;) ??? So what we need to do is go out, drink more, get laid more, have a bit more fun, go see shows like Local H this sat at Double Door, go network at Yellow Phone Music conference Monday at Double Door … you can go other places as well, they don’t own the city…. Cobra Lounge, and Debonair are just as fun! In the meantime I’m still clearing stuff out of my place and giving you the opportunity to win cool stuff for your walls.

This week’s contest is for a 10-poster set! Click on the link below to like it and win.

This weeks contest is for a 10 poster set, one winner! Win a silkscreened Bamboozle Roadshow Poster featuring LMFAO, Good Charlotte, Forever The Sickest Kids, Boys Like Girls, and more. Blackbox posters, Guided By Voices, Queens Of The Stone Age/Chevelle, Local H, Jet, The White Stripes, and more!

Follow me on twitter @damonranger or Facebook at email me at rocksuperstar@aol.com and listen to my band Blackbox, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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