You Can't Escape My...Private Eyes

This past Saturday I caught Erik Hanson (of the Stragglers) at Luna's Cafe. Erik played a couple solo songs and also got some help from his little sis, Jeannie Howell, and former Cassidys bandmate Joe Carlson. Let me just say that when Erik and Jeannie sing together their voices melt like butter - it's smooth and beautiful. The set included a few new, Carl Sagan-inspired songs as well as covers of "Girlfriend in a Coma" and "Private Eyes" -- despite the handwritten sign reading "no covers" hanging near the stage.

I wasn't really into the second act (a folk singer from Ithaca, NY)...so I spent most of the remainder of the show chatting it up outside with Erin & Jeannie. I did catch the last song of Ruebi Freyja's set, a wonderful cover of "Shake Sugaree."

Live Acoustic Überbørg Mindmeld and Say-tanic Hippie Cult Initiation

Jackson Griffith invited me to attend "Live Acoustic Überbørg Mindmeld and Say-tanic Hippie Cult Initiation" (his title, not mine) tonight featuring performances by Josh Chesney, Rich Varone and Mr. Griffith himself. I can't make it because I have yoga, but if anyone else is interested here are the details:

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Time: 8-10pm
Location: Luna's Cafe & Juice Bar
Street: 1414 16th Street

Three local singer-songwriters play original songs in an intimate cafe atmosphere on a Tuesday night. One of them will have accompaniment, including bass clarinet.

Record Club Meeting

It's been a while since we last met, and rather than me picking a date and hoping most people can attend I say we hash it out in the comments section of this post. Who's ready to meet?!! Speak to me, peeps.

It's okay to Fantasize.

Metric will release it's latest album Fantasies in April, but if you're anything like me and crave instant gratification you can pre-order a digital version on 3/31/09. I've only heard a few leaked tracks, including "Help I'm Alive" and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Nobody Home," but if the preview is any indication, the album will up there with previous releases. Of course, I'm a sucker for frontwoman Emily Haines' voice. I'd love to see them live, but the only shows they have currently booked are in Europe! I guess I'll just have to fantasize about it.

It's Halloween!

Remember when Halloween used to be in October? Fuck that! This past weekend, Guphy graciously hosted the annual Halloween show in the attic of her Oak Park home. The show featured covers by Huey Lewis and the News, the Velvet Underground, the Violent Femmes, the Rolling Stones, Billy Idol and more. Members of !!!, Touché, the Bright Ideas, Knock Knock and more dressed up as their favorite musicians (or at least musicians who have released some of the most influential albums) and gave it their all! Allen Maxwell as Billy Idol, and later that evening as Bono, was a crowd favorite.

In the photo (by Rosemary): James Williams (as Steve Stevens) and Allen Maxwell(as Billy Idol).