Update: Chicago Music Venues Safe for Now
Event Promoters ordinance goes back to the drawing board

Clipse photo by Nolan Wells

Local interest story? Perhaps, but the implications may be far broader reaching than that, so listen up. The respected venues and stages that form the cornerstone of the vibrant music and theater communities of the fine city of Chicago-- the city Pitchfork has called home for years now-- are in jeopardy thanks to an unfortunate piece of impending legislation.

The proposed "Event Promoters" ordinance (or Chapter 4-157 of Title IV of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago, if you're fancy) goes before Chicago's City Council TOMORROW, May 14, 2008, at 10 a.m. central time. Simply put, if this thing passes, it will make putting on shows a fiscal and bureaucratic hell for the venues Chicagoans have come to love.

How's that, you ask? A few bullet points [via Save Chicago Culture]:

* The ordinance requires any event promoter to have a license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000.
* The definition of "event promoter" is so loosely defined it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that's in town for a one-week run.
* The "event promoter" will pay $500 - $2000 depending on expected audience size.
* To get the license, applicant must be at least 21, get fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.
* This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt.
* Police must be notified at least seven days in advance of event.

At the very least, the "Event Promoters" ordinance will likely result in increased ticket prices for live music (and theater) fans, while curbing variety and severely stymieing gig possibilities for emerging acts. At worst, it could well spell the end for absolutely essential Chicago venues like the Empty Bottle, Schubas, Metro, the Hideout, and others, plus pave the way for similar legislation elsewhere.

Let it be said that the folks behind this ordinance are well-intentioned-- it's meant to snuff out irresponsible promoters, in part as a response to the E2 disaster of 2003, during which 21 people were suffocated or trampled to death when panic broke out at the South Side nightclub. But by imposing these unreasonable restrictions on such a loosely-defined and far-reaching body of promoters-- most of which have run countless events for years now without incident-- the city of Chicago is basically saying "fuck you" to the music and theater cultures it so often claims to cultivate.

So here's where you come in. If you live in Chicago, find your alderman and write him or her at once. If you have friends in Chicago, pass this along. If you want to further inform yourself (and get a headache), waddle through the legalese in the "Event Promoter" ordinance draft here. And for additional info, check out efforts from both the Chicago Music Commission and Save Chicago Culture to stop the ordinance from becoming law in its present, seriously flawed form.

Again, the "Event Promoters" ordinance will be voted on TOMORROW MORNING, so the time to act is now.

***UPDATE: Good news! According to a Chicago Music Commission statement [via Jim DeRogatis' Chicago Sun-Times blog], the "Event Promoters" ordinance is going back to the drawing board following public outcry. It will not be voted on tomorrow as originally planned, and folks hope this will allow more time to fine-tune the proposed ordinance into something a little more amenable to Chicago's music and theater scenes. Keep abreast of the situation via the links above.

Wilco, MMJ, Decemberists Get out the Vote

Since 2004, a group called HeadCount has set up voter registration tables at concerts by the likes of Dave Matthews Band, the Allman Brothers Band, and members of the Grateful Dead and Phish. But voter registration ain't just for jam band fans. Recently, HeadCount has partnered with My Morning Jacket, Wilco, and Colin Meloy and the Decemberists.

These new collaborations are in service of HeadCount's goal for this election year, which is to register 100,000 voters at 1,000 concerts. No matter the genre content of those shows, you've got to admit it's an admirable goal, and it's an effort in which anyone can participate just by seeing one of the aforementioned bands live.

So keep a lookout for HeadCount at shows by the aforementioned bands throughout year, especially if you're not yet registered to vote. Also know that HeadCount tables will be at plenty of big festivals this year, including Bonnaroo, Virgin, and Farm Aid.

Radiohead Launch Tour, Help Lower Carbon Footprints
Reveal "Nude" remix data

What's that strange sound, echoing from over yonder? Why, it's the call of the wild Radiohead, who begin their global migration this very day, Monday, the fifth of May, 2008.

Scientists and so-called music journalists have been tracking the movements of the wild Radiohead for some time now, and they've determined this year's migration will commence in the West Palm Beach area of Florida. The wild Radiohead will spend a couple weeks wandering these lands until they've exhausted the region's supply of their primary source of sustenance, Radiohead fan dollars. Then it's off to Europe in search of the far more nourishing Radiohead fan euro, then North America again for the hell of it, and finally Japan, where the Radiohead fan yen is hard to beat. After that, in all likelihood, comes a period of hibernation.

Herds of wild Radiohead are known to travel in tandem with Grizzly Bears, Bats, and wild Angus.

And researchers have long gained insight into the ways of the wild Radiohead by analyzing residual matter left by the wild Radiohead's only known parasite: the Radiohead fan. These researchers will find their work more difficult, however, given the wild Radiohead's long-brewing vendetta against the scourge known as the "carbon footprint." We're not quite sure how the wild Radiohead managed to harness human technologies, but they've now created a website devoted to helping these fans reduce their footprint. They've also given this website a name worthy of another noted UK species, the wild Monty Python: "The Most Gigantic Flying Mouth for Some Time". We kid you not.

Apparently, the creatures have also been doing some research themselves, as yesterday they posted data on their website regarding the success of the "Nude" remix project. It seems that the wild Radioheads is very closely monitored indeed.

Keep an eye out for wild Radiohead sightings on MTV and VH1, plus at all of the spots below. [MORE...]

Photos: Arcade Fire / Superchunk at Rally for Obama [Carrboro, NC; 05/02/08]

Photos by Will Marsh

The Arcade Fire and Superchunk kept the car running after Thursday's big Barack Obama rally in Greensboro, North Carolina and rolled right into nearby Carrboro's Town Commons yesterday afternoon for round two. The state's Obama faithful, who'll cast their votes in the NC Democratic primary on May 6, were treated to yet another rousing Arcade Fire cover of David Bowie's "Heroes", all manner of on- and off-stage acrobatics, and even a cameo from some adorable youngsters during Superchunk's set. "This is the future of America!" the band proclaimed. It's a shame they can't vote.

Arcade Fire










Superchunk









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Photos: Arcade Fire / Superchunk Rally for Obama [Greensboro, NC; 05/01/08]

Yesterday, May 1, the Arcade Fire and Superchunk played a free rally for presidential hopeful Barack Obama outside of North Carolina's Greensboro Coliseum. (The North Carolina Democratic Primary is on Tuesday, May 6.) In attendance: art-damaged undergrads and the eager young Obama volunteers pressuring them to vote early.

Superchunk

Superchunk's set was tight and punchy, drawing heavily from their classic album On the Mouth. "Nothing makes you want to vote in 2008 like music from 1993," Mac McCaughan joked, balancing out early Chunk favorites like "Driveway to Driveway" and "Skip Steps 1 & 3" with a cover of the Magnetic Fields' "100000 Fireflies". The audience was respectfully enthusiastic, but when Superchunk broke out "Precision Auto" and nobody went especially apeshit, I wondered if most of them were too young to care much about Superchunk. Watching Laura Ballance pogo to "Package Thief", I didn't feel that far from '93 at all.

Arcade Fire

It seems odd for a band as gloomy as the Arcade Fire to stump for the candidate of hope and change, and it led to some ironic moments. In messianic mode, Win Butler came down into the audience for "Rebellion (Lies)", daring people to dream with a song about the deceit of dreams. But overall, they did a good job of repurposing their music to suit the day. A cover of Bowie's "Heroes" was an uplifting choice. Butler prefaced "Intervention" by saying, "This is a song we wrote before the '04 election, when we realized it wasn't going to happen this time…hopefully, we can write something more upbeat in '08."

Bleak sentiments aside, the Arcade Fire is an almost diabolically inspiring live band; their emphatic renditions of "No Cars Go", "Haïti", and "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" sounded like hope incarnate. "We are fuckin' through with the politics of division and fear," Butler spat before launching into "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)", and while I didn't quite believe him, at least I left wanting to.






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Arcade Fire Plan Obama Shows With Superchunk!

Photo by Drew Angerer

Given how amazing these gigs turned out, who wouldn't want another round of Arcade Fire rallies for presidential hopeful Barack Obama? And with the North Carolina Democratic primary looming on May 6, that's just what we'll get.

After big-upping a recent Jay Reatard performance (not all Canadians hate him, see?) in a message posted to his web "scrapbook", Arcade Fire frontguy Win Butler writes, "Speaking of a high energy band with great melodies, we might be playing a couple of free outdoor shows in North Carolina for the Obama campaign with SUPERCHUNK!!! How cool would that be!"

How cool ain't the half of it, brother! And cooler still is that it is indeed happening. According to Merge, the Arcade Fire and Superchunk will link up in early May for a pair of afternoon Obama Early Vote Rally performances: May 1 at Greensboro's Coliseum Complex Pavilion Parking Lot, and May 2 at Carrboro's Town Commons. Free tickets are required for the gigs, both of which begin at 2 p.m. More info can be found here. Biking, walking, car-pooling, and public transportation are encouraged!

And hmm, a quick look at fellow Obama-backer Bruce Springsteen's calendar reveals the Boss will in fact be hanging along the Atlantic Seaboard in late April. Wouldn't hurt to stick around just a few more days, eh Bruce? Eh?? [MORE...]

Election Fever: Bruce Boosts Barack! Rockers 4 Novick!
Those rockers include Michael Stipe, Colin Meloy, Britt Daniel, Corin Tucker, Rufus Wainwright

With the general election less than seven months away (crazy, right?), Senator Barack Obama has quite a long road ahead of him.

Not only must he triumph over Democratic nomination challenger and fellow Senator Hillary Clinton, but he'll also-- should he prove the victor-- need to recover from that contest on a dime in order to mount up a formidable challenge against the presumed Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain.

So who better to ride in on a white horse and boost the spirits of a man who seeks to be boss of this country than Thee Boss of your rock'n'roll life, Mr. Bruce Springsteen?

Bruce recently took to his website to post a thoughtful missive voicing his support of Senator Obama. As the preeminent entertainer writes, "Senator Obama, in my view, is head and shoulders above the rest.

"He has the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where '...nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone.'"

Check out Mr. Springsteen's message in full below. As he concludes, "Over here on E Street, we're proud to support Obama for President."

Ooh, maybe this means Bruce will link up with his old pals the Arcade Fire for another rip-roaring rally?

And with all the national media focus on the heated Obama/Clinton contest, it's easy to forget this country is full of other upstanding folk on all levels of government who will be vying for somebody's vote on Tuesday, November 4.

Among those is Oregon's U.S. Senate hopeful Steve Novick, who, like Obama, faces a tight race within his own party on his quest to go up against-- and prevail over-- incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Smith.

Also like Obama, Novick seems to have struck a chord with the indie rock elite. A bunch of big names from Oregon and elsewhere recently stepped up to show Steve some love. Among them: R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy, Spoon principle Britt Daniel, producer and Death Cabbie Chris Walla, Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, Rufus Wainwright, ex-Nirvana bassist/Flipper member/political blogger Krist Novoselic, Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard, and more.

As Meloy said in a press release, "I think we need a new kind of progressive leader in the U.S. Senate who isn't afraid to take on the tough issues. Meeting with Steve, I was quite impressed with his command of the challenges we face and his candor about what it will take to turn this country around. I'm proud to give him my support."

Meloy also made clear his intent to re-register to vote as a Democrat, adding, "I encourage everyone to get involved the elections happening across the country, regardless of who you support. The issues are too important, the stakes are too high, to leave it to someone else to decide for you."

Well put, Mr. Meloy! And on that note, and without deigning to too much handwringing, you really ought to do the voting thing. Go find November 4 on your calendar and circle it, highlight it, underline it, deck it out with Hello Kitty stickers-- whatever it takes!

Of course, before you do the voting thing, make sure to do the registering thing. Plenty of info about that can be found right here. [MORE...]

Bjork's Tibet Boost Angers Chinese Authorities
Serbia's EXIT Festival extends "open invitation" to singer

Photo by Kathryn Yu

You have to hand it to Björk. At the moment, it feels like she's got the whole world in a tizzy, and all for uttering two words.

The first, of course, was "Kosovo!", shouted during a late February concert in Tokyo in the context of incendiary Volta tune "Declare Independence". That particular utterance led to the cancellation of a proposed appearance at the 2008 EXIT Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia, as confirmed last week.

The second, as previously mentioned, was "Tibet!", which the Icelandic iconoclast shouted during a March 2 performance of "Declare Independence" in Shanghai, China. Not surprisingly, China, which has exercised a controversial rule over Tibet for 58 years, took offense to Björk's remarks.

According to an Associated Press report, the Chinese Ministry of Culture released a statement late last week claiming Björk's Tibet shout-out "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings." The report suggests China-- where even a Dirty Three show can result in a riot-- intends to "be stricter on foreign performers" following the Björk incident.

Björk already commented on the matter in a statement she released last week. Here are those words again:

"I have been asked by many for a statement after dedicating my song 'Declare Independence' to both Kosovo and Tibet on different occasions. I would like to put importance on that I am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions. The urge for declaring independence is just one of them but an important one we all feel at some times in our lives. This song was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence. Justice!"

Meanwhile, EXIT Festival's Bojan Boskovic released a statement to NME.com this past Friday in response to the controversy surrounding Björk's nixed EXIT appearance. Björk's management recently shared an email from Boskovic in which the EXIT Festival co-founder threatened to cancel Björk's performance if the Kosovo matter was not swept under the rug. NME reports that Boskovic claimed the email in question "was not an official EXIT statement," but was instead sent to show "my great concern about what is going on."

Boskovic continued, "Two weeks later I have a different opinion about it. We do want to see [Björk] at EXIT. We're trying to see with management now if this is the best time to have her. There is an open invitation as far as EXIT is concerned."

While you ponder all that, have another look at these Björk tour dates. [MORE...]

Bjork Speaks Out About Kosovo Controversy
"I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence. Justice!"

Photo by Kathryn Yu

This just in: Do not mess with Björk. The Icelandic songstress released a statement today clarifying her position with regard to a pair of recent controversial remarks made during live shows in Tokyo and Shanghai, and by the looks of it she's holding fast to her beliefs.

Once again, a recap: At a concert in Tokyo, as previously reported, Björk dedicated "Declare Independence" to newly independent Kosovo, leading to friction between the artist and organizers of Serbia's EXIT Festival (more on that below). In Shanghai this past weekend, according to various reports, Björk dedicated the same song to Tibet, whose struggle for independence from China is well documented. (The Guardian has video of it here.)

Here's what Björk had to say on the matter:

"I have been asked by many for a statement after dedicating my song 'Declare Independence' to both Kosovo and Tibet on different occasions. I would like to put importance on that I am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions. The urge for declaring independence is just one of them but an important one we all feel at some times in our lives. This song was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure. I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence. Justice!"

Furthermore, Björk's management has stepped forward to counter recent claims made by EXIT Festival representatives that suggest a proposed Björk performance at the festival was not cancelled due to the singer's Kosovo remarks.

Management shared an email from EXIT's general manager Bojan Boäkovi, which Boäkovi sent after learning of Björk's Kosovo dedication. In the email, amid concern for the well-being of festivalgoers and Björk herself, Boäkovi puts forth the following ultimatum (emphasis his):

"We hope Bjork does not relate to Kosovo on other concerts here in Europe, nor in her intervievs, because if she does we need to cancel the concert; if this happens, we may as well look for some other artist..."

In reference to the Kosovo dedication in Tokyo, the festival manager also asks Björk's management "to deny that Bjork has ever done this."

"This is a very sensitive issue," writes Boäkovi in closing.

Björk, however, wasn't having it, and thus she will not be playing EXIT. That festival, as previously reported, happens July 10-13 at Novi Sad, Serbia's Petrovaradin fortress. The Sex Pistols, Paul Weller, the Hives, and Nightwish will perform.

Björk, meanwhile, has dates in England and mainland Europe forthcoming. And the video for "Wanderlust" looks pretty cool. [MORE...]

Arcade Fire to Rock Ohio for Obama

Win Butler can talk the talk, and now he and several of his Arcade Fire bandmates are prepared to walk the walk in support of Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

With several major primaries going down this coming Tuesday (March 4) that could decide the contest once and for all, Butler, Regine Chassagne, Jeremy Gara, and Sarah Neufeld will hit Ohio on Sunday and Monday to drum up support for Obama.

On Sunday March 2, they will play a show at Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville. Then on Monday, March 3, they'll play at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. Start lining up now, because the shows are free and first come, first serve. Colin Stetson will open.

BUT WAIT! Aren't Arcade Fire Canadian? Why are they meddling with our political process?

NOT SO FAST. A press release clarifies: "Though the Arcade Fire is known as a Canadian band, Win and Will were born and raised in the U.S. (and spent their formative years in Texas), Regine is a dual citizen whose dad served in Vietnam, and Jeremy Gara is just a really nice Canadian who likes playing music and is sick of explaining to Americans what universal health care means."

GOBAMA!

Andrew Bird and Dianogah to Play Obama Benefit

That Barack Obama's on a bit of a roll lately, huh? With primary wins left and right over the last week and support from all around the indie rock world, the senator from Illinois has picked up a little more hometown support on his quest to become the Democratic nominee for the presidency from fellow Chicagoan Andrew Bird.

Bird and his pals in Dianogah, who joined him on last year's Daytrotter session, will rock an Obama benefit at Chicago's Hideout on February 28. Both acts will perform separately and together.

The suggested minimum contribution for tickets may be $100, but you can't put a price on picking a president, can you? Besides, all ticket buyers will receive a limited edition handscreen poster by Chicago artist Kathleen Judge available this night and this night only.

As for Andrew, he's got a couple other tour dates scheduled right now, including that stop at the MusicNOW festival in Cleveland Cincinnati! DOH!  [MORE...]

John McCain's Daughter: Music Blogger
"I love the vibe and emotion I get from music... I take that energy and run with it."

"Back in my past life," admits 23-year-old Meghan McCain in a recent posting on McCainBlogette.com, "I wanted to be a music journalist."

McCain is the daughter of Arizona Senator and Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, but don't think she's abandoned those music journalism aspirations completely. As one of the three women behind McCainBlogette.com, the potential future First Daughter and her pals have taken it upon themselves to share a series of playlists "of the songs we just can't get enough of."

As young McCain writes, "I love the vibe and emotion I get from music...I take that energy and run with it."

Please, Meghan, tell us what we should be listening to!

Hmm, ok: David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Beach Boys, Madonna, Jay-Z, the Smiths, Björk, Kanye West, the Cure, T. Rex, the Velvet Underground, 2 Pac and Dr. Dre, Elliott Smith, Modest Mouse, TV on the Radio, JAMC, Tom Waits, the Roots, Pulp, Blur, Ladytron, Spoon, Iggy and the Stooges, Goldfrapp, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, "Young Folks", and something called "Lilly Allen", among many others. Hey, we can't argue with those-- and all paragons of Republican values.

But Meghan knows a thing or two about irony. "An interesting thing happens when you're a music fan," she writes in a February 8 posting. "There's always some great irony in between life and art. I posted a link to the Ramone's [sic] 'My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg)' yesterday and some people seem to think there's some message in the fact that it was written in part as a criticism of a trip President [Ronald] Reagan made to Bitburg, West Germany in May 1985.

"Wow...I happen to like the song and figured it was a bit of an edgy choice considering the content...BUT those of you who know that, also probably know Johnny Ramone was a proud Republican and big fan of President Reagan who insisted the title of the song be changed to its refrain. So if you've been following along with us these last few months, you already know things aren't always what they seem on the Blogette...enjoy the song...love the irony... and keep watching... it's only bound to get more fun!" Well, um, that settles that, clearly.

And if dad should worry? Burt's got his back.

Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)