The Safes, Mister Suit, and Kinetic Shapes III - May 29th, 2014

6:05pm - The Safes are on the road in Milwaukee.  They'll be calling in to talk about their latest release, and their homecoming show at Martyr's on Saturday, May 31st.

6:30 - Mister Suit will be visiting the studio for the first time!  He just release a new single.  We'll be talking to him about being a solo artist and performing by himself.  He'll be playing at Cole's on May 30th.

7:00pm - This is our third installment of Kinetic Shapes. Rani from Girl Detective, and Elaine from Spaces of Disappearance will be visiting the studio to talk about being musicians in Chicago.  How they view the music scene, and other questions that are burning in their minds.

thePaver - May 22nd, 2014

ThePaver - May 22nd, 2014 by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

My Gold Mask - May 22nd, 2014

My Gold Mask - May 22nd 2014 by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

the Field Recorders - Ten Miles Down video

The Field Recorders are a band that have just started out in Chicago, but are already making waves.  They are constantly recording and putting out all sorts of media, such as music, photos via instagram, and videos.  They will be releasing a new album in June.  Here's their first video from their first release. 

The Outfit, My Gold Mask, and thePaver - May 22nd

6:00pm - The Chicago Outfit will be coming in to the studio to guest DJ.  They have a bout coming up this Saturday at Windy City Fieldhouse.  Tickets can be purchased: here.

Picture by Marv Watson for Red Bull Sound Select

6:30 - My Gold Mask - At the crossroads of underground and over the top, zoned in and plugged out, raw and riotous, lives Chicago’s My Gold Mask. The band’s exotic spells and murderous ballads have built a unique wall of sound that some have likened to a metallic symphony.
     It's been some time since My Gold Mask has come to visit Radio One Chicago.  They'll be gracing us with their presence talking about their trip to Austin for SXSW, their newest member, and where they're heading.

My Gold Mask will be playing The Hideout on May 31st.

7:30 - thePaver - thePaver formed in 2008 as a power trio. Adding a cello in 2010, their music is a carefully articulated study in aggression and consonance.

thePaver will be playing at Beat Kitchen this coming Friday, May 23rd.

Vintage Blue-No Going Back

That Chicago's Vintage Blue can draw respectable numbers headlining Metro and chart an EP on Triple A radio without the benefit of a label is a testament to the band's hard work, their attention to song-craft and, most importantly, the accessibility of the music that the 6-piece group creates.

The radio-friendly EP in question, No Going Back, kicks off with "Let Go," and it is apparent from the opening notes that VB is (perhaps with some irony) not trying to re-invent the wheel or even keep up with current trends. The song simply charts a course that was first mapped out in the laid-back California goldmine of 70's rock (Eagles, Jackson Brown, Fleetwood Mac, et al) and nods a bit to the 1980s (dig the Men at Work-style sax) and 90's AOR (Vintage Blue has supported Sister Hazel and lists Vertical Horizon as an influence).

The title track is even more concise in its song-craft: heartfelt, lyrical verses; big, hooky choruses; some smartly downplayed synth to give the song color. "Remember" is a bit more artful with its toy vibraphone, beautiful vocal harmonies, trains a' comin' percussion, etc.

"Alone (I Can Hear)" is the closest thing to a modern rock hit; not as arch or Anglo as The Killers but definitely in the ballpark. "Carolina" turns back to the 70's but, again, the attention to detail is there: nice female backing vocals; country-rock and lite-funk influences (think Little Feat) and sterling production. No Going Back closes with "The Enemy," the most outwardly "rock" song on the EP, which shows some late-period Yes and even a bit of U2 in the band's DNA.

Vivian Garcia - May 15th, 2014

Vivian Garcia - May 15th, 2014 by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

Royal Pines - May 15th, 2014

Royal Pines - May 15th by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

Royal Pines, Vivian Garcia, and Labors - May 15th Show

6:30pm - Royal Pines 7:00pm - Vivian Garcia 7:30pm - Labors

The Safes - Record Heat

The Safes' latest album, Record Heat, is exactly what I needed from them – an entire full-length LP of lean, quality rock. Their music is like a modern take on the classic 60's garage sound, but with a depth, and flavor that is uniquely theirs. This band was made for fans of The Ramones, The Kinks, and The Zombies to squeal over. The production on these ten tracks makes every spin a pleasure to listen to, and thanks to The Safes' uncanny knack for tasteful song arrangements, multiple listens will keep the headphone geeks coming back for more. The only negative criticism I have against it, is that I may have liked it SLIGHTLY more had the band switched the order of the last two tracks...but that's what iTunes is for, right? I really can't get enough of this. I'd gladly buy it again if I had to. Get it. - DC

Labors

Labors will have an LP-release party at The Whistler, Wednesday, May 7th with Anthonie Tonnin from New Zealand.

Labors is the ever-evolving musical endeavor of Z. L. Melton, Sarah “Rose” Anderson, Jacob Hand, Alexis Dionissopoulos, and Addison Ashbaugh.

Blue Funk is available to stream for free, and purchase in both digital and vinyl formats at LABORS.BANDCAMP.COM, or at a store near you.

Everybody Says Yes, Bad Bad Meow, and Miss Remember - May 8th Show

6:30pm -  Everybody Says Yes is a seven-piece R&B/soul band from Chicago. The incredible vocal stylings of Meghan Murphy paired with John Fournier's original songwriting create a sound that is at once familiar and yet inspiring. With influences ranging from Dusty Springfield to Otis Redding to Van Morrison, ESY is an irresistible musical force designed to lift spirits through troubling times.

They'll be at The Hideout May 8th.

photo by: 9 Muses

7:00pm - Bad Bad Meow just released an album in May.  "The music of Bad Bad Meow has been described using words like “acoustic” and “punk.” The more you listen to this blend of gritty vocals over an acoustic guitar being driven far beyond its intended purpose, the less either of those words seems accurate."

photo by: Robert Martinez

7:30pm - Miss Remember "is a brew of delicate melodies, intriguing harmonies and dirty guitars. Impressionistic male and female vocals contribute to this gritty musical machine, evoking a dichotomy of love and loathing. Each song has it’s own character that will make you move or stop you in your tracks."

They'll be coming in to talk about their upcoming show at Whistler on May 11th.

8:00pm - Chris Kramer of Slushy will be in the studios.

9:00pm - Sister Crystals - Sister Crystals will be coming into the studio to talk about their music and their upcoming show on May 9th at Hideout.

Mister Suit just dropped a new single

Mister Suit just put up a new single... Don't forget to check him out on Radio One Chicago, Thursday May 29th at 6:30pm.

For the caller who asked us to never play Hip Hop Again...

http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/hip-hop-vocabulary-data-visualization/

Umbra and The Volcan Siege interview on May 1st, 2014

Umbra & The Volcan Siege on Radio One Chicago - May 1st, 2014 by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

Zookeeper's latest single

Zookeeper - Bouncy, infectious and vaguely menacing - the new track from Chicago indie rock outfit Zookeeper offers a little taste of what’s to come on their debut EP, Tall Men With Feelings, due out in June 2014. The track is part of a collection of self-recorded demos the band put together after forming in late 2013.

Click Here for Frosted Glass single.

Kriss Stress from Notes & Bolts with Joshua Wentz from Sidedown Audio - May 1st, 2014

Notes & Bolts with Josh Wentz on Radio One Chicago May 1st by Radioonechicago on Mixcloud

Bad Bad Meow Releases New Album

Bad Bad Meow has released their latest album on April 25th.  Bad Bad Meow received  help of Greg from Peek-a-Boos, Natalie Grace Alford, Ivan Sosa of Pinto & The Bean.

Their next show is May 17th at Tonic Room, and they will be visiting Radio One Chicago on Thursday, May 8th.

Akasha-Joy Song album review

Chicago’s Akasha occupies a unique place in the city’s reggae/ska scene. Unlike older reggae outfits, the band does not play to tourists at the Wild Hare. They also have yet to find a foothold at The Cobra Lounge and other punk-friendly venues that typically book ska bands like The Crombies, Deals Gone Bad and other groups indebted to the 80’s 2-Tone scene. Instead, Akasha hosts a popular residency at Double Door, has opened for nationally touring reggae and ska bands at The Shrine, Lincoln Hall and Subterranean, and recently held a record release party at The Hideout with support from the jazz-fusion trio Spare Parts.

Akasha has not only etched out a niche in Chicago’s reggae/ska scene, but the band is unique on record, as well: the new, self-released Joy Song sounds different from anything that currently passes for either reggae or ska these days. You will not hear frat boy nods to pop punk or mainstream rap; you will not be distracted by auto tune or Latin-inflected Reggaeton. Instead, Joy Song trades in various sub-genres of real reggae music, with shades of neo-soul and a even a bit of indie rock.

The album kicks off with the sweet “Recipe for Love” and the remaining eleven cuts are all winners. Highlights include a cover of PM Dawn’s “I’d Die Without You” that features guest vocals from JC Brooks; “Warrior” is a politically charged anthem with some great toasting courtesy of Illuminati Congo; “Lil’ Black Dress” is sleek, sexy and as modern as anything passing for adventurous, Pitchfork-endorsed R&B these days; “Warm My Bones” goes back further than the dawn of either ska or reggae to take inspiration from American gospel music and doo-wop.

The musicians responsible for the terrific sounds on Joy Song are:

Cosmos Ray-Vox
Doug Bistrow-Bass,Vox
Scott Moss-Guitar,Vox
John Barbush–Drums
Shane Jonas-Keys, Trumpet,Vox

Hip Hop Project

Since we're still learning about Hip Hop, we bow our heads to The Hip Hop Project: