Here's an interesting article on salon.com about a recent book detailing Wicker Park in the '90s and all its hipster glory (notable quote: "It also connects Wicker Park to a larger narrative of the American urban economy, which over the course of 40 years or so has shifted its focus from heavy industry to image production and high-end consumption, a process in which hipster neighborhoods like . . . Wicker Park have been crucial").

Note: If you're not a salon.com member, you'll have to watch a 15-second commercial to read the full article. That's 15 seconds, NOT 15 minutes.

Looks like Katie Holmes just has terrible, terrible taste in men.

I just don't know if I really understand the picture that goes along with this story.

Should we really be surprised by the #1 use of the video iPod?

I played a really great track by Akron/Family on my show this morning, and methinks I must look into them further. They just put out a split disc with Angels of Light (though really, it's all the same musicians involved in both bands), and they reportedly have an amazing live show. File them next to Devendra Banhart, Animal Collective and Joanna Newsom as "Freak-folk"- whatever that really means, of course.

ARRRRRRRRRR!

That Franz Ferdinand sure is catchy.

Best blog idea: EVER.

I knew that the Bottom Lounge was closing due to the El track renovations, but I guess I didn't realize it had already happened. Looks like they'll be opening in a new space in the West Loop in February '06- I'll be interested to see how that shapes up. The Bottom Lounge was never one of my favorite venues due to its low stage and mostly punk-pop lineups, but I saw a few good shows there in my time.

It also appears that Brian Peterson, the owner of MP Shows and promoter for the Bottom Lounge has started booking shows at Beat Kitchen, which explains the recent rash of great lineups that have been popping up at that venue.

As the holidays get closer, the show scene starts to dry up. There isn't much to see anytime soon at any of the usual venues, Empty Bottle, Schubas, Metro, etc., but if you're looking to pick up on some more under-the-radar bands, here's a few smaller shows that I would highly recommend:

November 17- Plastic Constellations w/ Driftless Pony Club @ Beat Kitchen. I already plugged this show once before, but the PCs are seriously on their way up. They have a new label, a new album coming out this winter, and lots of buzz.

December 2- Islands @ Beat Kitchen. Remember the Unicorns? Crazy quirk-pop Canadians from Montreal that dressed in pink? They broke up and two of the members started this new band that's been sort of shrouded in mystery. Word is members of the Arcade Fire are pitching in on their debut album.

December 17- Single Frame @ the Red Line Tap. I don't even know where the Red Line Tap is. But I love Single Frame.

Anyone seen Kanye West on tour yet? He's coming to Chicago eventually, but according to a TMT writer:

"I was at the Philly stop of kanye west's tour, and during 'Bring Me Down' they had a huge screen that scrolled exerpts from negative reviews of Late Registration. and which quote was first? 'Let's get this out of the way right up front: Kanye West is narcissistic and egotistical.' - Tiny Mix Tapes "

Awesome! What better publicity than that?

Holy crap! My bandwidth usage this month has soared to ridiculous heights. I'm guessing this means more people have been downloading the podcasts than usual. Excellent! Of course this means I'll be shelling out more money for the bandwidth, so here's a gentle reminder that buying anything from Amazon.com through a link on this site gives me a small cut . . . just click on the Amazon logo on the sidebar! :) Go get Wolf Parade or Animal Collective if you haven't yet.

In case you had nothing to do this weekend, here's a couple options:

GUIDED BY VOICES PRE-RELEASE PARTY
FOR THE ELECTRIFYING CONCLUSION DVD

Come to this FREE special screening of the new DVD of GBV's final show, filmed at Metro on New Years Eve 2004. Pre-order the DVD and receive a free GBV shot glass and poster!

Free Pabst Blue Ribbon from 7-8PM!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2005
7PM-10PM / 21+OVER / FREE!
SMARTBAR / 3730 N CLARK ST / CHICAGO

or perhaps if you're a Laguna Beach fan, like Liz is, you can go hang with them at Crobar.

From the Wisconsin Union Music Committee homepage:

Win a chance to open for Bon Jovi!

Press kits due by Nov. 4 at 5 pm
Flyer

The WUD Music Committee is asking local bands to submit a biography, two original songs on a CD, contact information, references and performance history. Entries can be submitted via email to uwbonjovicontest@gmail.com or dropped off at WUD Music Committee, ATTN: Stacey Lansig / Bon Jovi Contest, Room 514 Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706

The students will select a winner to open for Bon Jovi when their Have A Nice Day World Tour comes to Madison. The winner will also be entered in a national competition, where one band will be selected to open for Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium in the summer of 2006.

As it goes every year, supposedly "leaked" Coachella lineups always come out months in advance. Whether these early contenders will actually grace the stages or not, who knows, but as anyone who regularly reads this blog knows, I always like to fuel speculation:

The Arcade Fire
The Strokes
Depeche Mode
Roxy Music
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Franz Ferdinand
65 Days Of Static
Lightning Bolt
Ladytron
Super Furry Animals
The White Stripes
Sigur Ros
Death Cab For Cutie
De La Soul
Elbow
TV On The Radio
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Explosions In The Sky
Doves
Massive Attack
Devendra Banhart

I'll be taking a break from the show tomorrow morning to catch up on some sleep, studying, and sanity (the three S's?). But be sure to tune in next week for a very special THEME show!

I went back to Madison this past weekend, making it the first time I'd been back since the smoking ban in bars went into effect. Very, very nice. What was really fascinating was watching the socialization of the smokers outside of every bar. I think Chicago proponents needs to start selling the ban as a big boon for the singles scene- at least, the smoking singles scene. You segregate a bunch of people with something in common (smoking!) and they have an instant icebreaker topic to discuss (so, doesn't this smoking ban suck?).

And now another New Year's show: The Changes at Schubas. This one is pretty underwhelming. Not sure yet what the Abbey Pub is doing, but at this point if you're dead set on going to a show, I'd go with the New Pornographers at the Metro (unless you just saw them) or Wolf Parade at the Viaduct. Not sure yet if I want to do a show or something else altogether- New Year's has almost never lived up to the hype for me, so I won't think too much about it until it's closer.

Another New Year's show has been added to the growing list: The Juan Maclean at the Empty Bottle. Last year their NY's show featured experimental indie rock, this year it appears to be all about the dance.

Well this is a novel idea for the city of Chicago: instead of taxes, hold more rock concerts! I'm glad that the city has apparently realized that they need to hold more shows at Grant Park, even if it's only because they've proven to make so much money.

Ah, good ol' Madison Halloween, the fun never stops! Actually, it looks like it will next year.