On Repeat: Memory Tapes “Bicycle”

by Jason Caldeira

Take one part Of Montreal, one part David Byrne and one part underground dance club (circa 1983), wrap them all up in a Hypercolor t-shirt, blend until smooth and garnish with Passion Pit and a Porl Thompson guitar solo (optional).

Memory Tapes “Bicycle” from Seek Magic

Song of the Summer:
Atlas Sound “Walkabout”

by Jason Caldeira

I started today by checking my morning blogs (like all of you undoubtedly do with this blog, right?) and low and behold… my favorite blog, ISO50.com, posted an assortment of audio goodies for my aural enjoyment. Not only is there apparently a new Kings of Convenience album out (which I couldn’t seem to track down, but I’ll give it 15 more minutes), but there’s also a new release by Atlas Sound featuring Noah Lennox (Panda Bear, Animal Collective)… and wow. Just when I thought Passion Pit had a firm lock on the song of the summer, “Walkabout” comes along and kicks down the door. I downloaded the song a mere 20 minutes ago, and have already listened to it 5 times.

I love the internet.

Atlas Sound “Walkabout” featuring Noah Lennox

#followfriday

by Jason Caldeira

I’ll be the first to admit that blogging about twittering is akin to a band covering the Monkee’s version of “Paperback Writer”, but in this world of communication over-saturation (and Twitter’s 140 character limit restrictions) I wanted to give a shout-out to some of our Twitter favorites in hopes that they become your favorites as well.

Without further ado, I give you the FlyCasual Follow Friday list (in no particular order, of course); some celebrity, some music, some design, some people we just stumbled upon that have a lot of good things to say. Enjoy.

Tankboy @tankboy
Kate Zimmer @krzimmer
Our Man in Chicago @ourmaninchicago
Ethan Suplee @EthanSuplee
John Mayer @johncmayer
Mr. Trick @mr_trick
AJ @amyjfisher
I Love Typography @ilovetypography
Jeffrey Zeldman @zeldman

And don’t forget us!
FlyCasual @FlyCasual
FlyCasual Records @FlyCasualMusic
Helicopters @helicoptersband

Check all these people out at your leisure. I could give you reasons as to why I find them interesting, but the beauty of Twitter is that you can make that assessment yourself. Happy #followfriday everyone in Twitterland!

On Repeat: Evan Marc “Emotional Ecology”

by Jason Caldeira

If you’re at all like us, you love going out and checking out new restaurants, having cocktails with friends (usually 1-4 too many), and exploring all that the city (Chicago in our case) has to offer. Personally, I’m not a big fan of “the scene” and tend to be immediately put off by overt trends and those who follow them too closely. Where am I going with this, you ask?

Some restaurants and lounges, whether trendy or not, really know how to set the mood via music and decor. There’s nothing inherently groundbreaking about a minimalist sushi restaurant playing downtempo house while you sip Saketinis, but damn if it ain’t enjoyable. Enter Evan Marc.

Listening to Evan Marc’s Emotional Ecology is akin to dining al fresco at the aforementioned sushi lounge on a balmy summer night. The album is sexy, warm, thought-provoking and inspiring, chocked full of beats just heavy enough to give you the urge to dance but reserved enough to relegate said dancing to your Bertoia side chair. Turn it on, turn it up to 7, grab a cocktail and enjoy.

Evan Marc “Centigrade” from Emotional Ecology

Tears For Fears: The Next Influential 80s Band

by Jason Caldeira

It seems every year or so there’s a new crop of young indie bands wearing their 80s influences proudly on their American Apparel sleeves. When I hear one of said bands, I often realize how amazing the band they “borrowed” from truly is. It’s really easy to forget how amazing the theme song to The Breakfast Club is, for example, since we’ve all heard it eighty-bajillion times. Songs like these just become white noise after a while - like audio banner ads. (Editor’s note: when was the last time anyone actually clicked on a banner ad on purpose? Seriously. Other than when you miss the little “close” X or when you’re trying shoot the duck?)

But anyway… where was I? Oh yes… so… 80s bands… blah blah blah… I’ll just cut to the chase ’cause it’s early and I’m tired. Tears for Fears are amazing and way under-appreciated. “Shout”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, “Head Over Heels” and “Sowing the Seeds of Love” are fine mainstream examples of their brilliance, but dig a little deeper, folks. Listen to Songs from the Big Chair and The Hurting cover to cover. Holy crap. This is what the 80s really sounded like for those of us who experienced it. It was new, innovative and honest.

It’s really too bad that the 80s are only remembered for all the crap that American Apparel now touts as ironic hipster*. The 80s should instead be remembered as the time when music mattered, and one of the few times in the past 50 years where there was true innovation in songwriting and production. And Tears for Fears played a big part. So expect them to be the next Joy Division/The Smiths/The Cure/New Order that young bands decide to start emulating. I might actually give that a listen.

* Special request to the current young generation: get your own style and leave ours alone, mmkay?

Lil Wayne As a Web Designer?

by Gregory McClendon

As much as I would like to see Lil Wayne retire and begin a successful career as a circus clown, I think if he became a Web Designer it might sound something like this…

Props to Casey D from Vimeo.com for creating a truly hilarious 2:08 seconds.

On Repeat: Frightened Rabbit “The Midnight Organ Fight”

by Jason Caldeira

Frightened Rabbit is by no means a new band, but they are new to me. I downloaded their latest album The Midnight Organ Fight from eMusic last week, and it’s been on heavy rotation ever since. Reminiscent of August and Everything After-era Counting Crows having whiskey-laced coffee with The National after a weekend bender in Glasgow, TMOF is chocked full of intelligent lyrics, chill-giving chord progressions, grounded production and something familiar like a warm blanket wrapping around you… as you tell the one you love to piss off.

Frightened Rabbit “Keep Yourself Warm” from The Midnight Organ Fight

Do you like good Chicago house music?

by Gregory McClendon

Well who the hell don’t?

SpatulaCity Records, a Chicago based house label, impresses with a nice clean blog, big Helvetica, and a little flash “radio”. Sure it’s just another flash-based streamer, but it loaded quick, looks great, and in the case of SpatulaCity, was playing some dope booty-shaking house. I especially dug The Sound Republic tunes. I think a trip to Gramaphone is in my near future. It has been way too long since I purchased some vinyl.

What Happened to Chicago Music?

by Jason Caldeira

This past weekend I attended a show of a really great Chicago band (who shall remain nameless). And for whatever reason, even though I’ve known this for a while, it really hit me: the Chicago music scene is dead.