Calvin Johnson to Perform at Heaven Gallery on September 22 in Chicago

K Records founder and the driving force behind The Go Team // Beat Happening // Dub Narcotic Sound System // Halo Benders // The Hive Dwellers will be performing at Heaven Gallery in Chicago on September 22.


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Karl Blau - "Put Me Back" @ Ronny's in Chicago (3/22/08)

Karl Blau and Tim Wilson (drummer for Brooklyn, NY's Polite Sleeper) play "Put Me Back", which can be found on Karl Blau's Dance Positive released by Marriage Records.

Bryce Panic, Old Time Relijun, Monotonix, and Calvin Johnson

What a night!

My ears are still buzzing. Tonight was one of the most amazing nights of live music I've ever witnessed in Chicago ...the universe even. Chicago native Anni Rossi played a very warm and upbeat opening set. If I had enough tape on hand, I would have taped her performance, but sadly I only had a tape and a half.

Bryce Panic played a very energetic, yet brief set. Old Time Relijun played an amazing, slam-dancing set, filled with the best soul-dance rock you've ever heard. Then comes Monotonix, who I've never seen live before. Boy, what a completely unique, inspiring, and awesome night it was!

My filming for my new project, dubnarcotic.org, was really raw for this show. I am not a professional camera man by any means. I try to do something different during each show I attend, both for educational and experimental purposes. So, we'll see how these sets come out on film, let's hope for the best. Monotonix finished their set when I was running out of tape, I only had 4 minutes left.

The night couldn't have gone better. After speaking to both Monotonix and Arrington de Dionyso, I was able to introduce myself to Calvin Johnson before heading out. I complimented him on a job well done producing the latest Old Time Relijun record, as well as the recent performance in Chicago at South Union Arts in June. I asked Calvin if he had plans of coming back to the Chicago area, he said "sometime next spring". I asked if he is working on new Halo Benders material and that I was sorry I missed the shows in Boise. To that, he responded that "you'll see us again".

I'll start editing and uploading tomorrow.

Chad

Happy Birthday K!

Asthmatic Kitty Records is celebrating K Records' 25th birthday with a series of articles on their website (to be published soon). To kick things off, they made this wonderful K birthday cake.

Calvin Johnson @ South Union Arts

I was fortunate enough to see Calvin Johnson play a great set on Friday. The show was mostly comprised of songs from his recent solo records. However, there were a few surprises thrown into the mix, including a very slow / lounge-like rendition of Dub Narcotic Sound System's "Teenage Time Bomb". Calvin also played one of my favorite songs, the Halo Benders' epic "Lonesome Sundown", which including Julie Dorion on backing vocals (who played a wonderful opening set).

You can check out the photos in my Flickr set (excuse the quality, or lack-thereof).

The Halo Benders To Reunite?

While browsing the K Board this afternoon, I noticed this post from someone claiming a Halo Benders show will occur in Boise (Doug Marsch's hometown) at the Visual Arts Collective on April 8th. The author goes on to add "It'll be Doug, Calvin, Ralf, and Brett Netson", and finishes the post with "from what I hear there's no new material, but there may be in the future".

There is no mention of the show on the K site and seeing that the cheapest airfare + hotel will run me around 500 bucks, it is unlikely I will be able to attend. Let's Calvin and Doug have so much fun they decide to jam regularly and write a record.

The latest collaboration the public has seen from this dynamic duo was during Built To Spill's last tour with Calvin appearing (in Big Brother video-style) during a pre-recorded monologue (updated to discuss today's Vietnam) for Bomb Shelter (video below).