Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

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Episode 487 - The StereoFidelics May 07, 2013

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Four instruments, two dynamic voices, and a record of relentless touring have earned virtuosic, funky indie rock duo the StereoFidelics their reputation as a superb, high-energy live act. Melissa McGinley – Drums, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Electric Violin Chris Padgett – Vocals, Electric Guitar, Foot-operated synth-bass. Imagine you're back in time enjoying the groove and virtuosity of a 70's art-rock band, then hurled decades forward, colliding with the energy and intensity of today's indie rock scene. There's unexpectedly powerful jazzy female vocals intertwined with a strong, satin-smooth male voice. Thumping synth basslines and popping, funky drumbeats drive the skillfully intricate guitar playing and explosions of electric violin string-shredding. Reflecting their influences of past and present (including Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, the Talking Heads, Arcade Fire, and the White Stripes), the StereoFidelics avoid performing with loops, computers, and digital effects in favor of the more organic approach of using Moog Taurus pedals, scat vocal solos, and multi-instrumentalism. You see, the fast-fingered guitar player (Chris Padgett) keeps the bass lines pounding through a one-octave floor keyboard, the tiny female vocalist (Melissa McGinley) is also the drummer; he sings too, and she plays violin. They perform with a natural passion and synchronicity that not only dispels any association with the herky-jerky one-man-band cliche, but post-performance, leaves their audience sympathetically exhausted and dripping with sweat. Be sure to catch this absolutely amazing Duo Tue 06/25/13 at Reggie's Music Joint Time: 9:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: 21+. Address: 2109 S State St. Venue phone: 312-949-0120.

Episode 486 - Clarence Bucaro Apr 28, 2013

Show notes

Over six albums the prolific, honey-voiced Brooklyn, NY singer-songwriter Clarence Bucaro has crafted an impressive canon of uplifting Americana, garnering comparisons to Jackson Browne and Van Morrison. With his new album "Dreaming From the Heart of New York" he returns to the musical grounds he began on. Once again teaming with Grammy winning New Orleans virtuoso Anders Osborne on the production reigns, Bucaro's new album is a stripped down, back to the basics collection of songs about life, love, family and relationships. Featuring intimate lyrics and bare acoustic guitar picking Bucaro reflects on his arrival to New York City and raising children there on the standout title track as well as pondering the nature and meaning of love in the raw "Don't Know Much About Love." Other high points include the heartbroken homesick "Curtis Mayfield" and the beautiful "Summer Rain." The songwriter built his career on a robust 300-shows-per-year schedule sharing stages with such diverse and established artists as Aaron Neville, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, North Mississippi Allstars, and Fountains of Wayne. Born in Cleveland, Ohio Clarence left his hometown for New Orleans to follow his mentor, the Crescent City music icon Anders Osborne. From New Orleans he moved to LA before settling in Brooklyn. The stories in these journeys are documented from early critically acclaimed albums like his Anders Osborne-produced debut Sweet Corn and his Rounder Records sophomore album Sense Of Light to the National Geographic featured Walls Of The World. His musical journey has sought to capture the human condition in the folk-storytelling heritage with a panoramic view of humanity and love as captured on "Dreaming From the Heart of New York."

Episode 485 - Elle Casazza Apr 25, 2013

Show notes

Elle Casazza personifies her music, bold fearless and ethereal. Based in Chicago, Elle writes and performs music that is the love child of blues, soul, jazz and pop. "There's no one way to describe the music I write, it's a culmination of all the music I love to sing." Her powerful vocals send chills to those who listen. Elle performs along with the Elle Casazza Band to create an energetic live show that won't soon be forgotten. Listening to Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, KT Tunstall, Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald have influenced Elle's eclectic writing style. Elle has performed at Daley Plaza, the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Ace Bar, SPACE, the Jazz Showcase, and other venues in the Chicago area.Elle's debut EP For Your Pleasure will be released Spring 2013. The EP shows off all of the styles Elle sings in, each song acting as a window into her life. Elle is looking forward to what 2013 has to offer.

Episode 484 - The Hurtin' Kind Apr 24, 2013

Show notes

The members of The Hurtin Kind all came from varied musical backgrounds, but have come together to make a melting pot of sound that mixes roots, pop, and Americana that has proven to be irresistible. If their mix of hooks, melodies, harmonies, and intelligent lyrics don't convince you, then their incredible live shows will! Members: Norman John Leonard -Guitar/Vox, Matt Rhodes-Guitar/Vox, Bill Kavanagh-Bass/ Vox, Jerry King- Drums

Episode 483 - Bryan Rason Apr 22, 2013

Show notes

Bryan Rason is a Canadian solo acoustic fingerstyle guitarist. Though born in Toronto, Bryan has grown up and lived in several places across Ontario. From a young age he was inspired by his Father to learn guitar and play Country Music. As a teenager, he discovered metal and hard rock while performing in bands across Southern Ontario for several years. Now, in his thirties, Bryan has found a calling in the fingerstyle guitar world and has just released his debut album "Follow Your Bliss" in 2011. Currently, Bryan fills his time writing, arranging, teaching private lessons, and playing live in support of his new album. He has played with fingerstyle greats such as Antoine Durfour and Ewan Dobson and continues to be inspired by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, Lenny Breau and Adam Rafferty. For more information about Bryan Rason and his music, please visit his official website at www.bryanrason.ca There you will also find links to MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts as well as downloadable lessons. Bryan's debut album "Follow Your Bliss" is available now on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and other online stores including his official website. Bryan was a joy to record. His fingerstyle technique is mesmerizing, and he's a hell of a nice guy to boot. See the Videos from his Podcast

Episode 482 - Dane Penn Apr 21, 2013

Show notes

Dane Penn did not pick up a guitar until he was twenty-one-years-old. While some might think this a disadvantage, the late start allowed Dane to begin song-writing with an already mature palate and a developed sense of narrative This is reflected in his songs, which follow in the story-telling tradition of American indie and folk. Ghosts of Departure (Dane's debut EP) weaves together haunting songs about love, loss, and doubt. The songs, written and recorded against the backdrop of a gloomy Midwestern winter, bear witness to life in the Rustbelt. There is a rawness to them, an unvarnished honesty. Dane Penn and Cassette Company are proud to release Dane Penn's debut EP, Ghosts of Departure. Recorded mostly at The Death Star in Rockford, IL, Ghosts of Departure is a triumphant freshman effort from an artist who promises to be with us for quite some time.

Episode 481 - James Lee Stanley Apr 19, 2013

Show notes

James Lee Stanley "So where have they been hiding James Lee Stanley? We could say that James Lee Stanley is probably the last great undiscovered singer/songwriter in America. But true as that may be let's say something else. Let's say that a diamond has been smuggled into the wasteland… and here is where the wasteland ends." – Tom Robbins, Author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues It is only a long lived singer-songwriter career that lets JAMES LEE STANLEY unite the unpredictable creativity and the eclectic elements that make up his world. His remarkable ability as a vocalist and composer allow him to create songs, each recorded with a finely crafted backing that sonically enhance the impulse behind the lyric, coupled with his outrageously hilarious repartee. He is one of the few all time greats and undisputed geniuses among singer-songwriters. Fi Magazine listed his FREELANCE HUMAN BEING as "one of the finest recordings of 1998 and one of the Top 200 Recordings of all time." – FI Magazine March 1999 JAMES LEE STANLEY, the true renaissance man, was born into a musical family in Philadelphia, PA, and already performing and recording for LeGrand Records by the time he was fourteen. He majored in music at California State University, did a stint in the Air Force as a Chinese linguist, performing three hundred dates a year with such diverse acts as BONNIE RAITT, ROBIN WILLIAMS, CHICK COREA RETURN TOFOREVER and BILL COSBY by the time he landed his second recording contract.

Episode 480 - Aryk Crowder Apr 06, 2013

Show notes

Through the use of a four-track tape recorder in a 450 square foot studio apartment, Aryk Crowder began creating a brand of music begging to be heard. Combining his past experiences, Aryk began to write lyrics hailing from the world of rhythm and blues - guitar riffs inspired by Jimi Hendrix and intricately molded vocals recalling the soulful warmth of Al Green. After months of perfecting his demo, Aryk began his quest for success in the heart of Chicago. The city's local music scene eagerly opened its arms to its newest musician. Soon after arriving, he had booked live performances at some of the city's most prominent venues, the rest was history, and a star was in the making. As of recent, Aryk is on the heels of his new record, "Over Getting Over" (released 10/2/12 recorded and co-produced with Greg Magers of Lupe Fiaso's The Cool). Since he arrived in the windy city, Aryk has played dozens of shows throughout the Midwest including a sold out, debut performance at Pete Wentz's Angles Kings in Chicago and opening performances for Mat Kearney, Jordan Knight (of New Kids on the Block fame), and national touring artists, Red Wanting Blue. During this time he has also self produced his first solo EP, "Ready,Set…" alongside Rick Barnes at the Chicago recording institution, Rax Trax Studios. With these kinds of credentials under his belt in such a short time, it seems Aryk Crowder is headed in the right direction.

Episode 479 - Sam Luna Apr 04, 2013

Show notes

Sam Luna, part Poet, Songwriter, performer, and perhaps Shaman is having an album release show this Sunday April 7th at The Mayne Stage. A couple of months ago we recorded this show in anticipation of this event. Please join the CAU Crew for this amazing man's release show at the magnificant Mayne Stage.

Episode 478 - The Lauren Wolf Band Mar 31, 2013

Show notes

Come join the CAU Crew on April 5th, 2013 for The Lauren Wolf Band live at Metro. Show presented by SwizzleSteve and Shoeshine Boy Productions.Lauren Wolf, who has been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin, Nikka Costa and Sass Jordan, has more than just a powerful new sound on the local and soon-to-be-national scene. She's also a single mom with a coming-to-be story worthy of widespread intrigue. Lauren's rock/blues album, which was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, is the culmination of her singing career so far from 15 years on Chicago's theatre scene. Her album is inspired by a lifelong dream, her 6-year-old daughter and literally "feeling sick" if more than a day goes by without keeping her pipes warm. As for the timing of breaking into the rock scene now, her music is a far cry from every club song you're tired of hearing on today's everyday radio. The band who recorded on Lauren's first album involved world-class musicians including Ricky Z (Zahariades) on guitar (currently Josh Groban's guitarist and has toured with Toto), Matt Laug on drums (has played with Alice Cooper and Slash from Guns 'N Roses), Daniel Pearson on bass and Bill Steinway on keys.

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