Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

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Episode 417 - John Lefler Jun 17, 2012

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John Lefler lead guitarist for Dashboard Confessional joined us for an afternoon of great music and stories. What a fun time we had.John started playing guitar in 1989, piano shortly thereafter. He had only one guitar lesson in his life and the first song he learned was Bon Jovi's, "Wanted Dead Or Alive." And that was the end of guitar lessons for him. His older brother Bill helped him by teaching some chords as well. He still has his first guitar, a Peavey T-60 (that he keeps under his bed), which his dad got at a pawn shop for $50 at that time. He started writing songs when he about 18 years old, after seeing the John Lennon bio-pic, "Imagine". One of the first songs he wrote is called "Liberace's Christmas." John had piano lessons while in High School for a few months. "My recital piece was Bruce Hornsby's, "The Way It Is". It was terrible. I've never had another lesson (or recital) of any kind since." A curious fact also happened in 1996. "I severed the tendon of my right pinky on a glass of milk. Thus, I play the piano with seven fingers and two thumbs." Dashboard Confessional Lefler joined Dashboard Confessional in 2002, having flown out to meet the rest of the band in Florida. Lefler and Carrabba "clicked" when Carrabba sighted Lefler wearing the same Gap jacket that he was also wearing. After a week of quick study on the albums, Lefler made his first official appearance as a Dashboard Confessional member on the MTV Unplugged recording. Thereafter, he has been an important part, being the lead guitarist and keyboard player of the band. The Wimbledons In 2005, Lefler and his brothers Bill and Kevin formed an alternative-country band called The Wimbledons in Los Angeles, California. After much infighting between the brothers, the band completed an EP, with Lefler contributing vocals and guitars and Kevin contributing vocals on "Apologies" and "Long Way from Home". After the release of the album and with Lefler's moving to Dallas, Texas, The Wimbledons have no plans for a forthcoming second EP.

Episode 416 - Cassie Boettcher Jun 13, 2012

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Cassie Boettcher (pronunciation: cass-ee betcher, like "betch your bottom dollar") is a Milwaukee based pop singer-songwriter whose music showcases unique lyrics and catchy melodies. Having been compared to Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and Ingrid Michaelson, she has received positive attention from music industry professionals and fans all over the world. Cassie has opened for indie pop singer-songwriter Rosi Golan, Kate York (writer of Jonny Diaz's "More Beautiful You"), Natalie Hemby (writer of Miranda Lambert's "White Liar," "Only Prettier," Carrie Underwood's "Play On") and continues to play shows with recognizable acts all around the country. Cassie has been acknowledged as one of fifty national upcoming acts by the Aloft Hotel chain; her track "New York Minute" was one of the top downloaded songs featured on the Aloft Facebook page, with exposure to over 60,000+ fans. She has had a busy year already with the recent release of her first six-track EP as well as shows in Milwaukee, Nashville, Chicago, and more. Find Cassie online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Reverbnation, Sonicbids, and more!You can see Cassie along with Jeff Brown, Common Shiner, and Facing Winter at Goose Island Wrigleyville tomorrow night June 14th at 8 PM.

Episode 415 - Deadbeat Darling Jun 08, 2012

Show notes

New York four-piece Deadbeat Darling is spending time on both sides of the pond. After selling out some of NYC's most prestigious venues over the course of the last 3 years, the band was signed by UK label Spearhavoc Records in March 2011, and promptly whisked away from Brooklyn to record in Wales with Grammy award winning producer Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Badly Drawn Boy). The album, titled "THE ANGEL'S SHARE", was mixed by another Grammy award winner, Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters), and is due out in early 2012.With a bit of downtown swagger and post-indie charm, their sound weaves together rock with hints of surf and dub. A native of neither extreme, their lifestyle toggles between Brooklyn dive bars and the mise en scene of the West Side's fashion district; their live show is a sweaty barrage of unrestrained energy and mischievous sway that leaves little doubt as to why Deadbeat Darling has garnered such a rabid and eclectic following

Episode 414 - Luna Blues Machine Jun 04, 2012

Show notes

Luna Blues MachineBefore we go any further, I must say that I fell in Love with this band! We subsequently booked them for a live event at Goose Island and they melted faces!Maritza and Belinda, The Cervantes sisters have lived a life surrounded in music with Chicago as our back drop. Our Papi always kept a guitar in the house and wrote songs in Spanish while our Mami made sure we knew all the words to the oldies playing on the radio. We grew up on Mariachi music as well as the Beatles. Rancheras as well as the Mama's and Papa's Performing lies deep in our bones. Early on it was church choirs and hymns. In high school it was musical theater and forming singing groups with friends, studying the vocal harmonies of En Vogue. Songwriting came with our separation in college and when we reunited The Luna Blues Machine was born. Founded in 2001, LBM found a home at Subterranean's Open Mic Night. We became regular's on Monday nights making friends with all the wonderful artists involved in Chicago's music scene. This launched us into the world of live performance and brought us many gigs throughout the city. Today The Luna Blues Machine consists of Maritza and Belinda Cervantes (guitar and mandolin), accompanied by bass (John "Hippie" Germinaro) and a combination of drums and djembe. Hip-Hop, latin, soul, and folk all find their way into LBM's music. Poetic lyrics mixed with harmonies drive our storytelling. Most songs are originals and a few songs are sung in Spanish. We have had the pleasure of playing such Chicago venues like Elbo Room, Funky Buddha Lounge, Goose Island, Chicago Cultural Center, The Hot House, Subterranean, Betty's Blue Star Lounge, The Morseland, and Red Line Tap. We were part of the Great Performers of Illinois for two consecutive years and won Underground Wonder Bar's Battle of the Bands in 2006.

Episode 413 - Urban Twang May 30, 2012

Show notes

Urban Twang joined us again after a six year hiatus (Episode 15 December 2006). Max Twang and Trish Clausen the core of the group brought in their new configuration with Laura Glyda on harmony and lead vocals and guitar and Sarah Barlett on harmony and lead vocals. As before, Trish along with lead and harmony vocals played Mandolin and Harmonica. Max is ever brilliant on guitar, dobro, mandolin, and harmonica.This now legendary Chicago based group performed some of the most beautiful three part harmonies along with their wonderful lyrics and music. They gave me goose bumps and I reveled in the sheer joy of their performance.This is a band that you must see live.Next gig: Friday, June 15 @ 8 p.m.Gallery Cabaret 2020 N. Oakley ChicagoSponsored by Chicago Acoustic UndergroundFor more gigs, free downloads and to contact Urban Twang please visit: Urbantwang.comVideo of the show is posted below.

Episode 412 - Luna Blu May 22, 2012

Show notes

Luna Blu… Is the amalgam of an eclectic collection of influences. Nan Mosinski's folk-rock, singer-songwriter style, when combined with bassist Jeff Ashcraft's classical training and goth-metal tastes, guitarist and backing vocalist John Bouris' progressive rock leanings, guitarist Jeff Howatt's classic rock blues riffs, and drummer Dan Hoch's complex and solid rhythms, you get a sound that is uniquely its own and can only be described as....Luna Blu Their recent, self-titled EP was produced at Transient Sound Studio in Chicago under the skillful engineering of former Filter drummer Steven Gillis. Also lending their talents to the EP are Vijay Tellis-Nayak on keys and the incomparable Anne Harris on violin. Luna Blu has been seen about town opening for Chicago powerhouse Cathy Richardson and her latest incarnation, The Macrodots, as well as regular appearances at city and suburban venues. Combining lush layers, melodic hooks and playful lyrics, Luna Blu's music has a multifaceted sound that has broad appeal.

Episode 411 - The Littlest Birds May 18, 2012

Show notes

On their way from their home in Mammouth Lakes, California on their East Coast tour, Sharon and Dave, known at The Littlest Birds joined Michael Vez and myself for an afternoon of pure joy and music. This is a show not to be missed. They make beautiful music and have lots of fun stories of life on the road.

Episode 410 - rock falls aka Annie Reese May 17, 2012

Show notes

rock falls aka Annie Reese joined us in the studio on her Birthday and we had a wonderful time. CAU Publicist Hannah Frank brought her in and Jeff Brown also joined us for this show. Equally adept on the Fender Telecaster and the ukulele with a hauntingly beautiful voice reminisent of the Jazz era female vocalists like Billy Holiday, Annie mesmerized us with her beautiful music.

Episode 409 - Kevin Crafton & The High Tides May 10, 2012

Show notes

Kevin Crafton The High Tides joined us for an afternoon of songs from his new album "36". Kevin is absolutely brilliant, both as a songwriter, and a performer. He recently moved to Nashville and I am willing to bet that he is going to take that town like a midwest tornado.Kevin Crafton is a Folk-Rock artist that draws inspiration from the poetry of Jim Daniels and James Wright. With his LP The Vacant Heartland, the scene has been set for his telling the story of the demise of the country's heart and thus morale.This kind of music is something that may have been heard in the late 1970s by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp.After months of talk, the new album 36 is officially released - currently only in the digital platform. You can listen and purchase it for $5 at either Http://KevinCrafton.bandcamp.com orHttp://www.KevinCrafton.com

Episode 408 - Jacqueline Sylvie Apr 22, 2012

Show notes

Jacqueline is a Chicago singer/songwriter and performer who at the early age of 11 was already a featured vocalist in Chicago's St. Boniface Church choir and folk masses. At 16, she performed in a family-based band known as JSB (offering music of all venues - from blues, to RB, to rock-n-roll, all the way to zydeco) and continues to make guest appearances with them even today. In her late 20s, she moved on to other groups of many venues and resided in several different cities within the United States. Most impressionable, Louisiana gave her a better understanding of her French Creole heritage and influenced her songwriting tremendously, especially her unique sense of phrasing - French Patois. Upon her return to Chicago, her musical outlet became a band which mainly performed at block parties and an annual masquerade ball.Her guitar capabilities began to burst at the seams; as well as her awareness that it was time to move on to the next creative plateau. A chance meeting with a fellow artist presented her with this opportunity. She ventured out on her own to perform her original material at coffeehouses, clubs and open mikes which has fruited studio time and fans. Jacqueline's approach to honesty (brutal truth), offers a rare peephole into the psyche of her maturity and self-revelation. Based on the feedback received, this seems to be, very much, a subject to which people can relate.The clash of her 'angel' voice, sensually crude and thought provoking lyrics, gilded with an inventive musical rendition, leaves the listener anxiously awaiting the next episode. "Safe Keeping" is a musical biography which escorts its listeners through the beginnings of an affair that leads to the end of an already unfulfilled relationship. Although this is no fairy tale with the usual "happily ever after" ending, the songs are etched with a tender perception of true and everlasting love. "I will hold you in my heart now - For as long as I am breathing - And I'll hold you in my mind now - Yes you'll be in my Safe Keeping - And I promise to stay close - In all the places you may lead me." The best compliment she says she ever got at one of her gigs was when a gentleman approached her and said "killer lyrics". At a loss to pinpoint her style? The closest assimilation would be folk/rock/pop. It is.....Jacqueline!Jacqueline Sylvie is a most accomplished Lady. I first saw her perform at the upstairs stage at the Elbo Room and immediately fell in love with her infectuious spirit, great voice, and beautiful lyrics. Hailing from Kankakee, this welder by day singer by night is someone you must go see, and you can tomorrow night at Chicago's Hardrock Cafe. That's Monday April 23, 2012 at 8 PM tickets are only $5.00. See you there.

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