Jeff McClusky & Associates’ Blog

Lollapalooza Overview

Aug 13, 2009
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So three days of absolute craziness turned into quite a blur, but a great weekend. Although the headliners may not have carried the brand name that most have in the past, the middle of the pack made everything just perfect. Sure did not mind the rain on Friday and although it was hot as could be on Saturday it did not get in the way of any performances, taking down a few beers ummm i mean waters, and enjoying the night.

Bands seen: hey champ, the knux, asher roth, kings of leon, kid cudi, atmosphere, chairlift, arctic monkeys, santigold, LA Riots, rise against, animal collective, the airborne toxic event, dan deacon, vampire weekend, passion pit, dan auerbac, snoop, silversun pickups, the killers

Friday:

The Knux killed it, they put on a great show. I never had really been into Kings of Leon, but after tah performance you were not able to tell which song was their single...they were all good. The weather had cleared up by then and there were tens of thousands watching.

Saturday:

Atmosphere is one of my personal favorites and his band lived up to expectations. Chairlift was, oh lets say a lil too trippy for me for the the time being. Santigold was very interesting and reminded me of a sort of singing version of MIA. Rise Against was one of my favorite of the weekend. They really were represented well by us Chicago fans and played all their greats. Animal Collective was absolutely insane...I can not describe it.

Sunday:

The Airborne Toxic Event is an amazing band. I can't wait to catch them again when they are back in the city. Dan Deacon by far had the most incredible performance of the weekend. Back by about 20 or so performers banging drums, playing tubas, dancing, mixing, it was ridiculous. I mean he had a dancing tunnel go on forever! Following that was was vampire weekend and passion pit, some personal favorites that put on a great set. Snoop was snoop, always entertaining. Finally the Silversun Pickups had the best musical performance of the weekend. Their music is so godo and they played it even better as the singer raved about how sweet Chicago is...and I agree completely.

Can't wait for next year!

Jared Stabiner

Artist Development

Van Ghost @ Darkroom FRIDAY!

Aug 10, 2009
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Just a short note to post to the blog. JMA artist Van Ghost will be playing a show at Darkroom this coming Friday, August 14th. The show is only $8 and is 21+.

For more info and to check out the music, you can visit Van Ghost's myspace at http://www.myspace.com/vanghostchicago

VanGhost

The Insecurities

Aug 6, 2009
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Hey ya'll

I attended The Insecurities show this past Saturday at the Double Door and they rocked out. In case you don't know, frontman of Lucky Boys Confusion, Stubhy, started the Insecurities, a very ear friendly, but unique sounding rock/alternative group. The crowd was very receptive and you can tell the following is already there. Look for big things to come with this band as they are sending their songs for final mixing to Abbey Road in London. The CD release show will be this October followed by some performances in college towns.

Watch out for this band!

Gettin ready for Lollapalooza,

Jared Stabiner

Artist Development

Freddy Jones Band Hits Colorado

Jul 28, 2009
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So we've been working hard over here at JMA on the Freddy Jones Band project. They'll be playing a series of shows in Colorado this week, so if you're out there in mountain-land, stop by one of these shows:

Wed, July 29 Aspen, CO: Belly Up Aspen Doors: 8:00
Show: 9:00 pm $20.00

Thu, July 30 Breckenridge, CO: three20south Showtime: 10:00 pm $15 advance
$20 day of

Fri, July 31 Steamboat Springs, CO: Steamboat Springs Ski
Area Showtime: 7:00 pm Free Show!

Sat, August 1 Denver, CO: Bluebird Theater Showtime: 8:00 pm $25 advance
$35 day of

You can check out Freddy Jones Band's music at http://www.myspace.com/freddyjonesband

Busy Weekend of Shows for JMA!

Jul 24, 2009
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Hey everyone, Andrew Gertler here from JMA! The summer here has been amazing so far and what a beautiful day it is outside! With spirits high and a sunny forecast, this weekend is sure to be great for Chicago concertgoers. Here is a list of shows to check out:

Friday, July 24th - The Stone Kings @ Underground Lounge - 11:00 PM

JMA intern Matthew Murray and his band The Stone Kings will rock your socks off at Underground Lounge tonight!
http://www.myspace.com/thestonekings1

The Stone Kings

Saturday, July 25th - Voice of Addiction @ The Mutiny - 10:00 PM

Come check out Chicago punk vets Voice of Addiction at The Mutiny tomorrow!
http://www.myspace.com/voiceofaddiction

Voice of Addiction

Sunday, July 26th - Van Ghost @ Wicker Park Fest - 4:45 PM

Chicago's own Michael Berg and his americana outfit Van Ghost will jam the day away at Wicker Park Fest on Sunday!
http://www.myspace.com/vanghostchicago

Van Ghost

Sunday, July 26th - Jonny Rumble @ Schubas - 8:00 PM

Former JMA artist Jonny Rumble will open for Electric Touch at Schubas on Sunday night!
http://www.myspace.com/jonnyrumble

Jonny Rumble

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW!

Jul 22, 2009
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It’s been a summer of festivals and not enough reviews. It began with Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN. Although the drive was long, the festival was completely worth it. With the help of our VIP passes, the process was easy and smooth. We never had to sit in traffic, despite the final night when many of the exits began to close off. The shows were great from 2PM until 4AM (the lineup was incredible). There was never a bored moment. I have absolutely no complaints about Bonnaroo and may even be able to say that it was the favorite of the summer.

Cornerstone was to follow. In Bushnell Illinois, this Christian music festival was quite a different feel. It was my fifth year going and nothing had changed. JMA had a booth set up where we spoke to potential clients and sent staff out to scout the bands. The weather was dreary, but comfortable. Everyone was friendly and just there to have a good time with an optimistic view. The only disappointment was a lack of some of Cornerstone’s best bands. There were quite a few missing and although names like Relient K, Red and Haste the Day still stand out even to non-Christians, the draw appeared significantly lower.

We went straight from Cornerstone to Rothbury and had to rapidly switch mindsets. Going from a healthy-happy atmosphere to being surrounded by hippies on drugs isn’t always easy, but we managed. Rothbury’s strength this year (obviously other than THE DEADs only summer performance and possibly even their last performance EVER) were the DJ sets. Yes, the shows were enjoyable throughout the day, however come midnight, the real fun began. Arriving a day late, STS9 started it out with a mind-blowing set filled with blow up toys being thrown around and numerous glowsticks. The DJ stage itself was just a plethora of spinning colorful effects and hanging lights. Even if you aren’t on drugs, the layout of the festival grounds makes you feel that way… walking through the Sherwood Forest is nothing short of trippy as you are surrounded by enormously tall trees, hammocks, and mushrooms. Yet again, Rothbury’s lineup appeared much better during it’s first year in 2008, however it ended up succeeding above and beyond in 2009!

This past weekend was Pitchfork, located at Union Park in Chicago. A commuter festival located around 4 baseball fields, it was definitely the smallest that I’ve been to. The opening night was a little bit lacking as Yo La Tengo’s set was difficult to get into and Jesus Lizard brought a much older crowd. Things definitely shaped up by Sunday when the festival was up and running as well as packed. The music was some of the best coming out of the indie world. Pitchfork was definitely the place to be in Chicago last weekend.

SEEN AT BONNAROO:

(Day 1)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Santigold

Grizzly Bear

TV On the Radio

Beastie Boys (featuring Nas!)

(Day 2)

Fiction Family

Brett Dennen

Bon Iver

Gov't Mule

Of Montreal

Wilco

The Decemberists

Mars Volta

Bruce Springsteen

Nine Inch Nails

Yeasayer

Ben Harper & Relentless7

MGMT

(Day 3)

Cage The Elephant

Erin McCarley

Citizen Cope

Andrew Bird (stage view!)

Merle Haggard? hahaaa

Band of Horses

Snoop Dogg

Phish

SEEN AT CORNERSTONE:

The Homecoming

Josh Garrels

Deas Vail

Ocean Is Theory

Luminate

Owl City

Photoside Cafe

Dignan

Shaeffer?

House of Heroes

KJ-52

Red

Family Force 5

Relient K

Copeland

DJs at the Barn!!!

Deas Vail

The Wedding

Shirock

All The Day Holiday

Project 86

Haste The Day

Emery

SEEN AT ROTHBURY:

(Day 1)

Damian Marley & Nas

Flogging Molly

String Cheese Incident

Chromeo

STS9

Girl Talk

(Day 2)

Giant Panda Geurilla Dub Squad

Ralph Stanley!

Black Crowes

John Butler

Les Claypool

THE DEAD

Pretty Lights

MSTRKRFT

Umphreys McGee

EOTO

STS9 again

(Day 3)

Toots & The Maytals

Guster

Yonder Mountain String Band

Matisyahu

SEEN AT PITCHFORK:

(Day 1)

Yo La Tengo

Jesus Lizard

Built to Spill

(Day 3)

DJ/Rupture

The Walkmen

Japandroids

M83

Grizzly Bear

The Flaming Lips

LOVE, lauren

Pitchfork: Saturday Night

Jul 21, 2009
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I volunteered at Pitchfork on Saturday night and had myself and interesting experience.

Along with Jared and Heather, I was given the always challenging task of standing in front of the Aluminum Stage and pretty much acting like security. A lax assignment compared to others I heard about, but quite entertaining. Between feeling my heart beat through my chest from standing in front of the subwoofer during Doom's performance and watching fans attempt to hide their contraband (poorly) it was a unique way of viewing a live show.

I was there for Final Fantasy, Doom, The National, and Beirut.

Final Fantasy was a very talented violinist with masterful control of is delay pedal/looping station that reminded me of Howie Day's tinkerings, but much more talented.

Doom wore a mask......Hip Hop live never really did it for me unless played with a band and not a backing track.

Beirut and The National were pretty cool.

Also, I got to experience what Paul Natkin had talked about first hand as photographers were escorted promptly after the third songs of all the performers. They really don't mess around with that.

-Matthew

Some Shows From The Past Week

Jul 20, 2009
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So I meant to blog earlier this week, but I finally made it on today....here are some reviews of a few shows I went to:

Friday, July 10th: JustLeft/Party Like Summer/Fastest Kid Alive/Breathe Electric @ MoJoe's

Fun show, more of a younger crowd but they can sure get a lot of kids out there on a Friday night. All the bands were very entertaining and each going somewhere with their music careers. Breathe had a great album come out last fall and the next one will be even better. PLS is in the midst of changing their sound a bit so I am looking forward to hearing it. The Fastest Kid put out a CD and has been constantly touring. JL are personal friends of mine and were on my label, Stereo Therapy Records, back in the day. They killed it of course

Monday, July 13th: Green Day @ The United Center

I'm not even going to talk about The Bravery cause they were not good and an arena is not the place for them to play. But Green Day reminds you what a live show should be. They are Gods, they can do whatever they want. but they brought fans on stage to sing and play. Billy Joe and company just wanted everyone to have fun. He swore, he laughed, and talked about how much he loved Chicago. Plus, it was very political, but I do not think a lot of people got that. Played all the classics and all the new ones you wanted to hear.

Friday, July 17th: Steve Miller Band @ Ravina

Ravina is always a good time no matter who is playing. I especially love when the older parents get hammered and try to dance. It is like a side step back and forth with some aerobic motion with the arms. It is hilarious. Anyways, a great show, weather held up, and overall good night.

Saturday, July 18th: Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park

I volunteered for this, but it really just consisted of me standing in front of the Aluminum Stage watching the performers. I caught Final Fantasy, Doom, The Nationals, and a few others I forget. Doom was very interesting and really good and the festival as a whole was a lot of fun. I did not get to go back Sunday because I had to work.

Good music week...more to come next week

Jared Stabiner

Artist Development

Traveling Interns: Lifest

Jul 20, 2009
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For those of you planning ahead for next summer's music fests that you may have missed this time around, here is an entry for your fest log:

Lifest [pronounced Life Fest] took place July 8-12 in Oshkosh, WI. I was able to attend the fest from Thursday night until Saturday evening. The fest is a great place for first time youth concert goers, exposure being to a safe music scene, making it a good family event as well. Lifest dishes up a stupendous mix of well known Christian artists as well as up and coming acts. Don’t fear if you are wanting to stop reading because of the word “Christan” next to the music discussed here. A significant selection of the music was basically clean music with good messages without being overly “preachy,” (however the fest is good for that too). It is really up to the concert goer as to which type of shows they attend. What is great about all fests is the ability to mix and match your own concerts, a personalized entertainment package! Maybe broaden your horizons and push a random concert in that you would never otherwise be drawn to attend!

What I found to be the most beneficial was a New Talent Search series that they hosted. New acts that were featured had to be voted into the fest. Once on the bill they were allowed a 45 minute set as well as a short 10 minute sequence in order to give a sampling to judges in a competition portion. (I did find however the judges to be off the mark at times and not completely qualified in all analyzed situations). The band that I found to be blowing people away was Tim Be Told. These guys have a great mix of instruments and style with an amazing voice leading the ensemble.

--Emily Dehm

Barenaked Ladies @ Taste of Chicago

Jul 9, 2009
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Hey all,

I was able to catch BNL at the Taste last Tuesday and I got some video of it. Just wanted to share it with everyone. Also, I was able to meet up with their tour manager, Dan Cleland, who was a super cool guy. We chatted about the tour and what the band was up to (they are recording, so look for an album soon). Anyway, the show was great and they are hilarious, down-to-earth guys.

Enjoy!

- Ashley J Roth

One Week

If I Had A Million Dollars

Beatbox