New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago Artistic Director Dominic Johnson (ex-rachel's band) and DJ/producer The Abominable Twitch have been collaborating for several years; they will be joined this evening by NMO members Constance Shoepflin, ChiHsuan Yang, and Chuck Bontrager in an evening of electro-acoustic collaboration. More information at

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Tim said...
This is a residency that I have dreamed about for 10 years. Ken Vandermark, Mike Reed and friends are coming to the Hideout this Wednesday and every Wednesday forever. The Immediate Sound music series will bring guests from around town and around the world. Ken, Mike, and their friends will either be here at the Hideout, or curating the shows.

Immediate Sound
in Bob Mehr's Reader The Meter

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Meditating within his sun drenched Ukrainian Village flat in the spring of 2004, The Singleman Affair began visualizing and recording songs that brought him to a sacred place of multicolored vision and sound. Finding his roots manifested in different cultures and times, he finds his voice in a chimera of lush 60s psych-folk using guitars, sitar, wurlitzer, and pan flute, enmeshed in a tapestry of distant atmospherics and melody. Following in the footsteps of such artists as Skip Spence, John Martyn, Tim Buckley and Fred Neil, to experience The Singleman Affair is to witness him as he breaks apart and falls, lifting his head, as Orpheus sings from afar The Singleman Affair has widely performed over the last two years, including acclaimed sets at the Arthur/Drag City sponsored Million Tongues and 2 Million Tongues festival in the summers of 2004 and 2005, sharing the stage with such folk legends as Sir Richard Bishop, Michael Chapman, and Josephine Foster. After being included on the latest Galactic Zoo Dossier (Drag City), he was noticed by the legendary Alan Mcgee of Creation records fame and signed to Poptones Ltd UK in the spring of 2006.

Roma di Luna is an acoustic duo whose music recalls early 20th century folk and country set to modern times. As husband and wife, Alexei and Channy Casselle co-write songs that are plaintive, sometimes dark yet “hauntingly soothing” noted for “simple instrumentation along with piercing, emotively beautiful vocals.” The songs are presented in a stark manner, keeping them true to the influence of Americana roots. Lyrics soaked with confessions and hard truths pay homage to the storytellers and spiritual revelations of the folk and gospel tradition. Alexei Moon Casselle is better known in the underground hip-hop scene as an MC under the alias Crescent Moon as a former member of Oddjobs, and current member of Kill the Vultures, occasionally touring with Atmosphere as Slug’s hype-man. Channy Moon Casselle is a classically trained violinist who has played with various bluegrass groups and has already blossomed into a talented singer/songwriter. Roma di Luna first emerged on the scene through weekly busking performances at the downtown Minneapolis farmer’s market beginning in 2004. They played traditional numbers from Alan Lomax songbooks on a corner next to meat vendors and vegetable farmers, eventually working more of their original songs into their spirited sets. Their first visit to the recording studio in Spring 2006 resulted in the track “These Tears Ain’t Mine” which was featured on the Twin Town High 2006 compilation CD and has gone on to garner a local buzz and regular airplay on local radio

The brainchild of Jim Dorling (Town & Country, DRMWPN), Relaxation Record plays meditative long-form songs with unconventional and ever-changing instrumentation.

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Spearheaded by singer/songwriter Erick Jordan, From the Decker House is a collection of songs that harks back to the classicality of acts such as the Band and Bob Dylan. These six picturesque songs are entwined with the stripped-down fundamentals of rock & roll and the sensuality of R&B. Country music’s bleeding heart is the final straw that completes the Rosewood Thieves honest-to-goodness presentation. Jordan’s raspy vocal delivery is earnest and charming like a young John Lennon, but convincingly more impressive than his twenty years of age.

The Rosewood Thieves are: Erick Jordan (voice, guitar), Mackenzie Vernacchio (organ, Wurlitzer), Will Frish (guitar, backing vocals), Richard Ray (bass), and Mark Bordenet (drums).

The Notes & Scratches are back with a smart new batch of songs, having recorded their much anticipated follow up to 2005’s “Uh Oh” (Tense Forms). The yet-to-be-titled album was recorded in sessions throughout July and August 2007 with engineer/producer Matt DeWine at Pieholden Suite Sound Studios. These recordings mark the entrance of the newest member of the Notes family, Whitney Johnson (Dave Fischoff), who can really tear it up on the viola! Some of the new delights are available here to get a taste of the new record, coming in 2008!

The Notes & Scratches are Anika Balaconis (horn, keys, singing), Joshua Dumas (singing, guitar), Jason Eckerson (bass, singing), Robbie Hamilton (drums, singing), amd Whitney Johnson (viola, accordion, singing)

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PBR Presents: “Schadenfreude Rent Party” at the Hideout (next to where the dumptrucks fill up). The Hideout will be the scene for the second annual “Alternative Media Slam!!!!!!!” The idea is you get a bunch of alternative media together and create an 8-mile like tournament, but with cleverly worded and very hurtful insults at your opponent. The crowd chooses! Members of Chicagoist, Timeout Chicago, Gapers Block, RedEye and reigning champs the Reader will compete. And if that ain’t show enough, how bout the hottest DJ’s on the planet right now The Hood Internet. And why don’t we balance it out with some real soul. The band JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound will keep the joint rockin til the early morn. Also, new world premiere videos from Schad and Steve Delahoyde. Also Funny Ha-Ha Writer Claire Zulkey. If that’s too much? Then go home!

JC Brooks is determined to become the next in the long line of classic Chicago Soul singers. Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Syl Johnson - JC has studied them all. And as the son of Chicago soul poet Gil Scott Heron, JC has no illusions about what it takes to become a classic. Armed with The Uptown Sound, one of the most ferocious bands to ever crawl up out of the windy city, JC's live shows are all-out assaults on the audience employing everything from raw punk to heart-drenched R&B. Guaranteed to make you dance by any means necessary. JC Brooks is the new sound of Chicago.

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Chicagoist says this in their Pencil This In
Music: Still going strong after all these years, Devil in a Woodpile still draws crowds to the Hideout on a Tuesday night. Their approach to "old timey" music is sincere, and the trio of Rick "Cookin'" Sherry, Joel Paterson, and Tom Ray have amazing chops. This is perfect music to that out on a cold night. If you need further enticement, maybe $3 bottles of Newcastle are the perfect tonic.

Old School but never old. Juke Joint, Honky Tonk. Rollin' and Tumblin'.

Devil in a Woodpile are the longest continually performing Bloodshot recording artists in the ten years of Bloodshot's history. Come and celebrate with this venerable institution.

Devil in a Woodpile is still pushin' it every Tuesday night at the Hideout. Every week they rock a crowded bar with no mikes and no amps, transforming the indie music venue into a modern-day barrelhouse.

Tuesdays at the Hideout continue to be warm and intimate nights. I love looking around the back room seeing people talking and laughing. Some people just meet every Tuesday. Devil is in the front just playing away, and folks either listen and drink, or go to the back and conspire and make plans. A time of no particular age, somewhere between the 19th and 21st centuries. It could be 1934, 1974, or 2004. Candles on tables, dreams on minds.

"Every Tuesday night they set up shop right in the middle of the main room. No amps or mics, just balls and bravado. They play blues, ragtime, jazz, everything you could ever want. These are the kind of hangout buddies you can count on to bring the fucking hangout. There is no cover and the PBR is cheap, meaning you'll have plenty of cash to put in the band's tip jar." -Fran Magazine

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Biofuels are considered by many as the vanguard of the green-tech revolution. The U.S. has quintupled its production of ethanol in the past decade and mandated another fivefold increase in renewable fuels for the next decade. Europe has similarly aggressive biofuel mandates and subsidies, and Brazil’s filing stations no longer even offer plain gasoline. But are biofuels a wise alternative energy source? Is the production of biofuels doing more harm than good environmentally, and is the farm-fuel phenomenon contributing to the rise in global food prices?

Please join the GOAt audience in welcoming these experts to The Hideout stage to discuss this important issue.

G. Marc Whitehead is an environmental attorney, consultant, and a member of the board of Earth Justice. Retired from Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, he has been a civil litigator for over forty years, specializing in class action and major tort liability (e.g. lead, asbestos, pharmaceutical cases), environmental, and securities and commercial litigation. Whitehead concentrated for over twenty years on China and other Asian countries on legal and environmental practice matters. He has chaired Global Liability Management, an international environmental consulting firm, and he was named one of Illinois "Super Lawyers" in the environmental litigation area. Whitehead is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School.

Second speaker tba

6:30 p.m. – Doors open 7:00 p.m. – Talk followed by audience Q&A

The Hideout 1354 West Wabansia

$10 – members/nonmembers (Ages 21 and older. Alcohol served. ID required.)
Learn more and register online at thechicagocouncil.org

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Chicago's indie rock dance party for five years and running!

political awareness + good music = dance party

Not Just a Homage to a Great Talking Heads Song...

Life During Wartime started as an idea in the fall of 2002. Chris (Bald Eagle), enraged by the government's turn to more conservative legislation and imperialistic entanglements, wanted to heighten people's political awareness here in Chicago. Bald Eagle also wanted to change the way music was currently being appreciated in the hipster circuit. The Chicago scene had become overrun with snobby fickle indie rockers who refused to smile, refused to dance, and refused to like a band after they got popular. Whatever happened to getting down at a show and shaking your ass? Bald Eagle started djing at some shows around Chicago and then the wheels began to turn in his head.

political awareness + good music = dance party.

It was at this time that Chess (Mother Hubbard) was recruited by the Metro to spin for a few punk rock acoustic nights in Smartbar at the end of 2002 and the first couple months of 2003. Known for her fondness of beer, dancing, trash talking into the microphone, and general public display of making an ass of herself, Mother Hubbard found djing to be the exact outlet that she needed to have fun and play music she loved.

In January 2003, Bald Eagle approached Mother Hubbard with the idea of joining forces and Life During Wartime was born. A dance party with good music for people who love to dance, but don't like "dance" music or meat market nightclubs. To have people gather at a party and have fun, while at the same time promoting political awareness to a large group of young people who are hungry for a change. Bald Eagle brought the new wave, 80s, and indie rock to the table and handled all the booking, while Mother Hubbard brought the electro, punk, and hiphop and handled all the design, merch, and web site production.

After a few months together they got a residency going at the Hideout and they have been going strong ever since, playing anywhere from one to four shows a month, either together or separately, hosting dance parties, showcases, and opening for bands around Chicago.

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Langhorne Slim had to cancel their Monday 3/24 show at the Hideout as they were chosen to appear on CBS' Late Show with David Letterman. Check out a youtube video from that show on switchbladecomb.com. Get tickets now for your chance to see and hear them live May 29th at Hideout.

Langhorne Slim: Outside of Philadelphia I was born and raised, and in the playground I spent quite a few of my younger days. At the time I had a preference for brunettes but years pass and we change. When my tendencies turned toward blondes I began to hear the call of the big rotten apple and at eighteen, away I went. Gone were the lonely, sweaty summer nights of PA. The crickets were still cricken’ but not in my ears. I was in New York and I was looking for action. Some crave love, some seek danger but I was on the hunt for open mics and not to brag—I found ‘em. In a section of the city once referred to as alphabet on the lower east side there lurks a lot of white guys with acoustic guitars. This minor mass of songsters would meet one, two and sometimes three times a week in the back of bars, smoking, drinking and sharing with each other our newest creations. It was there that I met some good friends and came of age beginning to play my own shows and tour.

I’m not sure that there’s any other kind, but the songs I write are love songs. Some are literal, about specific events, people and relationships in my life; a form of therapy, self-help for the flowers and the shit along the road of life. Others come from a place far more mysterious. Either way, I’m in it to capture the feeling, the truth of an emotion, changing only names and events to protect the innocent. At the moment, my favorite songs on the album are “Diamonds &s Gold”, “Spinning Compass” and “Restless.” Some came out of the blue, others took some sweat but if the feeling’s there, then you’ve got something and it don’t make a damn difference how it happened. I hope that you feel it. -- Langhorne Slim

Langhorne Slim had to cancel their Monday 3/24 show at the Hideout as they were chosen to appear on CBS' Late Show with David Letterman. Check out a youtube video from that show on switchbladecomb.com. Get tickets now for your chance to see and hear them live May 29th at Hideout.

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