It's raining yet again in Chicago. The good thing is it isn't that cold. Weeee! The bad thing is, well there isn't a bad thing about it. Perhaps just the traffic it creates. Oh, wait, there is. My hair! Hello! FRIZZBALL HEAD! Sheesh. Blech. Ick. Moving on...
Tonight I've been invited to head over to RadioOneChicago which airs on 88.7FM WLUW, to promote our TV show and some of the music from bands we'll be featuring soon. Should be a good time. The show airs every Thursday from 6-10PM. Make sure to listen in online if you can't get the signal. www.wluw.org Thanks to Hector from Canyon for hooking it up.
Speaking of brilliant and lovely humans, I've always thought of Rene Perez Joglar as a funky-fresh-unique and intelligent lyricist.
Listen:
Together with his music partner, visitante - Eduardo José Cabra Martínez, also known as the critically acclaimed duo Calle 13, they will be performing at Metro next Wednesday, May 6th. It's a free show. Yup. Sign up at www.myspace.com/showssecretos for more info.
This is my first interview with them, when they visited Chicago's Kelly High School, a surprise gift for the graduating seniors.
I'll be spinning some tunes tonight before and in between Karaoke over at La Botana. Don't let the rain stop you! I rock! Ha. And, this just in, I've been asked to DJ for the Rock Out Against AIDS Fundraiser Event at Cobra Lounge on May 24th. I'm the only female DJ in the lineup. Auuuuu!
Download the newest track, 'Agua Pa' La Gente' off Hip Hop Hoodios new album: Carne Masada: Quite Possibly the Very Best of Hip Hop Hoodios - which is avaible today on iTunes and in stores May 12th. Check it out, yo!
It sure is windy in our city today. Really. It feels great after such a weird weather weekend. But the rain's coming again. Ah, Chicago...
Check out my phone photos below. I know! But at least you'll get an idea of this weekend's events. The real photographer's work will be up today and tomorrow on Enchufate. Check'em out!
New this week is a free download from Hip Hop Hoodios. The song is called Agua Pa'La Gente. Hot stuff. The link to download the song will be up on Enchufate tomorrow in celebration of the launch of their new album "Carne Masada: Quite Possibly the Very Best of Hip Hop Hoodios" a best of collection which includes 5 new tracks. The album features guest appearances by members of Ozomatli, Jaguares, The Klezmatics, The Pinker Tones, Deliquent Habits, Los Mocosos and Los Abandoned. Oh la la! More information about the album, the band and the free download tomorrow!
In the meantime, here's one of their videos:
Cell Phone Photos from this weekend:
Zoe @ Congress Theater, Ximena Sariñana @ House of Blues, Sektacore @ El Rey and E>N>E:Chicago Rocks @ Cobra Lounge
Did you know the "U.S. declared a public health emergency today as the number of identified cases of swine flu in the nation rose to 20. The World Health Organization advised all countries to be on the lookout for "unusual" outbreaks of flu. In Mexico, 81 deaths have been deemed "likely linked" to swine flu." Interesting twist of events, ey.
Anyway, last night's show at Congress was quite successful. I hope Zoe is happy with the turnout and maybe next time they'll be a bit more receptive to the independent media outlets that have helped promote their material. And that's all I'm sayin' 'bout that. Our interview with Zoe will air on E>N>E:Chicago Rocks.
Today, we've got Stank Star (owners of Estrella Negra Restaurant) performing for the live on tape recording of E>N>E:Chicago Rocks at Cobra Lounge from 6-8PM. Also performing are the tropi-metaleros Maladicto and skatos SkaMorfosis. No cover, as always, so come be part of the TV audience. We end taping by 8PM so make sure you're there by 7PM to catch all the bands. Each one of these acts has a completely different but amazing energy. It's gonna rock all evening.
We've (Ray the neighbor and I) decided the outside corner area of our apartment building is the perfect place to capture our rapidly changing neighborhood, Pilsen. No diss to New York or Chicago, but we said it feels like New York around here sometimes. All sorts of beings, in all sorts of costumes, are headed somewhere to do something, exciting or menial, everyday life, anywhere and we're capturing that moment before they take off on their adventure. So we're capturing it on video with a goal of later putting it together with individual music segments to convey a story for each group of beings we encounter. Look, it just sounds like a good idea right now and we're going with it. Laughter later. "Cada ciudadano desde su trinchera..."
Zoe's 'Reptilectric' is our background music as we discuss tonight's concert at Congress Theater. I'm looking forward to it and hope there's some trippy lighting to accompany their sonido euforico.
That voice is thick and sweet like honey. Nice.
If you're not in the mood for their tunes, Giroscopio and friends will be hosting a Tropi-Power Party at Efebos in Pilsen. BYOB + psychedelic cumbias? Hello! We're there after Zoe.
See you tonight! -ST
Friday, April 24, 2009
Yesterday's Fiesta Del Sol meeting went really well and things are starting to gel together for the 4 day festival. If you're in a band and haven't submitted your press-kit, do so now! Remember, last year's number of visitors was at over 1 million during the course of the 4 days. Wow!
My boy from Sektacore called me earlier in the week to ask me about the distance between the two major airports in our city due to a couple of the flights for some of the band members were leaving from the smaller airport. It appears that at the last minute they had to purchase their own tix because, get this, some promoter in Texas scammed his band and the tour dates they had already set up. Apparently, this so-called-promoter dealt with legit local promoters who were asking for Sektacore, then proceeded to take their deposits for the band and has since disappeared. Grrrr. Incredible and disgusting and it just makes me sick, sick, sick! It's not the first time I hear this type of story but it's the first time it's happened to someone in my family of musicians. Grrrrr!
So, Sektacore is arriving tonight for a concert over at El Rey on Chicago's southside. If you're not headed over to see the beautifully mesmerizing Ximena Sariñana at House of Blues or stopping in to listen to the most delightful arrangement of twelve notes ever with Canyon at Kinetic Playground, then do the boys a solid and suppor their event. Regardless, all three events are well worth attending and supporting.
Tomorrow, we'll be covering theZoe concert at Congress Theater and then heading over to the Tropi-Power Party at Efebos hosted in part by one of my favorite DJs Giroscopio. They'll be playing strictly vinyl psychedelic cumbias. Yes. Wow. I know. Let's go!
Flyers for tonight's events below. Also video for Sektacore. Oldie but goodie. :)
Growing up in Pasadena, Texas during most of my youth the only direct contact I ever had with music was going to mainstream shows in huge arenas where the closest you got to the musicians was from way up in your nose-bleed seats. It was fun to watch but I always left wanting more. As I became older and was able to go out on my own more, my adventures into music took me to smaller venues where I was closer to the artist and the music and that's when I began to explore music even more, in between feeding my own need by playing violin in classical music orchestras. I've always wondered about my love of classical music since it was never played at home. Hmm.
Anyway, about a year after I moved to Chicago I was invited to a local rock show. I didn't know what that meant -local rock show?- but I went anyway. The experience changed the course of my life. [.DESCARGA.] was one of the bands in the lineup on that life changing day. I liked the other bands performing as well but this one, this one just had something magical about it. They mesmerized me with their energy, their stage presence, especially that of the vocalist (who is now my best friend, whodathunk!) and their overall presentation. The music was catchy, both rough and tender and the band looked like a band. A real band. What's a real band? You know a real band when you see one. Or no? Just go with it.
So I became a fan of [.DESCARGA.] and started going to their shows even going so far as starting a fan website for them. It kept me busy and it made me very happy to listen to these rock songs in my language from people who lived in my neighborhood and whom I started to hang out with. I loved all the behind the scenes moments of it. I'd help with gear, take photos, promote with them, everything. Then one day, Hector Ivan asked me if I would like to manage them and when I said I had no idea about anything related to managing a rock band he said he didn't either but we'd find out together.
Well, we're still finding out together, almost ten years later, and it's been the best of experiences and the worst of experiences. Yin yang. Ultimately necessary. So, my boys, are still playing, still creating music and I'm still here, a loyal fan. If I'm not mistaken, they are one of very few original bands left (ie Sobredosis, Zamandoque Tarahum) that started back in the late 90's in Chicago.
They're playing next month at a new venue for them, Tiger O'Stylies. Flyer below. If you've never heard them, stop by and let me know what you think. I always appreciate feedback from new listeners.
(The video below shows David "FroZTy" Bustos on bass. He is no longer in the band. Jose Calvo, Enchufate photographer, is playing bass now. He rocks and is also now one of my best friends. Yay! El Frozty is the frontman for his new band, Re. De La Parka. They rock too. Oh and Frozty is aka El Prosti because of how he prostitutes himself to other bands. Hahaha! Shhh.)
During one of our visits to New York for the Latin Alternative Music Conference I was really impressed with one of the city guides that came in the bag we receive as part of the conference. It was a complete, pocket-sized guide to everything happening in New York during the summer and it was written in a very fun, fresh format with beautiful colors and images that just popped out at you.
The people behind this awesome presentation were the folks at Remezcla.com which "is a network of bilingual sites showcasing cutting-edge local Latino and Latin American cultures." They rock and I like to say they're a sister site to Enchufate.com because our goals are very similar, we want to expose new music, new entertainment to everyone who's looking for that and to everyone who might not know they're looking for something new. Si!
Anyway, Remezcla is working together with MySpace Latino on a tour across the country which features local acts. This time the concert features Making Movies, Los Vicios de Papa, Saber and DJ Chavez. This will be a great concert because all of the acts are great, especially Making Movies, my personal favorites (LVDP too!).
For me, anyway, these cold rainy-weather days make me nostalgic for the town I grew up, Pasadena, Texas and that in turns makes me think of all things country (yum, country fried steak w/cream gravy!) so I'm posting the songs that came to mind this morning.
Despite the productiveness of the weekend, I'm glad it's over to start fresh on new projects, new ideas, more work. Yay, more work. What I'm actually needing is more music, but to play, my own. I'm hoping I can jam tonight with Alpha Channel Ghost because I really miss my violin today. It might just be the rain.
This coming Friday I'm having serious time issues. Seriously serious.
Ximena Sariñana, referred by me as La Triste because of her lovely rendition of the song made famous by Jose Jose, is performing at House of Blues and it's her first visit to our city. I've never seen her perform, nor have I ever met her. I want to interview her for our show. I really enjoy her voice and music.
Canyon, the conundrum (intrigue) is also performing Friday over at Kinetic Playground and it's the full band with cello and everything and it's such emotionally moving music and it makes me happy and I don't want to miss it and...
And then there are my boys from Mexico, Sektacore, performing at El Rey Ballroom on Friday as well. I've known Clemente from La Resistencia, who has been with the band for years and who through our phone conversations has given me much needed insight on the music industry in general. What an intelligent man. It's been a year since I last saw him at Beat Kitchen for their last show and I'd hate to miss their show this time around. They have a special place in my heart because we were the first ones to bring them to Chicago and they've been coming back successfully ever since. Auuuu! This is our interview with them on their first visit:
So, what to do?
Figure it out and show up to all three. That's it. Nothing more to discuss.
[A quick recommendation. If you're a tea drinker, brew up some Zen green tea by Tazo. It's so nice, with a hint of mint and lemongrass. Yum, especially on a lazy-rainy Sunday in Chicago. Oh, while you're enjoying the tea, check out their website (www.tazo.com).]
Packed into Darkroom Friday night was an enthusiastic shoulder to shoulder crowd of la crème de la crème of Chicago's jipsters and some of the prettiest people you'll ever see cheering together, like a winning soccer team after party, when any one of their favorite songs was being played by the night's music mixers for the Haz+Ruido Party. The night ended, too early, with DJ Eddie Riot, who co-headlined the night with DJ Nando, and both delighted their sweet anti-naco-fresa fans with a poppin' indie-electro-rock set. Cedeno got the house jumpin' for Nando after a more lat/alt/cumbia set by DJ Angelfuk, who followed the newest members of Haz+Ruido residents DJs Lovestond and Oswpatch. It was a definitely a great line-up of different musical styles. Adding to the music, the dancing, the drinks flowing (slowly due to the overwhelming demand at the bar) and the disco ball lights sparkling in the 'dark room' (I just had to go there) was Giroscopio on visuals who began the night in his always unique fashion with images of Daft Punk's Electroma later mixed with clips of La Lupe's passionately frantic dancing. The lights that played off the projector, bounced off the patio's bare white wall and instantly became an outdoor movie, adding a whole new contrast to what was going on inside. And what was going on between dancing or watching Giroscopio's art was the indie no-red-carpet-needed Enchufate photo area, with the much sought after photographer Jose Calvo, set up in front of the dark red DJ booth, which at several points throughout the night had a line waiting. Yes. A line waiting to take photos. What the craze! Photos are on the site already: www.enchufate.com.
Ah... it's too bad the venue is only open until 2AM because from the looks of the people continuing to party on the street afterward, it would've continued full force 'til sunrise. Thank you, on my behalf to Nando (Eskucha) and Conrad (Tru/Dar) for allowing me to play and for always hosting such a great event.
Saturday, we headed over near O'hare Airport to prepare our 'movie-style-junket' press area for interviews with bands performing for the Jefes de Jefes del Rock Concert at Aragon. Thanks to Red Star Shows, we were able to sit and chat for a bit with Antonio Lira of Liran'Roll, Walter Giardino of Rata Blanca and Federico Fong & Jose Manuel Aguilera of La Barranca. It was a true honor to be in the presence of such talented human beings and we thank them once again for allowing us the opportunity.
We also had part of our team over at the Aragon who reported what everyone excepted of such a star-studded line-up, success for the night. It was definitely a long, long Saturday but well worth it to capture a moment in time with some of latin rock's heroes.
Today, Sunday, April 19th we're once again recording a live on tape episode of E>N>E:Chicago Rocks at Cobra Lounge (235 N. Ashland) from 6-8PM. Thi's is a very eclectic line-up. We've got blues with Maria Blues, punk from Conciencia Total and alternative from Color Radio. Hee. Should be interesting to watch and listen to. I like it because it's a music tasting of what Chicago has to offer.
Also, we'll be giving away tickets for the upcoming Zoe concert at Congress Theater.
I like their song Corazon Atomico:
This is my first interview with Zoe when they performed at Green Dolphin:
"Our house is over here!" I heard my housemate Yvonne yell out at me as I ran, yes ran away from the cab that took us home last night. That Jim Beam... man, he really makes one wacky, oy vey! But hey, a great time was had by all at the Cultura Profetica concert at Green Dolphin. They know how to turn it on, boy! We also got there early enough to listen to Benjamin Anaya & Los Extraños Unidos and their hip-shaking samba music. And oh la la, that Rodrigo on percussion is a delight to watch play.
Ms. Maria Blues was in attendance in support of her samba musicians. She'll be performing for E>N>E:Chicago Rocks this Sunday at Cobra Lounge from 6-8PM. Stop by and check out her blues band. Also performing Color Radio and Conciencia Total.
Tomorrow is crazy day. Starting around 5PM we'll be interviewing the bands performing later in the evening at Aragon. Yikes! I believe it's six bands at this point. Cripes! Oh the joy. More on how that turns out later.
Tonight's a big night for me and I'm joyfully nervous. Eeeek! My alter-ego, DJ Angelfuk will be playing so much new music you're going to burst from audial-orgasms. For realz, yo! No one will have played what I will play but they will soon be playing it. Watch! Just ask DJ Nando! Yes, I'm gonna burn him right now. Just ask him what he was playing last night at Green Dolphin. Yup. Why I oughta! Hahaha! It's all good, though. At least all this great music is getting out there. Haven't heard the new tunes from the M.I.S. - Soy Sauce album? You will tonight. Guat about Misterio, Sr. Flavio's band which features his 10-yr-old son on drums? You will tonight. I'm telling you, I rock the new music!
Enchufate will be covering the event which means as soon as I'm done playing I'll be boppin' around 'enchufando' people. Yup. Oh, come now you dirty-minded freaks. Hector Ivan will be on video capturing the shenanigans and Jose will be on photo duty (I believe we'll have a 'photo-booth' setup) all night. Luis will be there in support of the night as well. Good times, great crew.
So, I hope you'll join us. Will ya? Make a girl happy? Show up. Say hello. Dance a little. Share a laugh. Share a moment.
Darkroom is located at 2011 W. North Avenue. Show starts at 9PM. No cover before 11PM. If you're not on the guest list, let me know.
See you tonight! -ST ps - no I am not a fan of these types of flyers with the crazy colors flashing like that but it wasn't up to me. oh well.
Usually new CDs are poppin' in and out of my computer at work as I listen and decide what I like, what I can push when I DJ, what I can write an article on for the website and what just needs to go to someone else because it sucks so bad. The thing is I really, really don't like throwing music into the trash can. I'd rather recycle bad music (hey, someone might like it) than toss it. I mean, I know how difficult the process is and, well, it just doesn't seem right to just make it disappear... not that it shouldn't, but I'll let someone else decide that. This morning I haven't had a chance to listen to anything new because I've been running back and forth getting material ready for the Billboard event next week so I put the office radio on NPR. It's been about four hours and even though I've learned a lot about the world in general (seriously, this morning's discussions included Tibet, the planned assassination of Bolivia's Evo Morales, Mexico and the US responsibility for drug trafficking...) it's so much information. Being who I am I begin to wonder and analyze and my brain starts going full speed and my typing gets faster, my eyes get bigger (like they actually could), my heart beats faster and I become so involved in what I'm hearing that I stress myself out trying to just listen and not react. So, I'm turning it off for now. Sorry, NPR, I love you but I can't listen at work. It's too much right now. I'll dedicate some time for you tomorrow.
Have you been outside? What a beautiful day, Chicago! If you're out and about, enjoy enjoy! I took a brief walk to get lunch and I just stood there for a few minutes allowing the sun to warm me up a bit. Delish. All that was missing was a comfy blanket on the grass one could lay on to look up at the beautiful blue sky, and a concert stage behind me with Canyon and Alla playing live. Oh the loveliness. Too much? Perhaps.
Fiesta Del Sol meets every fourth Thursday of the month and that's coming up quick. If you haven't already submitted your press-kit I suggest you do. People from all over the world want the opportunity to play the event. Get going, Chicago bands!
It's Thursday in Chicago and we've got some of the best radio programs on tonight so if you're staying home, do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and listen in to these two shows.
First up, from 6-10PM isRadio One Chicago, airing on 88.7FM WLUW. Shouts out to our buddies who we'll be joining live on Thursday, April 30th. Listen in!
Right after that, starting at 10PM is Ruido De Fondo, hosted by Giroscopio, on 90.5FM WRTE. One of the most eclectic music programs out there. ¡Escucha!
If you are going out tonight then I definitely recommend heading over to Green Dolphin and listen and sway to the sweet reggae tunes of Cultura Profetica from Puerto Rico. I'll be covering the event for Enchufate so holla if you're there too. Let's sway together! (Video below, check out that hair... wow!)
After the concert, I'll be heading over to La Botana for Karaoke en Español and if all goes well I'll be hosting a game of Loteria over by the pool table area of the bar. El Gran Ivan's got some new music too so if you're up for making a fool of yourself in front of others, err, I mean singing, then by all means. Either way, we'll be there 'til 2 in the morn'.
Tomorrow is a busy day too but we'll somehow make it all work. I'll be spinning (literally spinning, not spinning vinyl or anything) my musica over at Darkroom. There will be a lot of great DJs sharing the night with me so I hope to see you there. I'll be playing all new music. You WILL enjoy it.
As usual, and I won't say who it was -but it definitely wasn't me- someone waited until the very last minute to ask me to get 700 CDs ready for the Latin Billboard Awards which take place in Miami next week.
These have to go out tomorrow. I was told right now, 2:25PM. How is that going to happen? How? I'm the only one here.
Stress. Major stress.
So I may not make it to the Viewing Party for E>N>E:Chicago Rocks tonight but I hope y'all will. It features Arctic Fox (*smile*), Canyon (*swoon*) and Subatomico (*sweet*). Not verbing correctly, I know. Club 1800 is hosting and is located at 1800 W. Pershing. I hope I can make it but, well, c'est la vie.
This world of music fascinates me in every possible way. Sweet and sour, hot and cold, love and hate, success and rejection. Fascinating, I tell you... simply fascinating.
One of the nicest perks of this entire music life experience is meeting so many others with the same passion, ambition and desire they have for this drug, because in the end, it is what it is. Sweet elixir of life or damned can't get the spoon hot enough to melt and shove in your veins type of addiction. Either way (though I prefer the type of people who are more here than there) I really do enjoy meeting so many people. Thank you all for allowing me to enter your life, even if it's only through musica.
It's 'Tutti-Frutti-Tuesday' in my world. What that means, only I know and sometimes I don't even know so there. My evening after work is full of meetings (one at 630, one at 9... oy vey!) but I'm hoping I'll have the energy to head over to Cafe Bolero to see one of my pals do his stuff on percussion. Should be a lovely time. (By 'do his stuff' on percussion I mean play the percussion. Eww, pervs!)
Oh and I know I say this almost every time but, yes, Chicago has so much new stuff going on (especially stuff that I enjoy) and it's happening this week. Next week too. And the week after. Etc, etc.
Wednesday make sure to listen to Rock Sin Anestesia on 88.7FM - the longest running latin alternative radio program in the country. Oh yes. And if you've never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, Eduardo Calvillo aka DJ Resistol 5000, is one of the most musically versed humans I've ever met. Talk to him. Share the knowledge! Seriously. This man knows his stuff.
Wednesday we'll also be over at Club 1800 (1800 W. Pershing) for Enchufate's Viewing Party for the television program E>N>E:Chicago Rocks which airs at 8PM on Channel 25. This is a hole-in-the-wall-dive bar but it's cool because we're there... or at least we think so. Entrance is the side door, peeps. Don't walk away just 'cause the door is closed in front. Keep looking! Weirdos. We'll be there at 7PM getting toasty, errr I mean ready for the show. This week's featured performers are: CANYON, ARCTIC FOX & SUBATOMICO. These bands rock... especially... watch and find out!
On Thursday there are TWO, count'em TWO radio shows you must tune in to. First up is Radio One Chicago and features local band music and more. The show airs from 6-10PM on 88.7FM WLUW. At 10PM, tune in to 90.5FM WRTE for Ruido De Fondo hosted by Charly Garcia aka DJ Giroscopio (my awesome neighbor and one of my favorite DJs in the world because of his unique taste in music).
If you're heading out Thursday and don't know where, Cultura Profetica will be in town playing at Green Dolphin. They know how to do the reggae so if you're in the mood, I'll see you there. If you're not, then head over to Karaoke at La Botana where I'll also be (magic!) and this week i'm starting up a great game of LA LOTERIA. Yes! No cover all night. Sing or play or just hang out. It's all in good fun.
Friday. Oh Friday. Why Friday? Yes, Friday. I'm DJing at Darkroom. Yes. I know. I know! I'm not even opening this time. I know! Wow! Guess I've finally made it past the "well I guess you can open" response. Hahaha! Just jiving. Or am I? People are weird. Imagine saying "I guess you can open" like it's not even a for sure. I guess. I guess? Don't guess, just answer me. Answer me! To be honest I've never had that response but it sounds like something promoters would say. Wait, I'm a promoter. I've never said that. Nevermind my mini-rant above.
So yes, Friday, I play. Latin alternative music. It'll be fun. It's free before 11PM. I'm happy about it too because I haven't seen that crowd since our last Nacotheque party at Lucky Number. I can't wait. Fun fun fun! Content, happy, joyful? All of the above. Join me? Also playing are Eddie Riot, Nando, Cedeño, Oswpatch and Lovestond. We get started at 9. I hope to see you there.
Saturday I'm not even getting started because that's just going to be one helluva long day and night for me. Seriously. Jefes de Jefes Concert at Aragon? Interviews BEFORE. 6 bands? Ay ay ay. Should be crazy fun too.
See you around town. Say hi. Text. Email. Call. Shout out, just say something. Nice. Something nice.
What a great turnout for last night's Chicago Metal Entertainment Networking Party at Cobra Lounge (235 N. Ashland). The event, hosted by Las Divas Promotions, JennX Muzic, Metal Fury Promotions and Pitch Black Production, took place between the recording of E>N>E:Chicago Rocks and Enchufate's Local Metal Showcase which featured performances by Memoria, Stomoxys Calcitrans and Vicious Attack.
Things got started a bit before 7PM when bands wanting to network began arriving for the CMEN portion of the night (no pun intended!). Thanks to the gracious hosts mentioned above, Cobra Lounge had a new twist to it's usually bare-knuckles decor and your eyes were quickly swept away by all the great little details the hosts put into the decorations. It was also great to see local merchant Coqueta Creations show off her unique jewelry near the entrance to the bar. Congratulations on the efforts put forth in making the place seem inviting to anyone just walking in. Sometimes, it's the little things.
A few minutes past 7PM, the live on tape recording of E>N>E:Chicago Rocks took place. This is a multi-camera recording shot in front of a live audience. This week, Luis Coronado (Kardoid, Alpha Channel Ghost) was the featured host. First band up was Stomoxys Calcitrans, followed by Memoria then Vicious Attack. Each band was also interviewed following their performance. Since the show is being taped a week ahead of time, this particular show will air next Wednesday, April 22nd on Channel 25 (Comcast, RCN, WOW Network). Be on the lookout for that.
The taping seemed to create a buzz about being able to listen and watch the bands do a full set later in the evening and in the meantime everyone gathered at the front of the bar, the smaller room, to network, cross-promote events, exchange demos and gigs and take plenty of candid photos of things such as one of the Vicious Attack boys taking off his shirt to get a massage from a friendly Diva. Oh yeah! All in good fun, folks... all in good fun. There's great drink specials at Cobra, especially on Sunday, so everyone was definitely feeling fun, friendly and flirty... just the way we like'em.
Around 9:30PM, Chicago southsiders Vicious Attack took to the stage as Yvonne, Diva Extraordinaire, hosted the rest of the evening. Stomoxys Calcitrans performed shortly after followed by a headlining set by Memoria. In between sets was when the raffle took place and all sorts of goodies were given away. You didn't even have to buy a ticket, people, that's how good we got it at our events. You dig?
The night ended with everyone excited about the new possibilities they found from all the networking, promoting and exchanging of great music and new ideas. This is exactly why we enjoy these types of events so much. You work while you party but you're working nonetheless. The atmosphere was one of freely sharing and having a great time and guess what? We all did.
Thanks to Tim of Pitch Black Productions, Phil of Metal Fury Promotions, Jennifer of JennX Music and Nerve Cast Music (USA) for co-hosting the event with Las Divas Promotions. A thank you to Vicious Attack, Stomoxys Calcitrans, and the staff at Cobra Lounge for all of their hard work. Thanks to those who gave gifts for the raffle prizes, including Coqueta Creations, Horror Avenue, Sick II Death Productions, J&K Printing, Enchufate.com, Pitch Black Productions, and Las Divas Promotions.
For all those that missed out on this event, no worries, we've got even more coming up. Keep up to date with us online, via tweeter, myspace, facebook, blogger, etc etc etc
