By Jodi Root

I can’t even remember the last time I visited a merch table after a show. Probably not since high school—it’s been a while. Sure, I’ve witnessed countless awe-inspiring performances and have contemplated swinging by post-performance to give props or pick up a disc—but I’ve always felt a bother and too impatient to man the lines. There are always email/internet methods to pick up memorabilia and/or swap interview questions. But last night? Shit. There was NO way I was being kept back from meeting Jonah and Claire—the two masterminds of the electro-pop DFA outfit YACHT.

While iPod commercial darlings Chairlift may have headlined last evening’s Chicago set, YACHT down -right owned the night. Their audiovisual seizure-inducing backdrop, combined with manic yelps, shouts, claps and piercing digital beat breakdown undeniably got the crowd up and down, shaking the confined walls of Schuba’s Tavern to no end. Friendly crowd banter was aplenty and no one was exempt from the dance party madness as Jona Bechtolt and Claire Evans busted out new tracks from May’s upcoming release as well as older faves from I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real.

While I must admit, prior to last night the only off-hand knowledge I had about this duo was that Mr. Bechtolt is one helluva production fiend, mixing up bands like Architecture in Helsinki and had toured extensively with DFA label mates LCD Soundsystem. I recently got my hands on the Summer Song EP, and cannot stop listening to it. All three tracks from that EP were accounted for last evening as well, including the “love song,” “I’m in Love with a Ripper,” the monotonous chanting booty shaking “It’s Boring/You Can Live Anywhere You Want,” and the set finale fave “Summer Song”—which had initially been written as a love letter to friends LCD Soundsystem.

As if this unforgettable, energetic thrashtastic party wasn’t enough, fans patient enough to wait in line by the back bar (myself included this time), were treated with 100% graciousness and humbleness from the duo—not introduced as YACHT, but each fan received handshakes and granted first name basis. Not a single body was rushed, regardless of whether or not the fan’s intention was to purchase a t-shirt or just give kudos. In my five minute chat with Bechtolt I learned the duo will be present at SXSW next week, but won’t be playing any sets—just around for the atmosphere. Email addresses were swapped and a MoB 5 Questions feature will be forthcoming soon in the future.

Also worth mentioning was opening band Via Audio—a dancey, upbeat contemporary AM gold outfit stemming from Brooklyn. Before last night, I hadn’t heard of this group, but after their 45 minute set of power key/organ pop and sugary male/female vocal harmony action, there will be no keeping me away from their numerous sets next week at SXSW. If you’ll be in Austin, keep your eyes peeled for their sets—you won’t regret it.

Following my encounter with the merch stand and new wardrobe addition, I did stick around for the first few songs of dream pop headliner Chairlift. Chairlift had solid sound and stage presence, giving off a vibe similar to School of Seven Bells. While I dug the soundtrack, I won’t lie that I bounced early. I’m thinking that Chairlift is more of a band to see on its own or in a non-dance party environment—this trio will also be in Austin next week; and even if I don’t catch them then, they will be returning to Chi on April 23rd to open up for Peter, Bjorn and John at the Metro. But it’s not the band’s fault for my early departure, there was just no way that they could follow up to the mad energetic, mind blowing sets that Via Audio and YACHT just brought; and while Chairlift’s tunes were super pretty, they were putting me to sleep after the candy-high induced dance party I just partook in. Moral of the story? DEFINITELY do not let YACHT pass you by next time they swing round your parts, good times will be had by all.

Previously: Photos: Vampire Weekend/YACHT – High Noon Saloon
Previously: YACHT – I Believe In You

MP3: YACHT – “Summer Song” (feat. Claire L. Evans)
Myspace: YACHT
Myspace: Via Audio
Myspace: Chairlift

By Jodi Root

The Whigs are great. They make simple, solid rock and roll. With every new it band of the week, it gets really easy to overlook the basic musical formula of which all today’s genres are stemming from—guitar+bass+drums+vocals. No gimmicks, no extra polishing, no super side project connections. Just flat out loud and basic rock and roll. This Athens trio brought their refreshing sounds to Chicago’s Bottom Lounge last evening to a full house and literally rocked the crowd’s faces off performing tracks from last year’s Mission Control and 06’s Give ‘Em All a Big Fat Lip.

I’ve been a huge fan of Mission Control and fell hard for these guys after catching the last half of their set this past summer at Lollapalooza. My one regret though is that I wish I had been familiar with their older material prior to checking this show as several tracks were accounted for from their debut album. Songs like “Nothing is Easy” sounded hella solid, but I still felt a bit like the awkward 8th grader who wasn’t really invited to the birthday skating party, but showed up at the roller rink anyway—not really sure what’s going on, but still dying to be a part of it.

Highlights from the hour long set included opener “Mission Control,” which led into my personal fave the up-tempo, guitar blazing “Like a Vibration,” and the dance worthy “Hot Bed.” The audience totally lost their shit with the percussion opening of crowd favorite “Right Hand on My Heart”—as far as I could see, nobody was standing still—just a big old dance party, like shows should be, sans any pretentious bastards in the back with arms crossed.

The Bottom Lounge had perfect acoustics and sound set up as always, complimenting the energetic head banging and Animal like thrashing of the musicians on stage. Every time I check the BL, I’ve been impressed by the crisp quality of sound and lighting. The fact that the Whigs were the center of attention just upped my love for this downtown venue.

Last night’s performance was the second or third show I’ve heard of in Chicago in the past few months from this trio, but was actually the first headlining set I was able to catch. I just wish I hadn’t let this pass me by earlier, and know not to again in the future. For an escape from the kitschy trend of the week hype, The Whigs are definitely the perfect solution for an energetic and therapeutic night of true southern rock and roll.

Discuss Did anyone else happen to catch this show last night? What were your personal highlights?

Previously: 5 Questions with The Whigs

Myspace: The Whigs

I cannot wait for my trip to Austin next week for SXSW. There are, obviously, tons of bands I’m looking forward, but St. Vincent is on the short list of “can’t miss” artists while I’m in town. Her new album, Actor, drop May 5th on 4AD. Peep the tour dates, then grab the free and legal download of “The Strangers” below.

ST. VINCENT 2009 U.S. TOUR DATES

5/19/2009 Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre
5/20/2009 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/21/2009 Philadelphia, PA Unitarian Church
5/22/2009 Washington, DC Black Cat
5/24/2009 George, WA Sasquatch!
5/25/2009 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater
5/27/2009 San Francisco, CA Bimbo’s 365 Club
5/28/2009 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
5/30/2009 San Diego, CA Casbah
5/31/2009 Phoenix, AZ Modified
6/2/2009 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
6/3/2009 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
6/4/2009 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
6/5/2009 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater
6/7/2009 Chicago, IL Epiphany
6/10/2009 Lexington, KY The Dame
6/11/2009 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
6/12/2009 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo
6/16/2009 Birmingham, AL Bottle Tree
6/18/2009 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
6/19/2009 Austin, TX Mohawk

Myspace: St. Vincent
MP3: St. Vincent – “The Strangers”

I’ll admit my vote for favorite Wolf Parade offshoot always got cast for Sunset Rubdown. Now, as the weather begins to warm, the new Handsome Furs record, Face Control is sounding pretty damn fine. All it took was the vampire heavy video for “I’m Confused” to get the record into heavy rotation. Grab the MP3 for the same song below.

The Handsome Furs play the Empty Bottle in Chicago on Sunday, March 15th.

Buy: Handsome Furs – Face Control
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Myspace: Handsome Furs
MP3: Handsome Furs – “I’m Confused”

By Pete Donahue

Grizzly Bear are another one of those bands I didn’t get into until later than most. But I wanted to share a video I found on YouTube displaying all the (wonderful) qualities that made me perk up and pay attention to the Brooklyn quartet.

I love when artists record a song one way in the studio, yet create a new version of the song for the live setting while channeling the same feeling as the studio cut. “Colorado,” the final track of Yellow House is a perfect example. I actually watched the same video here before I heard the studio version. Like some of you, I, too was taken aback. I stopped what I was doing and put all of my attention on the performance. The vocals, the ambient guitar, the jazzy rhythm – it had me.

While I recognize no guitars in the studio version (though there may be some hiding in all those layers), what Daniel Rossen does with his guitar on the live version here is great. I imagine it took more than a just a few minutes to create the alternate soundscapes channeled through a guitar for the song for live settings and I applaud Rossen’s work.

Last but certainly not least, we have Ed Droste’s vocals. His haunting plea, asking “what now?” sounds bigger live than on record, without the benefit of a mixing board and studio trickery. As if those words don’t sound personal enough, he calls out like he’s the only person on Earth. “So what? People are going to hear? You left for Colorado and you left me.” What a top way to end an album.

Grizzly Bear play Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater on Monday, June 8th.

Buy: Grizzly Bear
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Myspace: Grizzly Bear
MP3: Grizzly Bear – “Colorado”

In celebration of their 10th Anniversary, Explosions In The Sky will play Chicago’s Congress Theatre on Thursday, July 2nd. I was planning on being in Chicago that weekend for the Brewers vs. Cubs + Independence Day, this is a good enough reason to arrive a night earlier.

Myspace: Explosions In The Sky
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “A Song For Our Fathers”
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Welcome, Ghosts”
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Your Hand In Mine”
MP3: Explosions In The Sky – “Day Three”