Chubby Jones

Long Time No Blog

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:17:52 -0600

It's been a crazy whirlwind of a time in Chubland recently, but have no fear, your little darling is fine. In fact, I'm better than fine - I'm jolly. I'm not going to put together a top ten list or anything, because music to me isn't about a year. It can be about a moment. An album you couldn't stand to listen to back in the day might be exactly what you need a few years later. Also, I find lists to be pretentious and self-serving and more than likely I'd end up adding an artist not because I think their album is the best of the year but because their everyday life is something I find interesting or they seem like people I'd like to party with (editor's note: In reality I'd like to party with everybody, including Miley Cyrus as of late). But, I won't leave you completely empty handed, that is, if you're interested in knowing what I'm listening to these days. In no particular order, these artists have been playing nonstop in my ears at work, the gym, public transit, walking down the street - always: Robyn Kelis Tricky The Black Keys Band of Horses Sharon Van Etten LCD Soundsystem Coeur de Pirate and Florence and the Machine. I'm not the only one feeling jolly - the folks at Amazon are giving away a free holiday mp3 per day (25 of them!) until Christmas. There you go boys and girls, get it while it's hot.

Enjoy your holiday season no matter what you're celebrating and always remember it's not about the gifts but about the time you're spending with the people you love (or the amount of alcoholic beverages you need to imbibe while spending time with people you aren't so crazy about).

Musical Misfits The Dresden Dolls Coming to Chicago

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:54:30 -0600

Political, musical and fashion misfits, The Dresden Dolls, are coming to Chicago for one of my most highly anticipated concerts of the year. I mean, who doesn't want to see a self-described "Brechtian punk cabaret" show? If the answer is you, then we might have to rethink our relationship.

Amanda Palmer and her partner in music, Brian Viglione, have reunited after a three year hiatus, which included solo projects and the David Lynchian dream world of Evelyn Evelyn. The punk rock cabaret kicked off on the duo's 10th anniversary, Halloween night.

If you're in Chicago on November 17th, come buy me a drink at The Vic! Ok, buy it for yourself, but at least say hello. I'll be the small tattooed one with her eyes fixed on Amanda Palmer. For a full list of dates, check the band's website.

I will take these California girls over Katy Perry's any day of the week. Jury is still out on the California gays though - those mos are pretty great.

Jarvis Cocker is Too Sexy for My Life

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:47:16 -0600

Why is Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker so sexy? I mean, I think when he was a wee little British lad he probably wasn't considered a sexual tour de force, but now, oh now, he makes me melt into a heart-shaped pool of Anglophile.

Alpacas Are The Old Hipsters

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:13:06 -0600

I could look at pictures of animals all day (and shhh, don't tell anyone, sometimes I do). I can especially enjoy a good picture of animals taking on human traits - like these alpacas with New Wave/Post-Punk hairdos. The only thing that pisses me off, is that they can pull it off much better than I ever could. Here's a taste - but for the entire thing, go to Buzzfeed.

Kim Ann Foxman Is My Jam

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:12:44 -0600

Kim Ann Foxman, the prettier side of Hercules and Love Affair, is releasing some hot new jams to get your dancefloor buzzing just in time for Halloween. Put your masks on and let the zombies juke with the vampires while King Kong steps to Little Red Riding Hood.

Kim Ann/Andrew by casio1988

Robyn's Sexy New Video for "Indestructible"

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:35:08 -0600

I was ready to break out a box of Kleenex to collect what I thought would be inevitable tears for Robyn's "Indestructible" video - but my sadness was replaced by sexiness. Shut the door and turn off the lights everybody!

Robyn 'Indestructible' Official Video

Robyn | Myspace Music Videos

Meet My New Music Crush: Britta Persson

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:01:10 -0600

What is it with the Swedes taking over my world right now? Seriously, it's like every time I turn around, a new Swedish pop star has come and neatly sliced out a bit of my heart and then crawled inside with a good book and a box of Kanelbrod.
The latest and greatest is Britta Persson - whose new single, "Toast to M", is overwhelming my senses with its beauty and simplicity. I'm sad to find that I'll have to special order her new album, Current Affair Medium Rare, from overseas as it isn't being released anywhere but Scandinavia right now. That being said, what I've heard is perfect for the impending Chicago winter I'm about to experience - better put a rush order on it.

Some Girls Some Boys by Britta Persson

Choose Your Own Adventure with Andy Grammer

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:14:34 -0600

As if having a catchy sugary pop tune wasn't enough for Andy Grammer, he and his creative team have put together an interactive music video for his glass is half full anthem, "Keep Your Head Up". At first I was like, "What the hell?" but then by the second time I watched it, I figured out I was supposed to be clicking on things as the video was playing and the video actually changed depending on what I chose. What made this so hard to believe was that after opting for one thing, the transitions were absolutely seamless. So, I've blocked the next hour off of my calendar so I can keep choosing different combinations of actions. Good times everyone.

Screw Bieber All Hail Stookey

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:10:34 -0600

Disclaimer: This is not the music that gets me really excited and thinking about taking my clothes off or even thinking about other people taking their clothes off. My enthusiasm for this kid is based strictly on his talent with a guitar because it is impossible to look past.

Graham Stookey can play the shit out of a guitar. I'm not talking Star Search material, I'm talking, he could finger pick anyone under the table (that sounds dirty). His voice is soft like a summer breeze, his fingers move faster than Pedro Matias and his hair doesn't make me want to burn the Canadian flag.

Meet your next heartthrob (or David Archuletta)

If The Kids: Tell Me What You Want

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:43:27 -0600

I'm not sure if it's because I'm musically-narcissistic but I'm fairly certain the ear love Gods have had me on their minds when blessing the instruments of new (to me) bands lately.

I stumbled upon If The Kids thanks to Robot Pigeon, and their dark sound brings me back to my Industrial New Wave dancing disco days of college.

If you're into The Ting Tings and into the word "tits", you'll love this band. So far, they've managed to sneak "tits" into both of the songs I've heard.

If The Kids - Tell Me What You Want by JonathanSix07Press

Mayer Hawthorn's Takin it to The Streets!

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:15:28 -0600

Detroit crooner Mayer Hawthorne is taking his neo-Motown sound on one last tour before taking vacation in the studio to work on the follow-up to his debut album, A Strange Arrangement. Now I know getting to just see him live is good and all, but what if I told you you could get down with the git down and hang with Mayer and his crew beforehand? Pretty freaking sweet right?

Here's a link to put in the ol' email address so you can enter for a chance to win tickets in your city. I only ask that if you do get to meet him, you ask him how he got to be so fly for me. That man can rock a tailored suit.

Oct 21 2010 8:30P Black Cat Washington,, D.C. Oct 22 2010 9:00P The Masquerade Atlanta, GA Oct 23 2010 9:00P The Bottle Tree Birmingham, AL Oct 24 2010 9:00P Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN Oct 25 2010 9:00P The Orange Peel Ashville, NC Oct 27 2010 7:30P Subterranean Chicago, IL Oct 28 2010 9:00P The Basement Columbus, Oh Oct 29 2010 10:30P Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, OH Oct 30 2010 8:30P Memorial Union Theater Madison, WI Nov 1 2010 8:00P The Vogue Indianapolis, IN Nov 2 2010 9:00P Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN Nov 3 2010 9:00P Bottleneck Lawrence, KS Nov 4 2010 9:00P Fox Theatre Boulder, CO Nov 5 2010 10:00P Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT Nov 7 2010 9:00P Neumo's Seattle, WA Nov 8 2010 9:30P The Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC, CANADA Nov 9 2010 9:00P Aladdin Theatre Portland, OR Nov 11 2010 8:00P Bimbo's 365 San Francisco, CA Nov 12 2010 9:00P The Music Box Los Angeles, CA

Shad: Canadian Heat

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:08:54 -0600

Our friendly neighbors to the north don't just have great maple syrup and universal healthcare! No, they've got some serious rhyme-spitters as well!

Toronto emcee Shadrach Kabango (Shad) is currently on tour with fellow Canucks, The K-Os. His style is similar to that of Common, De La Soul and the Pharcyde - so if any of those tickle your pickle, you'll be elated to be standing in the audience during his set.

Download: Shad - Rose Garden Remix ft. Donwill & Von Pea of Tanya Morgan

10/08 seattle, wa - nectar 10/09 boise, id - promenade music festival 10/11 portland, or - berbati's pan 10/13 san francisco, ca - slim's 10/14 los angeles, ca - el rey theatre 10/15 solana beach, ca - belly up tavern 10/16 scottsdale, az - chasers 10/18 denver, co - the bluebird theater 10/19 fort collins, co - aggie theatre 10/21 st. paul, mn - turf club 10/22 madison, wi - high noon saloon 10/23 chicago, il - lincoln hall 10/24 detroit, mi - magic stick 10/25 columbus, oh - skully's music diner 10/26 baltimore, md - sonar 10/28 new york, ny - highline ballroom 10/29 philadelphia, pa - north star bar 10/31 cambridge, ma - middle east downstairs

Go White Boy Go White Boy Go

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:28:05 -0600

I don't know exactly what it is about Rhymesayers MC Brother Ali, but his music just makes me happy. Perhaps it's that his flow is so smooth and lays across whatever instrumentals he's using so well.

The Brother man is currently touring with Pepper but these will be his last gigs for a while so he can take time off to record a new record. Here are some hot dates so make sure you check this dude out.

Oct 14 Webster Theatre Hartford, CT Oct 15 9:30 Club Washington, DC Oct 16 Starland Ballroom Sayreville, NJ Oct 17 Met Cafe Providence, RI Oct 19 The Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac, MI Oct 20 Paramount Theatre - Seattle Seattle, WA Oct 21 Metro Chicago, IL Oct 22 High Dive Champaign, IL Oct 23 1st BANK Center Broomfield, CO Oct 24 Granada Theatre Lawrence, KS Oct 27 The Gargoyle Saint Louis, MO Oct 28 Blue Moose iowa city, ia

While you're at it, pick up his incredible last album, OK, below.

Stream: Robyn's "Indestructible" Remixes

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:58:38 -0600

If this song doesn't make you want to cry, I'm calling you the Tin Man from now on because you don't have a heart and you're probably missing your soul too.
Indestructible by robyn

From A Fountain: Shale & Sandstone

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:25:32 -0600

The debut album from South Dakota-loving (someone has to do it) musician, Douglas Kirby, is as enjoyable as it is all over the gottdamn map. He and his band, From A Fountain, are a bit of a combo of Sufjan Stevens, Fleet Foxes and New Order.

Their album, Shale & Sandstone, is apparently about a "rebel band of time-traveling Native Americans who have successfully remained hidden for generations." So basically, bring your one-hitter to the show and expect to leave your mouth gaping open for the inevitable light show.

Download: Morning
Man I Wed

Oct 17 Chicago, IL Schuba's Oct 21 Scranton, PA The Vintage Theater w/ Juston Stens & The Get Real Gang and David Vandervelde Oct 22 Brooklyn, NY Littlefield PTV CMJ Showcase w/ Juston Stens, Generationals, Giant Cloud, Brass Bed Oct 23 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie w/ Brass Bed and Giant Cloud Oct 26 Madison, WI Project Lodge Oct 30 Sioux Falls, SD Knights of Columbus