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Joe Pug and C-U share a special relationship. Though the singer-songwriter has adopted Chicago as his home, C-U very well could be his second home. Pug has filled up the Canopy Club in past performances and even played at far-fetched venues like the County Market on campus. No matter where he plays, though, he brings out a passionate fan base. From the time his debut EP spread across the Internet in 2008 fans have multiplied in C-U and around the world. Credit …
On Wednesday, February 1, Hayley Jane will showcase her latest studio album, Idiot Child, a delightful whirl of acoustic burlesque. Playing the punk princess doll, Jane gives her audience quick peeks into her space, filled with the color of ukulele, personal lyrics, and just a little bit of burlesque. Today's burlesque, post-punk performers are this generation's Ziggy Startdust and New York Dolls. All music is performance, all performances are art, all art is personal. One such decendent is Hayley Jane, …
Things are starting to get hot and sexy in the music scene here in Champaign. Nevermind the sweater weather — booties are moving and bands are booking shows left and right. Shows like the one happening at Mike 'N Molly’s this Friday: An event, rather than just a show with bands, the entire evening will be seamed together by a video installation. The night promises to have great music, for sure; but furthermore, an experience in and of itself. I spoke with promoter/videographer/DJ/emcee Matt Harsh to get …
For me, there's the Smashing Pumpkins, and then there's other music. They are the band that all too obviously defined my adolescence, got me into guitars and through high school. I've had to buy Siamese Dream three separate times, I played my first two CDs so much that they physically quit working. I amassed a collection of 500+ live recordings, traded via internet and snail mail from places as far away as Russia. Suffice to say, I am seriously into …
"We ain't got no pride, really. We just haul in on an ol' truck and kick ass." -- Billy Joe Shaver Billy Joe Shaver, perhaps the most underappreciated songwriter in the history of outlaw country, will take the stage at the Historic Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. It's great to see a WWHP-sponsored show back at the Rose Bowl; tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Shaver, with whom I spoke on the …
Honey & Glue | Iron Post | Sunday | 3-6 p.m. This Sunday, from 3-6pm, the Iron Post in downtown Urbana will host the first-ever “Honey and Glue” show. “Honey and Glue” is a collection of eleven local and nationally based lyricists and composers collaborating to write multiple songs using the same set of lyrics. I had the opportunity to speak with project founder, Steve Davenport. Here’s what he had to say. Smile Politely: What inspired the creation of the …
We now have cultural machines so powerful that one singer can reach everybody in the world, and make all the other singers feel inferior because they're not like him. Once that gets started, he gets backed by so much cash and so much power that he becomes a monstrous invader from outer space, crushing the life out of all the other human possibilities. –Alan Lomax Alan Lomax was a cultural archivist who deeply valued the participatory power of folk arts, …
You really can't beat a tagline like this: "Born in a tree house, killed in a friend's living room, and 86'd from his own funeral, Blaze Foley is now a bona fide Texas legend." The inspiration for Lucinda Williams' "Drunken Angel," late itinerant musician Blaze Foley is now the subject of a documentary, Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah. Saturday night at Highdive, following a showing of the movie at 7 p.m., there will be a Q&A with director/producer Kevin Triplett, …
The new release roundup: New Ruins - This Life is Not Ours to Keep Take Care - "Maltese" (streaming, from their forthcoming full-length) The Dirty Feathers - Midnight Snakes (check out Jason Brown's review here) Panel Van's side of their split with Peoria band Mammoths (streaming) Psychic Twin - Psychic Twin (In other Headlights-related news, check out a batch of Brett Sanderson/Adam Fein tracks here) Withershins - City Lights (single) Dino Bravo - s/t/d (check out a sneak peek into the manufacturing, featuring …
God-Des & She have been a hip-hop duo since they met in Madison, Wisconsin in 1999. Since then, they've moved to New York and become known all over the world due to being featured in the documentary Hip Hop Homos and their appearance on The L Word (where they sang their irreverent and thrillingly sexy song "Lick It"). Their song "Love You Better" held the number one spot on MTV LOGO for fifteen consecutive weeks. And this month, they were …
Most Recent Music Comments
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
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Most Recent Comments
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/