It’s actually kind of tiresome to constantly say it, but there really is a lot going on musically in this town. We’re not above admitting that we have a hard time writing an article or Splog post about every worthwhile occurrence. So every couple of weeks, we’re going to consolidate some of the more interesting news into our Local Music Roundup. Hopefully, it will help keep you updated on all the great stuff C-U musicians are doing.
This past Saturday in Springfield IL, The Sugar Prophets won a spot to represent Illinois in the International Blues Challenge. The International Blues Challenge is an invitation only competition held in Memphis, TN each year to find the world’s best amateur blues artists. Congratulations to them and I’m sure we’ll have more info as the challenge gets closer.
This past Saturday in Springfield IL, - Elsinore is now touring the Northeast in support of their still-fresh-off-the-presses album Yes Yes Yes. Next Thursday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. the band will be in studio at WQAQ (Hamden, CT) and you can listen live at www.wqaq.com. While in Indianapolis a couple weeks ago, the video crew MonkeyEatsMonkey recorded a session of the band performing “Body of Water.” Check out the impressive results below:
- Vanattica recently taped a long and informative interview with the website Harmony on Tap — it ends in one of their now infamous foursquare sessions. Check it out here.
- Here’s former (but still sort of) local band Jet W. Lee playing live at the Cowboy Monkey a couple of weeks ago.
- The Duke of Uke have spent some time in the studio lately and are already recording a follow up to this year’s This Way Up. Take Care, local trombonist Glenn Wilson and The Sugar Prophets have also been putting music to tape (or possibly to digital).
- Jett Rokk is releasing a CD — pick it up and hear him spinning at the official release party this Saturday night at Red Star Liquors.
- Jay Moses continues to post new songs at an astonishing rate. Check out two more new jams below.
- Philadelphia’s DJ Supa has posted a mix-tape called Who’s the King of the 217 featuring a ton of local rappers. It’s a great window into the C-U scene. Here’s a link.
The CU Folk and Roots Festival has posted a tentative schedule. It all goes down Sept. 23 – 25. Go to their website for more information. Also, the festival is sponsoring a vintage musical display at the Urbana Free Library through September.
The CU Folk and Roots Festival has posted a tentative schedule. It all goes down Sept. 23 – 25. - Here’s a link to three mixes created in preparation for last week’s Dubstep Masquerade by DJ Belly, DJ Mertz and Positive Vibr8tions. They’re downloadable so you can dubstep at the gym.
- And don’t forget you can see DJ Belly perform this Saturday at 1 p.m. on the main stage at the North Coast Music Festival in Chicago. He won the chance to perform after thoroughly impressing the judges during a play-in competition. Congratulations again to him.
- Local jazz vocalist extraordinaire Darden Purcell (whose debut album continues to be among the most popular in several genres on CDBaby) and pianist Don Heitler perform “But Not for Me” at Krannert on Aug. 1:
- And just in case you missed it, SP just launched our Songs in 90 Seconds feature with a GREAT tune from the Palace Flophouse. Apparently the song will appear on their as-yet-untitled upcoming album.
Got some info or tips for us? Email local music information to musicATsmilepolitely.com.