Chicagoist Mix Series is an ongoing feature that profiles local DJs/producers and features a mix compiled exclusively for Chicagoist. This is mix No. 15, brought to you by Kid Color, who was recently announced as one of the acts at Lollapalooza 2012. more ›

To be successful in this altered landscape, there has to be more to a record label than simply releasing music, and Second City Recordings, Chicago's latest House music label, aims to do just that. more ›

"Yeah, I'm just gonna take the stairs. Thanks!" more ›

Kyle Woods, a.k.a. Kid Color, is a rather prolific DJ. He plays shows on a regular, even constant basis all over Chicago and beyond. His weekly at Smart Bar, Dollar Disco, continues to gain traction as it books bigger and bigger names, including Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, and Ed Banger founder Busy P. And with all the work Kid Color puts in at the clubs, he manages to find time to work on his ongoing Palette Mix series, of which number five was released today. Per usual, he's put together a quality mix. more ›

Only Children are set to raise their profile with the release of their newest single, "Don't Stop", which drops digitally tomorrow via iTunes and Beatport, and on vinyl July 12. more ›

Pinetop Perkins wasn't the only musician with Chicago ties to pass away Monday. Loleatta Holloway died at the age of 64 after a brief illness. more ›

The year has a been a tumultuous one for nightlife and electronic music in Chicago. Promoters had to think smart to pull in crowds with far less spending money and we lost our shining star, the always tasteful Sonotheque. With Lava Lounge set to relaunch in 2010 as a cocktail lounge and a long winter still ahead, many feel uncertain, yet curious, for what the new year will bring. more ›

Kylie is coming to Chicago! What? Kylie who? Oh right, you're North Americans. We understand most folks don't realize what a superstar Kylie Minogue is in the rest of the world -- we feel it's similar to what we call "Robbie Williams Syndrome" -- but at least most of you are familiar with her through her infectious single "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" that accompanied endless Bally's commercials a few years ago. And to you folks who are even older, she sang that bubblegum rendition of "The Loco-Motion." In-between those two songs she underwent a number of changes zipping from soap actress cum pop-tart, semi-serious indie chanteuse, disco diva, and finally arriving at her current mix of electro-tweaked pop. more ›

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about this video aside from its kitsch value. Yet we found ourselves watching and re-watching it for some reason. After the 15th viewing, it struck us why it's so engaging: Cookie Monster is obviously coked out of his mind. more ›

In the spirit of yesterday's diversion, we decided to make it a coupling. Enjoy this bizarre, dated clip of Grover manically disco dancing. We never received confirmation if he danced so crazy because he was just that excited about the alphabet or if he was just totally coked more ›

[Disco] Revolutionary new research is dancing its way out of the University of Illinois medical school: more ›

As Duke Ellington might have said, Arthur Russell was a musician and composer "beyond category." In his short life (he died of complications from AIDS at the age of 40) he composed and recorded music that could be classified as folk, disco, ambient, classical, pop and even country. He was born in Iowa and followed in his mother's footsteps by taking up the cello as a child. Later he moved to San Francisco (befriending Allan Ginsberg) and then eventually New York City, where he became a catalyst in the art scene of the 70's as musical director of The Kitchen. Ginsberg, who lived in the same apartment building as Arthur for many years, described his music as "Buddhist bubblegum," and it's that sly tension between childlike joy and a more cerebral experimentation that has posthumously made him a favorite of David Byrne, Jens Lekman and Pitchfork. more ›

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Prior to having our child, we would have considered this concept hilarious. A DJ spinning disco classics for ... toddlers? We still chuckle, but since we’ve seen our own toddler shake it to a good bass beat, we might be convinced to see what all the fuss is about. Baby Loves Disco hosts monthly parties in 21 different cities, including one at our very own Metro this Sunday. In addition to the aforementioned DJ... more ›

Let's face it: we're spoiled when it comes to movies. Not only do the best (and worst) theatrical releases play here, but we also have scads of film festivals to choose from year-round. No sooner are CIFF and the Korean Film Festival over than Reeling is upon us. Since 1981, Reeling, Chicago's gay and lesbian film festival, has been unspooling a vitally diverse cross-section of queer filmmaking. This year's schedule includes nearly 70 programs,... more ›

We couldn't go through this day without paying our respects to DIsco Demolition, a day that will live in White Sox infamy. Today is the 28th anniversary of the event (the You Tube clip included here was from the event's silver anniversary). There's not much we can add to the day, except to read the Wiki entry. Even that doesn't do the event justice to the chaos that ensued. more ›

There is A LOT going on this weekend, and our overlords are standing over our shoulders screaming "Faster! Faster! the people need to know!" as we feverishly try to summarize it all. So we were pleased when the announcement that admission for the first 200 people at Flosstradamus' Sonotheque show tonight will be on the house. We admit we often skip events at Sonotheque due to high covers and higher drink prices, but tonight's event... more ›

What’s impossible to write about last night’s LCD Soundsystem show at the Metro is just how many influences there are in James Murphy’s songs, let alone an entire night’s setlist. The lyrics from “Losing My Edge” can give us a little insight into just which sounds may be hiding in the mix, even if Murphy’s only being sarcastic. Disco. Industrial. New Wave. Funk. Glam. Punk. more ›

Now this is just wrong. more ›

We are guessing it is the weather and lack of activity, but we’ve been actively searching for good food-related events for the past month or so. This week is no different. We've also got dancing and book swapping, so get on it. more ›

Robert Feder composed a lede so perfect we must pay it tribute: “On the eve of Valentine's Day, Bonneville International is renewing its commitment to Love FM.” How sweet. It's heartwarming when faceless international media entities can show the L-O-V-E to their S.O.’s, even when they are in 23rd place in the Chicago radio market. more ›

At some point today, Fall Out Boy will be playing an invite-only show at House Of Blues to celebrate the release of their new album, Infinity on High. Okay, stop your laughing. To folks with asymmetrical haircuts and teenagers whose composition books are dripping with despondently poetic ink, this is a big deal. And, to a certain extent, it’s sort of a big deal for Chicago as well. Sure, the new disc is probably not... more ›

We’re busy hitting “refresh” over and over again on Reuters in hopes that they will finally announce that rumoured Police reunion tour, but until that confirmation comes through, here’s some shows to keep us busy this week. Tomorrow night, Local H's Scott Lucas is getting together with a bunch of his musician pals at Debonair Social Club to bang out a set of covers in a low-key environment. This should prove to be a fun-filled... more ›

Holy shit, right now Greg.K, Leigh Lezark, and Geordon Nicol could be walking around making tastes, this very second, in our fine city! more ›

Last night was a completely different experience than the last time Chicagoist headed over to the Aragon for a Morrissey concert. The last time, the balcony wasn’t even open and only about one-fourth of the ballroom was full, but those of us there were singing, dancing and reveling in our love of songs about sad times, played expertly by a backing band of tightly clothed men. Fast forward to last night and a sold out... more ›

Ratings books are out for Chicago radio stations, but there are few surprises for those who’ve been paying attention. more ›

Whew! Happy, sore, tired, but mainly thrilled Lollapalooza spends her time in our home town. We'd like to give props to each and every one of the fans who stood their ground to be down front for whoever was their favorite band from The Flaming Lips to Wilco or The Raconteurs and the Chili Peppers. You guys are the ones who made Lollapalooza the best! Here are just a few more thoughts on the bands that performed. more ›

Well, the Lollapalooza line-up is out, and we have to admit we're a little confused. Sure, we're excited that groups like the Flaming Lips and Sybris are on the bill. Sure we can't wait to see if Ryan Adams provides us with the meltdown that Anton Newcombe cheated us out of last year. And, yes even we can admit, we can't wait to see Kanye's halo appear as he drifts upward into the heavens at... more ›

Remix albums are often a very bad idea riding the back of the easy cash-in cow. There have been exceptions, as with Massive Attack’s Mad Professor mauled No Protection or even The Space Monkeyz Vs. Gorrilaz collab Laika Come Home, but usually they just end up more like P-Diddly-doo’s We Invented the Remix. Recently Vice Records gave us a re-tooling of this year’s Bloc Party debut in remix form and that arguably could be filed... more ›

There's been some lamenting lately both in print and on-line about the steady decline of taverns in city. Years ago when this writer lived in "Liquor Park" there was a nice selection of dives that offered the opportunity to treat the liver like a one-night stand for under ten dollars. The Artful Dodger closed its doors nearly two months ago. Nick's on Milwaukee used to house Club Dreamerz. Estelle's was seemingly raided by the cops every other weekend, and Tuman's Alcohol Abuse Center served $3 Guinness pints to bikers and yuppies alike; both are shadows of their former selves. All these dives had nasty bathrooms, sweet jukeboxes, cheap drinks, enough second-hand smoke floating around to kill a rhino, and laid-back character in common. more ›