A stridently underground music festival consisting mostly of Chicago-based acts, Bitchpork is a low-cost alternative to "low-cost" "alternative" music festivals held at DIY venue Mortville. Daily admission for the July 15-17 fest is a measly $10. more ›

The labyrinthine rhythms of Chicago-based experimental quartet Mahjongg are good for many things. Depending on the track, the group’s deft blend of Afro-pop percussion and trance-inducing synth-tronics has listeners either frantically on their feet, or zoning out with chin-stroking aplomb. But is there room for soundtracking an online foreign policy pissing match on that list? more ›

Immediately, it’s worth pointing out that these two recent releases—locally-tied supergroup The High Confessions' Turning Lead Into Gold With The High Confessions and eclectic, veteran Chicago dance band Mahjongg's The Long Shadow Of The Paper Tiger—can’t exactly be described as accessible listening. Regarding the latter, it’s because of the Chicago quartet’s full immersion in its self-described “Chicagotronics,” a mix of divergent, but electronically-tinged, sounds and tones with heavily manipulated vocal work. As far as The High Confessions are concerned…well, that requires a more detailed explanation. But, it’s also easily worth pointing out that these albums are very much worth the time it takes to properly digest them. For now, let’s start with Mahjongg, the more dance-oriented of the two. more ›

For all you boppers out there in the big city, here's a free activity that blends urban orienteering with street-level, um, "IRL" social networking and the thrill of those catch-me-if-you-can outdoor runarounds of childhood summer evenings. more ›

Well, Lou was already gonna be at The Pitchfork Music Festival (July 18-20) anyway since Dinosaur Jr is playing that Sunday, but now he'll be there opening night as well, leading Sebadoh through Bubble and Scrape! Other new additions are: The Hold Steady (squee!), Elf Power, Caribou, Icy Demons, Boban Markovic Orkestar, Titus Andronicus, Bon Iver, Times New Viking, HEALTH, High Places, and Mahjongg. more ›