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Not At SXSW: This Weekend In Electronic Music

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 20, 2009 6:20PM

The week's mass exodus of Chicago's indie rock and electronic musicians (and fans) to Austin for SXSW is a blessing in disguise. With local talent checked out for a long weekend, this is a great opportunity to support the many touring acts stopping through Chicago. We've already touched on one of our favorite rock picks, so here's our rundown of your weekend in electronic music.

Tonight is an evening perfect for venue hopping. Art pop performance duo Fischerspooner, famous for their experimental live shows equally focused on staging and music swing through Debonair Social Club for a DJ set. A special announcement yesterday revealed Casey Spooner, one half of Fischerspooner, will lend live vocals to the event.

We recommend continuing your immersion in the dramatic by heading across town to Schubas for French act Kap Bambino. Kap Bambino deliver DIY electronic punk with an aggression and energy that makes for a memorable live show experience. Don't be surprised to see frontwoman Caroline Martial alternate between crowdsurfing and writhing on the floor.

For the electronic purists out there, your best bet is Disco Unusual Social Club at Sonotheque. Reminiscent of the era of The Loft and DJs Nicky Siano and Larry Levan, the traveling dirty disco night will have you "dancing into the exosphere" with Lono Brazil, the man responsible for launching the careers of many a hip-hop act and special guests Lovefingers and Lee Douglas, fixtures in the new disco movement and affiliates of Rong, DFA and Blackdisco Social Club.

Hopefully you still have some energy left come Saturday. French producer and head honcho of Ed Banger Records, Busy P, brings his hand-hitting, funky electro to Smart Bar. As evidenced by Justice's New Year's Eve show at Congress Theatre, Chicago is Ed Banger crazed and even with the majority of the city's electronic DJs and fans in Austin, we predict nothing less than a packed, wild night.

Fischerspooner with residents Ryan Paradise and Andrew Vonn tonight, March 20, at Debonair Social Club, 1575 N Milwaukee Ave, 9 p.m., $10, 21+

Disco Unusual Social Club with Lono Brazil, Lovefingers and Lee Douglas tonight, March 20, at Sonotheque, 1444 W Chicago, 9 p.m., $5, 21+

Kap Bambino with Lazer Crystal tonight, March 20, at Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave, 10:30 p.m., $10, 18+

Busy P with James Amato and Skyler tomorrow, March 21, at Smart Bar, 3730 N Clark St, 10 p.m., $15, 21+