Listen and Download: Joe Pug's Nation of Heat EP

By Michele Lenni in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 22, 2010 9:40PM

If there is anything we love here at the Chicagoist offices, certainly at the top of our list is anything we can get our grubby little hands on for free. Yes, we admit, we are lucky that we have access to some great stuff, but whenever we get the chance we want to share the love by sending any free schwag our readers' way, we are more then happy to do so. Yesterday, while this Chicagoista finally got the opportunity to clear away the cobwebs atop a pile of press releases while sipping on the non-alcoholic Chicagoist approved egg nog, we came upon a nice little stocking stuffer for you folks at home. Chicago's own folk-americana musician Joe Pug has released his seven-song-EP, Nation of Heat, as a free download in conjunction with WXRT.

For those of you who haven't read our many musings on Pug, he is one of Chicago's most unique artists, due in part to his characteristically gravely voice and Bob Dylan-esque guitar stylings. For those who are a fans of Dylan or his most blatant contemporary, Kristian Matsson, better known to his band's moniker, Tallest Man on Earth, this is most definitely the music for you. Though was Pug is not really covering any new ground on this seven-song-selection no one can criticize the man for his obvious and genuine passion for his music and the simple yet universal stories that each song so eloquently surmises.