Chicago Bands, DJs Come Together For DJ Jonathan Toubin

By Michele Lenni in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 18, 2012 7:00PM

It could have been a night like any other rocking night for Soul DJ Jonathan Toubin. The man responsible for the raucous and revved up New York Night Train and Soul Clap dance parties we've attended at Beauty Bar here in Chicago was involved in a completely insane freak accident on December 8, 2011. Toubin was injured in a freak accident in Portland when a taxi cab crashed through his hotel room and pinned him to the room's back wall. Toubin remains in stable condition but is entering the lengthy therapy stage of his long recovery.

In the days that followed, musicians, artists and DJs have come together from across the country to raise money for Toubin's extensive medical treatment and expenses. Everyone from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's Karen O, Ty Segall and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe have come together to help their fallen party hero.

Now it's Chicago's turn. The Empty Bottle is hosting a benefit this Friday, Jan. 20 for Toubin. Some of our favorite artists including bands like Radar Eyes, Outer Minds, and House Sounds will take the stage in Toubin's honor. DJ Sets from James Porter, Emilie "Fabulette" Jaeger, Kristin Marx, Naomi Walker, Alex White (White Mystery) and Brent Zmrahl will round out the event nicely with their mix of R&B, soul and 60s garage rock to set the Bottle ablaze. Yes, of course, this is all for a wonderful cause, but we also think that this will be a damn good time.

DJ Jonathan Toubin Benefit featuring Radar Eyes, Outer Minds and House Sounds, on Friday, January 20, at Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western, 10 p.m. $8, 21+