WXRT

New Chicago Music On This Week’s Anesthetic

Richard Milne — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:22:20 +0000

Haven’t posted for a bit but I have been keeping up with my record listening. I’m excited to spin the new set from the ever evolving Matthew Santos this week. Little Boy Jr. promise to upgrade the sound of their NEXT recording but I hear enough thru the murk of their debut to lay them on you, too.

Everything else is still up for grabs but I promise to have a stellar show of new Chicago music for you Sunday night at 7:30 on XRT. By the way, I played Minor Characters “If I Were You” a few weeks back. It’s even better in this live in-studio performance.

Promote Your Band On Facebook

Marker’s Weekend Live Blues Pick

Tom Marker — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:37:05 +0000

Otis Clay photo by Dragan Tasic www.nga.ch

Berwyn, Blues Capital of Chicagoland? This weekend is a double pick weekend with two great acts performing in the town that’s been called, “The New Brooklyn” (though I’m not sure by whom.) Of course every weekend in January the Live Blues Pick is Buddy Guy at Legends, but the rest of the Buddy shows are now sold out.

Funky Mojo Daddy at Leroy's

Otis Clay is Chicago’s #1 Soul Man! For those of us who work until midnight most every Friday, it’s been a long time since the last opportunity to see Otis in the Chicago area. Tomorrow night (Saturday) Otis will be at FitzGerald’s on Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. Otis’ music can sound like Memphis Soul, probably because he recorded on Al Green‘s label with the same producer, Willie Mitchell. He often is more of a gospel singer than anything which probably has a lot to do with how soulful he is. And he can sing the blues with the best of them.

Meanwhile, down the street and around the corner, okay then down that street for a ways, there’s the Harlem Avenue Lounge. I’m not sure just how the timing will work out, but this could be a night for a Berwyn double header. Funky Mojo Daddy is returning to The Harlem. The players in this band all have gigs with other bands so the line-up can vary. This time around it’s Corey Dennison from Carl Weathersby‘s band on lead guitar and vocals, Nick Byrd from the Kinsey Report on guitar, Kenny Kinsey from the Kinsey Report and Wayne Baker Brook‘s band on bass and Jerry Porter, drummer for James Cotton and former drummer for Buddy Guy on drums. It’s gonna be great!

See you out there.

Visit the Blues Breakers page.

The War On Drugs, “Baby Missiles” [Free Download]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:16:30 +0000

Photos: Kurt Vile At The Pitchfork…If you’re a regular listener of XRT’s The Big Beat, you’re most likely familiar with The War On Drugs. Mixing the guitar attack of Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine with a melodic sense and lyrical perspective that recalls Bob Dylan, The War On Drugs have been praised for their recorded material.

The War On Drugs are the creation of a pair of Dylan fans, Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile, who met at a party in 2003. After several drinks, the pair began working on songs together. By 2005, they had enough material to launch a proper band, and The War On Drugs were born. Mulit-instrumentalist Robbie Bennett joined the fold for 2011′s Slave Ambient, the band’s second proper album.

The War On Drugs, “Baby Missiles” DOWNLOAD

Kind of like Springsteen’s younger brother simply having a fun, real kick-ass day at the studio “Baby Missiles” is an energetic cut off the new disc and will remind you of the 80′s Boss performing live on the Born in the USA tour. Catch The War On Drugs live August. 26 at Schuba’s in Chicago.

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Bueller? Bueller? Are We Going To See Ferris At The Super Bowl? [Watch]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:49:50 +0000

The following video tease starring Matthew Broderick appeared on the internet this morning… But what does it all mean, man?

It’s been a few years – 26 to be exact – since we last heard from Ferris Bueller. Matthew Broderick appears in this 10 second tease posted on YouTube. Broderick throws open the curtains and asks us “How can I handle work on a day like today?” as the song Oh Yeah by Yello plays in the background. Then there’s a date of February 5th, 2012 – the Super Bowl.

Fade To Black — The Top Ten Movie Outro Songs

Ferris Bueller, What Cubs Game Were You At, Exactly?

‘Ferris Bueller’ Movie Night At Wrigley Field

’85 Bears Finally Get Visit To The White House

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Pink Floyd Friday

Frank E. Lee — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:47:36 +0000

Photos: Roger Waters — ‘The…It’s hard to overstate the popularity and impact that Pink Floyd has had on the world of modern music. Since their days as the house band at the UFO club in swinging London, the psychedelic pop of the Syd Barrett era and the giant blockbuster albums, the band’s music continues to be a remarkably current and vital presence. Founding member Roger Waters will recreate The Wall this summer at Wrigley Field.

“ I fell asleep in my perch in the nosebleed section...
” Frank E. Lee The band’s live shows are the stuff of legend, filled with gargantuan special effects, mysterious dialogue snippets and monstrous cosmic power chords. One of their final small venue shows was at the Auditorium Theatre in the early seventies. The show was a little light on the theatrics, but there were large quadrophonic speakers set up in the audience section and a mind-altering light show. The concert featured Dark Side of the Moon (before it was released) and space ripping classics like “Careful With That Axe Eugene” and “Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun” and all 24 minutes of “Echoes”. I fell asleep in my perch in the nosebleed section, but it was more of a trance than restful slumber. The show has been heavily bootlegged and has yet to be released officially. Enjoy lots of Pink Floyd today on Friday Feature and expect unusual mental perturbations throughout the weekend.

VIPs can win a pair of tickets to Roger Waters at Wrigley Field on June 8th. Find out how to win!

Watch: Pink Floyd “The Greatest Gig in the Sky”

Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour Talks, Plays “Dark Side” In Recent Interview

Video: Pink Floyd Reunite Last Night In London

A Bunch Of Pink Floyd Reissues Coming This Fall

2 bits…4bits….8 bits…MONEY!

Concert Audio: Pink Floyd Live At Fillmore West (San Francisco, CA)

The “Madcap” Songs Of Pink Floyd Founder Syd Barrett Shine On New Retrospective

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Thomas Dolby Is Blinding Us With Science

Terri Hemmert — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:06:19 +0000

“ Dolby wants to give people a chance to 'explain to an alien visitor what went wrong with our civilization.'
” If you’re planning to see Thomas Dolby at Park West April 5th for the XRT show, be prepared to have something to say. It’s called the Time Capsule Tour for a reason. Thomas wants you to leave messages for future inhabitants of the earth. No, really. He will have a trailer parked at Park West and other venues on his tour where you can produce a 30 second video offering words of wisdom to whoever will be walking the earth in the future. Dolby wants to give people a chance to “explain to an alien visitor what went wrong with our civilization. Our species may not be around on this planet much longer, so you might as well leave a welcome message for the next guys.” Why not. Ya never know.

So what message would leave? Let us know here before you show up on April 5th. Tickets are on sale now, by the way. And his new album A Map Of The Floating City is available where ever you get your music these days.

Mr. Dolby is quite an amazing man. Not only a musician, but a technical genius and a devoted family man. Some interesting stories here.

Space Rock For NASA

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Leonard Cohen, “Show Me The Place” [Listen, Download]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:55:06 +0000

You heard the first offering from Old Ideas during XRT’s New Music Thursday. Preview the new Leonard Cohen album and listen to the new track “Show Me The Place” below. You can also pre-order the album and receive an instant download of the song.

Leonard Cohen, “Show Me The Place” [Download]

Pre-order Old Ideas now and get an instant MP3 download of “Show Me The Place.”

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

My First Week As An XRT Intern

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:01:52 +0000

On a cold, snowy morning, I venture out into the winter to Lin’s 20th Anniversary celebration. Stepping into South Tavern, I see the stage being built for the live broadcast in honor of Lin which was to occur later on. After helping the XRT staff and interns, the tavern is decorated with 93.1 XRT signs and framed posters, featuring the key phrase “It’s Great to Be Alive” and the outline of Lin’s head (the same outline as in the Lin’s Bins image).

When the man himself comes in, he is caught completely off-guard upon seeing his brothers, who live out of state, standing in front of him. As more family, friends and staff arrive, they are handed gift bags I helped pack the day before at the office. Empty no more, the mood of the tavern becomes happy and relaxed. The scene is set for a great celebration as people settle into their seats, the stage ready for action. I, then, receive a tap on my shoulder and am told I will be going on stage to hold the applause sign throughout the broadcast.

Onstage, holding onto the applause sign, wearing a blue t-shirt that matches the posters, I think of what I should be anticipating. My thoughts are interrupted as Mary Dixon joins me onstage and encourages Lin to come up and sit in the chair brought just for him. As I watch what I always listen to, the broadcast delves into segment after segment that highlight the best and most memorable moments in Lin’s career, including interviews with Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Bono and discussions of his love for the Cubs and food. Between sections, Mary, Terri Hemmert and Marty Lennartz take turns hosting the broadcast. If you’re wondering, they are all just as great as you would imagine them to be, if not better. My jobs were to support them through enthusiastically waving the applause sign as best as I could to encourage the best crowd reaction and staying out of the way onstage as the DJs traded off with each other and the band Waco.

I had already had an enormous respect for Mr. Brehmer and the XRT station. Because of this event, I was able to hear all the great radio moments that were made by Lin, see the joy it brought to people as they clapped, and reminisce these great times with him and the rest of the XRT staff. Seeing all of this and how much of a family they really are caused my respect for each staff member and the station as a whole to greatly increase. It truly was something to celebrate. The only difference between this celebration and others is that a broadcast was able to capture it all. A perfect addition.

All in all, it was a fun filled day where hard work was celebrated, opportunities were brought forth, and a bright future glistened. Even if it takes some time for people to realize my actual name, I’ll happily accept “Applause Girl” for awhile.

Roxy Music Set To Release 12-Disc Career-Spanning Box Set

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:31:26 +0000

Photos: Bryan FerryRoxy Music plans on celebrating their 40th anniversary in a big way. Virgin Records is set to release a career spanning box set, Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982, on April 2. The collection will include eight CDs and four DVDs with “high-resolution audio.”

The albums set to be re-released are: Roxy Music, 1972; For Your Pleasure and Stranded, 1973; Country Life, 1974; Siren, 1975; Manifesto, 1979; Flesh and Blood, 1980; and Avalon, 1982. Bonus material, non-album singles, B-sides, and remixes will also be included in this mega set.

Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings 1972-1982 Tracklist:
CD1: Roxy Music
01. Re-make/Re-model
02. Ladytron
03. If There Is Something
04. 2HB
05. The Bob (Medley)
06. Chance Meeting
07. Would You Believe?
08. Sea Breezes
09. Bitters End
Bonus Tracks:
10. Virginia Plain
11. The Numberer

CD2: For Your Pleasure
01. Do The Strand
02. Beauty Queen
03. Strictly Confidential
04. Editions Of You
05. In Every Dream Home A Heartache
06. The Bogus Man
07. Grey Lagoons
08. For Your Pleasure
Bonus Tracks:
09. Pyjamarama (Island Mix)
10. Pyjamarama (Polydor Mix)
11. The Pride And The Pain
12. Do The Strand (USA 7″ Mix 3:19) **

CD3: Stranded
01. Street Life
02. Just Like You
03. Amazona
04. Psalm
05. Serenade
06. A Song For Europe
07. Mother Of Pearl
08. Sunset
Bonus Track:
09. Hula Kula

CD4: Country Life
01. The Thrill Of It All
02. Three And Nine
03. All I Want Is You
04. Out Of The Blue
05. If It Takes All Night
06. Bitter Sweet
07. Triptych
08. Casanova
09. A Really Good Time
10. Prairie Rose
Bonus Tracks:
11. The Thrill Of It All – 1977 Greatest Hits Edit (4’20) ) **
12. Your Application’s Failed
13. The Thrill Of It All (USA 7″ Mix 3:20) **

CD5: Siren
01. Love Is The Drug
02. End Of The Line
03. Sentimental Fool
04. Whirlwind
05. She Sells
06. Could It Happen To Me?
07. Both Ends Burning
08. Nightingale
09. Just Another High
Bonus Tracks:
10. Love Is The Drug (USA 7″ Mix 3:00) **
11. Sultanesque
12. Both Ends Burning (7″ Mix 3:58) **
13. For Your Pleasure – Live **

CD6: Manifesto
01. Manifesto
02. Trash
03. Angel Eyes (***rock version***)
04. Still Falls The Rain
05. Stronger Through The Years
06. Ain’t That So
07. My Little Girl
08. Dance Away (***ballad Version***)
09. Cry, Cry, Cry
10. Spin Me Round
Bonus Tracks:
11. Trash 2
12. Dance Away (Single Version)
13. Dance Away (Canadian Extended 12″ Mix)
14. Angel Eyes (Single Version)
15. Angel Eyes (12″ Single Version)

CD7: Flesh And Blood
01. The Midnight Hour
02. Oh Yeah
03. Same Old Scene
04. Flesh And Blood
05. My Only Love
06. Over You
07. Eight Miles High
08. Rain Rain Rain
09. No Strange Delight
10. Running Wild
Bonus Tracks:
11. Oh Yeah (7″ Version) **
12. Manifesto (Remake)
13. South Downs
14. Lover
15. Jealous Guy
16. To Turn On You (1981 B-Side Version) **

CD8: Avalon
01. More Than This
02. The Space Between
03. Avalon
04. India
05. While My Heart Is Still Beating
06. The Main Thing
07. Take A Chance With Me
08. To Turn You On
09. True To Life
10. Tara
Bonus Tracks:
11. Avalon (7″ Single Version) **
12. Always Unknowing
13. Take A Chance With Me (7″ Single Version) **
14. Take A Chance With Me (USA 7″ Mix) **
15. The Main Thing (12″ Single Version)
16. The Main Thing – Remix
** = never been available on CD

The James Bond of Rock and Roll: Bryan Ferry

Audio: Bryan Ferry Talks With Terri Hemmert

Vintage Bryan — Ten Great Bryan Ferry Tracks

Video: The Making Of Bryan Ferry’s New Album, ‘Olympia’

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Win A VIP Table To See Smith Westerns At Metro

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:13:56 +0000

Photos: Smith WesternsEnter to win a pair of tickets to see Chicago’s very own, Smith Westerns in an XRT Show at Metro on February 3! Winners will receive a reserved VIP table at Metro on the night of the show!

Tickets are still available at metrochicago.com.

Video: Smith Westerns Perform Live Lollapalooza Weekend

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Win Tickets To See Roger Waters At Wrigley Field

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:48:19 +0000

Photos: Roger Waters — ‘The…Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters is planning another round of North American dates for his The Wall Live tour next year and will follow in the footsteps of of Sir Paul, Dave Matthews Band & The Police for a show at Wrigley.

VIPs can win a pair of tickets to Roger Waters at Wrigley Field on June 8th. Find out how to win!

Wrigley FieldListen between 9am and 5pm this Friday, January 27th during XRT’s Pink Floyd Friday Feature. When you hear us play the songs below text “ROGER” to 59393. If you’re the 931rd texter, you will win a pair of tickets to the show!

“Have a Cigar” 10:15-10:45am
“See Emily Play” 12Noon-12:30pm
“Us and Them” 2:45-3:15pm

“Thirty years ago when I wrote ‘The Wall,’ I was a frightened young man,” Waters recalls. “In the intervening years it occurred to me that maybe the story of my fear and loss with its concomitant inevitable residue of ridicule, shame and punishment, provides an allegory for broader concerns: Nationalism, racism, sexism, religion, whatever! All these issues and ‘isms are driven by the same fears that drove my young life.”

View Roger Waters 2012 Tour Dates:

New Tunes to Know, Vol. XXI: Lapalux – Gutter Glitter [Free Download]

Jason Thomas — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:12:43 +0000

On this New Music Thursday I’d like to offer up a new tune from my personal stash, an interesting electronic record that I hope you’ll enjoy. Stuart Howard (aka Lapalux) is a producer from the UK and his first release for the Brainfeeder label will be out on February 7. Brainfeeder was started by Flying Lotus back in 2008 and the label specializes in electronic music along with instrumental hip hop. Here’s a track from the Lapalux EP, When You’re Gone.

Lapalux – Gutter Glitter [DOWNLOAD]

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

25 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:46:21 +0000

25 Songs You Didn’t Know…

Fruity Album Covers

Worst Album Covers Of 2011

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

George Harrison’s Lost Guitar Solo from ‘Here Comes the Sun’ [Listen]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:53:24 +0000

Photos: The Quiet Beatle — George…Who would have liked to be in the studio when The Beatles recorded and mixed their records?

I’m sure you all recognize that answer is Y-E-S, YES.

Coming in a close second is seeing iconic record producer Sir George Martin, his son Giles, and Dhani Harrison, son of the late George Harrison, playing around with the mix of one of the Quiet Beatle’s most memorable songs, “Here comes the Sun,” and unveiling a lost guitar solo.

The three take turns opening and closing channels, which let you hear George’s isolated vocals, the added harmonies, and at one minute into the video, the guitar solo that was never used.

Not only was this the first time Dhani heard the solo, but Sir George had completely forgotten about it! Amazing to hear the solo added to the master, and as good as it sounds, you can hear why George left it out.

Leave it to George Harrison to continually amaze us even ten years after he left.

Free MP3 Download: Fistful of Mercy – “Fistful of Mercy”

Breakfast with the Beatles

Professor Moptop

Find Out What We Just Played

Access XRT DJ Playlists

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Access Additional MP3′s on MP3.com

Connect with XRT on Facebook

Kathleen Edwards Comes To Lincoln Hall

Frank E. Lee — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:23:56 +0000

Inspired by Tom Petty, working with producer and new beau Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) on the latest album, and playing an XRT show tonight at Lincoln Hall. Cheer loudly, it will be recorded for the XRT Sunday Night Concert.