The Poison Arrows' and CTD Employee Adam Reach

Deal The Rock, Adam!

The Poison Arrows Rock the House II

Poison Arrows Rock the House

Leah, Allison, Ken and New Customer!

DJ Ken Vandermark Plays Sweet Soul M

Opening Day @ saki! 5/29/10

Dj Ken Vandermark

...And the first item ever sold at saki is...

Ninjatown micro plush! Created by Shawnimals these little plush dudes come in 12 varieties. In stock here at saki for 5.95. By the way, we do also sell music.

It's HERE!

We made it! Still loads to do even before we start working on further Top Secret Plans, but we are proud of what we have to start!

You'll see the store grow each time you visit, as more of our inventory rolls in daily (except Memorial Day), so keep checking back.

Also, if you don't see something, ASK!

Thanks to friends and family who made our opening party Friday night an epic to remember for all of us!!! We are all so excited and in awe of the support, well wishes, advice, hugs, press, and store warning prizes we've gotten.

Thank you!

saki

1 to go!

Almost there!

(click for larger photo)

THROWDOWN SAKI STYLE

Peoples of the interweb. Aside from the Saki Store grand opening this weekend in Chicago's famed Logan Square neighborhood, there will be 3 (awesome) bands from Chicago (awesome-er!) playing IN THE SAKI STORE (!!!) on Saturday, May 29th. In the store. You heard me.

at 2PM: White Mystery (footage courtesy of the Cake Shop NYC)

at 4PM: The Poison Arrows (footage courtesy of awesome fella, Pete Croke, filmed at Empty Bottle)

at 6pm: Love of Everything (footage courtesy of kyleobriot)

Coming Soon to Nylons Near You!

Legs go in nylons, walk around by means of feet (sometimes with, sometimes without shoes), and make men go "whistle, whistle!"

Women's legs typically go in the nylons, but men like to put theirs in, too.

My point is that legs go into nylons.

Almost there. No really! It's all gonne be JUST FINE.

 

2 to go!

Coming together...

(click for larger photos)

Reader: Logan Square record stores

Carrot Top Records, like Johann's Face, has put out music by a lot of local indie-rock bands, including Speck Mountain, the Bitter Tears, and of course the Coctails, whose albums were the first it released. But its distribution operation works with labels as far-flung as Ex Records, run by Dutch art-punk collective the Ex, and as varied as Illegal Art (best known for putting out Girl Talk's records), Flingco Sound System (cofounded by former Kranky honcho Bruce Adams), and Okka Disk (instrumental to the early growth of the Chicago avant-jazz scene). Saki, the retail store Carrot Top is opening this Saturday at 3716 W. Fullerton, will have a stock that's similarly broad—almost the opposite of Ruvolo's approach with Bucket o' Blood.

The Evolution of Privacy on Facebook

Hopefully most of you have seen this already. If not, this one's worth a click through. A nifty little javascript device that takes you through Facebook's ever dwindling privacy default settings. 

The new meaning of "throw it back"

I'm a Cubs fan. I hate most other Cubs fans. But not this guy.

Perhaps this can become the new tradition whenever a Cubs player hits a homer.

The opponents HRs: you throw the ball back onto the field.

The Cubs HRs: you throw back your cowhide-tinged beer.

Comix!

I'm lucky to live very close to a fine comic book shop. G-Mart's got a great selection of books. I haven't been there in a while but I know it won't be long before I make the trip. Here's why.

Two of my favorite authors and cartoonists have brand new books out. First, there's Other Lives from Peter Bagge. Bagge is probably most recognized for his 90s underground classic Hate, which produced the ever loath-able loud-mouthed New Jersey transplant, Buddy Bradley. Here, Bagge teams up with Vertigo for a book that might be about "Identity". Maybe. Or, maybe not. Honestly, it doesn't matter what it's about. It's Peter Bagge, which means it's going to be cutting, slightly crude and really, really funny.

Then, there's the latest from one of the most notable American cartoonist of recent years. In Wilson Dan Clowes (Eightball, Ghost World) "takes his particular brand of misanthropic misery to new levels of brilliance in this book, a series of one-page gags that show the divorced and lonely main character repeatedly attempting to engage with life, and then falling back into his hell of pessimism." (Publishers Weekly) Does that sound great or what?!? "[...] like reading a series of Bazooka Joe comics written by Jean-Paul Sartre." (NPR) Seriously though, how could anyone resist?!?

In other "comics that Ed likes" news-ings, back in January AMC approved a pilot for a television version of Robert Kirkman's phenomenal survival horror/zombie apocalypse series The Walking Dead. It's set to air in October.

Hooray for comics without superheroes!

When stars are eating planets you might as well buy some records

It was bound to happen, eventually! The universe can handle only so much before it deploys random stars out to devour planets whole. Good thing it's reported to take 10 million years to completely swallow the planet (and a good thing it's not our earth). That's a long, long, long, long meal of destruction. However, it is likely that the Discovery Channel (nea, the End- of-The-World-is-Nigh Channel) will run some heavy-handed program on this in the future, warning us of our potential impending doom, you may as well buy some records. RIGHT?!?!

While I can't vouch thatLPs will prevent your (our) solar onslaught, but they will improve your (our) time here on this lil' lump of earth two and threefold! Coincidentally, Time Out Chicago interviewed me yesterday about the two bands that could improve Lollapalooza this year. My response?

Disappears ("Lux" out now on Kranky)

.....and Slayer (their fans have nothin' to lose!).

You know I'm right.

This Weak In Cassettes

I know what you're saying "It's 2010! All cassette tapes should have been burned in a heaping pile of obsolete format 20 years ago." Well... you're probably right but this is limited to 100 and amazing.

New God Help the Girl song

A continuation of my "Tiger Beat Moment of the Week", but with anything involving Stuart Murdoch... its more like my "Tiger Beat Moment for Life."

Murdoch's (Belle & Sebastian) continuing musical film project has another song available for download on their website. This is a follow up from the soundtrack that was released last June. If you don't remember, Murdoch was looking for new female singers for this project, and made auditions available online, hundreds of ladies applied (including yours truly).

Here's a link to the new song/video:

New Music Mondays @ Pritzker Pavilion

On Monday, Besnard Lakes & Ponys kicked off Millenium Park's Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays series. These shows are free and most start at 6:30. Next week, space rock legends Hum are playing (I'm completely geeking out about this!). Mark your calendars:



5/31 Hum w/ Volcano!

6/7 She & Him w/ Hollows

6/14 Tony Allen w/ Great Lake Swimmers

6/21 The Books w/ Via Tania

6/25 Huntsville & On Fillmore Featuring Nels Cline

7/5 The Thermals w/ Disappears

7/12 Caribou w/ Budos Band

7/19 Kid Sister w/ Konono No. 1

7/26 Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens w/ Bomba Estereo

4 to go!

This for all the office Red Wings naysayers... HA!
Should be a great Stanley Cup...but it's a #2 seed against a #7 seed, so odds are well in the Hawks favor
Fingers crossed that this time next week, the 30+ year wait will be over
LET'S GO HAWKS!

Heard It on the X: The Radio Songs Post

Ed started the ball rolling with a post about Martians and radio, and I inserted a comment suggesting that a list of good radio songs would be worthy of its own post. Many agreed with the first part, but neglected the second part about adding a separate post for this thread.

Half Acre Limited Release!

Our fellow Chicagoans up at Half Acre Beer Co. in Lincoln Square have a new addition to their lineup: a double/imperial IPA called Double Daisy Cutter.

For the uninitiated, special beer releases are hilariously similar to limited record pressings. Demand outstrips supply, geeks (like me) anxiously await the release date, and eventually you end up with a really nice piece for your friends to covet. It's a great way for breweries to experiment with new recipes and promote themselves at the same time. Hell, Dark Lord Day is Three Floyd's version of Record Store Day.

Summer and IPAs go hand in hand for me, and Daisy Cutter has been a favorite since Half Acre got started. Take that same beer, double up on malts and hops, and you get this new beast. I've heard the brewery is already out of growler pours, but bottles should still be available to take home. Kudos to a great group of people who have the guts to run a small brewery and tasting room here in Chicago during lean economic times (sound familiar?)!

Scattered - Self Released Handsome Family Album

In the spirit of Smothered and Covered, The Handsome Family have also announced a collection of unreleased tracks that will only be available online and at their live shows.




Entitled Scattered, this self-released album includes a selection of lost demos, orphaned songs and odd covers by artists such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Leonard Cohen.




A note from the band:
We should have copies to sell by June 10 and will have some on our upcoming tour dates. For the first year it will only be available on our website and at our shows. You can pre-order a copy here and we'll send one out to you when we get our first shipment pressed or you can buy one from us at a live show.

WHISTLER TIPS Night this Friday!!

Every couple Fridays or so, our good ol' pals at CHIRP hosts a DJ night at the Whistler. It's a night of party jams, ranging from funk, soul, hip hop to garage rave ups. It's called WHISTLER TIPS. Guaranteed to make you go "Woooo WoooOoo!"

This Friday, 5/21 featuring the likes of DJ Bylamplight and C-Biscuit (hey, that's me!)



Better watch out fo' us.

Whistler is at 2421 N. Milwaukee in Logan Square. See you there, fool.

saki grand opening

Behold! New saki desktop icons

Ever wanted to make your hard drive icon look a helluva lot cooler? Ever wanted the slick new retro futurist saki logo—even before you knew there was such a thing— to dress up a drab blue desktop folder full of music? Well your dream will go unfulfilled no longer!

Behold! The spiffy, new saki logo desktop icons for Mac and Windows.

9 Days to Go

Ray dee o

This came up in a conversation with some CHIRP folk last night. Good children's programming is priceless.

Dance to the Radio Pt. 2

Started to post this in comments, but you can't do fun stuff like pix and links there, so...I'll comment here.

I had the good fortune to spend a couple of years working at Wax Trax! on Lincoln Ave.

Bike the Drive May 31

Ever wanted to ride your bike right down the middle of Lakeshore Drive and flip the bird to all of the speeders as they zoom down the street with one of the best panoramas in the world?

Well now you can May 31, and the cops will even be there to lend you a hand while you take your time doing it.

Go on! Really, it's ok!  There's nothing happening at saki that day.

http://bikethedrive.org/

Ba - NARM - arama

This year’s NARM conference, held in our own fair city, came to it’s inevitable conclusion last night - Taylor Swift getting “artist of the year”. Says it all really.
While not an attendee, I spent a bit of time down at the Hilton catching up with friends, and listening to what they had heard while they were at the panels.
Sony said they are always concerned about how product is presented to the consumer. Really? Then how come they still don’t know how to pack & ship vinyl after at least 40 plus years of trying? UMGD said they were always concerned about keeping catalog titles available? Really? So how come they delete Johnny Cash vinyl in conjunction with bringing out his new album on the same format? Let’s not forget all the other quality vinyl releases they’ve just pulled from their catalog. And a panel on Record Store Day sponsored by Baker & Taylor. Really? I thought RSD was to promote mom & pop stores and not huge corporations who dabble in music amongst other things. Why not go the whole hog and have Bestbuy sponsor it?
Here’s an idea - come up with something that HELPS the industry, rather than spending 4 days slapping each other on the back and telling each other what a good job you’re all doing.
A suggestion to start you off - move street dates for releases from Tuesday to the end of the week, like the movies do. For a start, most people get paid at the end of the week, so cash is more freely available, and is there any real reason to pick Tuesday as the day? Who wants to rush out on a Tuesday night to buy a record? Most people’s social plans revolve around the weekend, so surely it would drive business a little more if new releases coincided with it’s consumer’s lifestyles.
But hey, what do I know.........

10 Days to Go

I got the spirit, but lose the feeling.

Ian Curtis died 30 years ago today. If you are a gloomy frontman for a Macclesfield post-punk outfit I don't recommend watching any Herzog or listening to Iggy Pop today. Instead, I implore you to DANCE TO THE RADIO!

Just go to the show!!!

Last night a couple of bands that have been around for a long time played at my favorite music venue in Chicago, The Hideout. The Hideout is, in my opinion, the best place in Chicago to see music these days. I know it's small, but the size isn't important. The people who own the place are lovely. The employees are great and the vibe is laid back and not at all snobby. And I just love Katie and Tim!!! Oh and they really know how to book shows!!

Last night's show was part of Eleventh Dream Day's month long residency. They had some good friends open for them, the Condo Fucks. The members of the Condo Fucks just happen to be the same members as one of my favorite bands, Yo La Tengo!! With the stellar addition of Mr. Mark Greenberg. Mark deserves a post of his own, so I will save his wonderfulness for another time.

Of course the music was amazing. That also deserves a post of its own. What I really loved about last night was all the people that were in attendance. It was an 'older' crowd, but one that rocked and enjoyed every note played. So many people reach a certain age and stop going to live shows. I know, it's harder and harder to make it out the door after 8pm these days. And even harder to stay out past 10 or so. I know, lame. But I guarantee it will happen to you.

The most important thing I have learned is that it is ALWAYS worth it to get out the door and go to a show of a band you love!!

Always.

Eleventh Dream Day Hideout

saki iPhone panoramic

Free Star Party Tonight!

If you've never seen Saturn through a decent telescope, it will change your life. Last time I was there, a woman who was walking by with her family nearly started crying when she saw it through the C11. I feel that way almost every time, too, even on my tiny scope.
Unless something comes up, I am planning on being there with scope in hand. Looking forward to meeting more interesting people and fighting through the glare. Come say hi!
Chicago Astronomer mini star party15 May 2010
The Chicago Astronomers are planning to conduct a mini star party by the Adler Planetarium area on this warm Saturday evening. But clouds are threatening to ruin a good night for looking up and sharing views of Saturn, Mars and the Crescent Moon.

Plants Vs. Zombies

Although I originally played this extremely addicting game on an iPad, I was happy to discover it is also available for the iPhone!



If you are looking to pass some valuable time with a game that proves nature can combat death—Plants vs. Zombies is the perfect match for you. Enjoy!

saki love

Early and hopeful words are starting to appear about our horribly kept secret project...

Time Out Chicago
--I don't see us chipping away at anybody else. I think there's more than enough to go around if we do this right, and I expect us to fill a slightly different niche than anybody else in town, or else we would be going to a lot of trouble to cut off our own noses. Yes, the market has shrunk, but ten years ago everybody and their pickup was selling music. Now it's left to the people who are both passionate about it and have it together to serve the customers who really care.

Music and Other Musics

There was a grape gravy slip-down yesterday. Four people said they saw it twice, six people claimed it only happened once. I was not witness to once, twice, or the third time (which I did see, but didn't know it until tomorrow).

The sound everyone heard was green, though someone said "No" when the sheet was lifted off. Whether or not I could hear it was in question and someone else said "Yes" when I had intended on saying "Maybe."

Water was washing, thank the Lord, and suds were foaming. I wasn't sure who knew.

After sixteen minutes, the numbers had grown and the streets were awful. I couldn't fit my bear suit through the throngs.

Also, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, but XXXXXXX!

Thank you,

One of the Wise Men

Sight Below + Svarte Greiner

5.14.09 - Rueben's Palace - Chicago, IL

1620 N. Fairfield, Rear Bldg.



The Sight Below (Ghostly International)

:::::::::::::::::::::

Svarte Greiner (Type Records)

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Illusion Of Safety (Perdition Plastics)



9pm

Ch-ch-ch-Changes: saki will be a brick & mortar

Surprise!! I've been a busy little bee - sakistore.net will be a physical store opening May 29th!!! After three years in the making, saki will finally be a reality. The neighborhood is currently without a record store and we felt it would be an exciting venture and natural progression to take our behind the scenes music knowledge and bring it to the public.


Chicago’s newest performance space, saki will carry vinyl, CDs and turntables, while welcoming bands for in-store performances on the modular stage.


saki’s opening festivities will include DJ sets by CHIRP DJs and Plastic Crimewave, aka Steve Krakow, local celebrity guest appearances, in-store performances, giveaways, a Plastic Crimewave art exhibit and more!


Regular store hours are Sunday and Monday, Noon to 7 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday Noon to 8 p.m.

TERROR IN THE AISLES 4 : UNDEAD BY DAWN!

How could you resist a zombie movie triple feature? Seeing the Romero and Fulci classics on the "big screen" alone, would be worth the price of admission. But, Trailer Trash and Rec 2 make the deal that much sweeter!

Bring a bat or hatchet, gunfire will only draw more of them to you...



braaaaaainsss...

tickeeeeeetsss...

Let's go to the pictures...

Windy & Carl Interview

First off, we all adore you over here at CTD, so thank you for taking the time to discuss your music a bit with me.

Anything for Patrick and Julia! They have been supporters of our shop and especially our music for a really long time, and we respect and relish them as business partners, and as friends. It truly makes a difference to be able to work with folks who are kind and good hearted, so thank you for asking us to talk about our music for the CTD blog.