Frank's 2012 favorites

By Frank Krolicki

Tired of "end of the year" lists yet? I'll pretend you said no.

As in years past, I've decided just to write a few words about a handful of releases from Chicago bands that I greatly enjoyed this year. As Gene mentioned in his favorites post, here at WCR we don't like to declare anything the "best," because that's really subjective and there's a ton of stuff we don't get a chance to listen to. But here are seven releases that have been a hit on my iPod, and if you try them out via your listening device of choice, you might find you dig 'em, too.

The Steak House Mints – Love Songs for Prostitutes
I'm a bit nostalgic when it comes to The Steak House Mints. I wrote about them way back in early 2009, when WCR was still a baby blog. I enjoyed their first record, Out of the Sky, so much that I would think about them every so often, hoping we'd hear more from them. It took a few years, but they finally released their second effort Love Songs for Prostitutes late this year. And man, is it great. Better than the first one. This is clever, top-notch pop-rock music with a touch of glam and a healthy twist of weird that I really love. It's all made even more ear-catching by the charismatic vocals of frontman Billy Dave Sherman.




Mooner - Unpronounceable Name EP
Full disclosure: WCR writer Adam Bonich is a member of this band. But I can say with confidence that knowing Adam has little to do with my enjoyment of Mooner's latest EP. It's just damn good. It's classic Americana-tinged power-pop that incredibly well-written and well-recorded, and will probably send visions of a few greats through your head (for me it was kind of like the lovechild of Tom Petty, Jeff Tweedy and Elvis Costello. You're welcome for that mental image).





Hollows – Vulture
Like Andrew, I'm a big fan of this record. The complete Blondie discography has a permanent place in my music collection, which should give you an idea of how I feel about Hollows (think the first couple Blondie records paired with more garage rock and modern indie pop sensibilities). Girl-group harmonies, sugary-yet-slightly-detached vocals, Farfisa organ, surf-pop bounce--it's all there to indulge on.


V is for Vulture by Hollows Chicago

Gene's 2012 favorites

By Gene Wagendorf III 

Twin Peaks at The Whip (photo by Gene Wagendorf III)

It's the end of the year and we're a music blog, so you know what that means: "best of" list time. That said, "best" is a silly and subjective word that we at Windy City Rock are trying to avoid this year. Instead we're offering you some lists of local favorites from several of our contributors. Over the next few days we'll be posting about our favorite Chicago records, bands, shows and what-have-you from 2012. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

5 Favorite Records

Twin Peaks - 'Sunken'
The soundtrack to my summer came courtesy of a group of delinquent minors who, between burning trees, skateboarding and prepping for college, managed to put together a record filled with anthemic, sunny jams. Expect big things out of Twin Peaks in 2013. Read a full review of Sunken here.

Fave track: Fast Eddie
Get the record: here

Running  - 'Asshole Savant'
Get Bent nailed it when they described Running as "an incendiary blast of rock ‘n’ roll akin to smashing Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music into the Stooges and then smashing that combo into Suicide." Asshole Savant does an admirable job of capturing the mayhem of Running's live sets. 

Fave track: I Can't Believe I'm Alive
Get the record: here

The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Oceania'
Oceania is Corgan and company's best record in the better part of a decade. Doesn't quite reach as high as it aims, but there are some beautiful moments here.

Fave track: Pinwheels
Get the record: here

Show photos: Gold Motel at Summerfest, 7/1

Yesterday we posted a recap and some photos from Empires' July 1st performance at Summerfest, but they weren't the only band representing the Windy City in Milwaukee Sunday.

Two days prior to the release of their sophomore, self-titled album, indie pop quintet Gold Motel also played a set, and WCR contributing photographer Eliana Siegal was there to get some shots. Check out a few more of the photos below, and click here to see the entire set.

Also be sure to read up on the band's new music in our record review here, and catch them live when they play their next hometown shows: an in-store performance Sunday, July 8th at Saki and a show at Schubas on Thursday, July 26th.

Record review: Gold Motel - self-titled album

By Frank Krolicki

I could describe Gold Motel’s self-titled sophomore effort with words such as “summery,” “breezy” and “upbeat,” and it would all be true. But since every other write-up on them seems to use those words—and I don’t really think it gives full justice to what the band has to offer--I’m instead going to focus on another adjective: bittersweet.

We all know that too much sugar is bad for you. Whenever you go for the double fudge caramel sundae it might taste pretty good when you’re eating it, but after you’re done chances are you feel a bit empty and uneasy. The same can be said about music; sugary can be good, but too sugary just leaves you longing for more sustenance. Gold Motel seem to know this, as evidenced by their tendency to balance sweet, instantly pleasing melodies with the perfect touch of bitterness, sadness, or longing. I think that’s why I can latch onto a Gold Motel song so easily while being indifferent to one from a band like Best Coast. The music comes from a similar sunshiney place, but Gold Motel inject a lot more soul and believability into it (in addition to simply being better songwriters).

Show review: JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Gold Motel, Blah Blah Blah at Metro, 4/27

By Gene Wagendorf III
 

Gold Motel (Photos: Caitlin Stich)

If ever you need a reminder of just how blessed Chicago is with amazing music (and seriously, why would you?) just grab yourself a time machine and set coordinates for last Friday night at Metro. Three local favorites shared the bill on what proved to be a night of consistently catchy hooks, booty shaking grooves and smile-inducing pop. A testament to the transformative powers of great tunes, the mood inside the club couldn't have been farther from the grey, wet malaise of the weather outside.

First up was Blah Blah Blah, who did a superb job of easing the crowd into the evening with their unique blend of sad-prom rock and subdued buoyancy. Beryl melodies backlit Solomon David's wistful vocals, creating delicate sonic swoons that nearly begged to be slow danced to. The band's mostly delicate, Smiths-y lean really made their louder, looser moments pop. At one point Byron Harden stretched out a chubby little bass-line that swapped most of the audience's knees with tightly-coiled springs. One of the more affecting numbers Blah Blah Blah laid out called back to The Beatles "This Boy," or maybe more accurately to the scene in A Hard Day's Night where Ringo embarks on his famous lonely stroll. That isn't to say that the set was filled with downer songs- quite the opposite. At its best their music created the same kind of tender atmosphere as a crackling fireplace. If you weren't going to hold someone close and dance in front of it then, at the very least, you wanted to cuddle to it.

Blah Blah Blah

Less cuddling and more dancing was in order once Gold Motel took the stage. "We're On The Run," the opening track of their 2010 release Summer House, kicked off a string of bright, '60s-tinged pop. Guitarists Eric Hehr and Dan Duzsynzski added a bit of thrash and clamor to the end of the song; a neat cloud of racket that the bass trampolined through with reckless abandon. A new song, "Brand New Kind of Blue," opened with a warm gallop before shifting to a danceable staccato. Greta Morgan worked her lyrics with a falling-in-love magnetism that moved in perfect harmony with glistening riffs and twinkling melodies. "Slow Emergency" showed off a bit of Gold Motel's range and proved to be the highlight of their set. Unusually somber, the song dripped with lamented self-awareness. A brooding keyboard and steady drumbeat backed Morgan as she sang there's a slow emergency/I can hear the alarm bell ringing. After easing into a lilting crescendo the song shifted pace and Duzsynzski came in with I can make it out/Things are going ok/I'm brushing off my doubts/But they ain't goin' away. Eric Hehr added some subtle glimmering as the two vocalists harmonized I don't wanna know what happens next/ ...I don't. If you'd never experienced the sad delusion of trying to trick yourself into being irrationally positive then the moment might not have been as dramatic, but lucky for me, in this case, I've made a lot of mistakes.

Gold Motel want to write a song about you

By Gene Wagendorf III

Gold Motel, the local beach-pop savants behind 2010's undeniably catchy and uplifting album Summer House, are gearing up for the release of their self-titled sophomore album on July 3rd. Apparently taking a page from Kickstarter, the group is offering fans several unique "bundle" options alongside basic digital and CD purchases. Each price increase features an array of interesting trinkets, but it's the higher dollar levels that, of course, seem truly tempting. The $150 "Super Duper" bundle includes, among a whole bunch of other goodies, a handmade cigar box guitar amp, crafted by none other than lead singer Greta Morgan. Most intriguing though is the next level, where for $250 you get all the goodies, the amp and a song written for you, about you, by the band. I wouldn't expect to ever hear that tune live, but it will apparently be emailed to you so that you can convince your friends that you did have that week-long love affair with guitarist Eric Hehr and that he's still not over you.

One of the most interesting things to observe about the ever-changing music business landscape is just how bands market their product. Multimedia/multiplatform releases exist alongside the reemergence of the cassette tape. Free digital releases compete for listeners attention against one of a kind, handmade vinyl packages. Some of this stuff is getting silly (sorry, Björk), but Gold Motel looks to be offering something for both the casual fan and the diehard. And it seems pretty cool. I mean, who doesn't want a song written about them? Communists. That's who.

Gold Motel want your Instagrams

By Frank Krolicki

Photo: Matt Wignall

Like the idea of one of your photos being used as artwork on Gold Motel's upcoming sophomore album? The Chicago indie pop quintet is inviting you to make it happen with a new campaign that asks any fan with an Instagram account to submit photos with the tag #goldmotelalbum and a mention @goldmotel by April 15th, after which they'll review all of the submissions and select a few to make a part of the record. For more information, check out the band's latest FanBridge mailer.

While they're still putting the final touches on the album, which follows up 2010's Summer House, you can get a taste right now in the form of the immensely hummable track "Leave You in Love," playable below. Another way you can get your Gold Motel fix while you wait for the record is by heading to their next Chicago show on Friday, April 27th at Metro with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Blah Blah Blah. Click here for more information and tickets.

Lollapalooza 2011 day three: Titus Andronicus, The Cars, Lissie & more

By Frank Krolicki

Titus Andronicus (photo: Frank Krolicki)

It's hard to believe Lollapalooza 2011 is already over. My overworked feet and sunburned neck couldn't be happier, but overall I'm kind of bummed that the madness won't be back again for an entire year--I could get used to seeing bands all day in the sunshine. Yesterday I wrote about how I was a bit underwhelmed with many of this year's performances up until that point, but thankfully Sunday came through with some big winners that helped make up for it. It was definitely my favorite of the three days.

Gold Motel (photo: Frank Krolicki)

I started off the day with a bit of Gold Motel, one of my Chicago-based favorites. I'd already seen them a handful of times before so I considered skipping their set since I wanted to see Titus Andronicus, who were starting a half hour later all the way at the other end of the park. That long walk can be brutal, especially in this weekend's extreme heat, but I couldn't bring myself to miss Gold Motel's Lolla debut completely. They're just too much fun. So I decided to suck it up and head over to catch their first few songs before I left for Titus. I saw them play their new single, "Leave You in Love," as well as a couple tracks from their debut album Summer House, and while none of it was new to me it was a good time as always. Frontwoman Greta Morgan tweeted that it was the most fun show they had ever played, so hopefully they picked up plenty of new fans.

Titus Andronicus (photo: Frank Krolicki)

I love when bands that I never cared too much about win me over at Lolla. This year that was Titus Andronicus. I had previously only listened to their debut album The Airing of Grievances and couldn't really get into it, but based on their Sunday afternoon performance I should probably give their stuff another listen. It might have helped that they only played material off of their sophomore record The Monitor, opening with "A More Perfect Union" and energetically blasting through 45 minutes of their anthemic punk. Frontman Patrick Stickles's bratty snarl contradicted his seemingly humble and uber-appreciative attitude--something that made me like the performance even more.

After Titus I headed all the way back to the other side of the fest to take in some of Rival Schools. What I heard provided some good, meaty guitar--something I couldn't find much of on Saturday--but their serious, grungey alt-rock made me feel like it was 1992. The band sounded tight enough, but I kept finding my mind wandering.

Tonight: Gold Motel at the Apple Store

By Frank Krolicki

photo: Matt Wignall

If you missed Gold Motel opening for Cold War Kids last night at Metro and aren't going to be able to catch their Sunday set at Lollapalooza, don't worry! You can still get your fix of their infectious, sunny sounds by heading over to the Apple Store at 679 N. Michigan Ave. for a free performance starting at 5:30 this evening.

In other Gold Motel news, the band just released a new digital single titled "Leave You in Love" which fits in nicely with the material on last year's debut LP Summer House and single Talking Fiction. Classic three-minute power pop that's musically bright and shiny and lyrically bittersweet. You can listen to it or buy it (well worth the buck) via the band's Bandcamp site.

The 1900s, Gold Motel at Taste of Randolph, 6/19

By Frank Krolicki

The 1900s (photo: Frank Krolicki)

Most of what I have to say about the performances by The 1900s and Gold Motel Sunday night at Taste of Randolph fest I already said in previous reviews (see here and here). Of all the bands in this city, these have been two of the most consistently energetic and entertaining to see live, and nothing was different during their sets at the final night of this year's West Loop street festival.

Gold Motel came on first early in the evening, and as usual, made it very easy for the crowd to dance (or at least head-bob, for the more inhibited in attendance). Their concise, buoyant power pop tunes just make you want to move. The quintet played almost all of their debut record Summer House, in addition to "Cold Shoulders" and "Slow Emergency," both tracks from their recent 7" Talking Fiction. They also threw in two promising new tracks -- "Leave You in Love" and "Santa Cruz" -- from their upcoming sophomore LP, which frontwoman Greta Morgan announced would be recorded in the fall and released early next year.

Later in the evening, The 1900s delivered a set very similar to when they played the Empty Bottle for the release of their latest LP Return of the Century in December, but I found myself just as transfixed Sunday as I was back then. Co-lead singer Jeanine O'Toole could have accomplished that by her '70s babe vibe alone, complete with a look falling somewhere between Chrissy from "Three's Company" and Daphne from "Scooby Doo." But there was also the music, which was of course fantastic. The 1900s hit on all the highlights from Century ("Bmore," "Babies," "Sanzimat," "Overreactin'," to name a few) as well as a handful of older tracks such as a lengthy, raveup version of "Two Ways" and an extra-rocking take on "Bring the Good Boys Home." It was as close to a perfect way to spend a hot June evening in Chicago, for sure. 

Check out full setlists and more photos after the jump.

Video: Gold Motel make bad public access TV good

Posted by Frank

Gold Motel are determined to make our lives more fun. They must be, because they keep coming out with irresistibly lovable tunes and music videos. Take the new video for their most recent single "Cold Shoulders," which premiered on magnetmagazine.com. In it, the quintet charmingly channel the spirit of ridiculously bad public access TV variety shows, complete with awkward host, poor quality and cheesy painting instructor (I suddenly have a bizarre urge to watch this). It sort of reminds me of one of the shows produced by my old high school's A/V club, except unlike Gold Motel, the guest band on one of those would have sucked. Watch all of the awkward fun below. And I salute you, Gold Motel, for the continued musical uppers.

Gold Motel - Cold Shoulders (Official Music Video) from Eddie O'KEEFE on Vimeo.

More on Gold Motel:
Record review: Gold Motel - 'Talking Fiction'
Show review & photos: Gold Motel at Subterranean
Gold Motel's makeout music
Q&A with Gold Motel frontwoman Greta Morgan

Ten great Chicago music releases of 2010

Posted by Frank

Village, a band I dug in 2010 (photo: Amelia Moore)

At the end of every year I come to the same conclusion: I suck at making year-end lists. I hear so much music I like within the course of 365 days that it's incredibly hard to narrow it down. Plus, it's impossible to take in everything put out during the course of a year, so who can say what's really the best? But because I love spreading the word about music that makes me happy, I wanted to write a few words about some of the releases from Chicago artists that I've played and enjoyed the most this year. I won't declare that these are the "best of" anything, but below, in no particular order, are ten of my personal favorites from 2010. I'd love to hear your thoughts and your own picks in the comments.

Record review: Gold Motel - 'Talking Fiction'

Posted by Frank

Suffering a lack of vitamin D thanks to this already-harsh Chicago winter? Gold Motel are here to help via a new single that will help you think of warmer, happier days. The locally-based indie pop quintet have followed up their debut LP Summer House with a vinyl 7" (and digital release) dubbed Talking Fiction, which neatly wraps up everything so irresistible about the band into two of their best tracks yet.

A-side "Cold Shoulders" is power-pop bliss that recalls prime-era Blondie. Here, frontwoman Greta Morgan sounds extra cool and alluring over a lively melody that invades your brain upon first listen.

Show review & photos: Gold Motel, Moneypenny, United Federation of Planets at Subterranean, 11/27

Posted by Frank

Gold Motel (photo: Windy City Rock)

Lately Gold Motel have been spending a lot of time away from home, playing their summery guitar-pop to West Coast crowds alongside the likes of fun. and Kate Nash. On Saturday, the quintet brought some sunshine back to chilly Chicago via a headlining set at Subterranean.

United Federation of Planets started the evening off with a brief set of energetic, straight-up pop-rock featuring catchy choruses and lots of guitar. On their MySpace site the band describe themselves as sounding something like "old Weezer meets old Jimmy Eat World meets Social Distortion," which is pretty much spot-on. At one point they mentioned that it was their first official show, which was a bit of a surprise considering how tight they sounded. I suspect we'll be hearing more from them.

Next up were Moneypenny, whose style was a noticeable departure from the other acts on the bill. Comprised of local DJ Chess Hubbard (a.k.a. DJ Mother Hubbard) and Jessica Gonyea (who was previously a member of Office) - as well as two other musicians who added beats and guitar - their sound focused on sexy, attitude-drenched electronica. Gonyea was a ball of energy and entertaining to watch, dancing around the stage and pouring an extra-large helping of personality into her vocal duties. Although somewhat removed from the kind of music most in the crowd likely showed up for, Moneypenny's set was a jolt of fun.

Gold Motel's makeout music

Posted by Frank


I really dig Chicago indie pop band Gold Motel. Apparently, hot Italian people do, too. The band’s snappy tune “Perfect in My Mind” has been featured in a chap stick commercial from Italy that features a bunch of pretty people making out in various situations, like frolicking in a grassy field or hanging out at an Italian hipster party. Because, as we all know, that’s what happens when you wear chap stick and listen to summery indie pop. Here’s the clip:

Gold Motel will soon drop a new 7” vinyl, Talking Fiction, including two new songs to follow-up their recent full-length debut, Summer House. They’ll be holding a Stickham chat on Monday, November 22 to announce details of the release and answer other fan questions. They are also set to play a hometown show on Saturday, November 27 at Subterranean. Click here for tickets and more details. For even more Gold Motel goodness, check out our interview with frontwoman Greta Morgan.

A few Chicago music news bites

Here's a quick rundown of some interesting bits of Chicago rock-related information and cool links that have popped up over the last few days:

•  Indie pop four-piece Pet Lions, who have been busy raising funds to make their debut LP, recorded an acoustic performance of an excellent new song called "The English Room." Check it out here.

• - Remember the wonderfully bizarre X Japan from Lollapalooza? After over 25 years in existence without playing a U.S. concert prior to the fest in August, the over-the-top Japanese metal-punk-pop band is already set to return stateside for a tour that includes a Chicago stop at the Riviera Theater on October 6. Find out more here.

•  Gold Motel provided the perfect soundtrack to this summer with their aptly-titled debut album, Summer House. Now they've announced a brand new 7" single, Talking Fiction, to be released in late October. Get a look into the recording here.

•  Loud Loop Press made us aware of a scare involving a member of the wonderfully gritty and manic dance rock unit The Streets on Fire. Guitarist Yuri Alexander was reportedly struck by a car earlier this week, but fortunately seems to be doing fine now. The band had to postpone their scheduled Saturday performance at Saki record store until a later date, but still plan to play September 17 at the Empty Bottle.

•  Andy from Clip Art sent us some cool live footage from the band's recent show at the Empty Bottle. Behold the rocking and incredibly infectious "Dead Letter" (off their debut EP Broken by Design) as well as a currently unrecorded tune, "Anna Lee" (which features some impressive squeezebox action).

Soak in the new video to Gold Motel's sunshiney 'Safe in L.A.'

Posted by Frank

I can't get enough of Gold Motel. The summery, upbeat melodies. Greta Morgan's sweet and smooth voice. The total lack of pretension in favor of quite simply a damn good time. If you're of the same mind, you should know that the Chicago band have released a new music video (their third since forming just last year! How's that for productive?) for the snappy tune "Safe in L.A." off their debut LP, Summer House.

The video is exclusively up for viewing on spin.com, so head over there and have a gander now. It's simple but cool and classy, showcasing the band's great style and retro (in a good way) sensibilities.

Guitarist Eric Hehr, who wrote "Safe in L.A.," said this of the song on spin.com: "I was kind of bummed out, living in dreary Chicago, and my friends were in L.A., so I wrote the song as a love letter to California, romanticizing about the lifestyle I presumed they were living out there."

To see Gold Motel in the flesh, head to Millennium Park on Saturday, July 10 from 4:30 to 6. The band will perform as part of the "Great Performers of Illinois" series. They'll also be playing as part of the "Local Music Revolution" festival at Congress Theater on Sunday, July 11.

For even more Gold Motel goodness, check out our recent interview with Greta.

New late-night talk show to feature Chicago musicians

Chicago's Second City will soon be home to a weekly, live, "late-night"-style talk show that will not only feature comedy and chats with notable guests, but also serve as a platform for Windy City musicians.

The show, dubbed "The Late Live Show," will take place at midnight every Saturday night at Second City's de Maat Theater (1616 N. Wells Ave.) beginning June 26. Locally-based comedians Joe Kwaczala and C.J. Toledano will bring their humor to the show as co-hosts, and the variety format will also include a live music performance each installment. So far, the following Chicago-centric list of acts have been lined up for the first five shows:

June 26 - Tom Schraeder
July 3 - David McMillin
July 10 - The Heligoats
July 17 - Gold Motel
July 24 - The Nothingheads

While Kwaczala explained to us that "The Late Live Show" has been developed to be first and foremost a live experience, the shows will also be filmed and there are plans to make them available to view online, and possibly on TV.

All shows will be free, but tickets can also be purchased for $5 in advance to guarantee a seat. Click here for more information.

Weekend Show picks: Concrete Blonde, The Fleshtones, Gold Motel and more

Gold Motel

Friday, June 11

- Gold Motel at Lincoln Hall with Secret Colours and Mini Mansions - Take just one listen to Gold Motel's newly-released debut LP, Summer House, and you'll see how it would be near-impossible for this record release show not to be a guaranteed good time. Driven by the vibrant, honey-sweet vocals of singer-songwriter Greta Morgan (of The Hush Sound), breezy, 60s-esque melodies and a band with tons of energy, Gold Motel offer up plenty for any fan of summery indie pop to geek out about. To learn more, check out our recent interview with Morgan here. Local indie psych-rock act Secret Colours will also celebrate a new record with an opening set. 6 p.m., $10, all ages. Tickets.

- The Psychedelic Furs at Metro with She Wants Revenge - There's a whole lot of new bands around trying to do the whole post-punk/new wave thing, but you can rarely top the originals. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m., $27.50, 18 and over. Tickets.

-The Dutchess & the Duke at the Empty Bottle with Mazes and Black Nag - The Empty Bottle should be an especially great place to check out the Seattle folk-rock duo. Be sure to arrive early for Chicago's own Black Nag and Mazes, the latter of which are busy with various releases and performances this month, detailed here. 10 p.m., $12, 21 and over. Tickets.

Saturday, June 12

- Concrete Blonde at The Vic with Jim Bianco - Vampires might be all the rage these days, but classic L.A. alternative band Concrete Blonde were writing songs about 'em back in 1990 on their best-known record, Bloodletting. This Chicago stop is part of a brief tour that finds the band reuniting to celebrate the LP's 20th anniversary. With Johnette Napolitano's deeply-impassioned vocals and songwriting and Jim Mankey's howling guitar work by all accounts as powerful as ever, this should be one hell of a show. 7:30 p.m., $28.50, 18 and over. Tickets.

- The Fleshtones at Bottom Lounge with The Goldstars, Teenage Imposters, Tomorrow the Moon and The Earth Program - Speaking of classic bands, New York garage rockers The Fleshtones have been doin' their thing and doin' it well since 1976, and they'll continue to do it at Bottom Lounge Saturday night. Get there early for some cool openers, including Chicago's The Earth Program, a unique ear-catching act who describe themselves as "retro spooky space punk" (free album stream/download here). 7 p.m., $13, 21 and over. Tickets.

- Blah Blah Blah and YAWN at Hideout - You might have read about these two Chicago-based bands right here on Windy City Rock. The former has a wonderful Brit-pop-influenced style (more here), while the latter have a lush sound that's a bit Vampire Weekend-meets-Animal Collective (EP review here). Both would be well worth checking out on their own, so this bill is an opportunity to see two exciting Chicago indie bands at once. 9 p.m., $8, 21 and over. Tickets.

Sunday, June 13

- Look Mexico, A Lull, Victor Fix the Sun and Dick Wolf at Subterranean - Tallahassee-based indie rockers Look Mexico will play Sunday night as part of a national tour in support of their sophomore record, To Bed to Battle. Doors 7:30, show 8 p.m., $8 advance, $10 day of show, 17 and over. Tickets.

Q&A: Greta Morgan of Gold Motel

"I want people to use this album as the soundtrack to their summer," says Greta Morgan, frontwoman of Chicago-born indie pop unit Gold Motel, of the band's debut LP Summer House (out June 1st independently). One listen to the record makes it clear that Morgan and the band should have no problem getting listeners to do just that. Summer House offers up 10 tracks of charming, breezy, consistently well-written sunshine pop that's about as summery and downright likable as music can get.

Indie pop fans in Chicago and beyond might already be familiar with Morgan's sweet, alluring vocals from her work in The Hush Sound. After that band went on hiatus, Morgan spent time living in L.A., where she took in the local music scene and began writing material for Gold Motel. Back in Chicago she joined forces with friends from other area bands including This Is Me Smiling and The Yearbooks, and the new group released their introductory EP in December 2009.

With a superb debut about to drop as well as extensive touring already under their belts - with many more dates already scheduled - Gold Motel are poised for great things. In advance of Summer House's official arrival and a hometown release show at Lincoln Hall set for Friday, June 11 (more info and tickets here), Morgan took some time out to fill us in on more about the band:


WCR: To launch Gold Motel you’ve joined with members of fellow Chicago bands The Yearbooks and This Is Me Smiling. How and when did you all come together?

GM: I knew the guys in This Is Me Smiling since The Hush Sound took them out to open for us on our first headlining tour in 2006. Dan (Duszynski, guitar) helped engineer some tracks on Like Vines, and when I was working on my project, I remembered how fun it is to work with him in the studio. Dan and I recorded the Gold Motel EP together, calling in Matt Minx for bass duties.

As for The Yearbooks, Eric Hehr (guitar) and I have been friends since early teenage years and I've always wanted to be in a band with him. I love his songwriting, his guitar playing, his style. This just happened to be the right time for everyone to join up and start a fun project together.

For listeners who might be familiar with the work you did in The Hush Sound but haven’t yet heard Gold Motel, how would you say the two compare stylistically? Was there anything specifically that you set out to get across with the new music?

Gold Motel is very simple, summery, fun, straightforward pop-rock. I want people to use this album as the soundtrack to their summer.

The material on the debut Gold Motel LP, Summer House, is definitely very sunny, upbeat, irresistible stuff. In that sense you can definitely hear the influence of living in California while writing the music, but what impact do you think your Chicago roots have on the sound and the band in general?

There will always be a sweetness in my music and that's the Midwesterner in me. I don't try to seem tougher, angrier, or cooler in the songs than I am in real life. There'll always be an honesty and vulnerability in the songwriting. The Gold Motel record is definitely influenced by California, though. Spending a winter there in the sunshine instead of the frigid, blizzard weather of Chicago made a huge difference in easing my state of mind.

Tell us about the recording of the album. Where did you do it and what was the process like?

We recorded the album in the house where I grew up. At the time, no one was living there, so it was just this big, empty suburban house in a quiet town. Dan and I brought his home studio and set it up at my place. The mixing board was in the library, drums were recorded in the high-ceiling living room, and piano, organ and guitars were recorded in the foyer. It was one of the most fun, spontaneous, easiest recording experiences I've ever had.

What about some of the specific songs? Do you have any favorites or any that you are particularly proud of?

"Stealing the Moonlight" was one of the most fun to write. It was the first time Dan and I sat down to write a song from scratch and it was a very quick, fun, carefree experience. I feel very lucky to be working with a group of guys who work so well and so easily together.

You’ve already filmed music videos for two songs – “We’re on the Run” and “Perfect in My Mind.” Tell us about the inspiration behind those clips and the experience making them.

For the "Perfect in My Mind" video, we wanted to capture the type of fun our group of Chicago friends has had in the last few years. We gathered our closest group and asked them all to be extras.

The song "We're on the Run" was inspired by lovers on the lam movies like "Bonnie & Clyde" and "Badlands," so we wanted to make our own "on the run"-type video. Eddie O'Keefe came with us on tour for three weeks and filmed the whole thing, editing hours upon hours of material down to three minutes of shenanigans.

The band recently returned from an East Coast tour with Family of the Year. How did it go? Any standout gigs?

Our show at the MICA in Baltimore was an incredible time. The audience danced the entire time and it made me feel like I was doing exactly what I was put on earth to do.

After your hometown record release show June 11 at Lincoln Hall you’ll set off on another tour with fellow Chicago band Skybox, and you’ve blogged that you’re looking for street teamers to help spread the word. How can people get involved?

Go to www.goldmotel.com/streetteam to sign up!

Working without a label, you’ve done a great job getting the word out about the band. What advice would you give to other indie bands that have to take on promotion by themselves?

Reach out to your core. It's pointless to try to placate people who will never be your fans. Play to your core, reach out to your fans directly, write honestly for you and the listeners, and have fun!

How can people keep up on all the latest with Gold Motel?

myspace.com/goldmotel
twitter.com/goldmotel
facebook.com/goldmotel