DIY-Battle!

It's about that time for DePaul's annual Battle of the Bands and this year it will be kicking things up a notch with a competition with Columbia College and Roosevelt. 

Hosted by the DePaul Activities Board at the Metro on May 5th, five bands from DePaul, five from Columbia and five from Roosevelt will compete for studio time, press coverage, the honor of playing the Metro and the title of biggest mouth. Also, for those DePaul bands involved who win the DePaul vote you will get the chance to play FEST.

You can email Rachel Lafranconi at rlafranc@depaul.edu for details on the submission process and rules. Deadline for submissions is April 17th, winners announced April 22nd! All genres are welcome.

If you ask me, this is an awesome way to get more DePaul bands involved on campus not to mention the amazing benefits of winning!

DIY- Wednesday

I know I usually give some suggestions for the weekend, but why not take a little break out of your hectic routine to check out some music in the middle of the week? I am not, however, suggesting anyone in our class should skip to attend this event.

Who: Rosaline (a DePaul band), Renae, and She Likes Todd
What: A show, silly.
Where: The Subterranean in Wicker Park (2011 North Ave.)
When: Wednesday February, 25th...8PM-11PM (I guess you can go after we end class!)
Why: Because, what's a better way to interrupt a monotonous week than some live music smack dab in the middle?

DIY DRAMA!

Yesterday I was given the news from my friend that his band, Envy On The Coast, had decided to part ways with their drummer Dan Gluszak who has been described as one of the "tightest" (meaning most skilled) drummers in the business.

Now, not only was I upset because Envy On The Coast is also a band I am a big fan of, but it also made me ask this question: Why break it off? I thought this was a timely as well as a relevant question when concerning DIY bands which are usually filled with members who have other commitments, whether it be a job or school...or both.

Now Envy On The Coast hasn't been a DIY band for a while, since they are signed to Photo Finish Records, but even they have drama. All personal reasons aside (on a count of their request), there are many reasons why a band can chose to part ways with one of their members. In this case, disagreements over different things concerning the band such as tours.

Along with this, however, can come the seriousness of each member of the group, especially when dealing with a DIY band. It is hard to be in a band with someone who is just doing it for fun when the rest of the members are not. This is constantly an issue and reason for bands kicking out members or having members leave.

When it comes down to it, though, bands just don't want to have to deal with the struggle of a member who does not agree with the majority of the band on a consistant basis. So with that, bands and band members frequently chose to go their separate ways no matter how much their fans and friends don't like it.

So, in the famous words of Fergie, "No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama."

DIY Weekend

So last weekend I had you road tripping to Peoria to see one of DePaul's DIY bands play. Well, this weekend you won't have to road trip anywhere because there will be a show right on campus as a part of a continuous string of DIY shows taking place in McGaw.

Who: DePaul's own Cloud Mouth, Staph, The Reptillian and Parrhesia.
Where: McGaw, room 130
When: Friday February, 13

Enjoy your pre Valentines Day night with or without your significant other by supporting a DePaul DIY band. You know you want to!

And The Winner (well sort of) Is...

Word on the street is that students can now vote on who they want to see at FEST. Because this is such a momentous occasion, I thought I would deviate from the DIY scene for a moment and talk to Senior, Julia Shushelsky to see who she would like to see perform this year.

To see a full list of artists up for the different spots (and to cast your vote) check here.

DIY Weekend- Roadtrip!

I always seem to get ahead of myself on these DIY Weekends, but this time I think it's a good thing. If you are going to want to make it out to support DePaul DIY band Cloud Mouth this weekend you are going to need to plan ahead for a little fun in the car. Everyone loves a roadtrip! Am I right?

Who: Cloud Mouth
What: Preforming a show with other DIY bands Tina Sparkle, The Bob Clymers and more!
Where: The Meeting House in Peoria, Illinois
When: February 7

So, as always- get out your calenders and mark it down!

Degree or Drop Out?

It's no secret (or maybe it is) that Pete Wentz did, in fact, attend DePaul University as a Political Science major but dropped out a quarter shy of graduating in order to focus on music. Now, if you don't know who Pete Wentz is...he's the vivacious bassist of the band Fall Out Boy and baby daddy slash husband of Ashlee Simpson (-Wentz).

Now that we've got that out of the way, Pete leads me to an interesting question: should you drop out of school to persue music?

You know, on most occasions, I would say yes- follow your dream! However, I think it takes a very specific situation to drop out of college. Pete Wentz, as well as other former DePaul students turned rockstar (ie: Bright Eyes dummer Jeremy Barnes and Ok Go's Tim Norrwind), are far and few between. They started college (some may have graduated) while in their respective bands and then once they became serious enough (whatever that may actually mean) they decided to do music for a living.

Education is important, people, no matter how much you may hate doing homework and going to class, and Pete Wentz (and the like) realized this. I have had friends drop out of college after a year because their band was signed but still continue to learn as much as possible while on the road. It is all about balance.

So, should you drop of out school to persue your band that may or maynot break up in a few months? I would advise no. If, by chance (the music industry is no sure thing), your band gets signed should you drop out? Sure, be my guest. But I would also advise you to keep on learning just in case things go stale.

DIY Weekend

If you haven't noticed by now, there are always shows or performances going on from DePaul students who also do music on the side. Well, this weekend is no different. Get out your planners, people.

Who: Nick Kloth (with Daemon Familiar and Moses Gun)
What: Solo performance
Where: Phyllis's Musical Inn (1800 W. Division)
When: January 31, 8pm
Why: Well, ordinarily, Nick is a part of the band Kiernan's Fault but this weekend he will be performing a special solo show.

Not convinced? I mean, we both know you have nothing else to do this weekend...but just in case you need a little bit of a push, check out Nick's music at his band's myspace.

DIY Tour

I don't know about you, but for me, there is nothing better than seeing one of my favorite bands live; it can be an experience unlike any other. However, something a lot of people don't know is just exactly what it takes for independent bands to book tours. As I learned from talking to Zach Weinberg, a Sophomore at DePaul and member of the band Cloud Mouth, its not an easy task.

When you look at the big bands out there today in the mainstream (go ahead...pick anyone) it seems like they are always playing shows, making money and having fun. And for the most part, they are. But these big bands have managers and PR companies to book their tours, alert their fans and just plain do everything. When you're in an unsigned, DIY band, however, the process is very tedious and time consuming but according to Weinberg, "So worth while."

Ok- so you get that it's hard to do...so how do they do it?

A lot of independent bands go through a DIY network that Weinberg describes kind of like "the underground railroad for independent bands." This network is filled with independent bands who are willing to welcome bands to play their houses, apartments, basements or small venues based on principle.

What principle, you ask? Well, most bands in the DIY scene have a similar moral and ethical stance that music is a positive thing for everyone. They want to allow bands to get their music out there and in return swap shows so they can do the same. Finding these people can be hard, but now with the internet so redily availible, things have become much easier than back in the day where zines (independently run magazines or literature) were the only way to find other people with the same ideals and hopefully an empty basement.

Trust me though, bands who run in this circle are not making much money, if any at all.

"Playing in houses and basements you have to rely on the kids to make donations and by merch but the problem is that you are playing to kids who, by their very nature, don't have a lot of money to spend," Weinberg said.

Making fifty to one hundred dollars a night is call for a celebration and is very uncommon. The aim of bands who book tours DIY is really just to make it to the next city, hopefully get something to eat and a place to sleep. It may seem rough, but Weinberg says that there is nothing better than getting in a van with five or six of his best friends, traveling the country and meeting some of the coolest people.

It's all about the connections.

DIY Photography Night

The walls of The Beat Kitchen were packed Saturday, January 25 to see a line up of bands which included DePaul-run Rosaline. This show was held as an EP release show for the band Victorian Halls, who were the headliners.

Madison Stolzer, a DePaul junior (right), hits the stage with two other members of Rosaline: lead vocalist Nick Jones (center) and Ryan Pulice (left). Their next show will be February 15 in Downers Grove.

Chris Maxson's guitar shreds during one of Rosaline's loud and melodic songs. Although there were some technical difficulties with mics that caused for "Stage surgery," as Stolzer called it, there were no issues with any other equiptment.

Stolzer, live and in color, takes a quick break in between songs. In the background is keyboardist and fellow DePaul student Nate Steinheimer.

Stolzer sings a few chords later telling the crowd that this is his first show singing. A pretty sucessful show if I do say so myself.

(All photos taken and edited by Shelby Blitz)

To Sign Or Not To Sign?

With the internet making it possible for any band to make a Myspace page and promote themselves, it seems that the airwaves are clogged full of whiny boys (and the occasional girl) in tight jeans, American Apparel v-necks and high-top Nikes. But WHY?!?

Well, these bands are forming and being signed faster than the temperature is dropping (bad comparison..eh?..eh?..yeah I thought so too). They are the hot commodity of today and like it or not, they are here to stay...for now. But is being signed all its cracked up to be?

I mean, sure, being signed gives you money to promote yourself better, tour longer, record in higher quality studios and attract the occasional groupie, but I think there are far better advantages to bands who start out small and work their way to the top.

For example, no pressure. Labels, no matter how big or how small, tend to want to control their bands. What tours they go on, what clothes they wear even what beverages they drink (hello tours sponsored by Monster Energy where ALL you can drink is Monster Energy...can you imagine?). More importantly though, labels will try and control their bands creatively. How they sound, their lyrics, their "look". I used to think that being in a band was all about creativity until the recent "emo" explosion.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I like my occasional long haired, tight pants wearing, whiny lyricist band just as much as the next guy (possibly even more), but really, if being signed is just going to turn a wonderfully talented, creative and unique band into the next cookie cutter "big thing," count me out.

DIY Weekend- Fundraiser Style

I know, I know- once again, I am jumping the gun on the weekend. However, this time it's for a good cause: The San Francisco Eight (SF8).

Not sure what that means? I wasn't either until I did a bit of research. So, here's the low down:

On January 23, 2007, eight former Black community organizers in San Francisco were arrested on charges for the killing of a police officer in 1971. These charges, however, were thrown out after it was revealed that the police used torture to extract confessions when some of the same men were arrested in New Orleans in 1973.

The California States Attorney's Office, which is working with a Federal task force on the case, told the media that there was no new scientific evidence on the case. What this means, over all, is that the men will be prosecuted with the evidence that was declared inadmissible by the courts in 1975, a human rights violation.

Understand the gist of it now? Good. Here's the specifics for the event:

Who: Loose Lips Sink Ships, Erfert, Throes, Staph, Spread Sheets, and The Uptons
What: A show supporting the SF8 hosted by Campus Anti-War Network
Where: McGaw room 108 (Lincoln Park Campus)
When: January 23, 7:00-11:00 pm
Why: Members of the SF8 will be coming to Chicago in February and this show is being held in order to raise money for publicity and programing to increase awareness about the case.

Note: Donations are not mandatory, but encouraged.

Introducing...Rosaline

Here's the deal: There are a lot of great student run bands out there and I feel it is my obligation to let people know about them. So, as often as possible I am going to introduce you to a new one.

To start it off we have Rosaline.

A melodic and aggressive six piece, one-third of Rosaline is comprised of DePaul Students; guitar player Madison Stolzer and keyboardist Nate Steinheimer. I recently had a chat with Madison about everything Rosaline.

Signed to Standby Records in Winter 2006 prior to a break up in May of 2007, Rosaline has recently (September of 2008) reunited with a new lineup. Stolzer insists though, that having a new line up is not what is important.

"Contrary to most people, I think the collective group as a whole is what a band is, not really it's individuals. Half of Rosaline now is the same as it was when it was signed to Standby and half are not."

And with this new half, Rosaline has plans to follow up their only release, an eight track, thirty minute CD, with "A Constant North," filled with new music that has been (four songs so far) and will be (in February) recorded.

Can't wait for your Rosaline fix? Don't fret. They currently have a show lined up at The Beat Kitchen on January 24 (of which I will be in attendance). But, don't expect to see them playing show after show in the Chicago area.

"Believe it or not I talked to Billy Corgan once for a little while, and I mean, he basically made the most successful rock band to ever come out of this city. He said never play in the same city more than once a month, there is just no point. Do other things in the time between shows to strengthen your whole project, and make your shows quality," Stolzer said.

Besides school, which both Stolzer and Steinheimer are busy with, the other four members work full-time. However, they all manage to get together and practice two to three times a week because music is what they love to do and according to Stolzer, "Everyone has to make sacrifices."

DIY Weekend

Okay- so it's only Monday. However, if you are anything like me, you spend your time in class, on the train, walking the streets and so on day dreaming about the adventures (or lack there of) that you will embark on once Friday hits.

If your plans this weekend include...well, nothing...get out your calender and a pen (or pencil, whichever you prefer) and write this down!

When: Friday- January 16, 2008- 7 PM
Where: The Cunt Collective (2338 North Milwaukee, right near the California Blue Line stop)
What: Cloud Mouth (A majority DePaul student run band) preforms along side Castevet, Sleep Patterns and Merchant Ships
Why?: Well, I think you will catch on, but just in case... my job here is to inform you of the awesome independent music happening at DePaul and your job is to check them out.

So kids, don't worry your heads. I will be back to let you in on the independent music scene as best as I can. But for now, allow Cloud Mouth to hold you over until my next post!
(p.s.- click on that little blue guy to go to Cloud Mouth's myspace page.)