Let’s talk upcoming Chicago shows for just a brief minute. Both of the ones I want to mention are already sold out, so if you don’t have a ticket than you may have to buy them off somebody if you really want to go. Still, these are worthwhile shows from worthwhile artists (clearly, if they’re sold out), and it gives me a chance to talk about them. LA’s Grouplove and Australia’s The Reubens are touring together, and their first stop in Chicago will be at Lincoln Hall next Wednesday, October 9th. That’s going to be a full electric set from both bands. The following night they’ll both be at SPACE in nearby Evanston, where they’ll both perform acoustic sets. If you pay much attention to radio these days, or are even calibrated to Internet buzz, than you’ve likely heard about Grouplove before. Their debut album Never Trust A Happy Song put them on a lot of radars, thanks largely to their hit indie pop song “Tongue Tied.” A couple weeks ago they put out their sophomore album Spreading Rumours, which is getting strong attention thanks to their latest single “Ways to Go.” Meanwhile, The Reubens are touring the U.S. for the first time in their young careers, in support of their self-titled debut album. Their sound might be best described as Jack White meets The Black Keys in terms of blues-inspired rock, though they’ve got something of a pop edge to them as well. Check out their single “My Gun” to get a feel for their sound. And as a nice spot of fun, the guys in The Reubens performed a cover of Grouplove’s “Ways to Go” and mixed in some bits of “My Gun,” for one singular fun track to celebrate their tour. Check that out here. So if you have the means to get into either of the two shows these two bands are playing in town next week, I highly recommend that you go. Now let’s get to today’s Pick Your Poison. Highlights include cuts from A Beautiful Friend, Blank Maps, Cameron McGill, FMLYBND, The Parson Red Heads, SWF and Zeds Dead with Major Lazer. In the Soundcloud section after the jump, stream tracks from Flume (ft. Freddie Gibbs), Jensen Sportag, Kwes., Widowspeak and Fort Romeau’s remix of Cut Copy’s latest single.
Blue Sky Black Death – Keys (ft. Gucci Mane, Deniro Farrar, Nacho Picasso, and Mack Shine)
The Parson Red Heads – Every Mile
Todd and Erin – All I Can Think About Is You
The Union Electric – Day of the Dead
Unlike Pluto – Bollywood Summer
Zeds Dead & Major Lazer – Turn Around (ft. Elephant Man)
SOUNDCLOUD
Cut Copy – Free Your Mind (Fort Romeau Remix)
Flume – Holdin’ On (ft. Freddie Gibbs)
Jensen Sportag – Rain Code
Kwes. – cablecar
The Limiñanas – My Black Sabbath
Widowspeak – Calico
