You won’t see one of 2013’s best electronica shows in Chicago by going to a dance club. Nor will you quite capture the magic at some random warehouse rave or even a large venue like the Congress Theater or the Aragon, where Pretty Lights played a couple weeks back. If you really want to do it right with an atmosphere that’s classy and fun with a sound that’s innovative and upbeat, there’s only one spot you need to be: at Lincoln Hall this Saturday night. In short, the three artists on the bill are all highly intelligent and dynamic. They’re operating just under the radar at the moment, but it’s only a matter of time before they really hit it big. Starting out the night will be Nathan Fake, a guy who is the exact opposite of what his last name might suggest. He’s probably most known for his remixes at the moment, like this one he did of Radiohead’s “Morning Mr. Magpie”. But he’s also put together some original material too, which sounds really good as well. Have a listen to the song “Paean” to get an idea of his unique style. One of the night’s two headliners on this triple bill of electronica is Jon Hopkins. If you missed his album Immunity earlier this year, it’s one of 2013’s best and you need to give it a listen as soon as possible. Not only was it critically acclaimed, but it was also on the shortlist to win this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize (which ultimately went to James Blake). There’s something about the loose and playful way he mixes bright ambient piano tracks with dark and aggressive dance cuts that just hits all the spots it needs to. Check out his song “Breathe This Air (ft. Purity Ring)” to get a great impression of what he’s all about. The evening’s other co-headliner will be Clark. If you don’t know Clark, his double album Feast / Beast that came out a couple of months back is a pretty good place to start. It’s composed of mostly remixes, with a few originals in between. While many remixes these days attract momentary attention before listeners return to the original versions, it remains fascinating to hear what the remixer chooses to change or adjust in any given track, as it says something about how they listen to music themselves. Clark is a fascinating case, and the new album really helps show how he stands out amongst his peers. Also worth your time are is last year’s Iradelphic, which prominently featured vocals from Martina Topley-Bird. Clark is actually offering up a free 6-song EP of leftovers from that record called Iradelphic Sessions, which you can download on his site.
Anyways, if you’re 21+, are available and in Chicago this Saturday night, I strongly encourage you to head over to Lincoln Hall for the show. I promise it’ll be a dance party you won’t soon forget. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. You can purchase them here. Beyond the show, there’s your daily dose of Pick Your Poison to get to as well, so let me take care of that. There’s some strong tracks today from Arc Rev One, The Casket Girls, Ghost Maps, Go Life, MiWi La Lupa, Norman, Petter Seander and Rogue Vogue. In the Soundcloud section after the jump, stream songs by Axxa/Abraxas, Clare Maguire, Majical Cloudz, Withered Hand and Xiu Xiu.
Arc Rev One – Permanent Everlasting Infinite Beings
Champagne Jerry – Business Pony
I’lls – Mine’s Here or My End’s Here or Nineteen (Naysayer & Gilsun Remix)
Nasimiyu Murumba – Raise Your Arrow (The Hunt)
Rogue Vogue – Until the Dawn (ft. Patrick Baker)
Sandwich Island Bass – LazyB
SOUNDCLOUD
Axxa/Abraxas – I Almost Fell
Clare Maguire – Half Hearted Love
Majical Cloudz – Savage
Say Lou Lou – Beloved (Tiedye Remix)
Withered Hand – Black Tambourine
Xiu Xiu – Stupid in the Dark
