For real. Could this guy be anymore of a knucklehead? Next year, Rolling Stone will take back its website, RollingStone.com, from Real Networks, who has been operating it for the last five years or so. The site will now be run by Steve Schwartz, a previous editor at your grandparents’ favorite magazine, Reader’s Digest.
Music
CalHalla: Art Show by Iconic (Ironic?) Americana Artist Lauren Bergman
New York-based artist Lauren Bergman announced today her highly anticipated upcoming exhibition, CalHalla: Dreams of Future Passed, at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, California. The work (see below) is full of perky idealized Betty Page-era pin-up girls and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Contest: Win a $500 Gift Certificate for T-Shirt Printing
Our pals at VGKids.com are holding a contest for free T-shirt printing. Their quality and customer service is awesome; check the details below.
Weekly Music News Roundup
The London Sinfonietta celebrates its 40th anniversary with a series of miniature compositions; electro-acoustic madman Dan Deacon unveils a 15-piece live ensemble this week; prog/doom rockers Giant Squid announce details for their upcoming album; Fantômas has been added to Australia’s Big Day Out festival, and much more.
P.O.S.’ Never Better One Of The Best of 2009? Pre-Order Now
Following up on Audtion from 2006, P.O.S.‘ Never Better is one of my favorite hip-hop records coming out in 2009. The record is on pre-order now from Fifth Element and includes a few freebies.
H.R. is Still Fucking Crazy — New Record is Pretty Awesome
Watch H.R. interview himself (below) on AOL.com. Although watching H.R. perform now with Bad Brains is powerfully disappointing, Hey Wella
Multi-Instrumentalist and Multi-Culturalist Jamie Saft Speaks with Under Your Skin
Enlisted by John Zorn, Bobby Previte, Merzbow, Dave Douglas, Bad Brains, the Beastie Boys, and dozens of other influential and notable artists, Jamie Saft is a massive talent. His work on assorted guitars and keyboards transcends countless genres, and his next solo release — Black Shabbis on Zorn’s Tzadik label — combines traditional Jewish music with metal.
DIY Venue Spotlight: Rererato
Rererato is undergoing new management, but the former managers liked to think of the events that took place as private house gatherings that just so happened to be open to the public. Art showings, music performances, figure-drawing classes and TV-show productions have all occurred in the space that used to be a Hare Krishna temple.
To follow up on the venue’s status, check its website or MySpace page. For now, click onward for our DIY spotlight.
What We’re Doing This Weekend
This week brings Winnepeg breakbeat deconstructionist Venetian Snares back to Chicago. If you can’t spot one of our editors catching him at Reggie’s Rock Club, you might find one or more watching the tight jam freak-outs of Family Order or the good-time Gypsy-rock marching tunes of Mucca Pazza.