@ZackTeibloom “I know we’re out of time, but I’ll answer this one. If we were to be any dynamic hip hop duo, I’d say we’d have to be Jay-Z and Beyonce” Matt says to whoever is interviewing him on the phone before me. Matt and Kim are on such tight schedules, I was only given 10 minutes with Matt between interviews and sound check for their show tonight in Madison. Thankfully, he has boundless energy and gave me more than enough with time to spare in the 10-minute chat. The duo has been unavoidable in the last couple years, with their VMA-winning naked romp of a video in times square and their music being featured in previews for “Community” and Bacardi ads just to name a few.

And we didn’t even mention the constant touring and bombastic live festival shows. How does Matt have the energy to come out balls-to-the-wall every night while battling Bronchitis and a brutal tour schedule? He credits it to a full night sleep and today’s mix of Honey Nut Cheerios and Cinnamon Life, which he says are two of his favorite cereals. Read the rest of this entry »

@AndyShore The only time I really said F*ck Yeah at FYF this weekend, besides when I finally got back to my car, was during Local Natives set. Ryan Gosling’s Dead Man’s Bones was also entertaining. Jordan held it down for us at North Coast in Chicago, having a better time than I did at FYF. It was a treat to hear his take on the brand new festival, and perhaps one day Zack, Jordan and I will figure out how not to step on each others toes. A dual festival weekend is a nice holdover, ’til ACL next month. Can’t wait! Read the rest of this entry »

ADAM LYNNE–Once upon a time in Illinois, creatures of the night roamed the day in search of futuristic bass and thunderous rhythms to assault their minds and bodies. Clothed in green-man suits, x-ray goggles, pacifiers in mouths, and paint splattered all over their masses, there were no shortage of hardbodied motherfuckers ready to rage for 72 hours at the North Coast Music Festival. The crowd was a sight. If anybody wanted to shoot a post-apocalyptic, year 3035 space war epic, Union Park in Chicago was the place to be. Read the rest of this entry »

@AndyShore This was the coolest summer in 3o years in Los Angeles. Could have fooled me yesterday. It was hotter than hell. I was hungover to begin with. Not a winning combo for a festival. I arrived to find the getting-into-Bonnaroo of will call lines at FYF 2010. If avoiding the will call line is ever possible, do so. I had no choice but to wait in the will call line, since I won my ticket to FYF. I seriously considered walking back to my car and going home, the line was so long. It didn’t even appear to be moving. There was no water to be found anywhere. I hadn’t festival-ed in too long. I told myself I was going to wait. Slowly, I worked my way closer to the will call line. Finally, as I was almost at will call, someone walked into the line with stacks of tickets. “Are you on the will call list? Yes? Here’s a ticket.” After all that, and I didn’t even need to tell him my name? FU FYF. Read the rest of this entry »

@AndyShore I am not even sure I know what the FYF in FYF Fest even stands for. I’d know what it meant if it was FRF Fest instead (3 people that read this might get that!). I found out last night that I’m pretty close in the comparison, because it’s F*ck Yeah Fest. I feel like North Coast Music Festival is more deserving of that title though. The reviews from North Coast last night were positive. I hope that FYF Fest can hold it’s own today. It’s all indie music and comedy. I’m looking forward to the comedy, more than I am the indie bands. Hell, I might even be looking forward to the food trucks more than the indie music. It’s just who I am. I do know some of the bands, and have been told to see a few others. Who should I check out? Read the rest of this entry »

@AndyShore My second hometown festival this year that I cannot attend. Thankfully, there are plenty of our friends and readers there to represent. Just because I’m not there, doesn’t mean I haven’t put any thought into who I’d be seeing if I was. This is a line-up full of my favorites, and far surpasses FYF Fest (which I will be at tomorrow). To all who attend, have fun with Umphrey’s McGee, Grace Potter and Lupe Fiasco for me. I’m there in spirit. Read the rest of this entry »

@ZackTeibloom There’s something special about a weekly residency. It’s how Festival Crashers got to know Ezra Furman so well and we couldn’t be happier about that. Thankfully we have a residency starting up tonight, as Hot Club of Cowtown begins a 5-week run at Continental Club. Don’t know them yet? Well, they’re a three-piece band with violin, guitar and stand-up bass and they all sing. Singer and violinist Elana James describes them as similar to early string bands. Like Norah Jones w/ some Wayne Hancock. Comparable to Caroline Chocolate Drops.  Still not sure what to expect? She insists you have to come see them to really understand. Bob Dylan saw them live opening for Willie Nelson and brought Elana on tour. The only woman to tour with him in 30 years. Convinced yet? It’s only $5, which also lets you in on happy hour specials.  Read the rest of this entry »