![[Album] Stix Jam Pack](https://jakekrzeczowski.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/carousel-stix.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
Greg Landfair, aka Stix, former Kids These Days drummer and current backing for Chance The Rapper, released his drum pack for producers today via Hiphopdrumsamples.com. The pack features over a hundred sounds garnered from a number of sessions with artists including Jeff Tweedy, Beastie Boys producer Mario C at the Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas. The sounds are almost directly out of his work with Kids These Days and include a variety of sounds including elevator snares, snares in the shower, live claps, gongs and full drum loops, among others. Check out the promo video below by Bryan Lamb (@Fragdfilms) & myself and download the full pack via Hiphopdrumsamples.com.
Category Archives: News
Day Two Recap: North Coast Music Festival
Photo by Geoff Heano
Day Two of North Coast Music Festival in Union Park went off much smoother than the 2013 debut a day earlier. With the sun finally shining down and the heat pounding festival-goers, things got off to a fast start. Chicago’s own Porn and Chicken got things going with their 2:30 set at the Last Stand Stage, picking up where frat-dance kings Milk n’ Cookies warmed up the stage earlier.
After floating through the following sets and checking out a truly inspired set from Conspirator, I found myself torn between the silky smooth tones of Aloe Blacc, the rough-edged hip hop of Flatbush Zombies and the endearing DJ sounds of Thibault. I ended up making the rounds to each briefly, unfortunately missing most of Flatbush due to simply not being able to navigate the festival properly. Between Bondax, Gramatik, Future Rock and the smattering of EDM/Dance acts on the Tent Stage, the Saturday afternoon air was soon completely inundated with the glitchy sound of digital music. Being a big fan of both Gramatik and Bondax, it was disappointing that organizers pushed so many similar acts together and brought about memories of monotonous EDM festivals of earlier months.
Emerging from the dense electronic jungle, Nas took the North Stage to close it out for the day. The New York MC showed precisely why he is one of the most decorated hip-hop acts in the history of the genre, filling his hour-long set with tracks from his entire discography. Dipping back to Illmatic for timeless hit (“The World is Yours”, “Life’s a Bitch”, “Memory Lane”) and peppering more recent work from several albums (God’s Son, Stillmatic, Life is Good), Nasir Jones put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten at North Coast.
EDM made it’s way back to the stage in two forms to close out Saturday, with Big Gigantic and Afrojack bringing up the rear as the day’s headliners. Jeremy Salken and Dominic Lalli continued their string of impressive Chicago shows by performing their instrumental take on the genre that includes live drums and saxophone, drawing one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. A meet and greet organized through Thissongissick.com kept the pair standing stage-side for hours. For his part, Afrojack held things down, giving fans a grittier dance experience from the other side of the festival grounds and closing out what was easily the biggest day at North Coast for anyone trying to dance.
![[Profile] Will Sparks Hits American Soil](https://jakekrzeczowski.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/9101ab81-2f05-4d9d-b164-5bd36d292980.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Profile] Will Sparks Hits American Soil
There is seemingly no minimum age requirement in EDM music these days. As the festivals grow larger and more grandiose, many of the artists manning the decks, keeping the party going and travelling the world are becoming increasingly young. Enter Will Sparks, the 20-year-old Australian DJ who headlines at Studio Paris tonight as part of his “Melbourne Meets America Tour”. His arrival in Chicago was prefaced by an inclusion on the Beatport Chart, an online EDM barometer of who’s got next. Continue reading [Profile] Will Sparks Hits American Soil
![[Interview] Idris “Peeda Pan” Speaks Out on Chief Keef’s Arrest](https://jakekrzeczowski.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chiefkeef_arrests_banner1.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1)
[Interview] Idris “Peeda Pan” Speaks Out on Chief Keef’s Arrest
Graphic by Virgil Solis
Chief Keef has been arrested again, this time on trespassing charges. In what has become somewhat of a routine for the 17-year-old artist who has seemingly spent as much time in legal custody as not this year, Keef was apprehended as he left a court appearance in Skokie for a speeding violation last month in Northbrook. After learning that he was barred from driving a vehicle for 18 months due to his 110 mph joy ride down the Edens, Keef and his team were surprised to be confronted by an unmarked police car with officers allegedly brandishing automatic weapons to arrest the unarmed Keef. The trespassing charge allegedly stems from a gathering near a school about a month and a half ago when Keef visited his old neighborhood. Continue reading [Interview] Idris “Peeda Pan” Speaks Out on Chief Keef’s Arrest
Why South By?
Why South By?
Given that SXSW’s industry influence is on the wane, are there still good reasons for upstart bands to brave the festival?
By Miles Raymer @milesraymer
click to enlarge Young Chicago garage rockers Twin Peaks prove that old-fashioned music-biz wheeling and dealing still happens at SXSW. Continue reading Why South By?
DJ Yoda likes to keep his act flashy and fresh
By Jake Krzeczowski March 15, 2013 4:10PM
Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun Times
For his upcoming March 17 set at Mayne Stage, English-born turntable specialist Duncan Beiny, better known as DJ Yoda, may need The Force with him.
Controlling the audio is enough for the majority of DJs, but the hands-on Beiny makes sure to stay busy onstage, also handling the visual duties of the lights and video monitor.
“It definitely keeps things interesting for me,” said Beiny. “My theory about going somewhere to DJ, especially outside your own country, is to bring something to the table that not just a computer can do.” Continue reading DJ Yoda likes to keep his act flashy and fresh
Animal Collective primed for Chicago return
By Jake Krzeczowski March 13, 2013 6:42PM
Animal Collective didn’t stop in Chicago on their most recent tour in late 2012.
The 2011 Pitchfork Festival headliner had to forego a stop here in support of their latest album, “Centipede Hz,” released last September on Domino.
It wasn’t out of laziness or lack of interest in the Windy City; the band just wanted to take a break to see their loved ones. Continue reading Animal Collective primed for Chicago return
Congress welcomes electronic duo home
By Jake Krzeczowski March 6, 2013 1:00PM
Originally Appeared for the Chicago Sun Times
Chicago’s Congress Theater is quickly becoming a hot spot for electronic dance music.
As the genre has developed and exploded, the 86-year-old theater located at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. has hosted some of the rowdiest sets the city has seen.
It’s a perfect fit for the Chicago natives Flosstradamus and electronic artist Dillon Francis, who co-headline a show Friday. Continue reading Congress welcomes electronic duo home
Socially conscious band Kids These Days head out to learn from striking CPS teachers
By Jake Krzeczowski September 13, 2012 6:52PM
Updated: September 14, 2012 4:49PM
At 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Vic Mensa of the Chicago-based band Kids These Days dragged himself into his house after a long night in the studio to find his mother, Betsy, furiously preparing protest signs. He knew he couldn’t go to sleep just yet.
Mensa and Cunningham are graduates of Whitney Young High School so that is where they headed, with camera and questions. They spent the day speaking with teachers about the strike’s impact and their concerns to gain a deeper understanding of the issues. Continue reading Socially conscious band Kids These Days head out to learn from striking CPS teachers
Family Rebuilds Home on Same Plot After Fire
Last summer the Micklo family lost everything. After the community helped put them back on their feet, they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
A year ago, the Micklo family awoke to a nightmare.
As they awoke to their fire alarm in the early hours of the day to smoke funneling up the staircase of the Glen Ellyn home all they had time to do was get everyone out, including the family dog.That morning the Micklos and their neighbors watched as the family’s home at 555 Dawes St. went up in flames and did the same a couple days later as crews came to sweep away what little was left.”When we got out we had no idea we would lose everything, we just had what we’d been sleeping in,” said Kevin Micklo. “Our heads were spinning and we were just trying to figure out what was going on.”
With the house gone and the family in disrepair, the community sprung into action.
Within days of the unexplained fire children in the area had set up lemonade stands that netted the family nearly $2,000, neighbors donated goods and local restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Cici’s Pizza held fundraisers to help the family through their hard time.
That was last June. The Micklo family moved back into their home on March 13 on the same plot of land where they lost everything but the family car and the clothes on their backs.
The outpouring from the community was a big reason for their commitment to stay where tragedy struck.
“Everybody in the neighborhood was so amazing with helping us,” said Erin Micklo. “There was a fund set up and people donated clothing and gift cards and books for the kids, it was amazing.”
The fire, which started in the basement and eventually worked itself to the back porch where it exploded two propane tanks, effectively took everything with it.
That left the family with a lot to replace. From utensils to couches to beds and toys.
Those voids were easy to fill. However, it was the memories that will be most missed.
“The fire was so bad that no one could go in the house afterwards,” said Erin Micklo. “We couldn’t get in to find things like photo albums, home movies, my wedding dress. It was all gone.”
Through it all, the Micklo family knows that those in the area have had their backs. Without them the rebuilding process would have been even harder.
“This all would have been nearly impossible without everyone’s help,” said Kevin Micklo. “The church, the school districts, everyone was just absolutely amazing, we’re very grateful.”
Jake Krzeczowski 