A City with new incarnations every goddamn time i go back (from school at
the u of i - champaign). mad new spots are opening and new parts of town
are gentrifying at blizzard speed. the city is really booming right now.
The place where House began is now desperatly searching for an identity.
The house mainstay, the Shelter Club, has just closed leaving a few djs
homeless. The (so called) replacement, the Tunnel looks ready to
diversify a bit. Hip-hop's most versatile and tasteful dj penis has got a
spot on wednesdays. hip-hop remains pitifully absent though in the
mainstream club scene - i often find myself at bbq spots, small obscure
bars or university rooms. acid jazz, chilly beats wise - dj heather, sole
and jesse de la pena kinda hold things down at changing venues. there's a
lot of action bandwise in this area though - liquid sole, sumo, j davis
trio, ect,ect are constantly rockin places like elbo room and cubby bear
-- apparently its become quite accepted party music.
right now, i think the nicest spots are the mad bar on monday for Chrome
(Justin tewn - check his release #23 on guidence, Hunter Ad and Phantom 45
playing a real diverse set). Tuesday at a new trendy spot called liquid
kitty has been playing some chilled beats and hip-hop. I saw David
Shwimmer (friends dude) noddin his head a few weeks ago. the mainstay has
been Deadly Dragon Sound System at the empty Bottle on Sundays - u-sheen
and company get busy with a real rough, inventive blend of dub, hip-hop
and drum n bass.
flight