Lotus @ Schuba’s – Sat. 4.22

Lotus is bringing its live, electronic dance party to Schuba’s this Saturday 4/22, with an opening slot by DJ Harry. They’re on the road in support of their latest release, The Strength of Weak Ties, and will follow-up their Schuba’s gig with a free performance Sunday afternoon at Tower Records (3 pm at 2301 N. Clark St. #200).

I caught Lotus back in early 2004 and while they definitely got down and dirty enough to make me shake the backside, my sense was that they were a bit derivative of Sound Tribe Sector Nine in the live, electronic instrumental realm. They certainly hit on most of the “hippy techno” stereotypes, with long funky jams laid over danceable beats. But since then, they’ve toured heavily across the country, released a more mature album (even mixing it up with some vocals), and sound as though they’re trying to develop a more unique sound. The focus is still guitar-laden electronic rock, but there are cuts from the album that venture in to new territory (one even sounds like old Tortoise). It’ll be interesting to see what they bring to Schuba’s on Saturday.

Disco Biscuits @ the Vic – Fri. 5.5

Speaking of jambands playing electronic dance music, the Disco Biscuits (arguably the originators of this “genre”), will bring their signature “Trance-Fusion” to the Vic Theatre on Friday May 5^th. They’re currently on tour (doing a southern swing) and breaking in their new drummer, Allen Aucoin, who has his work cut out for him after replacing Sam Altman, tDB’s drummer of 10 years and fierce layer of intricate “four-on-the-floor” beats.

Last time tDBs were in Chi-town (2/3/04), they had a short, one-set slot at the Aragon (opening for Moe), and only really managed to touch on some of the dark and trancy territory they’ve been known to dominate. The Vic gig will be their first, full two-set appearance in Chicago since the Spring of 2003, so this is a big comeback gig in the heart of the Midwest. Of course, in the grand scheme, it’s really only a primer for their August appearance at Lollapalooza this summer. Should be an interesting showcase, and reports from the current tour are mixed, although many suggest their showing signs of improvement. But I remain cautious about their ongoing evolution…C’mon tDB, prove me wrong!

Secret Machines at Metro Sat. 5/13

The indie experimental atmospherics of the Secret Machines are coming to the Metro on Saturday, May 13^th. With the release of their new LP, Ten Silver Drops (Reprise), Secret Machines are launching a worldwide tour taking them to cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, across the Pond to Europe, and then to Japan, for the Summer Sonic Festival. U.S. dates will also include several summer festival appearances, with the a notable stop in Grant Park for Lollapalooza on August 4^th, and some TV appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” on April 25 and on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on May 3.

Pitchfork has the whole breakdown, but for Chicagoans, tix for the Metro show go on sale Saturday, 4/22 at 10AM and Lollapalooza tix have been on sale for some time.

…And if you want a taste of their live show, the always-generous NPR live concert series has a Secret Machines show from last August available for streaming.

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