Gossip Wolf: 1980 Records releases new tapes by the Clams, Magic Ian, and more
Plus: The Neon Marshmallow fest rises again, Lil Kemo gets a promotion, and more
By J.R. Nelson @JR1Nelson and Leor Galil @imLeorSign up for our newsletters Subscribe
The cover of the Clams' new self-titled cassette
This wolf's been a fan of local label 1980 Records since early 2013, when head honcho Bill Tucker gave us the scoop on an imminent compilation of previously unreleased T. Storm Hunter songs called Hair Mown Aftershocks. Tucker recently passed along several new 1980 cassettes, including a collection of experimental recordings by Maximum Pelt label founder Magic Ian, solo piano material by quirky singer-songwriter Miki Greenberg, and a self-titled EP by local garage weirdos the Clams. The Clams tape, with its heady mix of shoegaze and psych tinged with country, especially slays! The whole batch comes out Fri 7/18, and you can grab all of them from the label's CHIRP Record Fair table at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
It's been a hot minute since the noiseniks who organize the Neon Marshmallow fest last blazed our eardrums with an expertly curated series of experimental-music gigs—the most recent was November 2012, to be exact. More than one of Gossip Wolf's pals called Thurston Moore's set a total classic! Anyway, a bevy of noise merchants from Chicago and beyond will invade the Burlington from Thu 7/31 through Sun 8/3, including Hair Police, Telecult Powers, Locrian's Andre Foisy, Insect Ark, and Alex Barnett. Neon Marshmallow's website has the complete lineup and a link to buy $30 four-night passes.
Gossip Wolf has noticed that bop king Lil Kemo recently became King Kemo, in what appears to have been a peaceful transfer of power. Now that's what we call royalty!
Last month self-described "new wavey" rapper Kit released a nine-song EP, Lownt God Rising, that's entirely produced by Supreme Cuts. And he's already working on new material—this wolf ran into him while he was taking a break from a studio session at Foodsmart in Logan Square. Here's hoping the tracks he's working on now are just as killer as the new EP's chilly "Rise."
Got a tip? Tweet @Gossip_Wolf or e-mail gossipwolf@chicagoreader.com.
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