By Matt Harness
In an effort to move forward and keep things smelling fresh, Beachwood Music is branching out from the Bloodshot Records tree. We aren’t going too far away, and we still aspire to be the top spot for all things Bloodshot with the weekly Briefing.
But there’s other Chicago-based music that deserves some attention.
Last week, Beachwood Music brought you an inside look into Coach House Sounds, which has recorded two Bloodshot artists.
Recently I spent some time with Matt Kerstein, singer, songwriter and leading force behind Chicago band Brighton, MA. Bloodshot fans maybe know him as a founding member of Scotland Yard Gospel Choir along with Elia Einhorn. Kerstein lives in Wicker Park and loves Piece’s pizza.

Read More

Posted on November 25, 2009

By Matt Harness
Coach House Sounds came to life last year as Matt Baron ate lunch at Amitabul, which bills its food as “Healing Buddhist Spiritual Vegan Cuisine.”
Over his meal, Baron, a musician who is studying to become a teacher, read a story about Daytrotter, the music studio in Rock Island that records live sessions with touring bands, The Chicago native believed he could do something similar.
Not long after that seed was planted, he ran into Richard Edwards, singer and guitarist for Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s. Edwards was someone Baron thought he should record. And when Scotland Yard Gospel Choir’s Elia Einhorn also encouraged Baron’s entry into the Web-based taste-making market, that was enough motivation to get Coach House operation up and running.
Although Coach House Sounds opened its doors to bands last fall, Baron debuted the online community to the public this week at The Whistler in Logan Square.
I spent some time with Baron, who already has recorded sessions with two Bloodshot bands, this week.

Read More

Posted on November 13, 2009

By Steve Rhodes
Rep. Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago) has done fine work for her district during her eight years in office, but it was her bravura performance during the Blago impeachment imbroglio that – at least briefly – made her a star. From calling the ex-governor a “pathological liar” who might be in need of medical attention while he was still in office to her eloquent disquisitions on why he deserved to be impeached, Mendoza became a go-to media favorite who nonetheless never drifted into sillyland.
Mendoza also rocks.
In fact, she is quite likely the rockingest member of the General Assembly – perhaps in its entire history. She’s a Roger Waters fan, for godsakes.

Read More

Posted on November 10, 2009

By Matt Harness
As 2009 comes to a close, we at Beachwood Music are hitting some highlights from the past year in Bloodshot land.
Of course, the year was dominated by the label’s cross-country birthday parties. More than 20 different bands played at nine sites.
The celebration started in Pittsburgh in early July and ended with Tempe’s bash in late October. There still remains a possibility of a Seattle stop.
The Deadstring Brothers win the award for presence as the Detroit rockers played in seven of the nine cities. Ha Ha Tonka, Bobby Bare and the Wacos jammed at six, while the Bottle Rockets and the Dex Romweber Duo entertained crowds at four.
Beachwood Music spent a few minutes with Bloodshot co-founder Rob Miller as he looked into the rearview mirror.

Read More

Posted on November 6, 2009

By Don Jacobson
Since I embrace the ethos that no bootlegs shall pass, and because I’m poor, I don’t actually come into possession of a lot of major label music anymore. Only occasionally will I charge up the credit card for an MP3 track of a “big” band these days, and even then it’s usually when I’m reminded of some exceeding great music from years past – from the days when the majors were taking chances with real artists.
So, after many months of making these rare purchases off of iTunes, I found that 15 of them had accumulated on the hard drive – enough for a decent mix CD. After burning it, I looked it over and thought this was actually a dang-ol’ cool collection (and really, don’t we all think that, even when we put in those Styx tracks?) And because my mind’s a blank, I call it The Latest (with a please-don’t-sue-me nod to Cheap Trick).

Read More

Posted on November 2, 2009