Gangsta Reggae vs. Gangsta Country
A loose collection of whatnot.
1. The Wild Hare Is Back?!
In May 2011, Ethiopian owner-musician Zeleke Gessesse decided to close Chicago’s landmark reggae club and open a new one in Addis Ababa. (See One Love, Wild Hare.)
Well, it turns out new owners re-opened the Hare way back in February as a restaurant/bar serving Caribbean food at 2610 North Halsted, but the Wrightwood Neighbors Association is still fighting their application for a live music license. Some neighbors have described the Hare as loud, disturbing and gangsta.
(For what it’s worth, Ald. Tom Tunney had this to say to Chicago magazine (A Wild Ride Winds Down: The Awesome Story Behind Wrigleyville’s The Wild Hare) upon the bar’s closing at its original location: “Zeke and The Wild Hare have been a longtime presence in the 44th ward. We helped them expand at their location on Clark Street, and they’ve been good neighbors. Zeke brought a real slice of creativity and independence that’s sometimes lacking in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, and we’re sorry to see him go.”)
The city re-scheduled a license hearing for later this month. Mystic Vibes TV cut this public service announcement in support of the Hare.
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See also: Mystic Vibes TV.
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Bonus Zeleke:
Zeleke Gessesse Ft Siyamregn Teshome & Betty G. New Amharic/English music. New Ethiopian reggae. New Ethiopian Song 2012.
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2. Two Dudes Record “Larry Hoover,” Then Rob Studio.
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“As their song is now getting immediate distribution, it was unclear if they committed the robbery as a stunt to promote their soundtrack, or whether they simply preyed on the crew in the studio,” the Washington Post reports.
“I feel like Larry Hoover,” they rapped. “I gotta get my money now.”
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3. Together: Lydia Loveless & Ha Ha Tonka.
Bloodshot Records just announced this kickass bill at Subterranean on November 24.
The 21-year-old Loveless, described by Spin as “one of the most badass country or Americana songwriters working today,” goes first at 7:30 p.m.
Ha Ha Tonka, described by the label as “specializ[ing] in disarming and effortless anthems that owe as much to high and lonesome Ozarks mountain music as chugging college rock,” goes on at 11.
Here’s Loveless live in the Sound Opinions studio in September.
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And here’s Ha Ha Tonka in Madrid last month.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on November 14, 2012