[Lollapalooza Interview] James King and John Wicks (Fitz and the Tantrums)
Getting to a 2:00pm interview in Lollapalooza’s press area after a random Chicago downpour on a Saturday means commitment. After having taken the Blue Line to Jackson, getting briefly lost leaving the train, and sprinting two blocks south, I had made it nine minutes early to my interview with drummer John Wicks and saxophonist James King of Fitz and the Tantrums. Although our conversation was short and sweet, I could recognize that their loyalty to Chicago fans is unwavering, and that their desire to spit out quality advice to persevering artists was genuine. Check out some of the words we exchanged in the interview below.
So welcome to the city of Chicago! What kind of vibes does it give you? Or, I guess, how do you feel about being here?
John Wicks: Oh, Chicago has always been the biggest champion of Fitz and The Tantrums.
James King: Yeah, Chicago kicked off our entire career.
JW: And the runners on Lake Shore Drive are the most badass runners I’ve ever seen.
True. We don’t play. Abruptly switching to the topic of music, which album do you guys consider your personal favorite?
JK: …This one.
The newest one?
JW: Yeah, this one. More Than Just a Dream.
Oh… well, I feel like it’s worth mentioning to you my personal favorite, which is Pickin’ Up the Pieces. Specifically because of “Tighter.”
* John and James look at each other *
JW: It’s very interesting that you say that. * long pause * We collaborated together on that song, all in one room, when it came into fruition. We don’t work like that often. It was a special time for us.
Please tell me it’ll be a track that you guys are planning on performing tonight.
JK: It’s hard to perform “Tighter.” It’s been a while. You’ve gotta keep the energy up.
It’s a song that serves as a soundtrack to many of my roughest nights, that I associate with college, particularly. James, you joined the band sometime after your college career. During your time in school, did predict this kind of future for yourself?
JK: No, definitely not. We were always doing multiple things. I was always doing side jobs or being the guy behind the scenes, but then finally focusing on one thing, putting all of your efforts into one thing, that’s what’ll get you somewhere. Not necessarily distributing your energy into multiple projects.
Do you have any more words of wisdom for DIY rock bands, people who are working on getting their name out there, or those following in your steps?
JW: Get cultured. Stand next to a tree, like we’re doing now. Don’t go to an Urban Outfitters and buy a shirt of a tree. Stop trying to accumulate things and just do. If I was spending less time buying things and appearing like I was doing something, I would actually be doing something. I would be more comfortable as a “starving artist” if I wasn’t trying to appear like I wasn’t just that.
[RH Photos] Art Alliance Presents The Provocateurs
While seemingly all of Chicago was excited for Lollapalooza this past weekend, my mind was more focused on "The Provocateurs," an Art Alliance show curated by street artist Shepard Fairey. Featuring a wide range of street, pop, and contemporary artists across a vast array of media from paintings to photographs and sculptures, "The Provocateurs" was like a primer on spotlighting a list of who's who in modern art today, including Tim Armstrong, Mark Mothersbaugh, Space Invader, WK Interact, Estevan Oriol, HAZE, Dzine, and Fairey himself. Below is just a small sampling of what "The Provocateurs" had to offer art newbies and art enthusiasts. "The Provocateurs" show will be on display until today, August 8th, at 6pm! If you have a chance to make it to the Loop, I highly encourage all of you to check it out.
Watch the Lollapalooza 2014 Streams LIVE
If you're unable to make it out to Lollapalooza this weekend, we got you covered! Catch all of the live streams of select Lollapalooza artists' sets, including Interpol, CHVRCHES, Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Phantogram, OutKast, Flosstradamus, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, and more! You can see the full schedule of live streams below.
Ruby Hornet's Lollapalooza 2014 Spotify Playlist
In case you missed our Lollapalooza artist recommendations yesterday, check them out while you listen to our Spotify Playlist! Curated by both Aleks and I, we wanted to share this playlist with those who may not be familiar with the Lollapalooza artists we recommended. In my opinion, the playlist runs the gamut of sounds that Lollapalooza offers, from OutKast's flow to CHVRCHES' synth-pop and everything in between. Enjoy this playlist while you prepare for a very tiring and people-filled weekend.
Top Artists to See at Lollapalooza 2014
Lollapalooza 2014 is this weekend, signaling the official beginning of the summer's end. Seriously, what the hell happened to our summer? All of our seasons got pushed back, with spring barely even registering on the calendar (or on our thermometers). Nevertheless, it's hard to imagine that August is in just a few days, and with it comes Perry Farrell's little alternative music festival that could. Admittedly, Lollapalooza has lost some of the luster that it once had, but is still one of Chicago's (and the United States') premier annual music festivals. With so many artists playing this weekend, both Aleks and I have compiled a small list of our personal recommendations for this weekend. We hope we can put you on to some new artists!
Lollapalooza Introduces Lolla Cash, a Digital Way to Make Payments
Crowds are the absolute worst at music festivals. What's more annoying than being stuck in a crowd of screaming, drunk people? Being stuck in a crowd of screaming, drunk people while waiting in line to purchase something. Usually, lines are so long because people have to fuss with wallets or purses to find their credit cards or cash, then you have to swipe and sign or get change for your bills, and it's just a time-consuming, tedious process that most festival goers must go through if they want some food or drinks. However, C3 Presents, Lollapalooza's promoters, want to revolutionize the festival experience with a new initiative.
Referred to as Lolla Cash, the initiative involves implementing a chip within the Lollapalooza wristbands that can be used to purchase food and drinks from vendors. Lolla attendees simply have to register a credit card with their wristbands to take part in the Lolla Cash program. If all goes accordingly, it should help expedite the process at vendor stands while also ensuring attendees won't lose their wallets along the way. The wristbands use radio frequency identification (RFID) similar to how Ventra cards work, and considering how rough the CTA's new system launch was, there are bound to be bumps in the road for Lollapalooza this year. The wristbands will also store purchase information in case a clear signal can't be made at the moment of purchase to ensure transactions go through properly.
Lolla Cash represents the festival's full embrace of new technology that could find use amongst other major music festivals like South by Southwest, Electronic Daisy Carnival, Bonnaroo, and more. Disney launched a similar initiative last year, My Magic+, that allowed visitors to use their bracelets to make purchases, access their hotel rooms, fast entry into amusement and water parks, and more. It's only a matter of time before we go completely cashless in all areas of our lives.
For now, tell us what you think about Lolla Cash, and if you're going, will you actively use it?
[via Adweek]
Shepard Fairey Curates "Art Alliance: the Provocateurs" from 7/31 - 8/4
Art Alliance: the Provocateurs, curated by Shepard Fairey, will take place on Block 37 in Chicago during Lollapalooza between July 31st 2014-August 4th 2014. The art show will go beyond a typical art expo, fusing together interactive elements such as music, public art, panel discussion, charities, local community interests, and education, and making this exposition a magnet for drawing mass Chicagoan-attention to the arts.
Artists who’ll be present at the exhibition include Shepard Fairey, Swoon, HAZE, Space Invader, Dzine, Mark Mothersbaugh, Tim Armstrong, FAILE, Ryan McGinness, Winston Smith, RETNA, Stanley Donwood, Monica Canilao, Clare Rojas, Estevan Oriol, Evan Hecox, Gary Panter, Jen Stark, Camille Rose Garcia, Revok, Cleon Peterson, D*Face, WK Interact, and many others. Art Alliance will be equipped with live music, and will also host a Saturday night aftershow featuring a live set by Deltron 3030 and a set by Shepard himself, with tickets sold separately.
Single-Day Passes are available online for full access to over 40 famous street and contemporary artists for $10 per day. Walk-ins are welcome during all hours of the exhibition, specifically between the daytime hours of 10AM-6PM, and tickets purchased at the door sell for $12 each. Children are welcome for free with a ticket-holding adult.
Check out the Art Alliance website for more details on the event.
First Wave of Lollapalooza 2014 After-Parties Revealed
Tickets for Lollapalooza 2014 after-parties, running from July 31st-August 3rd, will go on sale this Friday at 10 AM CST through Clubtix. Performances will include Shiba San (Dirtybird Records) at Primary Nightclub and Cash Cash at the MID on Thursday, Disclosure (live) at Aragon Ballroom, Glitch Mob (DJ set) at the MID, and Gramatik with heRobust, Russ Liquid, and Gibbz at Concord Music Hall on Friday. Saturday performances include Flume, Duke Dumont, and Anna Lunoe at Concord Music Hall, Martin Garrix at Aragon Ballroom and Black Butter Records Party with Rudimental (DJ set), and more at the EvilOlive, and Sunday after-parties consist of Skrillex, Gessaffelstein, and special guests at Concord Music Hall. For details, including ticket prices, times, age requirements, and more information, check the listings below.
Thursday
Friday
- Disclosure (Live) - Aragon Ballroom
- Glitch Mob (DJ Set) - the MID
- Gramatik w/ heRobust, Russ Liquid, & Gibbz - Concord Music Hall
Saturday
- Flume, Duke Dumont, & Anna Lunoe - Concord Music Hall
- Martin Garrix - Aragon Ballroom
- Black Butter Records Party w/ Rudimental (DJ Set) & More - EvilOlive
Sunday