Duke Shin

Ever since the close of seminal Chicago rock club Lounge Ax in 2000, Schubas Tavern has developed a similar reputation for booking some of the best and most diverse local, national and international talent in what is perhaps the best small room for acoustic-leaning bands--case in point: last week's excellent Monolake show. But live reputation aside, recent months have seen Schubas create an increasing stir among patrons who also like to dance and hear beats, with their Thursday DJ Upstairs program.

For all of February, Popstatic has played month-long host to eclectic-to-pop-minded DJs like Matt Roan, DJ Mother Hubbard and tonight's final special guest, Bald Eagle. Let's hear more from former Walter Meego member, Newcity scribe, current Popstatic host and DJ, Jarrett Spiegel...

Popstatic--what's in a name?

"Popstatic" was derived from a conversation I had with Salva (the other half of Popstatic based in San Francisco) about the merits and definition of pop music. We ultimately decided that we had a permanent, fascinating beef over pop music based on our conflicting definitions... a sort of 'pop static.' I suggested two words; he suggested one. We went with one.

How'd the monthly residency come about?

I've played Schubas Upstairs several times before and I've always loved the room so I eventually made a move to try it for a month. It's a great, intimate space where twenty people could be the perfect party. It's also a great place for discerning DJs to stretch out and play the music they really love for a group of people that might really appreciate it.

What should be expected of a Popstatic evening?

The Popstatic DJ set is meant to be one that embraces a VERY wide spectrum of sounds. Disco, hip-hop, house, reggae, techno, novel pop songs... whatever. More than anything, I love records and DJ sets that elicit nostalgic feelings. The Avalanches are a huge inspiration and would be a particularly good reference point to what I do...

Can you say something about why you booked Bald Eagle to play this Thursday?

Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard [from Life During Wartime] have always been very supportive of the projects I've been involved in... they're awesome individuals who have a truly genuine love for music and general DJ culture. As long as they're supporting me, I'll be returning the favor--I really appreciate what they do.

New shit you can't stop playing?

Kelis, "Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix)"

Joakim, "I Wish You Were Gone"

Justin Martin, "The Fugitive"

Herve, "(I Can) Get Down"

The Martin Brothers, "Stoopit"

Asobi Seksu, "Thursday"

Top five records that never leave the bag are...

Quarteto Em Cy, "Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser"

Isolee, "Beau Mot Plage"

Daft Punk, "Discovery LP"

The Ronettes, "Be My Baby"

The Jackson 5, "I Want You Back"

Popstatic (myspace.com/popstat) caps off its month-long run with Bald Eagle at Schubas DJ Upstairs, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, on February 22 at 10pm. No cover.

(2007-02-20)

Also by Duke Shin

Spin Control
Twitchy, with the soul and bump of hip-hop and (fittingly, like one of his many monikers) married to a Solid Groove, Dave Taylor aka Switch, has had an increasing presence in carrying new sounds to the forefront of underground house music over the last couple of years
(2007-02-06)

Spin Control
"For me, DJing is a compromise between what the crowd wants to hear, and what I want to play, and every gig is different because of that compromise," says Michael Donaldson, aka Q-Burns Abstract Message
(2007-01-30)

Tip of the Week
Dirty. Funky. Liquid. Heavy. Sinister. German superstar DJ Timo Maas' name alone conjures up all sorts of slippery allusions to sounds and feelings that are easier to feel than explain
(2006-12-22)

The New Days of Disco
Despite current rearview reflecting trends, the Brooklyn-based duo known as Metro Area (Darshan Jesrani and Morgan Geist) has been cranking out disco and italo-drenched productions since 1999
(2006-11-28)

Mr. Bright Side
(2006-11-20)

Tip of the Week
(2006-11-20)

Electronic Dreaming
(2006-10-24)

Couples Club
(2006-10-17)

Spin Control
(2006-09-26)

Tip of the Week
(2006-07-18)

Tip of the Week
(2006-06-21)

The Cex Machine
(2006-06-21)

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