Reviewsic [ri-vyoo-zik] -noun: Music worth talking about

Previously featured on our humble blog, as we reviewed their EP Rochelle, Rochelle Chicago natives Picture Books took some time out of their busy 2009 to talk to us about what a year it’s been, what lies in 2010, and to grace us with some of their favorite albums of the year.

Telegram Sam: What has Picture Books been up to since we last spoke?

Nicholas Papaleo of Picture Books: What’ve we been up to? Quite a bit actually. Went on tour, did a film shoot where our entire set was filmed in HD (we learned all about Dutch Angles), and played a lot of Playstation 3. We built a practice/recording space in Josh’s basement and that’s lead to a recent creative spurt and a number of new songs as we prepare to record our first full length album.

TS: Where does the Metro rate on your scale of venues to play?

NP: Metro rates very high on our list of venues to play. For most kids who grew up playing music in the Chicago are, Metro was the goal. If you played Metro you’ve made it. To have the opportunity to play there once is incredible, but now for a second time is really quite a thrill for a band at our level.
TS: Any band resolutions for the New Year?

NP: Any and all band resolutions will probably revolve around getting our record done and to accomplish the vision we have for it. In the past we’ve always rushed through the recording process, thus neglecting something that easily could’ve been addressed had we taken a bit more time. So that’s what we’re gonna do with this full length. Personally, I resolve to spend as much time playing Super Mario Bros. Wii as possible.

TS: What can we look forward to in 2010, regarding your music?

NP: 2010 is going to be a big year for us. First we’ll access the secret military spy satellite that’s in a geo-synchronous orbit that’s over the midwest. Then, we’ll locate the limo by the vanity plate Mr. Bigg and get his approximate position. Then, we’ll reposition the transmitter dish in the remote truck to 17.32 degrees east, hit west up over the Atlantic bounce the signal down into the Abors up the Conzact 6 beam it back through to Zack through transmitter number 137 and down to the dish in the back of Mr.Bigg’s limo. It’s almost too easy”

TS: What are your top albums of 2009?

NP: Good god I’m terrible at this question…I enjoyed a lot of music in 2009. This is just a taste of some things I loved:

Everything released by the labels Numero Group and Mississippi records.

Kid, You’ll Move Mountains - Loomings

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Japandroids - Post Nothing
And now a special performance of Nicholas Papaleo taking on multiple roles in order to answer our burning questions ENTIRELY in Wayne’s World quotes (as opposed to just question #4)

1. What has Picture Books been up to since we last spoke?
- I have an extensive collection of nametags and hairnets.

2. Where does the Metro rate on your scale of venues to play?
-We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!

3. Any band resolutions for the New Year?
-Purchase feeble cable access show, and exploit it.

4. What can we look forward to in 2010, regarding your music?
-Contract or no, I will not bow to any sponsor. Maybe I’m wrong on this one, but for me, the beast doesn’t include selling out. It’s like people only do these things because they can get paid. And that’s just really sad.

5. What are your top albums of 2009?
- I mean Led Zeppelin didn’t write tunes everybody liked. They left that to the Bee Gees.

Visit them at www.picturebooksmusic.com

Click the flier and be taken to www.greatestshowever.com where you can print a free ticket for Picture Books at the Metro tomorrow, January 2nd, and get a free download of their EP Rochelle, Rochelle.

Venna is the music of husband and wife team Heather and Marky Hladish, who get by with a little help from their friends, including accompaniment Felix Culpa band-mate Dustin Currier and others. The beatific Heather delivers a sound that’s warm and folky, evoking the same comfort born of simplicity that comes along with being wrapped up in a quilt hand-made with love.
Reviewsic had the chance to talk to Heather as she prepares for Venna’s upcoming show tomorrow, January 2^nd at the Metro along with Kid, You’ll Move Mountains, Picture Books, and Crayolala. With this show and what is sure to be many more, 2010 is looking to be just as prosperous as 2009 for Venna, who self-released their EP Even a Little, and played across the Midwest.

Telegram Sam: Where does the Metro rate on your scale of venues to play?

Heather Hladish: Growing up, all I ever wanted to do was play the Metro. I have seen countless shows there (and I know the other guys have too) and actually playing on that stage seemed like something I’d only dream about… until this year when we played there. I still can’t believe it actually happened.

TS: Any music resolutions for the New Year?

HH: I’d like to say I’d write more and that we’d practice more, but it’s probably not going to happen. I have three kids and finding time to write seems nigh impossible (put it this way: during the course of writing these three small paragraphs, I’ve been interrupted six times, ha!) but I keep making efforts to find time, difficult though it may be. So I think my resolution will be to be grateful for whatever time I get to spend on writing or playing music, and be at peace with the fact that there is a time for everything… it just doesn’t always come when you’d like it to.

TS: What are your top 5 bands/albums of 2009?

HH: That’s a hard one. These are what immediately come to mind when I think about what things impacted me the most musically. Some of these aren’t 2009 releases, but they found me this year so I included them.

1. Joe Pug - Nation of Heat. The song Hymn #101 might be the most perfect song ever written, lyrically. I listened to this song on repeat for two hours straight trying to understand it. I still don’t and that makes me love it all the more.

2. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight. This wasn’t a 2009 release, but I just discovered them and they make me so happy. I listen to this album from start to finish, which I rarely do with albums anymore. I love how Scott Hutchison writes lyrics - it is the most beautiful poetry mixed with whatever raw, crude thing that comes into his head. It’s like he starts out trying to write something that is lyrically beautiful and ends up just screaming right from his gut. I love it. If only I could be that brave.

3. Into It. Over It. - 52 Weeks. Speaking of resolutions… Evan Weiss wrote and recorded one song a week for 52 consecutive weeks. When he said he was going to do this, I really doubted it. Then, he totally pulled it off and the album is awesome. (Favorite tracks - Anchor & Can I Buy a Vowel?) The fact that he was able to be that focused and that prolific really inspires me. I hope I can find a year of my life where I can be that dedicated to music.

4. Why? - Alopecia. I can blame this one totally on band mate Dustin Currier. This album is crazy and so far outside my typical choice for listening material I got obsessed with it. I think every single mix I made this year had a Why? song on it… I wanted everyone to hear this album and be equally shocked and entranced.

5. Chris Bathgate - A Cork Wake Tale. My friend Chris Sofolo introduced me to this guy and he is just lovely. His melodies are so interesting and arresting and I just love his voice. He’s got just the right mixture of control and honesty and it makes for a really recognizable quality. It’s a balance I strive for myself and I love to hear artists who have gotten it right.

TS: What’s in store for your music in 2010?

HH: Honestly, I don’t rightly know. It’s hard to say what will happen. My husband Marky and Dustin are both in the throws of a new release and tour plans with their other band, The Felix Culpa and it makes it hard to concentrate fully on Venna. I know we’d all like to do it all, have it all, but that can put a strain on everyone. The plan is to take a little break until spring to give them the space they need to do what needs to be done. So we’ll take it one day at a time, write and practice when we can and work on a new album ourselves when the timing is right.

VennaMusic.com

Click the flier to be taken to www.greatestshowever.com where you can print a free ticket for Venna at the Metro this Saturday, and get few downloads from their EP Even A Little