Gossip Wolf is stoked for the upcoming seven-inch from Chicago psych-garage pop band Soft Candy, their debut for HoZac Records—stoked enough, in fact, to debut the A side, “Bixarre Luv Pyramids.” Below you can give a listen to its chiming Beatles-style guitars and catchy Kinks-y melodies. On Saturday, August 20, Soft Candy celebrate with a free record-release show at Cole’s; opening are Electric Sheep and Shah Jahan, who released a similarly psych-poppy self-titled EP on Eye Vybe Records last month.
In 2004 southeast-side house head Joseph “Pepe” Porter threw a party in his Calumet Heights backyard—and in his two neighbors’ backyards—that doubled as a celebration of the neighborhood’s contributions to house music. He called it 3 Yards Bangin’, and after building it into an annual tradition, Porter went legit, securing permits and moving the party to the grounds of Chicago Vocational Career Academy last August. Renamed 3 Yards Bangin’ House Fest, it went over so well that it’s returning Saturday, August 20. This year 3YB will have two stages and 22 acts, including Chosen Few DJ Mike Dunn, 5 magazine editor Czboogie, and southeast-side house hero Steve “Silk” Hurley, who was given a heritage award at last year’s fest. The festival starts at noon at CVCS, near 86th and S. Chappel.
On Friday, August 19, local indie-soul group Bassel & the Supernaturals headline Schubas to celebrate the release of their new single, “Lost.” The woeful, snaky funk tune was inspired by the devastating losses they’ve endured—a cousin of front man Bassel Almadani was murdered, and bassist Mason Cormie recently died. The band will donate a portion of the proceeds from “Lost” to Karam Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides support to Syrian families. “Lost” will also appear on the group’s forthcoming album, Elements, which is due early next year. v
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