Maybe Gossip Wolf has missed the boat on Impulsive Hearts, the beachfront pop project of local singer-songwriter Danielle Sines, because swimsuit weather still seems so far away. In February the band (which also features bassist and utility player John Paul and drummer Dan Julian) dropped their debut LP, Sorry in the Summer, via UK label Beautiful Strange. After a few dozen listens to opening jam “I Wannabe Gone,” this wolf is sure Impulsive Hearts always have sand between their toes. Their echoey, languid jams have a touch of Beach House—that is, if Beach House were produced by Phil Spector. Copies of the LP, limited to 500 copies on red “Ruby Tuesday” vinyl, are available from Bandcamp, and on Friday, May 6, Impulsive Hearts play as part of a benefit for Girls Rock! Chicago at Cole’s.
Local footwork collective Juke Underground drops the two-part Juke World Order Vol. 3 this week—the first installment on Thursday, May 5, and the second on Saturday, May 7. The 76-track collection features artists from around the globe—Belgium’s DJ Peas, Tel Aviv’s Gra’ & OG Kush, Seoul’s Cong Vu—plus Chicago heavy hitters DJ Deeon, Traxman, and DJ Roc. It’s downloadable free from Bandcamp, and Juke Underground celebrates the release with an all-city footwork battle and concert downstairs at Subterranean on Saturday, May 7—part of dance monthly Mucho Culo.
In 2013, the Reader‘s Kevin Warwick praised the garage jams of local four-piece Blasted Diplomats as “straight-up hole-in-the-wall rock with a tinge of 90s nostalgia (minus the gratuitous angst).” Maybe that’s why this wolf likes them! The ‘Mats play their final show Wednesday, May 4, at East Room, but not before bestowing a final album on their fans. Again is downloadable free via Bandcamp, and it sounds like a band hitting their peak—”Smooches!” and “I Don’t Wanna Go Out on Fridays” are full of tasty solos and power-pop hooks. Is it too early for a reunion, guys? v
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