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Sneak Attack: Ragged Claws @ the Beat Kitchen

Sunday September 19th

Ribbons

Weye

Ragged Claws

Caulfield

8 p.m. $8 21+

The Beat Kitchen

2100 W. Belmont

Fresko: An Exhibition to Benefit Haitian Artists

We're returning to our de-facto home base to perform again. Art @ Cole's is hosting an art exhibit featuring paintings by three artists from Jacmel, Haiti. The show is being hung now, and will be on display until October 2nd. The reception on Monday, September 13th will most definitely be an incredible evening. These artists are friends of mine and are all really talented. Jean Marie Charles, Prince Luc, and Rose Marie Lamour have paintings on display. All of them lost their homes in the earthquake and this show is a tribute to the work they continue to do as well as an opportunity to support them as they rebuild their lives. Click here to get some more info on the show. We're also playing a set that night. It's going to include some Haitian music and some never before heard tunes. We're also working on a Shakespeare song that totally celebrates the end of summer. Here's a song about Haitian girls to get you in the mood for some high art from the high hills of the third world.

Paul

18 VFK [vrè fanm kreyòl].mp3

Ragged Claws @ Cole's w/ the War at Sea

First and foremost let it be known we'll be playing at Cole's on Sunday night. The show starts at 6:30 and we'll be joined by our friend and life-partner The War at Sea. It's free as usual and we'll also be joined by all-star guitarist Andrew Trim, who just moved to the Chi from Boulder. It's sort of an after party for the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Fest, so when your tired of wondering whether your innocently supporting local art or aiding and abetting in the spread of gentrification, come drink your troubles away as we sing about songs that have very little to do with the matrices of cultural power in good ol' Logan's Square. We've been away from the blog for a while, but we're turning over a new leaf, and we promise to keep this dream alive. I'd hate to see such a painful pun die a slow death like that. Speaking of leaves, the Fey Series is gearing up for a second release. Be on the lookout for some totally hot charitable vinyl on sale this next month.
love,
Paul

Abbey Pub, Reckless, and the end of winter.

We are excited to announce that Reckless Records is selling our Fey 7 inches. If you're afraid of future crimes and don't want to pay with your credit card, you can swing by any of the Reckless locations in Chicago and pick one up there. The clerk will undoubtedly approve of your philanthropy and good taste and you can feel good about supporting such a venerable institution.

We are also pumped to announce a benefit Show at the Abbey Pub on April 7th. The bill is looking pretty eclectic with a slew of artists much more versed in gettin' down than yours truly. It's 10 bucks but this show is going to be so much fun I can't even tell you. Here's a little sneak peak at Chicago's next big deal.

April 7th @ The Abbey Pub

10$ (it all goes to charity)

Big Splashes, Ragged Claws, Jams Dean, Sequoia, Eyes Like Architecture, Panda Riot, EnJoy, Goodlife Music, GrG & Kli

In the meantime, here's a song you may not have heard. We've been playin' a different version around lately, but here's the original. As an artist in the midwest, you would think I'd have developed a somewhat poetic appreciation for winter by now. Not the case. I hate winter and from the moment it starts snowing, I want it to be over. In celebration of the imminent spring, here's a sad song about winter making my life more difficult.

Winter Face.mp3

Fey 7" CD Release Show Wednesday 3/17

We're super excited to release our first ever physical actual thing as Ragged Claws. It's happening on Wednesday at Ronny's venerable center for the performing arts. You can read the previous post or go to the official website for info on the 7". It's a split with Michael Noyce who will also be gracing us with a performance. It will be really wonderful to finally get these into your hands and start the charity wagon moving. Come help us celebrate a good cause and also celebrate my new freedom from employment. Oh busking, you earn such an honest wage.

Wednesday 3/17 @ Ronny's
2101 N. California Ave. Chicago, IL
Ragged Claws
Mike Noyce
Brier Rabbit
The Mother Z's

Birthday Kate Bush Cover

Paul forgot to mention that the show was also on his birthday! So happy belated birthday to Paul! As a gift I recorded one of his favorite songs (or at least one of his favorite songs to play on juke boxes, eg. at the beloved Deuce Deuce Ultra Lounge) in commemoration of his glorious quarter century. Listen to it! I used Garage Band, that great democratizing force of man and technology. Garage Band, (like anything furthering the cause of democratization) imbues all that it produces with an aura of the lowest common denominator, or at least a subtle averaging/distribution of quality (which I adamantly support as being of The Good). And I used the sweet microphone that Paul bought me for my own birthday back in the day, the merits of which however did not overcome my significant technological handicaps. I’m sure that’s enough of a disclaimer; I beg of you to look kindly upon my efforts, and I only hope that Kate Bush listens to it and wants to be my new best friend. It's bound to happen some day. Happy Happy Birthday Paul! ~Kimberly

running up that hill cover.mp3

Benefit Show Tonight, Jan. 31st

Haiti has held a special place in our heart for a long time and in the wake of the earthquake we want to help out our fellow musicians who have been effected. Tonight at Cole's Bar (2338 N. Milwaukee) we're playing with some friends of ours to raise money to help the students and teachers of the Ste. Trinite School of Music that was destroyed in the Quake. The show is free, but there will be tons of opportunities to support the school. Cash donations, proceeds from the bar, sales from cds and food, as well as the sales of some haitian art will all go directly to the hands of people in need. It's been a while, but what a great time to reignite the Ragged Claws flame that has perhaps dimmed, but burns nonetheless. Love and happiness.
Sunday, Jan. 31st.
8pm Cole's Bar
2338 n. Milwaukee
Ragged Claws
War at Sea
Mike Noyce
Story of Everest
Free as hell.