fun. is coming to Madison tomorrow, January 24th. This suddenly just got real. Be prepared badgers for this gem.

Hailing from New York City, indie rock band fun. was formed by Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff. The band hit the US Billboard Hot 100, Digital Songs charts, and number one on the UK Singles Chart. On December 5, 2012, fun. was then nominated for six Grammy Awards.

“It really like wrote itself.” Nate Ruess told Rolling Stone when talking about how the band came up with the song “We Are Young.” The chorus came to Ruess while he was driving and later on in the producer’s room where Ruess started to sing the chorus part and it worked out perfectly.

I personally cannot remember how many times my friends and I listen to We Are Young planned or unplanned. But whenever the song is on, we are turned into a dancing/happy mood. There is something in fun. that directs the atmosphere into a positive one. Be it at the gym rowing while the song “Carry On” pops up on the radio, or at a friend’s place catching up with each other. And it is probably the “something” that makes “Some Nights” such a hit. There are always positive tunes and lyrics that could be found in fun.’s semi-dramatic, up-and-down (in a good way) performances. The chorus always puts a smile on people’s faces and leads to a sing-along session. According to the Rolling Stone, “fun. will carry you through the hard times.”

Another buzz for this fabulous band would probably be the fact that they premiered their song Sight Of The Sun in the show Girls. Give it a listen:

Our opener for fun. is Andrew McMahon. McMahon is a solo performer, singer/songwriter and was the vocalist, pianist and primary songwriter for the bands Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin. Lead by McMahon, Something Corporate recorded their album Ready…Break in 2000 that led to their record label Drive-Thru Records. Andrew with his excellent piano skills and amazing vocal ability will add to the already great night with fun.

Come and enjoy this exciting night with us during the first week of school, “woooooo!” Union South, Varsity Hall doors open at 8pm; concert starts at 9pm on Thursday, January 24th. See y’all there!

Hey y’all. In addition to all the amazing shows we are presenting to you, this Friday at Der Rathskeller you will witness another great act by Jaill (note the extra L) and Surgeons in Heat. Why yes, I’d carpe that diem and enjoy a great night before finals if I were you.

Being a pop/psych-pop indie band with a cheery guitar accompany and punk music filling some dark lyrics, Jaill was formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2002. The band is made up of members Vincent Kircher, Austin Dutmer, and Andrew Harris. Pitchfork comments on their third album, Traps, admitting that ”the best and prettiest songs on this album are ‘Horrible Things (Make Pretty Songs)‘ and ‘While You Reload’.” One can tell the regret embedded throughout the lyrics in this album. However there is always a bright side according to some of Kircher’s lyrics. It is an interesting mix of feelings while listening to them due to the contrast of the blithe and lighthearted melody.

Our opener Surgeons in Heat will prepare you then for Jaill. Also from Milwaukee, Surgeons in Heat has four members Johnathon Mayer, Tyler Ditter, Kenny Monroe and Shawn Pierce. With an easygoing and smooth sound, Surgeons in Heat brings you the scent of summer breeze. The 2012 album Midnight At Bellevue will be released later this year but notice the slow jam in the song, “If You Leave“. You’ll love it. The laid-back and R&B tinged alt-rock vibe of this band will not disappoint.

Simply put, you don’t want to miss out on this great free show. Stop by Der Rathskeller this Friday night!

Jaill:

Surgeons in Heat:

I am sure people are already expecting Thanksgiving to arrive faster at this point of the year, or Christmas more likely. However before you get all excited to go home, stop by The Sett this Friday Night to chill with some chill bands that will add more joy to your weekend. We are bringing Into Arcadia to you!

Otto Ohlsson from England and Kenny Buesing, the Milwaukee guitarist are the founding members of Into Arcadia. Later on, drummer Antonio Ninham and bass player Zach Steiner completed the band and in their entirety, Into Arcadia has been inspired by Kaiser Chiefs, The Stills, Interpol, and The Cure.

Along with an alluringly dark, delicately graphic listening experience, Into Arcadia is more than happy to present their most aspiring full-length album Escaper. Following up from previous single “Panic” and EP Maps For Children, this Milwaukee-based band has developed gradually from the indie rock vibe into a more impassioned and vivid post-alternative sound. Visualizing the scene while listening to their pieces for instance “Into The Water” is highly recommended.

The opener for this awesome band is The Sharrows. Formed by Patrick Price, Joe Hermanson, Phil Sharrow, Matthew Smith, Sylvia Janicki and Jake Bicnase, The Sharrows is an indie-groove-pop band from Madison, WI. As a rock n’ roll band inspired by Wilco, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, they definitely do their job and rock hard. They pumped everyone up at the 2012 Madison Mini Marathon and according to the Madison Mini Marathon site, they received a thank you “for performing in 2012! Madison-based band, The Sharrows are Inspired by folk, blues, jazz and bluegrass […] The band met in early 2012 and began forging tunes together at Hermanson’s home farm studio outside of Madison.”

Let this Friday night show boost your mood to a whole other level. You won’t regret it.

Into Arcadia:

What is more fun after some Halloween costumes and festivities? Consider a concert that is being presented by WUD this Saturday night. This time we are bringing back some Doomtree spirit by having Sims on stage.

One cannot simply talk about Sims without mentioning Doomtree. Originally from Minnieapolis, Minnesota, Doomtree is an alternative rap group that’s formed by Cecil Otter, P.O.S, Dessa, Mike Mictlan, Paper Tiger, Lazerback and Sims. Sims, being one of the core members, has released quality music on his own that incorporates the band’s idea well.

Sims was raised in a working-class family and from his rapping you can sense his stories and understand his upbringing. “I draw a lot more from human interaction than I do from music,” he says. “I listen and try to understand how people function.” As a good writer and rapper, Sims gets what people have been through and he utilizes his talent to make things flow. Sims released the first solo album, Lights Out Paris, in 2005. The second solo album, Bad Time Zoo, was released in 2011. City pages listed him as the 14th best Minnesota rapper.

Opening for Sims is one of Madison’s own student rappers, Muhsick. This young nineteen year-old has been stringing lyrics from the beginning and will warm your ears up for a night of heavy beats and sick words.

One thing is for sure, you are gonna move your body when the music is on and have a great time. Don’t miss out. Scroll below for a free download from Sims.

Download>>Sims- “Jordan 5′s”

Unlike myself, many of you should probably be done with your first round of midterms at this point and are in a mood for something fun. Fortunately, that’s what we are here for. Like always, we are bringing some amazing bands to town that you do not wanna miss out on.

If some rockin’ spirited and warm music sounds about right to you, Army Navy from Los Angeles will promise you a good night. This indie rock pop band has been around since 2004 and released their first album in 2008 on The Fever Zone label. Their music is also featured in the film Beastly which starred Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens. Justin Kennedy, Louie Schultz, Douglas Randall, Grant Lovelace make up Army Navy and with their combined talent, they received positive comments from various medias. Pitchfork said that “the playing’s always spirited, producer Adam Lasus lends the disc a warm, ingratiating sound, and the songs are both taut and well-considered in their arrangements.” Also, The Rolling Stone describes them ”bounding jangle-pop guided by Kennedy’s plaintive, searching vocals”.

Along with Army Navy, The Violet Lights from LA, which consists of Joel Nass and Amber Garvey who are natives of Green Bay, WI (yeah I know), is prepared to show some love this Friday night to folks in Madison. You cannot miss this if you are a fan of The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers or other Britpop/garage rock bands. They just had their first record Sex & Sound EP released in 2012. This EP gained them much attention and not only over college radio but also at SXSW music festival in Austin, TX.

This Friday night is going to be crazy good, stay tune and be there.

Check out Army Navy:

The Violet Lights:

After a week of stress, you deserve a break and an opportunity to pamper your mind/soul with some great bands.

A native of Chapel Hill, the lead singer/guitarist/writer of the band Ari Picker formed Lost in the Trees in 2007 with a group of talented musicians. Beforehand he started his career being a part of The B-sides. After studying at Berklee College of Music, he decided to try more orchestral elements in his songs. Hence, Lost in the Trees develops to one orchestral folk indie band which is influenced by many great musicians including Beethoven and Radiohead.

Lost in the Trees released their new album A Church That Fits Our Needs, and if you give it a listen, the complex and melodious rhythms, mixed with the rich background orchestra sound will fresh your ears. For instance, try “Red,” the music will get stuck in your head after just one play. Cello, violin, viola, tuba, piano, guitar, bass, percussion and ethereal voices give the band a classical vibe but with an indie band sound effect. The Rolling Stones described the album as “Ari Picker tries to make sense of his mother’s suicide against a backdrop of rich orchestration, piled generously atop a base of delicate acoustic folk like heaping spoonfuls of vanilla frosting.”

Our opener, yet another amazing band, will be Midtown Dickens. From North Carolina as well, this post-folk band blends in well with our headliner but has a more relaxed and country style. Midtown Dickens has been around since 2005, and have released three albums, the newest one is Home. This graceful album is put together with full emotions. It depicts the world we are living in where separating and coming together happens frequently. One of their new songs from the album “Walk, Don’t You Run” starts off with the bands signature banjo chords along with other instruments and then mixing in with beautiful vocal parts. The relaxed and chilled vibe is presented right on the beat. Home stimulates and visualizes a broad field in Carolina where thoughts are expanded on and on.

You know you cannot afford to miss this great show on a Friday night. Come over and enjoy great music and fresh your mind! Also enjoy some free downloads below:

Download>> Midtown Dickens “Only Brother”

Download>> Lost in the Trees- “Villain (I’ll Stick Around)”

Lost in the Trees:

Midtown Dickens:

This Saturday night is going to be one positive and exciting night for you guys.

Our headliner Dubtonic Kru consists of Jubba, Stone, Luke, Kamau and Jallanzo. The name of the band gives away a little bit about them, as you see, the mixture of “dub” and “tonic” might make you addicted to their music. Being a reggae-rooted band from Jamaica, Dubtonic Kru is beyond reggae with a mix of rock and dub. With about fifteen years of experience working with famous musicians like Max Romeo and The Mighty Diamonds, The Kru has got control of live shows and are good at keeping things fun and spontaneous- a reggae band is always a good time. I still sometimes want to go back to when I visited Puerto Rico last year. Just hanging with people from different places and friends with reggae music on all night long releases all the tensions in mind. The soulful entertainment makes it feel like everything flows. This international band earned the title “Best New Band In The World” 2010-2011 in Malaysia in February 2011. The bonding The Kru received with the audience continues through their amazing performances.

Also hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, the opener for Dubtonic Kru is Kool Johnny Kool. This cool reggae musician has been around since 2006 and it is promised that he will make your body moving from the moment he starts the show with his great live vibe. Along with him, our old friend D.J Trichrome who is currently residing in Madison is bringing back the pleasant energy. Trichrome has been in the reggae business since 1998 and has been presenting funky beats all along in places like The Majestic and High Noon Saloon.

Come and enjoy some high-quality Jamaican music after a week of stress and bond with the positive attitude. There is going to be no regrets but a good time, as you can see from the videos below:

Dubtonic Kru:

Kool Johnny Kool:

The fun all starts this weekend on Friday night with Dastardly along with Buxton and Pioneer at Der Rathskeller.

Two main vocals Gabe Liebowitz and Sarah Morga, with three other members August Sheehy, Joe Rauen and Andy Taylor form the group, Dastardly. Influenced by Roy Orbison, Harry Nilsson, The Carter Family, Dirty Projectors, and Muppets, this Chicago-based band was formed not too long ago in 2009. However it already attracts many fans. It is an Americana country/ballad band combined with indie rock vibe. The amped-up guitar refreshes up the beat in many of their songs, for example “Middelground.” Some of their wicked sarcastic lyrics and funky beats will put a smirk/smile on your face. The song, “Villan” starts off with acoustic chords and melodious harmonies, but then soon breaks into a rock session which does not appear to be abrupt since it eases back into the harmonies later on. Ballads in Blue, their new album that just released in July 2012 has four beautiful pieces that relax your mind and set in various scenarios where you can let go of imagination. According to The Isthmus, “This Chicago-based band spins its love of Roy Orbison, The Carter Family and The Muppets into sonic treats dipped in the sweet melodies of cowboy troubadours and the salty licks of indie-rock guitars.”

One of the openers for this Friday night is Buxton. Being one of the most valued folk rock bands from Houston with its fan base outside of the state of Texas, Buxton will make your night a good one from the beginning. Members Sergio Trevino, Chris Wise, Jason Willis, Justin Terrell and Austin Sepulvado have been running the band since 2003. Their music makes contrast between folk and rock over bristly guitar. Their New West Records debut album Nothing Here Seems Strange was released January 31, 2012. The merging of harmonies is reflected much in their music, which sounds cool. With only two self-released albums, the Houston Press declares them as “Simply put, these guys are getting ridiculously good.”

Our other opener will be the Madison chamber-pop trio, Pioneer. Guitarist/vocal Kenny Monroe’s shivering chord progressions along with sweat beats from other members are definitely a not-to-miss. Also, the harmony with Jacqueline Kursel in “Memorial Day” stirs up the dynamics. In a time of electric music, audience of folk instrumentation will bond over this special personal experience.

Just by listening to all the links to the music above, you know it will be a fantastic evening at Der Rathskeller in Madison. What’s not to love? Scroll down a bit for some free downloads and a little preview of what is to come on Friday night.

Download>> Dastardly – “Sentimental Blue”

Download>> Pioneer- “Memorial Day”

Dastardly: