winged migration necklace
$30
fez sunglasses
$10
gourmet scented colored pencils
$16
sparkling toothy earrings
$8
 
Back when we were closeted gay teens in the suburbs of Chicago we took an unusual interest in
Sassy magazine. (Keith still has all his old issues from high school!) Our fave section was, without a
doubt, "What Now," edited by Christina Kelly, now editor-in-chief of
YM. Each month Ms. Kelly would
rant and rave on a variety of topics, from celebs to zines, and always included the "Cute Band Alert."

When we saw the electro pop trio
Venue put on a great show recently in Chicago we knew it was time to revive the "CBA". These talented musicians not only look like models, but they sing about them too. One of their new songs refers, rather explicitly, to Kate Moss. After their set was over, we ran backstage, got 20 autographed copies of their new CD Caught on Film and asked the members of Venue (Brian Hanna on bass, Chris May on vocals and Eric Wilzbacher on synths) all about the style and substance of their "laptop rock". Click here to sample Venue’s CD, Caught on Film.

Hey guys! We love your music! It reminds us of dancing at Chicago's Medusa's to Ministry and Nizter Ebb back in the day. How did Venue get started? Explain what "laptop rock" is.
We wanted to create dancefloor pop with substance, a response to the mind numbing, faceless techno dominating the clubs. I love to dance and the monotonous drone was killing me! "Laptop rock" suits us because we're essentially a laptop act performing rock songs. "Industrialelectrosynthrock" was my second choice, a little much to handle.

We saw that you recently won the 2003 Diesel U:Music award! Congrats! How did you score that prestigious win and what perks came with it?
We won by submitting an mp3 of "Suckers". Diesel hooked it up, gave us a shiny award, a single release with Moonshine and, yes, free jeans.

We love multi-tasking! Tell us about your art collective Synesthesia.
We're a group of visual and performing artists who throw events across the country. Right now we're working on a follow-up to Synth City and a short avant-garde feature/Venue music video.

We love your song "Moving to NY". Any plans to join us in the Big Apple sometime soon?
We’re in Chicago for the next 6 months; come next summer, who knows. "Moving to NY" works on multiple levels, though. On one, it's a response to all the people we knew who were moving to NY at the time. It seemed like such an empowering thing to say for some people. On another level, it's props to the rebirth of the NY scene.

When you're not creating some of the coolest electro beats in Chicago, where can we find you boyz chillin'?
In Chicago most of our time is spent in our West Loop loft. It's our studio/live/work/party space. Why leave home? When we do get out we'll hit Mondays at Spoon, Tuesdays at InnJoy, Fridays at Nude and catch some shows at the Empty Bottle. I guess we're out more than I thought…

What inspires you?
Running a weekly club night, spending long nights in locations unknown, fashionistas and Al Jorgenson’s hats.

Hey Mr. DJ, what other music are you lovin' right now?
The new Ghostly comp. 'Idol Tryouts', LCD Soundsystem, Ulrich Schnauss, and Fischerspooner’s remix for Kylie is gorgeous.

What would be your ultimate fantasy gig for Venue?
Performing on a Carnival Cruise line. We’re all about starting a love train, then busting into a
group limbo…

08/2003



DIARY ARCHIVES: fred friends Lights, One Night Only, Rye Rye, next BIG thing! 2008, Jesse McCartney, Jonas Brothers, Top Model's Sarah Vonderhaar, Jack Mackenroth, Think Pink writer Lisa Clark, Kit Pistol, Au Revoir Simone, Supayana, What the Buck, Peter Bjorn and John, Ratatat, next BIG thing! 2007, shoe designer Jeffrey Campbell, Erika Forster of Au Revoir Simone, heartist Chris Uphues, Alison Kelly of Dahl, Stephanie Deleau of Noisette, Marilyn Patrizio of M.Partizio, Liam Sullivan of Kelly "Shoes", Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, next BIG thing! 2006, Jill Bliss, next BIG thing! 2005, Loop NYC's China Young, Sukie, The Donnas, Vinnie's Tampon Case, Leah Tinari, Peach Berzerk, The Sperber twins, Jennifer Worick, Cody, Patch NYC 2, Chip Wass, Angela Adams, Venue, Jack and Lulu 2, All Girl Summer Fun Band, 31 Corn Lane, Charlotte Ronson, Three by Three Seattle, Princess Tina, Imperial Teen, Built by Wendy 2, Dana Carlson, Sweden, Jack and Lulu 1, Bob's Your Uncle, Mary Ping & Jonathan Adler, E-Z Living, Built by Wendy 1, Endicott Five, Patch NYC 1, media blitz Mod*Mom, Aya Kanai from Nylon, Grace Bonney of Design Sponge, Samantha Moeller of Missbehave, Marie Kare of The Sampler, Pink Is The New Blog's Trent Vanegas, Martha Stewart Kids' Jodi Levine, BUST's Debbie Stoller, YM's Elizabeth Kiester, Cargo's Ariel Foxman, teeter on tour back to brooklyn, she's so rad, double handsome, wild pony, enchanted treehouse, beanz-n- rice, wide open road, crush Teeter Sperber, Kelis, Jennifer Garner, Kylie Minogue, Charlie Brown, Scarlett Johansson, employee of the month Julie, Jen, Sammy Joe & Joe Sammy, Amy, Vanessa, Tim, Anne, Chanel, Josh, Lauren, Diane, Charles, Lillian, nancy drew review the haunted bridge, the whispering statue, the mystery of the ivory charm, the message in the hollow oak, the clue of the broken locket, password to larkspur lane, the sign of the twisted candles, nancy's mysterious letter, the clue in the diary, the secret of red gate farm, the secret of shadow ranch, the mystery at lilac inn, the bungalow mystery, the hidden staircase, the secret of the old clock, lulu in the city lulu luvs, extra! extra! read all about it!, pink Christmas, thanks, new york!, single in the city, spooky lulu, roller girl, jersey girl, no lights, big city, it was a "red hot" summer!, miss independence, billyburg shopping guide, lulu and the kitty, in like a lion, out like a lamb, my best friend joe, hotpants!, the queen of brooklyn, summer in the city, the anniversary party, garbage & neighbors & mice...oh my!, lulu in the city, cheap & cheerful give thanks, hula hoops, a piece of pi, cupcakes, fred fleur, tommy: mini mode happy summer days, it's a mod, mod world, good night, sweet dreams, my girl, keep on marching, one fine day, supermodels Dana's Lucky magazine shoot, hi-fi holiday honeys, supermodel Hillary's Warhol, fallfabulous, supermodel challenge, covergirls, fred on tour Paris Dispatch: Eiffel Awesomeness, Paris Dispatch: Just Strollin', Paris Dispatch: From Colette w/ Love, Paris Dispatch: Marie & The Moulin, Paris Dispatch: Bonjour, Peeps!, behind the music, San Fredcisco, LA Flare, chartoppers: the 80's 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, chartoppers: madonna Hard Candy, Confessions on a Dance Floor, reinvention tour recap, reinvention contest winners, Madonna, Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer, I'm Breathless, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, Music, American Life, top 50 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, window shopping 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, sales and events Carnival of Cute: Holiday 2006, Fall Sample Sale 2006, Pool Party 2006, Holiday Sale 2003, let's skate, Holiday Sale 2002, Holiday Sale 2001, Holiday Sale 2000, Spring Sale 2000