ChicagoVerseUniteD: Chicago Scene Salvation

This week on the ChicagoVerseUniteD audio podcast: Matt Priest of Canasta! The frontman discusses Canasta’s journey as a band over the last ten years, how he’s seen the industry change in that time, the band’s visit to Mongolia earlier this year, and how Canasta is reinventing themselves now. Stream or download that podcast below, and catch the band live this Saturday, June 2nd at Schubas (tix) for the Canasta tenth anniversary event, The Ghosts of Canasta Past.

One has to wonder when the members of Chicago chamber pop outfit Canasta find time to sleep, between recent accomplishments like Record Store Day and Metro gigs, and a U.S. state department sponsored tour of Mongolia. Now, the act is turning their attention to no less than its tenth anniversary performance, entitled The Ghosts of Canasta Past and happening June 2nd at Schubas (tix). It’s a fitting venue for the occasion, as the music hall was the site of the band’s very first live performance, back on Monday, June 3rd, 2002, as part of a Belle & Sebastian Open Mic Tribute event.

Check out the band’s ”Canasta Flash Drive” demo, released to coincide with Record Store Day, followed by the solemn treatment for ambitious The Fakeout, the Tease and the Breather opener “Becoming You.” And look for Canasta’s Daytrotter Session to run on June 1st.

Canasta has posted a (literally) heartbreaking video for its track “Mexico City,” off the group’s 2010 offering The Fakeout, The Tease And The Breather. The song is also available one of many free downloads at the group’s site. The clip (see production still above) was filmed throughout the Windy City in late spring and early summer, and can be viewed below. Or, to catch the band in the flesh, find Canasta headlining The Hideout on Sunday, August 7th.