Caural @ AV XPLO, with Nightmares on Wax, and Other News from Cold Chicago

Wow, it's 2009. 2008 was fairly insane for me: full of huge decisions and, therefore, major changes. As many of you know, a month before my departure date to Kobe, I withdrew from the JET Program and happily remained in Chicago among family and friends. I accepted a full-time position as a Project Manager at an E-Commerce company in River North instead of teaching elementary school students basic English, and have never been happier with an actual "grown up" job.

In any event, of course music continues, though at a much slower pace. After a first run at an improvised sampler set with Chicago producer and old friend K-Kruz for DJ Striz's party at the Whistler, we are teaming up again for two shows this month in Chicago:

A/V XPLO presents: CHANGE WE XPLO

(from A/V Explo)

Friday, January 23rd, 7:00 PM (17 & over) @ Subterranean

2011 North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 278-6600 $10 cover

2008 has proven to be an historic year for the United States. Chicago's own Barack Obama ignited a political and creative movement throughout the city and nation. The good people who run A/V XPLO festivals (music director Paul Midstates and art director Tony Vega) could not sit by and allow this seminal moment to pass without throwing a party.

AUDIO : Golden Sores Ten Speed www.tenspeedmusic.com Midstates & the Choir of Ghosts midstatesmusic.com Change! http://www.myspace.com/changemusic Caural (Zachary Mastoon www.caural.net) with K-Kruz (Chicago producer) Panda Riot www.pandariot.com Pugs Atomz www.myspace.com/pugsleeatomz DJ SR71 http://www.myspace.com/srseventyone

VISUAL: Tony Vega, Jessica Wagner, Bernadette Aguilar, Jose "J-Rod" Rodriguez, Natalie Escamilla, Nuria McNeal, Brad Biancardi with many more to come.

For more information, visit http://avxplo.com

Caural & K-Kruz Opening for Warp's Nightmares On Wax

Yes, in case you miss our show at Subterranean, the next week we'll be joining Abstract Science DJs and opening for Nightmares on Wax!

Saturday, January 31st, 9:00 PM @ Abbey Pub

3420 W. Grace Street. Chicago, IL 60618 $16 in advance/$18 at the door

This should be a great show. Thanks to the Windish Agency and Approaching Serpents for setting this up!

Boy King Islands: Finally Ready To Mix!

Over the last year, Jason and I have written and recorded a slew of new songs and thus totally reshaped the Boy King Islands record, which has been a long time in the coming. Five years and three record labels later, we will finally mix and release the album, tentatively entitled "Fall." I am really happy with the new material and, as soon as it's ready for public consumption, I'll post some new tunes on the good old Myspace for you to hear. Some older songs are up for you to listen to:

www.myspace.com/boykingislands

Stay tuned; Release date TBD in 2009