Bitchin' Bajas at Colectivo Back Room in Milwaukee on December 15, 2023

One of the most interesting bands in Chicago over the past decade has been the Bitchin' Bajas. Despite their somewhat goofy name, the trio (Cooper Crain, Dan Quinlivan, and Rob Frye) are dead serious in their approach to musical explorations.

 

Drawing inspiration from the so-called Berlin school of electronics (1970s synth pioneers such as Klaus Schulze) as well as jazz artists such as Sun Ra, the Bajas spun a mesmerizing web of melodies over an hour or so of the concert.

 

This was the last concert ever at this venue and I will not be missing seeing shows here. From super talkative crowds to security staff who seem to approach recording gear as something akin to high-level explosives (and permission to tape as something impossibly difficult to comprehend), my history at the venue has been somewhat unfortunate.

Despite all this, the show was amazing.

Buy their latest album here.

Recording information:

BITCHIN’ BAJAS
2023-12-15
Milwaukee, WI at Colectivo Back Room

Cooper Crain: synthesizers
Dan Quinlivan: synthesizers
Rob Frye: synthesizers, sax

Setlist:

01 Unknown Title (14:30)
02 Unknown Title (5:34)
03 Unknown Title (7:24)
04 Unknown Title (7:18)
05 Unknown Title (11:20)
06 Unknown Title (11:58)
07 Unknown Title (9:46)

Total time = 67:50

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC 930 in ORTF on stand
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (325 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (107 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible