Ever dreamt of seeing Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda walk in slow-motion to a Canasta song? Well, your dreams have become reality! IFC Films is just about to release their new movie, Diminished Capacity, and about halfway though the trailer, "Slow Down Chicago" comes crashing in! Most of the story takes place here in Chicago, so the song sounds more or less right at home. The picture also stars Virginia Madsen, Dylan Baker, Bobby Cannavale and Louis C.K. and opens in both Chicago and NYC on July 4th. Check it:

First we mixed up our record, now we’re mixing up our members.

You’re going to see some changes on stage over the next couple of shows. In fact, if you saw our show at Beat Kitchen last month, you already saw a complete and total stranger standing next to Elizabeth behind the synthesizer. That would be Ian Wilson, who is taking over for John Cunningham. And behind the piano, where you usually see Josh Schnable under a baseball cap, you will start seeing a slightly taller fellow named Kyle Mann. Josh and Canasta alumni Megan O’Connor will be filling in at one or two more shows before the new lineup is full-time. After that, you’ll have to keep up with our extended family on our links page. You can also see what Kyle and Ian do outside of Canasta when they’re not busy learning all of our band nicknames and favorite movies.

Since nothing says “new member bonding“ like a road trip, we’re driving up to Minneapolis on June 11th. While we’re there, we’ll be playing at the famous 7^th Street Entry with our Milwaukee neighbors, The Trapper Schoepp Band, and Minneapolis ass-shakers The Battle Royale. Sounds like fun, right? You’re going to be sad if you miss it, aren’t you? That’s why we’re bringing The Battle Royale back to Chicago with us -- a few weeks later -- on June 24^th at the Empty Bottle (also joined by Darling).

Finally, if you haven’t been out to a neighborhood festival yet this summer, you are wasting some precious outdoor-music-listening-weekends, if we may be so bold. Pizza Fest happens June 21^st at the intersection of Fullerton and Racine, and we’ll be there!

When did getting “mixed up” up become a good thing? The second you downloaded the first track from the new Canasta remix album We Were Mixed Up, that’s when! (catchy title, right? right?) Your favorite tracks have been thrown into the blenders of some of Chicago’s most talented artists. We’ve got members of OFFICE, The Hood Internet, Allá, Brighton MA, The Fake Fictions and others throwing new faces on classic Canasta gems. And best of all, the entire thing can be downloaded or streamed absolutely free of charge on our Audio Page! Just one small way to show our appreciation for all the support you have given us over the years.

To celebrate, we will be having a release show at the Beat Kitchen on March 1^st. We will be joined by the uber fantastic groups The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Otter Petter. The show will also give us the Chicago debut of our new pianist, Josh Schnable. Josh has been working feverishly at perfecting his Canasta swagger and definitely adds a new element to the band’s sound. As an added bonus, we will be giving away a limited edition Canasta flashdrive filled with our entire catalogue, a few live tracks, and a special flashdrive only song! Grab your friends and slightly soaked dance shoes and join us for a night of boogie down terrificness!

2008 is a off to a huge start for us. Coming fresh off the Obama fundraiser and a sold out Schubas show, Canasta was featured as “artist of the week” on Breakthru Radio. The show featured an exclusive concert and interview, live from Memphis. And this Friday, we’ll be hitting the road again, in support of the remix album! We’ll also be bringing along the limited edition Canasta flashdrives to give away. So if we’re in your neck of the woods, please come on out! More to come in ‘08, so stay tuned! (what a tease…)

So I was watching the news the other night and I swear I saw members of Canasta flashing behind Barack Obama’s head. Too much holiday nog (is that possible)? You were not hallucinating, at least for that newscast. December has been a huge month for the Canasta crew. The marquee on the Riv summed it up: “Obama Rocks”. Canasta got the party going in a big way December 7^th as we opened the all-star benefit concert at the legendary Riviera Theater for Chicago’s very own Barack Obama. The evening saw a mass of talent on the stage: Jill Sobule, Macy Gray, The Changes (who actually backed Macy. Yes, I said backed, as in backing band. They threw the funk down), 3rd Eye Blind, an amazing headlining set by our heroes, Wilco, and Obama himself gave an impassioned speech to the packed house. Canasta could not have been more honored to play at such an inspiring event.

The very next week found Canasta at one of the city’s finest venues, Schubas, playing to a sold out crowd. Forty-five minutes of block rocking beats got Schubas’ floors bouncing before the New Amsterdams took over and kept it on and on into the midnight hour.

After all that commotion you’d think we’d be taking a holiday breather. Not so fast. Music writing continues to be the band’s focus and as we move into the new year we’re finalizing gems for the new album. The sound of Canasta continues to grow in a way that’s got fuse boxes blowing like no other. The band cannot wait to share this new batch with you in the new year. Catch us live to hear what we’re feeling.

Outside of Chicago and feeling the Canasta itch? We’ve definitely got the touring itch and we’re scratching in a big way. Keep an eye on the site as we finalize plans for getting around the US in the first half of ’08. And that’s just a tease.

We wish to thank everyone who has supported us in 2007. Many new friends were made this year as the Canasta family continues to grow. You all mean the world to us. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Xoxo, Canasta

2008 — Year of the Fakeout