Review: Johnnyswim Leaves It All at the Vic
The best thing about working with your significant other is being around your favorite person all the time. The worst thing about working with your significant other is…see above. But […]
Review: Falling Into Folklore at the Evanston Folk Festival
It may not officially be fall, but there is a change in the air. The lighting, the crisp colors, the leaves starting to change, and the cool breeze accompanying the […]
Review: Rousing Chicago Reunion for Irish Trad Legend Altan
Chicago played a crucial role in the survival of traditional Irish music. Our city in the 19th and early 20th centuries became home to a huge influx of Irish immigrants […]
Review: Beausoleil’s Cajun Charms Prevail Despite a Trimmed Lineup
Beausoleil has been the premier Cajun music recording and touring band for 45 years, and I have seen them so many times I’ve lost count. Every one of their past […]
Review: Where Dylan Grew into His Genius, Bob Dylan’s New York By June Skinner Sawyers
Bob Dylan’s New York By June Skinner Sawyers The History Press,142 pages, $21.99 First of all, a story: In April 2010, I was in downtown Duluth on a freelance writing […]
Review: Aoife O’Donovan Enchants at Old Town School of Folk Music
Aoife O’Donovan is special. It’s easy to say that about many musicians, especially ones we hold dear, but there is something about O’Donovan that can’t be denied. Whether it be […]
Review: Le Vent du Nord at Old Town School of Folk Music: Tapez Du Pieds!
Le Vent du Nord, which translates to North Wind, brought the rollicking traditional music of Quebec to the Windy City on January 8. In kicking off the Old Town School […]
Mambo Kings and Tropical Weather Transported Grant Park to Cuba
The Grant Park Orchestra does not often play back-up to a jazz combo. On the other hand, the Mambo Kings, veteran performers of Afro-Cuban jazz, have been teaming up with […]
Preview: Make Music Chicago Celebrates the Solstice on Friday
As the sun rises at what annually is its most northerly point on the horizon, sound artists and Rogers Park residents Eric Leonardson and Deirdre Harrison will be performing Dean […]
Review: Gregory Alan Isakov Brings Evening Machines to a Dreamy Night at the Vic
Listen to a song by Gregory Alan Isakov and you’re likely to hear something about suitcases, gasoline, the sea, the moon, the stars– his poetry is populated by dusty images […]
Interview: Erin Rae on Her Dreamy Folk Music
When Brandi Carlile recently performed at the Chicago Theater, she said that it was not long ago that she was playing Schubas. Now selling out a theater with a capacity […]
Album Review: Trampled by Turtles’ Life is Good on the Open Road is Varied, Thoughtful
Duluth bluegrass sextet Trampled By Turtles will play back-to-back sold out nights at Thalia Hall this weekend, May 19th & 20th. The band’s timely visit provides fans the opportunity to […]