TCR Mixtape No. 26: Dreamy Vibes
Well, I set off to create a playlist of 10 dream-inducing ballads, but I ended up with 70—turns out it’s way too difficult to narrow down these gorgeous, layered songs, […]
Do Division to Kick Off Festival Season (and Summer) Next Weekend
Summer signals street fair celebrations. This weekend, Do Division will span ten city blocks, and it will bring together local vendors and restaurants in between the stages. Speaking of the stages, Empty Bottle […]
Nightlands Breathes Light into Schubas
My return to my favorite Chicago venue was thanks to a band called Nightlands. This band brought light back into my week after a rough beginning, and it brought light […]
Mild High Club Gets Dreamy @ Lincoln Hall
Alex Brettin wore his signature blue, yellow, and red cap. He grew out a willy beard that made him look ages older. He looked haggard, looking worn and yet […]
OUT, The Rutabega, Mint Mile, Andrew Cohen & Light Coma @ Township 5/28
This Sunday, May 28, Township in Logan Square hosts a rare showcase from the label Comedy Minus One, featuring four bands with fairly recent releases: OUT, The Rutabega, Mint Mile, […]
Meat Puppets and Mike Watt Jam Econo
I’ve been jumping into the musical Wayback Machine to disappear into my post-college groove and deflect this post-apocalyptic shit storm. Since the 11/9 election terrorism attack, I’ve already taken a […]
Mac DeMarco Gets Weird and Invites Us to Get Weird, Too
To say that Mac DeMarco is eccentric is putting it lightly; but that’s honestly why I, and his ever-growing legion of fans, love him in the first place. After seeing […]
Real Estate Keeps it Mellow @ the Vic
I’d seen Real Estate in concert before—at Pitchfork Music Festival, as the sun started to descend. It was the perfect forum for such breezy tunes. Cut to this past Friday […]
TCR Mixtape No. 25: That Gum You Like Is Going To Come Back In Style
It is happening again. Honestly I didn’t think it would ever happen again. I was too young to have watched the show when it originally aired, but its legacy and […]
Sleater-Kinney’s Dig Me Out Turns 20
Cue up the first track. Hit play. Or drop the needle, if you’re so inclined. Immediately, there’s a guitar line that doesn’t sound quite like any other guitar you’ve heard. […]
Laura Marling Graces Chicago @ Metro
Dusky pink lights stream over the stage at Metro Chicago, strands of white-flowered ivy coiling along the amplifiers and guitar stands of the band. At center stage, the leaves wind their […]
Bluegrass, Banjo Picking and Clog Dancing Light Up the Symphony Center
The Symphony Center is a different place when the program veers away from classical. Few suits and ties, no designer dresses or jewelry. Plenty of jeans and khakis, checks and […]