Chicago – Ah, yes, it’s that time of year again – time to experience all four seasons while attending one of Chicago’s best music festivals: Riot Fest. For some, the chances of getting rained on, spending the weekend slowly walking through mud, and on the daily experiencing an Autumn morning, humid afternoon, and then a
San Francisco – The number two: it’s powerful, yet submissive. It’s strong, yet unpredictable. It’s stalwart, yet malleable. It seeks comfort, yet it aches for dissonance. An album’s second track holds a powerful role, as it anchors the cohesiveness of an entire piece without demanding immediate satisfaction. Los Angeles-based outfit Local Natives has no qualms
New York - Google “tiny dance” in your nearest computing machine, and you are likely to find a results page filled mainly with references and links to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John. Over the years the 1971 hit has been covered by everyone, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Tim McGraw, but only now has
Chicago – I have a confession to make: I’ve been listening to the new July Talk LP for weeks now, but a combination of being too busy, while simultaneously procrastinating when it came to what little down time I did have, mixed in with an enormous amount of self-induced pressure to give Touch its due
Chicago – While for most, Labor Day Weekend marks the end of summer, relaxing with a cold one and some barbecue, in Chicago, LDW ushers in North Coast Music Festival, which calls for one last stand in Union Park, having fun and soaking in the sun. Chicagoans party all day and then well into the
New York – Max Jury released his self-titled debut album earlier this summer via Marathon Artists to much critical acclaim. Part of the album was recorded at the iconic Electric Lady Studios, but then an unfortunate incident involving candle wax and Jimi Hendrix’s historic mixing desk led to Jury being ejected from the studio. He continued recording at
San Francisco – There’s a few things y’all should know about New Orleans. Yes, it was a former home of mine. No, the streets aren’t filled with topless ladies begging for strings of plastic beads (that’s just Bourbon Street between Canal and St. Peter). Yes, Popeye’s Fried Chicken does taste better there. And yes, one of the best
Chicago – Once again, in preparation for Riot Fest 2016, we’re featuring an up-and-coming band performing at the festival: U.K. punk rock band Black Foxxes. Last month, this phenomenal trio, comprised of Mark Holley (guitar, vocals), Tristan Jane (bass), and Ant Thornton (drums), released its powerful debut LP I’m Not Well. The emotional album often focuses on frontman Mark Holley’s brave journey,
San Francisco – “Don’t worry, prosperity will knock on your door soon,” bassist Jack Freeman of Jagwar Ma happily read from a fortune cookie fortune during a lull early on in the band’s Wednesday night set, briskly followed by an impromptu reggae version of a few bars from Joy Division’s “Transmission,” cheerily delivered by frontman Gabriel Winterfield. Both of
Chicago – Best New Bands recently discovered L.A. band Groves aka the band that will soon be your latest obsession. The three-piece creates Americana-infused indie rock, inspired by performers such as Elvis Costello, Phoenix, Blink-182, and The Beatles, making for a truly unique and infectious sound, highlighted by melodic guitar and dark synths and underpinned with passionate vocals. Groves