Milwaukee – Do you like to Cha Cha? So does D.R.A.M. and Wisconsin. The Virginia hip hop artist had fans dancing hard in the Eagles Ballroom at the Rave in Milwaukee, to his irresistible single “Cha Cha,” off the mixtape #1EpicSummer. D.R.A.M. – which stands for “Does Real Ass Music” – was born Shelley Massenburg-Smith in Germany. Though his military mother
Chicago – I’m going to say what many have surely been thinking but are too afraid to say. Now that Michael Jackson has left us – way too soon, I might add – it’s time to think about who might take on the title of the New King of Pop. Now, I know there will
Chicago – For months I had been told to check out Wolf Alice, and for months I disobeyed the orders. From friends and fellow music journalists, to DJs on the radio, it seemed everyone and their mom was praising the U.K. foursome, who I knew only from the alternative radio single “Moaning Lisa Smile.” When I
Chicago – London six-piece Skinny Lister has been winning the hearts of U.K. punks and folk lovers since 2009, but it’s only been the last few years that Dan Heptinstall (guitar), Max Thomas (melodeon & mandolin), Lorna Thomas (lead vocals), Michael Camino (bass), Thom Mills (drums), and Sam “Mule” Brace (guitar, concertina, & mandolin) have been finding
Chicago – Prior to this past Friday night, if you had told me that two pop sensations - Chef’Special and Cody Simpson - would bring some blues to the Windy City, I’d tell you to quit talking crazy! But lo and behold, the Dutch five-piece and former child star sure did. Both Chef’Special and Cody Simpson had girls screaming in excitement
Chicago – Dillon Hodges – aka firekid - is bringing a modern twist to bluegrass, country, and Americana, mixing in pop and indie rock with hints of hip-hop and electronica, and even chiptune with help from an old Nintendo Game Boy. His self-titled debut album firekid experiments with a genres that haven’t seen much change, while still keeping much of his
Chicago – The Windy City was invaded by Brits and New Englanders, and it was glorious! We gladly surrendered to the rock of Highly Suspect and The Struts. Brooklyn based, Massachusetts born and bred trio Highly Suspect and English foursome The Struts played not one, but two, sold-out shows at Lincoln Hall. Excited fans packed
Chicago – This year brought an 80s resurgence like no other. From movies, TV, and fashion, the decade of excess swooped in hard, taking its biggest hit in pop music. Artists like Carly Rae Jepson, Bleachers, The Wombats, and Walk the Moon have been echoing the sounds of Debbie Gibson and Madonna to Hall &
Chicago – Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing Gary Clark Jr.‘s live album, simply titled Live. I declared it a masterpiece and hailed the Grammy winner as the new Hendrix and called him a “legend among men, the musician of our generation, and when parents school their children in what ‘real music’ is, they’ll reference
Chicago – The final day of Riot Fest was a beaut! The sun was shining, the mud was drying, the temps were rising, and the legendary Jimmy Cliff graced Douglas Park with his presence. (I know, right, Jimmy effin-cliff! His set was fantastic, by the way.) More importantly, Sunday proved to be one lucky band’s day, earning them my