Columns
Caught In A Mosh: November 2011
Jagged Blue Pill I’m tired of writing introductions. It’s harder than you think. The Q&A portion is all done and ready to roll, but I still have to come up with some sort of synopsis of the who, what, when, why, and where the interview even exists.
Digital Divide: November 2011
As anyone who has ever held a job for more than a week can tell you, the workplace sucks. Oh, people may tell you that they love their work and love what they do and couldn’t see themselves doing anything else and blah blah blah
Hello, My Name Is Lykke
Q&A with Lykke Li IE: People are excited about your cover of “Unchained Melody.” Lykke Li: They [Triple J Radio] called me at like 12 in the morning, and they were like, “Pick a cover!” And oh, God!
File: November 2011
To The 13 Björoughs Most Americans know Björk as that girl who showed up to the Oscars in a swan dress. Rebranding was in order and, several years down the line, the former Sugarcube’s ninth outing, Biophilia, has been billed as the world’s first “app” album.
Gear: November 2011
Nady Systems AxeHead Portable Amp Despite a flurry of portable guitar-amp apps aimed at iPhone and Android users, Nady Systems believes its new AxeHead portable amp has a place in your pocket.
Media: November 2011
‘Jubilee Showcase’ Revisited Soul Train has a reputation for being Chicago’s groundbreaking showcase for African-American musicians. But six years before Don Cornelius launched that great show on WCIU-TV, there was “Jubilee Showcase.”
Studiophile: November 2011
The ‘Evolution’ Of Recording It’s been crazy!” says J.C. Pasquale, owner of Evolution Recording in Elgin. “The past six months have been real busy at the studio.” With 30 years-plus in the industry as a touring musician, songwriter, and recording artist, Pasquale’s dream of owning his own commercial studio came to fruition a little over […]
Sweet Home: November 2011
Timbuktu To The Delta The ngoni, the kora, and the balafon may not sound like familiar instruments to most Americans, but for blues fans, these ancient African musical instruments hold the keys to the rhythms and traditions that developed into what we love.
Around Hear: October 2011
Local Band Reviews After kicking off his career as a straight-forward singer/songwriter, Kyle Andrews turns toward the dancefloor (channeled from his bedroom studio) throughout Robot Learn Love. Mirroring the likes of Cut Copy or a subdued Shiny Toy Guns, expect plenty of groove-saturated indie rock over lyrics of romantic longing and arrangements that switch from […]
Caught In A Mosh: October 2011
There’s an old saying that goes “It’s better to have an unpopular opinion that’s popular than vice versa.” Actually, that’s not a saying at all. I’m not even sure it makes sense. It’s either cosmic or idiotic. I made it up while listening to Grand Magus (Iron Will!), drinking coffee, and writing this column one […]
Digital Divide: October 2011
There are certain touchstones in popular culture that demand attention whenever they become available in a new media form. Notably, back in the ’80s, the hype over The Beatles’ catalog being released on CD ensured that a few more millions would land in the pockets of the Fab Three (and estate of the Fab One).
Hello, My Name Is J.
Q&A with J. Cole IE: I know you were born overseas, but had you traveled much before the Rihanna tour? J. Cole: Oh yeah, on my own tours for two years at least. Growing up I was kind of a military brat. But after coming back from Germany as a kid, I never traveled much.
File: October 2011
Energizing Bunnies: The Windy City’s resurgence as a setting for motion pictures has spilled onto the small screen, notably with “Boss” and “The Playboy Club” hoping to outlast the since-canceled “Chicago Code.” These programs draw high numbers of Chicagoans, who no doubt sit close to their sets wearing loupes to pinpoint flaws.
Gear: October 2011
When Nevermind was released by Nirvana 20 years ago, a North Side guitar-store owner told me Kurt Cobain‘s Jaguar guitar was a piece of crap and Nirvana sucked.
Media: October 2011
Flying Saucers Rock ‘N’ Roll When someone is barely even mentioned anywhere on the Web, that’s when you know what obscure really means – and it’s amazing how much info has yet to make the billions of pages that Google looks through,” says author and “Chic-A-Go-Go” cofounder Jake Austen.
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