Monthly
Media: March 2022 • “Mark Caro’s Caropop”
Mark Caro was a well-known writer at the Chicago Tribune in 2015 when he decided to take a giant career leap. “I was still really enjoying what I was doing,” he explains, “but It was important for me to leave when I was still happy as opposed to leaving when I was disgruntled and […]
Cover Story: Urge Overkill • “Oui, Oui”
Time flies – especially if you mark time by 11s and years and releases from your favorite rock band – at least if that band is Urge Overkill. Some may feel it’s been a long time since their last release, Rock & Roll Submarine; others may say it feels like yesterday. It may undoubtedly sound […]
Photo Gallery: Eddie Vedder at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
Eddie Vedder Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL February 9, 2022 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Considering the fandom that surrounds him, it’s surprising that it has taken this long for Eddie Vedder to release a “proper” solo record. Yeah, technically, it is the Pearl Jam frontman’s third outing on his own if you include a […]
Media: February 2022 • “Call it a Comeback”
For many years Nick Digilio held down the overnight fort at WGN Radio (720 AM). In that slot, he developed an enthusiastic following. He thinks the daypart itself was part of the reason for that. “A lot of people who listened were at work,” Nick says, “and if you’re working overnights, you’re probably doing […]
IE Rewind: Remembering Lin Brehmer: Media – September 2018
WXRT morning man Lin Brehmer is more than just a friendly voice on 93.1 FM every day, he is your “best friend in the whole world,” a moniker he has used now for several years. “But I usually say it in a pathetic ‘why don’t I have any friends at all’ whine,” he points out. […]
Media: January 2022 • Signal Stays Strong at MeTV FM
For the last few years, fans of MeTV FM (87.7FM) in Chicago have been bracing for their favorite station to be shut down by the FCC. Program director Rick O’Dell has good news for them if they haven’t heard it yet. “We reached a critical point last July where the FCC had imposed a […]
Cover Story: Sophie and the Giants
This is the way the Universe works if you’re open to the experience. Ever since we collectively lurched into these dark, foreboding waters of the coronavirus, you might have found yourself getting swallowed up by its inky blackness, losing sight of any easily-identifiable landmarks on shore, artistic or pop-cultural harbors where you could safely drop […]
Live Review and Gallery: Jeff Tweedy at Metro • Chicago
Jeff Tweedy Metro, Chicago, IL Thursday, December 23, 2021 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Chicago’s hottest ticket for rock fans during the holiday season was Thursday night’s show at Metro. Jeff Tweedy and his band did not disappoint during the second of two concerts, performing a joyful set that brimmed with a sense […]
Photo Gallery – 101WKQX’s NWSC Night 4: Evanescence • Aragon Ballroom • Chicago
The Nights We Stole Christmas featuring Evanescence Thursday, December 9 Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran Night 4 of The Nights We Stole Christmas arrived at the Aragon Ballroom in Uptown with goth metal rockers Evanescence delivering a massive light show and even bigger sound to the black-clad masses. Singer Amy […]
Photo Gallery – 101WKQX’s NWSC Night 3: Kings of Leon, Dayglow, Almost Monday • Aragon Ballroom • Chicago
The Nights We Stole Christmas featuring Kings Of Leon Aragon Ballroom December 8, 2021 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran We made it to midweek, which means it’s time for Night 3 of The Nights We Stole Christmas (perhaps you noticed our conspicuous Night 2 absence? Photographers were asked by that evening’s headliner […]
Photo Gallery – She & Him at Chicago Theatre • Chicago
She & Him Tuesday, December 7 Chicago Theatre Chicago, IL She & Him (Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward) brought their much needed Very She & Him Christmas Party to State Street Tuesday, mixing vintage classics (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” and (gasp!) “Baby It’s Cold Outside,”) with their beloved album tracks. The […]
Photo Gallery: The Lumineers at 101WKQX’s The Nights We Stole Christmas • Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
The Nights We Stole Christmas featuring The Lumineers Aragon Ballroom Chicago, IL December 6, 2021 Recap and photos by Curt Baran ‘Tis the season for the end of the year, terrestrial radio station kissing booth concerts. It’s an annual tradition in which bands that stations have promoted throughout the year give thanks by playing considerably […]
Photo Gallery: Baroness at Cobra Lounge • Chicago
Baroness Cobra Lounge December 1, 2021 Chicago, IL – Recap and photos by Curt Baran Baroness have finally clawed their way back onto stages in America! Their most recent album, Gold & Grey, was released in 2019, and we all know what happened next. So, the quartet from Savannah, Georgia, is doing something special to […]
Media: December 2021 • Never Forget
At the end of every year, we like to take a moment to acknowledge the media giants in Illinois we lost during the year. This year the list includes television and radio icons, familiar faces and voices, and people behind the scenes. One of the most consequential names you might not know is former […]
IE Rewind: Cheap Trick • Best of 2021
At a seasoned 72, Rick Nielsen is the Frank Buck of the rock and roll world. By his own admission — and he’s not bragging, just stating the facts — the Cheap Trick axeman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has bagged and brought home over 2,000 guitars in his lifetime. His trophy room […]
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