A studio album from a band that thrives on live performances can cut both ways. On the one hand, they’re chock-full of tight, compact songs that benefit (for good or bad) from multi-layered studio production values. (What would the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station” be without its eerie, ...view article
With a brisk start to November in Chicago, a crowds outside the House of Blues barred the chilly winds for a late night party. Conspirator, featuring Aron Magner and Marc Bownstien of the Disco Biscuits as well as BoomBox, a breakthrough duo featuring Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchaux. These bands ...view article
Umphrey's McGee is starting off 2011 with a bang, playing a four night run at the Mayan Holidaze party in Mexico, then down the East Coast, for their winter tour. January also marks the end of the Kevin Browning reign at the soundboard. Kevin's transitioning into a new role at Umph's headquarters ...view article
When we woke up at the hotel Sunday morning it was raining hard. It looked like it had been raining all night. When we left the festival the previous evening things were really muddy, and we figured it was going to be even worse today. We checked the schedule and saw that things were getting ...view article
Nashville, Tenn. — Every so often an artist comes along whose style, abilities and personality not only capture the true essence of a particular music genre, but also propel that genre forward in new directions. Nora Jane Struthers is such an artist. After taking top honors in this weekend’s ...view article
Friday evening kicked off the weekend with great music coming to Chicago, Lotus brought a stunning performance to the Vic Theater. Word of mouth has truly spread about this band attracting a large following over the past couple years. Live shows hooking those who attend, Chicago's fall tour ...view article
Yonder Mountain String Band continued their West Coast tour tonight passing through Petaluma, CA. The show sold out the Mystic Theater, packing the little venue all the way down the aisles. This kind of intimate setting gets the fans going even more, ready to dance their asses off to some fast ...view article
The nonchalant atmosphere of a Monday evening slowly picked up pace at the Vogue as Los Angeles based Kraddy hit the stage. The speaker-shuddering bass drops moved the crowd from the bar onto the dance floor and warmed their bodies for the organic bass beats of EOTO. The DJ’s gear was perched and ...view article