How's My Living? » donnie biggins http://www.howsmyliving.com Concert reviews, music talk, and other general awesomeness. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:28:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Songs For Vision: A Benefit for CHM Research Foundation – March 16 at Schubas http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/15/songs-for-vision-a-benefit-for-chm-research-foundation-march-16-at-schubas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=songs-for-vision-a-benefit-for-chm-research-foundation-march-16-at-schubas http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/15/songs-for-vision-a-benefit-for-chm-research-foundation-march-16-at-schubas/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:56:32 +0000 Sarah http://www.howsmyliving.com/?p=2146 Still in Chicago while it seems like the rest of the music universe is in Austin? Head to Schubas on Wednesday at 7 pm for a show featuring some stellar local artists and in support of a good cause.

Wednesday’s show, featuring singer-songwriters Jeff Breakey, Donnie Biggins, Jessica Robbins, and Sam . . . → Read More: Songs For Vision: A Benefit for CHM Research Foundation – March 16 at Schubas Related posts:

  1. Wow, That’s a Good Song: Loyal Divide, “Vision Vision”
  2. This Week in Great Music: 3/14 – 3/20
  3. Recommended Reading: Presidential Campaign Songs, Reviewed
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Still in Chicago while it seems like the rest of the music universe is in Austin? Head to Schubas on Wednesday at 7 pm for a show featuring some stellar local artists and in support of a good cause.

Wednesday’s show, featuring singer-songwriters Jeff Breakey, Donnie Biggins, Jessica Robbins, and Sam Wahl, as well as Jane and the Steadfast Acrobats, is a benefit concert for the Choroideremia Research Foundation (CRF). Choroideremia is a degenerative and hereditary eye disease that attacks the peripheral vision and slowly erodes it over time until total blindness. There is currently no cure or treatment, but doctors say with more funding a treatment is very possible.

To learn more about Choroideremia, check out the CRF’s website.  The show is asking for a $10 minimum donation, and will also feature a silent auction from 7 – 10 pm.

Related posts:

  1. Wow, That’s a Good Song: Loyal Divide, “Vision Vision”
  2. This Week in Great Music: 3/14 – 3/20
  3. Recommended Reading: Presidential Campaign Songs, Reviewed

]]> http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/15/songs-for-vision-a-benefit-for-chm-research-foundation-march-16-at-schubas/feed/ 0 This Week in Great Music: 3/14 – 3/20 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/14/this-week-in-great-music-314-320/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-week-in-great-music-314-320 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/14/this-week-in-great-music-314-320/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:51:30 +0000 Sarah http://www.howsmyliving.com/?p=2231 It’s that time again: where concert-going for the rest of the country slows down because every band ever is down in Austin for SXSW. 

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t worthwhile shows to check out here, though: tons of shows this week feature stellar local acts who are just as . . . → Read More: This Week in Great Music: 3/14 – 3/20 Related posts:

  1. This Week in Great Music: 3/7 – 3/13
  2. This Week in Great Music: 3/21 – 3/27
  3. This Week in Great Music: 3/28 – 4/3
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It’s that time again: where concert-going for the rest of the country slows down because every band ever is down in Austin for SXSW. 

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t worthwhile shows to check out here, though: tons of shows this week feature stellar local acts who are just as deserving of your love and attention as everyone down in Austin.  And in a completely shameless plug, one of those local acts just happens to feature yours truly on vocals.  Head out to the Elbo Room on Sunday, March 20th, and you’ll get to see me grace the stage, singing with Jungle of Cities.  We go on at 9, and you should be there.  If you come, please stick around after the set and say hello!  I’m easy to identify by virtue of being the only woman in the band.

Monday, March 14
Kelly Hogan, Scott Ligon; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation

Tuesday, March 15
Bright Eyes, The Mynabirds; the Riviera. 7:30 pm, sold out
SongCircle: Chicago Showcase, featuring Rachele Eve, Bone and Bell, Tyler James Beach, Ryan Anderson, Ashley Brooke Toussant, Anna Vogelzang, Steve Leaf; Schubas. 8 pm, $10

Wednesday, March 16
Jane and the Steadfast Acrobats, Jeff Breakey, Donnie Biggins, Jessica Robbins, Sam Wahl; Schubas. 7 pm, $10

Thursday, March 17
The Polkaholics; Lincoln Square Lanes (4874 N Lincoln). 8 pm, free

Friday, March 18
Cheryl Wheeler, Chely Wright; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $18-22
Willie Nelson, Brett Eldredge; Chicago Theatre. 8 pm, $45-70
Robbie Fulks; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15
JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound; Double Door. 9 pm, $8

Saturday, March 19
Detholz!, Rachel Ries; Hideout. 9 pm, $8

Sunday, March 20
The Ditty Bops; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $18-22
Trashcan Sinatras, Canasta; SPACE. 8 pm, $18-30
Common Swift, Eraserhead, Last Mono Station, Jungle of Cities, Megan Crain; Elbo Room. 8 pm, $7

Related posts:

  1. This Week in Great Music: 3/7 – 3/13
  2. This Week in Great Music: 3/21 – 3/27
  3. This Week in Great Music: 3/28 – 4/3

]]> http://www.howsmyliving.com/2011/03/14/this-week-in-great-music-314-320/feed/ 0 This Week in Great Music: 8/2 – 8/8 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/08/02/this-week-in-great-music-82-88/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-week-in-great-music-82-88 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/08/02/this-week-in-great-music-82-88/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:08:44 +0000 Sarah http://www.howsmyliving.com/?p=1415 . . . → Read More: This Week in Great Music: 8/2 – 8/8 Related posts:
  1. This Week in Great Music: 6/14 – 6/20
  2. Lollapalooza 2010 Lineup
  3. This Week in Great Music: 8/16 – 8/22
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So, there’s this little festival called Lollapalooza rolling into Grant Park this weekend.  Maybe you’ve heard of it?  I’ll be there all weekend, Tweeting and taking bad photos bitching about the heat and the crowds, and hoping my phone doesn’t run out of battery.  (I swear, I’m actually fun to be around!  Honest!)  I’ll have my rundown of bands I’m excited about seeing, later this week.  For now, here’s a picture of my picks for this week’s otherwise very slow concert lineup.

Monday, August 2
Portland Cello Project; Millennium Park.  6:30, free
Robbie Fulks; Hideout.  7 pm, $10 suggested donation
Matthew Perryman Jones, Kim Taylor; Schubas.  8 pm, $10

Tuesday, August 3
New York Songwriters Circle: Chicago Showcase, featuring Nelken, Donnie Biggins, Rachele Eve, Sabrina Chap, Matt Crews and Andrew Francis; Schubas.  8 pm, $10

Wednesday, August 4
The Constellations; Metro.  5:30 pm, $13
Tributosaurus, tribute to Johnny Cash; Martrys.  7 pm and 10 pm, $15

Thursday, August 5
The Boxer Rebellion, Wild Beasts; Apple Store (679 N Michigan).  6 pm, free
Devo, Dirty Projectors; Congress Theater.  7:30 pm, $35
The New Pornographers, The Dodos; Metro.  9 pm, sold out
Phosphorescent, J. Tillman, Ceiling Stars; Empty Bottle.  9:30 pm, $12

Friday, August 6
The Walkmen, Warpaint; Double Door.  10 pm, $22-25
MGMT; House of Blues.  11 pm, $80 (benefit for the People’s Music School)
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Freelance Whales; Lincoln Hall.  11 pm, sold out

Saturday, August 7
Toby Lightman, Aslyn; Schubas.  7 pm, $12
Melissa Etheridge, The Chicago Theatre.  8 pm, $38-103
Gogol Bordello, Ryan Olson; Subterranean.  10:30 pm, sold out
The National, The Antlers; House of Blues.  11 pm, sold out
The Black Keys, The Morning Benders; Metro.  11 pm, sold out
Minus the Bear, Miniature Tigers; Double Door.  11 pm, $20
Blitzen Trapper, Avi Buffalo; Lincoln Hall.  11 pm, $20

Sunday, August 8
Switchfoot; House of Blues Back Porch Stage.  10:30 pm, free
Phoenix, Toro Y Moi; House of Blues.  11 pm, sold out

Related posts:

  1. This Week in Great Music: 6/14 – 6/20
  2. Lollapalooza 2010 Lineup
  3. This Week in Great Music: 8/16 – 8/22

]]> http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/08/02/this-week-in-great-music-82-88/feed/ 0 This Week in Great Music: 5/24 – 5/30 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/05/24/this-week-in-great-music-5-24-5-30/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-week-in-great-music-5-24-5-30 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/05/24/this-week-in-great-music-5-24-5-30/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 15:33:26 +0000 Sarah http://www.howsmyliving.com/?p=1221 . . . → Read More: This Week in Great Music: 5/24 – 5/30 Related posts:
  1. This Week in Great Music: 4/5 – 4/11
  2. This Week in Great Music: 8/2 – 8/8
  3. This Week in Great Music: 11/29 – 12/5
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This week might as well be known as the Week of Great Shows that I Can’t Go to Because I Have to Prepare for People to Come Install New Carpet.  Home ownership is not always worth it, let me tell you. 

That aside, I’ll be at the (long-sold-out) Mumford & Sons show tonight.  After that, who knows.  Hopefully those of you who don’t have impending Carpet Installations will be able to do more interesting things this week than me.

Monday, May 24
Besnard Lakes, The Ponys; Millennium Park. 6:30 pm, free
Robbie Fulks and Nora O’Connor; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation
James Taylor and Carole King; Allstate Arena. 7:30 pm, sold out
Mumford and Sons, The Middle East; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, sold out
Eluvium, Julianna Barwick; Schubas. 9 pm, $10-12

Tuesday, May 25
Maxwell, Jill Scott; United Center. 7:30 pm, $22-127
Glee Live! In Concert!; Rosemont Theatre. 7:30 pm, sold out

Wednesday, May 26
Glee Live! In Concert!; Rosemont Theatre. 7:30 pm, sold out
LCD Soundsystem, Holy Ghost!; Metro. 8 pm, sold out
Donnie Biggins, Derek Nelson; Uncommon Ground (3800 N Clark). 8 pm, $5 suggested donation
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Shapers; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15
April Smith and the Great Picture Show, Ornery Little Darlings; Schubas. 9 pm, $8-10

Thursday, May 27
Josh Rouse, AM; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $20
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Sadhu Sadhu; Schubas. 9 pm, $15

Friday, May 28
The Tallest Man on Earth, Nathaniel Rateliff; Lincoln Hall. 10 pm, sold out

Saturday, May 29
Smoking Popes, Shot Baker, Bully in the Hallway; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $15
Pieta Brown, Judson Claiborne; Hideout. 9 pm, $10
How Far to Austin, Cullen’s (3741 N Southport). 9 pm, free

Sunday, May 30
DePaul Men’s a Cappella, University of Chicago Men in Drag, Northwestern University Extreme Measures; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $5-7
Waco Brothers, Yellowhammers; Double Door. 9 pm, $12-15

Related posts:

  1. This Week in Great Music: 4/5 – 4/11
  2. This Week in Great Music: 8/2 – 8/8
  3. This Week in Great Music: 11/29 – 12/5

]]> http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/05/24/this-week-in-great-music-5-24-5-30/feed/ 0 This Week in Great Music: 5/10 – 5/16 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/05/10/this-week-in-great-music-510-516/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-week-in-great-music-510-516 http://www.howsmyliving.com/2010/05/10/this-week-in-great-music-510-516/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 15:07:27 +0000 Sarah http://www.howsmyliving.com/?p=1179 . . . → Read More: This Week in Great Music: 5/10 – 5/16 Related posts:
  1. This Week in Great Music: 10/11 – 10/17
  2. This Week in Great Music: 2/15 – 2/21
  3. This Week in Great Music: 5/16 – 5/22
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Instead of trying to pick between shows on Saturday, I think I might just stay home and sleep.

Monday, May 10
Robbie Fulks; Hideout.  7 pm, $10 suggested donation (tribute to Bob Dylan’s “Slow Train Coming”)
Shout Out Louds, Freelance Whales; Lincoln Hall.  8 pm, sold out

Tuesday, May 11
Ferraby Lionheart, Leslie and the Badgers, Kevin Andrew Prchal; Schubas.  8 pm, $10

Wednesday, May 12
Raul Midon; Schubas.  8 pm, $20-25
Rebirth Brass Band; SPACE.  8 pm, $25-40
Donnie Biggins, Lindsey Wilson; Uncommon Ground (3800 N Clark).  8 pm, $5 suggested donation

Thursday, May 13
Kim Taylor; Schubas.  9 pm, $8
Clem Snide, The Heligoats; Lincoln Hall.  9 pm, $14

Friday, May 14
Coheed and Cambria, Circa Survive, Torche; Congress Theater.  6 pm, $27.50-29
The Postman Delivers: A Tribute to John Prine; FitzGerald’s (6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn).  6:30 pm, $15
Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts, The Championship, Sarah Holtschlag; Quenchers Saloon (2401 N Western).  9 pm, $5 donation
Will Hoge; SPACE.  10 pm, $17-30
Murder By Death, Ha Ha Tonka, Linfinity; Lincoln Hall.  10 pm, $15

Saturday, May 15
Murder By Death, Ha Ha Tonka, Linfinity; Reggie’s Rock Club (2109 S State).  7 pm, $15
Josh Ritter, Joe Pug; the Vic.  7:30 pm, $25
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound; SPACE.  8 pm, $10-20
Verbow, Doug Gillard; Schubas.  9 pm, sold out
Plants and Animals, Elliot Brood; Lincoln Hall.  10 pm, $12-14
Greg Laswell, Jimmy Gnecco, Brian Wright; Empty Bottle.  10 pm, $15

Sunday, May 16
Colin Hay; SPACE.  8 pm, $34.50-48.50
Jill Hennessy, Rachele Eve; Lincoln Hall.  8 pm, $14
Eleventh Dream Day, Condo Fucks; Hideout.  8:30 pm, $8

Related posts:

  1. This Week in Great Music: 10/11 – 10/17
  2. This Week in Great Music: 2/15 – 2/21
  3. This Week in Great Music: 5/16 – 5/22

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