How's My Living? » evanston space

This Week in Great Music: 1/16 – 1/22

Sarah — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:17:43 +0000

Hey! My band’s doing a show this Sunday night at the Double Door! You should come see me.

Monday, January 16
Robbie Fulks; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation

Tuesday, January 17
Akron/Family, Bad Weather California; Hideout. 9 pm, $14

Wednesday, January 18
Nicholas Barron Band, Chris Siebold & the Psycles; Schubas. 9 pm, $8

Thursday, January 19
Mike Mangione & the Union, Dave Tamkin; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-15
Dastardly, Brighton MA, Santah; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $10
Jaymay, Alison Breitman; Schubas. 9 pm, $10

Friday, January 20
The Waco Brothers; Martyrs. 7:30 pm, $25
Martin Sexton; Park West. 8 pm, $27
Tea Leaf Green, Ha Ha Tonka; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20

Saturday, January 21
Chicago Blues and Bluegrass Festival, ft. Del McCoury Band, David Grisman, Joe Purdy, The Bluegrass Ball featuring The Travelin’ McCourys, The Giving Tree Band,Henhouse Prowlers, Majors Junction; Auditorium Theatre. 2 pm, $39.50-59.50
Todd Snider; SPACE. 8 pm, $25-30
Vintage Blue, Ty Stone, Elisa Grace; Subterranean. 8:30 pm, $10

Sunday, January 22
Jungle of Cities, Brandon Harrod, Rob Scallon, Mike Murawski; Double Door. 8 pm, $1
Gaberdine, Conrad Plymouth Parker, Jim & Jen; Subterranean. 8 pm, $8

This Week in Great Music: 1/9 – 1/15

Sarah — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:39:36 +0000

We are getting back in the swing of things here with the weekly calendar. It’s the beginning of the year, cut me some slack.

We’ve got some great local artists on bills this week, plus some very diverse acts coming in as part of the Tomorrow Never Knows festival, spread out at Schubas, Lincoln Hall, Metro, and the Hideout. And, the Old Town School of Folk Music is kicking off a 55-day celebration of not only its 55th anniversary, but also the grand opening of its new building this week, with various classes, concerts, and other events.

Monday, January 9
Robbie Fulks, Don Stiernberg; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 Suggested Donation

Tuesday, January 10
Gabe Dixon, Leila Broussard; SPACE. 8 pm, $10-14
The Black Willoughbys; Hideout. 9 pm, $5 Suggested Donation
Creepy Band, Jon Drake & the Shakes, Johnathan Young, Ryley Walker; Empty Bottle. 9 pm, $8

Wednesday, January 11
Koo Nimo & The Occidental Highlife Association; Old Town School of Folk Music (West; 4544 N Lincoln). 8:30 pm, free ($5 suggested donation)

Thursday, January 12
Drake Bell; SPACE. 7 pm, $25-30
Tycho, Active Child, Ant’lrd, Abstract Science DJs; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, sold out

Friday, January 13
Filligar, Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes, Save the Clocktower; Subterranean. 9 pm, $10

Saturday, January 14
Alejandro Escovedo, JT Nero, Allison Russell; Old Town School of Folk Music (West; 4544 N Lincoln). 7 pm & 10 pm, $24-28
Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz Gospel Messiah; Auditorium Theatre. 7:30 pm, $30-72
The Walkmen; Metro. 10 pm, $26

Sunday, January 15
The Pickin’ Bubs; Schubas. 12 pm, free
Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz Gospel Messiah; Auditorium Theatre. 3 pm, $30-72
Vance Gilbert; Old Town School of Folk Music (East; 4545 N Lincoln). 7 pm, $16-20
Nina Ferraro, The Parlour Suite, Bad Bad Meow, Natalie Grace Alford; Beat Kitchen. 8 pm, $10
Freakers Ball: A Tribute to Shel Silverstein, ft. Jon Langford, Sally Timms, Nora O’Connor, and others; Hideout. 8 pm, $20

This Week in Great Music: 12/5 – 12/11

Sarah — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:54:52 +0000

It’s been quiet around here. Sorry for that. I’ve got a Best of 2011 guest post coming up from Mike at Land of Absurdity. It’ll be list-y.

Monday, December 5
Avey Tare, Eric Copeland; Schubas. 7 pm, $15

Tuesday, December 6
The National, Local Natives, Wye Oak; the Aragon. 7 pm, $35
Harper Blynn; SPACE. 8 pm, $10-12

Wednesday, December 7
The War on Drugs, Still Corners, Arc in Round; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $14

Thursday, December 8
Erin McKeown; Schubas. 8 pm, $12
Jeffrey David, Vintage Blue, DBP; Metro. 8:30 pm, $9-11
Save the Clocktower, Windbreaker, Vapor Eyes; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $8

Friday, December 9
Bon Iver; UIC Pavilion. 7:30 pm, $40
Peter Bradley Adams; Schubas. 7:30 pm, $8-10
Shemekia Copeland, Bill Brickey; Old Town School of Folk Music. 8 pm, $21-25

Saturday, December 10
Over the Rhine; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm and 10 pm, $24-28
Tori Amos; Chicago Theatre. 8 pm, $39.50-59.50

Sunday, December 11
Winterbloom, ft. Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson and Natalia Zukerman; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $18-22
Ryan Adams, Jessica Lea Mayfield; Cadillac Palace Theatre. 7:30 pm, $45

This Week in Great Music: 11/28 – 12/4

Sarah — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:45:07 +0000

How is it almost December? This is uncalled for.

If anyone can hook a girl up with tickets to the Brandi Carlile show at Park West, or the M. Ward show at Schubas, you’d be my hero. Just sayin’.

Monday, November 28
Meh

Tuesday, November 29
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20

Wednesday, November 30
Watch the Throne: Jay-Z and Kanye West; United Center. 7:30 pm, $59.50-250
Edie Carey, Dave Sills; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-20
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20
Lydia Loveless, Tim Larson & the Owner/Operators; Schubas. 9 pm, $10

Thursday, December 1
Warm, Safe & Sound, The Steepwater Band, Blane Fonda, The Kickback, Hawley Shoffner; Lincoln Hall. 7 pm, $10 ($5 with donation of coat or sweater)
Watch the Throne: Jay-Z and Kanye West; United Center. 7:30 pm, $59.50-250
Brandi Carlile; Park West. 8 pm, sold out

Friday, December 2
The Fray, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Perri; Chicago Theatre. 7:30 pm, $55-75
Brandi Carlile, The Secret Sisters; SPACE. 8 pm, sold out
Poi Dog Pondering; Metro. 9 pm, $26
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot; House of Blues. 9 pm, $42.50-52.50
S. Carey; Schubas. 10 pm, $12

Saturday, December 3
Poi Dog Pondering; Metro. 9 pm, $26

Sunday, December 4
Shawn Colvin, Jake Armerding; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $36-40
Florence & the Machine, Laura Marling; Chicago Theatre. 7:30 pm, $50
M. Ward, Carlos Forster, Mike Coykendall; Schubas. 8 pm, $22

This Week in Great Music: 11/7 – 11/13

Sarah — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:39:50 +0000

A bit of a slow week, but still great things to pick from. I might make it to the A.A. Bondy show, depending on whether or not I can get over this end-of-fall plague that I’ve found myself saddled with.

Monday, November 7
Loney Dear, Daniel Knox; Schubas. 8 pm, $15

Tuesday, November 8
Rachael Yamagata; Logan Square Auditorium. 7 pm, $22
A.A. Bondy; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $14

Wednesday, November 9
Meh.

Thursday, November 10
Robbie Fulks; SPACE. 8 pm, $18-30
Yonder Mountain String Band; House of Blues. 9 pm, $25-30

Friday, November 11
Todd Snider, Elizabeth Cook; Park West. 8 pm, $22
Maria Taylor; Subterranean. 9 pm, $12-15
The Right Now, The Congregation; Martyrs. 9:30 pm, $10-12

Saturday, November 12
Owen; Beat Kitchen. 7:30 and 10:30 pm, $12-15
Mike Doughty; House of Blues. 9 pm, $22-25
Spirits of the Red City; Brown Rice (4432 N Kedzie). 9 pm, ???

Sunday, November 13
Suzanne Vega; SPACE. 8 pm, $30-60

This Week in Great Music: 10/31 – 11/6

Sarah — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:45:05 +0000

I’ll be at SPACE tonight for Communion Music’s big US tour. And I’m thinking about trying to figure out a way to make it out to Berwyn to see the Blind Boys of Alabama. It’ll be a heck of a road trip-via-public transportation, that’s for sure.

Monday, October 31
Matthew and the Atlas, The David Mayfield Parade, Lauren Shera; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-20
Real Estate, Big Troubles, Julian Lynch; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15
A Schubas Halloween, ft. In Tall Buildings as Deerhoof and Cains & Abels as Modern Lovers; Schubas. 9 pm, $8-10

Tuesday, November 1
Meh

Wednesday, November 2
We Were Promised Jetpacks, Royal Bangs, Bear Hands; Metro. 9 pm, $16-19
Howie Day, Nick Zuber; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20

Thursday, November 3
Keep a Song in Your Soul: The Black Roots of Vaudeville, with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Reggio McLaughlin and Reginald Robinson; Old Town School of Folk Music. 8 pm, $41-45
Catie Curtis; SPACE. 8 pm, $18-30
Milagres; Beat Kitchen. 8:30 pm, $10
Blitzen Trapper, Dawes, The Belle Brigade; Metro. 9 pm, $23
Little Scream, BOBBY, Judson Claiborne; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $10-12

Friday, November 4
Keep a Song in Your Soul: The Black Roots of Vaudeville, with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Reggio McLaughlin and Reginald Robinson; Old Town School of Folk Music. 8 pm, $41-45
Feist; the Riviera. 8 pm, $35

Saturday, November 5
Keep a Song in Your Soul: The Black Roots of Vaudeville, with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Reggio McLaughlin and Reginald Robinson; Old Town School of Folk Music. 3 pm and 8 pm, $41-45
Blind Boys of Alabama, Sara and Sean Watkins; FitzGerald’s (6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn). 8 pm, $35

Sunday, November 6
The Civil Wars, Milo Greene; the Vic. 7:30 pm, $20
A Winged Victory for the Sullen; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $20

This Week in Great Music: 10/17 – 10/23

Sarah — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:45:52 +0000

A bit of a quiet week this week. All sorts of things I want to see, on nights or times that I can’t do. Such is life.

If you’re near a movie theater on Friday, you should hunt down somewhere that’s playing Norman. A list of theaters it’s debuting in on Friday can be found at the movie’s Facebook page. Andrew Bird did the score/soundtrack, but the movie stands on its own feet as something I’d want to see anyway. Really. I promise.

Monday, October 17
Robbie Fulks; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation

Tuesday, October 18
Meh

Wednesday, October 19
Uh Huh Her, Fences; House of Blues. 6:30 pm, $20-22
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Lubriphonic; Park West. 7:30 pm, $20

Thursday, October 20
Rhett Miller; SPACE. 10 pm, $20-35

Friday, October 21
Alice Peacock and Danny Myrick, Mark Dvorak; Old Town School of Folk Music. 8 pm, $16-20
Judson Claiborne, Leaf Bird; Hideout. 9 pm, $8

Saturday, October 22
Bess Rogers and Alison White; Martyrs. 7 pm, $10
Rhett Miller; Schubas. 7:30 pm, $20

Sunday, October 23
Ellis Paul, Peter Case; Old Town School of Folk Music. 7 pm, $18-22
Hemmingbirds, IS/IS, David Seume; Reggie’s. 8 pm, $5

Concert Roundup: May 2011

Sarah — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:09:38 +0000

[ It's been quiet around here lately, thanks to real lives and jobs and all of that, so I figured I'd dig up some half-finished posts of old news and compile them all together for a large post of old news and photos. You may see more posts like these as I continue to edit photos and write in a very untimely manner. ]

Chris Pureka, Holcombe Waller; SPACE, 5/4/11

This is the second time that I’ve seen Chris Pureka at SPACE, although this time she came with a full backing band, rather than doing just a solo show. Pureka’s performances always feel very honest and genuine; her songs about lost love and doomed or dysfunctional relationships can strike a chord with just about anyone. Her setlist largely drew from her latest album, 2010′s How I Learned To See In The Dark, but the real highlight of the show lies in two things: the strength of Pureka’s delivery, and her delightful storytelling. She’s an expert at conveying emotion in her songs, both through lyrics and her voice. You can very easily feel the pain and hurt that’s gone into writing these songs. And Pureka is true to her roots as a folk musician, easily weaving in stories and anecdotes throughout her set. She has an easy way of bantering with the crowd, making her one of the rare musicians I’ve encountered who can make you feel like she’s talking directly to you.

Holcombe Waller was a new discovery for me, and I was infinitely pleased with his set. He’s a Portland-based musician who reminds me of Rufus Wainwright, in a way, to give you a point of reference. Waller’s lyrics are deep and searching, and his voice soars sometimes. There was something truly beautiful about his songs, many of which offered a bit of a more hopeful, upbeat counterpoint prior to Peruka’s set of gritty honesty.

See my photos from the show here on Flickr.

Vandaveer; Empty Bottle, 5/11/11

“What song do you want to hear?” Mark Charles Heidinger asked midway through Vandaveer’s set at the Empty Bottle. It’s pretty standard for audiences to endlessly shout out song requests, but less common for artists to actually shuffle around their setlists to accommodate the crowd. The show was woefully under-attended, a fact that I’ll chalk up to it being a late show on a weeknight. It was worth the lack of sleep to be wowed by Heidinger and Rose Guerin, however. Their voices are both magical and the songwriting is so, so smart. Though they were touring in promotion of their newest album, Dig Down Deep, they didn’t shy away from performing old favorites, too. The duo closed the night out by unplugging and coming down onto the floor, crowd gathered around in a semi-circle, as they wowed us with just their voices, an acoustic guitar, and the tapping of toes to keep time.

See some photos from the show here on Flickr.

Vandaveer: Official Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | Store

Jessica Lea Mayfield, Nathaniel Rateliff; Schubas, 5/14/11

I’ve seen Jessica Lea Mayfield several times over the past couple of years, but I feel like she shined the brightest at this show, the first headlining gig of hers that I’ve caught. The smaller stage of Schubas suited her much better than the larger venues (Lincoln Hall, Metro) I’ve seen her in. Performing with a full band, Mayfield and company filled the room, even on quieter numbers. The crowd was a bit rowdy, but they loved her music, with many people singing along to every word. Mayfield’s music is dark and deeply personal: she writes what she knows, and what she knows could absolutely break your heart.

Nathaniel Rateliff reminded me of the guys I grew up with: a litle rough around the edges, tattoos and scruffy facial hair, worn shirt and work boots and tattoos. None of the guys I grew up with ever sang such rich songs, though. Rateliff’s voice is rough and weary, with just a hint of a twang buried in there. He strikes me as the type to be fronting a rock band, but he’s not. It’s just him and a guitar and some intricate little songs about loss and ache and life.

See more photos from the show on Flickr.

This Week in Great Music: 10/3 – 10/9

Sarah — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:40:13 +0000

Busy week of shows! Don’t forget, you can win tickets to see Those Darlins on Wednesday or Thursday! See this post for information on how to win.

Monday, October 3
Jens Lekman, Geoffrey O’Connor; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20

Tuesday, October 4
Zee Avi; Schubas. 8 pm, $12
The Mekons; SPACE. 8 pm, $18-30
The Besnard Lakes, Malajube; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $14
Mar Caribe; Hideout. 9 pm, $5 suggested donation
The Head and the Heart, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, The Devil Whale; Metro. 9 pm, $19-21

Wednesday, October 5
Foster the People, Cults, Reptar; the Riviera. 7:30 pm, sold out
Bandallamas, Brice Woodall; Martyrs. 8 pm, $10
Jaron And The Long Road To Love, Joe Firstman; Joe’s Bar. 8:30 pm, $10
St. Vincent; Metro. 9 pm, $18
The Mekons, Brokeback; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $20
Those Darlins, Peelander-Z, Birthday Suits; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $12-14

Thursday, October 6
Those Darlins, Peelander-Z; Schubas. 7 pm, $12-14
Cameron McGill, Matt Hopper; SPACE. 8 pm, $10-18
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Holy Sons; Metro. 8 pm, $22.50
Keb’ Mo’; House of Blues. 9 pm, $32.50-35

Friday, October 7
Esperanza Spalding; Symphony Center. 8 pm, $20-70
Imelda May; Park West. 8 pm, $20
Pieta Brown, Nora O’Connor, Liam Davis; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-22
The Naked and Famous, The Chain Gang of 1974, White Arrows; Metro. 8 pm, $19-21

Saturday, October 8
Priscilla Ahn; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-15
The Shams Band, Go Long Mule; Fitzgeralds. 9 pm, $15
Wild Flag, YellowFever; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $15

Sunday, October 9
Wild Flag, YellowFever; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $15

This Week in Great Music: 9/26 – 10/2

Sarah — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:48:54 +0000

Apparently in addition to last week being Andrew Bird week, last week was also “Sarah’s Too Busy to Blog” week. No worries, friends, I have a review of the (thoroughly amazing) Hideout Block Party coming up. Let’s just pretend that last week didn’t happen, otherwise.

This week is full of shows I want to go see but might not get to. I am hoping to see The Low Anthem tonight and Megafaun on Wednesday, but in reality, I might just go home and go to sleep instead.

Also, you’ve got a chance to hear me make my internet radio DJ-ing debut on Chicago’s own CHIRP Radio. I’ll be playing some tunes for the music-loving masses from 6-9 pm on Saturday, October 1st. Give a listen, it will make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And if you’re in to supporting local, all-volunteer organizations, consider giving a tax-deductable donation to CHIRP to help out with its fall campaign. CHIRP is a non-profit organization, and all donations go towards things like rent, internet streaming fees, and paying utilities. No donation is too small; even $10 will be a help. Check out the donation page, read up on CHIRP if you’re unfamiliar, and please consider giving. As an added bonus, if you put my name (or even the blog’s name) down under the “How did you find out about CHIRP” box, I’ll hook you up with your very own customized, possibly potentially hilarious, mix CD. Do it, it’ll make you feel good inside.

Monday, September 26
Beirut; Congress Theater. 7 pm, $30
Robbie Fulks, Randy Lee; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation
The Low Anthem; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $12

Tuesday, September 27
Lucy Wainwright Roche, Anne Heaton; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-20

Wednesday, September 28
Bear Lake, The Juliets, Missing Chums; Double Door. 8:30 pm, $5
The Damnwells, Harper Blynn, Carley Tanchon; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $15
Megafaun, Doug Paisley; Schubas. 9 pm, $12

Thursday, September 29
Dar Williams, Joan Osborne; Park West. 8 pm, $35
Girls, Nobunny, Papa; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $18

Friday, September 30
Fleet Foxes, The Walkmen; Chicago Theatre. 7:30 pm, sold out
Mason Jennings, the Pines; Park West. 7:30 pm, $20-22
The Avett Brothers, Truth and Salvage Co.; the Aragon. 8 pm, $38.50-43
Tony Lucca, Jay Nash, Matt Duke; SPACE. 8 pm, $12-22
Ari Hest; Schubas. 10 pm, $18

Saturday, October 1
Dala; SPACE. 7 pm, $15-26
Fleet Foxes, The Walkmen; Chicago Theatre. 7:30 pm, sold out
April Smith and the Great Picture Show; Henry Wolfe; Bottom Lounge. 9 pm, $10
Jon Drake and the Shakes, The Future Laureates, Kingsley Flood, Ben Ripani Music Co.; Subterranean. 9 pm, $10

Sunday, October 2
Meh