How's My Living? » lincoln hall

This Week in Great Music: 2/6 – 2/12

Sarah — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:14:18 +0000

Monday, February 6
Jeff Mangum, Andrew Reiger, Laura Carter, Scott Spilane; Athenaeum Theatre. 6:30 pm, sold out
Robbie Fulks; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation
Deleted Scenes, The Hudson Branch; Subterranean. 8 pm, $10

Tuesday, February 7
Jeff Mangum, Andrew Reiger, Laura Carter, Scott Spilane; Athenaeum Theatre. 7:30 pm, sold out
Mar Caribe, Sally Timms; Hideout. 9 pm, $5 suggested donation
Craig Finn, Mount Moriah; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $12-14

Wednesday, February 8
Meh?

Thursday, February 9
Jenny Owen Youngs, New Empire; Schubas. 8 pm, $12-14
Miri Ben-Ari, Lying Delilah; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $45

Friday, February 10
Juno What?!, Dance Floor Plans; Martyrs. 9:30 pm, $10
Judson Claiborne, Eiren Caffal, the Counterpane; Hideout. 10 pm, $10

Saturday, February 11
The Shams Band, Elephant Gun, The Damn Choir, Architecture; Subterranean. 8:30 pm, $10
Rego, Elsinore, Algebro, MB; Lincoln Hall. 9:30 pm, $10
Derek Nelson & the Musicians, Daphne Willis, Jenny Dragon; Martyrs. 9:30 pm, $8

Sunday, February 12
Meh.

This Week in Great Music: 1/30 – 2/5

Sarah — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:37:20 +0000

A bit of a late start today due to some hosting issues, but never mind. Concert landscape this week is a little thin, but I’m sure you all will find ways to enjoy yourselves. Let me know what I missed!

Monday, January 30
Robbie Fulks, The Pussycat Trio; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation
Clip Art, Baby Teeth, Jennifer Hall; Schubas. 8 pm, $5
Adam Arcuragi & the Lupine Chorale Society, The Pear Traps; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, free

Tuesday, January 31
Meh.

Wednesday, February 1
Meh?

Thursday, February 2
Rumer, Bryn Rich; Lincoln Hall. 9 pm, $13-15
AZITA, Thomas Comerford, Robbie Hamilton & Soft Ones; Schubas. 9 pm, $6

Friday, February 3
Andy Grammer, Ryan Star, Rachel Platten; Lincoln Hall. 7 pm, $14

Saturday, February 4
Alfonso Ponticelli’s Gypsy Flamenco Project; Mayne Stage. 9 pm, $15-20

Sunday, February 5
Birdy; Schubas. 12 pm, free

This Week in Great Music: 1/23 – 1/29

Sarah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:37:38 +0000

I’ll be at Schubas on Wednesday for Cheyenne Marie Mize, and Lincoln Hall the next day for Kathleen Edwards. I’ll be the lady with a camera, looking very tired and surly. Say hi if you see me.

Monday, January 23
Meh.

Tuesday, January 24
Kevin Hearn & Thinbuckle; Schubas. 8 pm, $10-12
Kevin O’Donnell Quartet; Hideout. 9 pm, $5 suggested donation

Wednesday, January 25
Cheyenne Marie Mize; Schubas. 8 pm, $10-12

Thursday, January 26
Kathleen Edwards, Hannah Georgas; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $20
Gringo Starr; Empty Bottle. 9:30 pm, $8

Friday, January 27
Joe Henry, Unloved; Old Town School of Folk Music (West; 4544 N Lincoln). 7:30 pm, $21-25
Los Campesinos!, Parenthetical Girls; Metro. 7:30 pm, $20
Strange Arrangement, Greensky Bluegrass; Park West. 8 pm, $15

Saturday, January 28
Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, ft. Drive-By Truckers, Dawes, Joe Pug, Bailiff, Van Ghost, Jaik Willis, The Shams Band, Great Divide, Jon Drake and The Shakes, Ben Ripani Music Co., Go Long Mule, The Future Laureates, Band Called Catch, Paper Thick Walls and Michele McGuire; Congress Theater. 1 pm, $35
Christine Lavin; Old Town School of Folk Music (East; 4545 N Lincoln). 7 pm, $21-25
Devotchka, Elephant Revival, Danny Black & Nora O’Connor; Metro. 8:30 pm, $21
Mucca Pazza, Lasers and Fast and Shit, DJ Roma Soul; Double Door. 9 pm, $13-15

Sunday, January 29
Cass McCombs, Frank Fairfield; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $15

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

Favorite Photos of 2011: Part One

Sarah — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:20:45 +0000

For one reason or another, it’s been a pretty quiet year on the writing front around here. It happens, what can I say? Maybe 2012 will be better.

Anyhow, I may not have written a whole lot, but I’ve been keeping busy in 2011 by taking lots of photographs. Here are a few of my favorites. There will be more, later this week.

Broken Records; Reckless Records, February 26, 2011

I had only barely heard of Broken Records when I went to this in-store. Thanks to strong recommendations from Tart (Love Shack, Baby) and Steve (Baby, You Got a Stew Goin’), I knew I was going to hear some good music. The Scottish indie-rock-ish band certainly delivered, both at the tiny in-store and at a full headlining gig at Schubas later that night.

Broken Records: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter

Over the Rhine; Lincoln Hall, April 8, 2011

I was more than pleased to see one of my favorite bands at one of my favorite Chicago venues. Lately, Over the Rhine have been making an annual stop at the Old Town School of Folk Music in December, and it’s lovely to see them in such a classy venue, but I loved getting to be right up close at Lincoln Hall.Pictured above is Jason Goforth, who, in addition to having an awesome last name, has been playing with Over the Rhine live for the past couple of years or so.

Over the Rhine songs are always my go-to songs when I’m looking to give myself something to do vocally. I walked around the house singing along to their new album, The Long Surrender, the other day; my cat looked at me as if I’d lost my mind, but sometimes you’ve just got to belt out along with Karin: ”All my favorite people are broken, believe me, my heart should know.”

– Concert review, posted April 22, 2011

Over the Rhine: Official Website | MySpace | Twitter | Store

Jessica Lea Mayfield; Schubas, May 14, 2011

This shot has some issues with lighting, but I love the expression on her face. It’s a pretty perfect, dazed, far away look, and it’s one that fits Mayfield pretty well.

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.

– Concert review, posted October 13, 2011

Jessica Lea Mayfield: Official Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | Store

Luke Doucet; Schubas, June 2, 2011

Luke Doucet and his wife Melissa McClelland opened up for Teddy Thompson at Schubas and put on a fantastic show. Both Doucet and McClelland have released several solo albums of their own, but released an album together under the name of Whitehorse later in 2011. They performed many of their own songs but also previewed many of the Whitehorse songs, as well.

Luke Doucet: Official Website | MySpace | Facebook

Legendary Shack Shakers; Ribfest, June 10, 2011

I didn’t love this show as much as I’d hoped – the punk-rockabilly band tended much more towards punk than I remembered – but frontman J.D. Wilkes was a blast to photograph, and the crowd absolutely loved their antics.

Legendary Shack Shakers: Official Website | Facebook | Myspace | Twitter | Store

Bill Callahan; Lincoln Hall, July 3, 2011

I loved everything about this show. I almost didn’t go, because I was feeling lazy and hadn’t actually heard Callahan’s newest album, and I didn’t want to be that person who went to a show on a tour for a new album and griped about the fact that they didn’t play any songs I knew. But I sucked it up and went, like a real responsible grown-up, and was glad for it. Callahan’s performance was mesmerizing, regardless of the number of songs I actually knew. This show was somewhat difficult to shoot, because of frequently low lighting, and because of my position right under the mic stand, but I still came out with some of my favorite photos ever.

Bill Callahan: Official Website | MySpace

Violet; Notting Hill Arts Club, September 4, 2011

I went to London in September and was lucky enough to be there when Communion Music was putting on a show. Although I’d never heard of any of the bands on the bill, I trusted Communion to have a stellar line-up, and they didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, most of the acts are kind of un-Google-able, like Violet, pictured here. Hey, bands! I’d love to buy your music if only I could find you on the internet. (I would have stuck around after the show but I think I only had £10 in my pocket and wasn’t sure how long the buses ran in that area.) This was a pretty challenging show to shoot, and I only got photos of the last three acts. Apart from the fact that the only light was red (I understand now why photographers always complain about red stage lighting), I felt like the concert-going culture was much different than what I’m used to here in Chicago. People hardly even glanced at their cell phones, let alone spent their time snapping away on iPhones and point-and-shoots, so I felt pretty awkward lurking about with my DSLR, though I managed a few interesting shots.

This Week in Great Music: 12/19 – 12/25

Sarah — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:46:15 +0000

For it being Christmas, there are still a handful of great shows going on. I’ll be at both of the Andrew Bird performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art… that is, if I can find where in the world I put my tickets when I packed up to move into my new apartment. Uh oh.

Monday, December 19
Do-It-Yourself ‘Messiah’; Harris Theater for Music and Dance. 7 pm, $10
Robbie Fulks, Kelly Hogan; Hideout. 7 pm, $10 suggested donation
Josh Caterer, Cory Branan, Dave Hause, Curtis Evans; Schubas. 8 pm, $12

Tuesday, December 20
Do-It-Yourself ‘Messiah’; Harris Theater for Music and Dance. 7 pm, $10
The Black Willoughbys; Hideout. 9 pm, $5 suggested donation

Wednesday, December 21
Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller: Sonic Arboretum; Museum of Contemporary Art. 7:30 pm, sold out
Eastern Blok; Schubas. 9 pm, $8

Thursday, December 22
Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller: Sonic Arboretum; Museum of Contemporary Art. 7:30 pm, sold out
Santah, In Tall Buildings, Elephant Gun, The Island of Misfit Toys; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $8-12
Ximena Sarinana, Graffiti 6; Schubas. 9 pm, $12
Scott Lucas & The Married Men, Purple Apple; Hideout. 9 pm, $8

Friday, December 23
Gold Motel, Deserters, Chaperone; Lincoln Hall. 7 pm, $12

Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve!

Sunday, December 25
Christmas!

This Week in Great Music: 12/12 – 12/18

Sarah — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:51:59 +0000

Hey, everyone, it’s Wilco week! I’m not going to any of the shows, but I’m sure plenty of you are.

I’ll be at Schubas on Saturday night for Noam Pikelny and friends. Banjo!

If you’re not doing anything on Sunday night, my band, Jungle of Cities, is playing at the Abbey Pub. We go on at 9, and there’s no cover. You should definitely come out.

Monday, December 12
Wilco; Civic Opera House. 7:30 pm, sold out

Tuesday, December 13
Wilco; the Riviera. 8 pm, sold out
Harper Blynn; Schubas. 8 pm, $8-10

Wednesday, December 14
Tim Reynolds and TR3; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $20
The Joy Formidable; Metro. 8:30 pm, $17-20
Josh Caterer, Rainbow Rhythms; Schubas. 9 pm, $12
Kathryn Calder, Himalayan Bear; Double Door. 9 pm, $10

Thursday, December 15
Graham Colton; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, $14
Wilco; the Vic. 8 pm, sold out
Alabama Shakes, the Lawrence Peters Outfit; Hideout. 9 pm, $10

Friday, December 16
Wilco; Metro. 8 pm, sold out

Saturday, December 17
Noam Pikelny and friends; Schubas. 10 pm, $15-18
The Sea and Cake; Empty Bottle. 10 pm, $18-20

Sunday, December 18
Apollo Chorus of Chicago: Handel’s ‘Messiah’; Harris Theater for Music and Dance. 3 pm, $15-75
Wilco; Lincoln Hall. 8 pm, sold out

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