AltWeeklies Wire
The 45 Acts Who Rock Chicago's Music Worldnew
How do you size up a musician's creativity, let alone rank it above another's? As we dare take on this task every two years, many factors come into play: cultural relevance, invention, influence on other musicians and the rest of the industry, but also what moves and excites us personally.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch and Duke Shin |
05-07-2008 |
Music
Tags: Chicago
Does It Offend You, Yeah? Explains the Namenew
They needed a name for the project, so they turned on the TV to a scene from The Office in which David Brent goes, "Does it offend you, yeah? My drinking?" Seconds later, the band was born. "It shouldn't be about not liking a band because of its name," keyboardist Dan Coop says. "It should be about listening to the music."
Chicago Newcity |
Garin Pirnia |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Sybris Returns with 'Into the Trees'new
After a long break that involved some touring and a patient writing period, the Chicago band is back with a more riotous affair.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Into the Trees, Sybris
Australia's Cut Copy in Full 'Colours'new
More aligned with psyche-pop than straight-up pop, the Australian trio wax nostalgic and cite influences like Tangerine Dream, ELO and Krautrock.
Chicago Newcity |
Garin Pirnia |
04-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours
Scout Niblett Sends Us Off To Our Deathsnew
Niblett, whose work has often been compared to the more minimalist output from PJ Harvey or Cat Power, is no rip-off artist -- her sincerity and, lately, sweetness comes purely from a songwriter on some sort of path to discovery, even if it's a path that leads directly to her own heart.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
04-16-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Yeasayer Breaks Throughnew
On All Hour Cymbals, the band mashed sounds that shouldn't have ever been dumped into the same pot. But it worked, as the band received bundles of press all along the blogosphere and invites to various festivals around the globe.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
04-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: All Hour Cymbals, Yeasayer
Head of Femur: In Plain Sightnew
The Chicago band went through a bit of a reinvention a couple years ago when the band decided to strip down the elements it was most known for -- the endless barrage of instruments on stage, horns to strings to whatever else -- and go with the bare essentials.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
04-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Great Plains, Head of Femur
Nada Surf Reminds Itself to be Happynew
Matthew Caws speaks quietly at a measured pace, not unlike how he sings one of his ballads. A tender tone persists just this side of protected laziness -- he puts you at ease, even if he isn't.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
04-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Holy Ghost! Revitalizes Disco, Eats Pizzanew
One well-received single is all it takes for a group to garner notice and these guys are no exception.
Chicago Newcity |
Garin Pirnia |
03-26-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Holy Ghost!
Murder by Death Returns for More Mayhemnew
As the band blends elements of punk, alt-country, airy instrumental and gypsy, Adam Turla weaves tales of power and adventure, religion and good's fight against evil.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
03-26-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Hush Sound is Not Emonew
The Chicago four-piece's third full-length record for the Fall Out Boy bassist's Decaydance imprint is unlike what you'd expect from a label spawned from Fueled by Ramen.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
03-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Goodbye Blues, The Hush Sound
Sia Looks on the Bright Sidenew
With a new record out on Starbucks' imprint Hear Music and Monkey Puzzle Records, Sia isn't merely content to tackle one project at a time.
Chicago Newcity |
Janine Schaults |
02-27-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
DJ Craze Moves from Hip-Hop to Drum 'n' Bassnew
After winning three DMC World DJ championships in consecutive years starting in 1998, it would've been easy to pigeonhole DJ Craze as just a superstar turntablist and hip-hop jock. But the Miami-based Craze started spinning and producing drum 'n' bass, becoming a fixture on the worldwide rave circuit.
Chicago Newcity |
Al de Leon |
02-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: DJ Craze
New York Dolls Resurrect the Glamnew
Frontman David Johansen on what has kept this unlikely reunion on track and how life in the music world has changed since his groundbreaking act first hit the scene more than 35 years ago.
Chicago Newcity |
Brad Knutson |
02-20-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: New York Dolls
How Hollywood Holt Got to Hip-Hopnew
Hollywood Holt's abilities as a hype-man and performer coupled with his vibrating excitement bring his live audiences into the show as they respond to calls and dance, hands high, reaching for his attention.
Chicago Newcity |
Hilary Rawk |
02-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Hollywood Holt
