Jan 16, 2013
Pop Chart Lab makes some of the coolest looking charts / prints / posters that I've seen. Their design philosophy employs a simple, clean aesthetic. I'm particularly happy to see their music-related efforts pop up every now and then. Though this print doesn't feature an Irwin or Languedoc, there are pleny of iconic guitars (...
Jan 10, 2013
We just told you about Widespread Panic's return to the area after a brief hiatus, but they're not the only game in town when it comes to Southern Rock styled jambands visiting the city after a little break. The on again / off again brothers in The Black Crowes will take their hiatus ending tour to...
Jan 10, 2013
This is the fourth edition of the The Barns These Are My Jams series. To see what this is all about, check out Volume One and for more jams, check out Volume Two and Volume Three.1. I admit to doing a double take when I first heard the chorus to Rubblebucket's "Came Out Of...
Jan 10, 2013
The last time Panic announced a two-nighter in Chicago, there was some speculation that they might be the last WSP for some time. Offered as the final shows of the fall 2011 tour amidst heavy rumors of hiatus, the Halloween weekend gigs at Chicago Theater turned out to just be an appetizer, with Halloween night at...
Jan 9, 2013
Gaslight Anthem does a great job of straddling the line between aggression and introspection. Often compared to a younger, edgier Springsteen - their wholly American tales of working class people are definitely anthemic. They were a perfect fit for Chicago edition of Riot Fest which featured some too-angry-for-my-tastes acts and others that have the just...
Jan 9, 2013
Ever have band that you fall in love with and then, because of their inactivity, lack of exposure or your preoccupation with other music, you totally lose track of?Nothing feels better when you rediscover their music, months or even years later, and realize: I forgot I love them.The Eels definitely qualify for this...
Jan 9, 2013
Theamount of material that has been sitting in archival vaults is truly astonishing. In 1999, the Jimi Hendrix estate released 14 songs from his seminal Woodstock performance on DVD. Today, the audio has been remastered and additional material has surfaced -- the updated release heads to theaters next week and Chicago's Music Box will be hosting a...
Jan 9, 2013
A group of Chicago musicians, led by the band Mos Scocious took a stab at recreating Beck's sheet music opus Song Reader at the Tonic Room last week. The Sun Times had a reporter on hand to cover the event. Here's the playbill via the MS facebook page.One of online music's biggest holes may...
Jan 4, 2013
Hidden Track did some outstanding research into the total sales of the Phish concerts in 2012. Upon seeing the figures, they seemed to demand a visual presentation. I tweeted the following image, and am putting up on the blog for increased visibility.We've definitely seen a trend towards smaller venues in 3.0. With some of the larger...
Jan 4, 2013
Helping Phriendly Orchestra is Chicago's premier Phish tribute band and I'm inclined to believe they're the best in the country. Unabashedly borrowing the Dark Star Orchestra's concept (as explained to The Barn by guitarist Mark Hague) and 1/3 or their name -- their goal is to recreate Phish shows in their entirety. They even attempt to...