Review: Hannah Frey Can’t Help but See the Bright Side on New Album Lucky Girl
Hannah Frey and I share a Chicago timeline. I first discovered her on a weekend home from college listening to NPR on my mom’s speakers utterly transfixed by her song […]
Review: Cass McCombs Brings a Lengthy Performance to a Sold-out Lincoln Hall
Cass McCombs really knows how to test an audience. The 41-year-old singer-songwriter and his band played a two-hour set to a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Hall on Saturday night, in […]
Review: Everyone Loves Brandi Carlile
On Friday, Brandi Carlile performed before a sold-out crowd at the Chicago Theater. Her performance’s quality was no surprise; Carlile is an established singer-songwriter who has honed her stagecraft over […]
Album Review: Trampled by Turtles’ Life is Good on the Open Road is Varied, Thoughtful
Duluth bluegrass sextet Trampled By Turtles will play back-to-back sold out nights at Thalia Hall this weekend, May 19th & 20th. The band’s timely visit provides fans the opportunity to […]
TCR Mixtape No. 36: Spring Americana Concert Preview
It’s a rare mixtape/preview crossover! This is the spot where you get a preview of this spring’s Americana slate coming to Chicago’s great music venues, alongside a nice playlist of […]
The Mowgli’s Joyful Vibes Filled Schubas
I first heard The Mowgli’s in 2012, when WXRT played “San Francisco” on a new music segment. I recall being struck by the song’s earnestness. It opened with the lyrics, […]
Richard Thompson Takes Old Town School of Folk with British Bravado and Old-Man-Leather Sex Appeal
Richard Thompson started playing music professionally in 1967 with Fairport Convention. He was 18. Fifty years of performing, touring, and recording 40+ albums should leave a musician spent. Rather than […]