Review: The Felix Culpa – Sever Your Roots (2010)
Back in 2002, you knew this group knew how to make music. It’s not picking up a guitar, writing a song, and performing. They could move venues-which was easy back then when it was VFWs and roller rinks. Then others noticed to the point they were called out to California and, honestly it would be [
Interview: Johnny Foreigner
“Champagne Girls I Have Known” off the 2007 Arcs Across the City EP was searing and swerving. Alexei’s carefree (or less?, you can’t even distinguish-but who cares seriously-it’s just brilliant) vocals and Junior’s precision, hyperactive drumming screeched the musical ADD iron horses i
Review: Sundowner – We Chase the Waves (2010)
Chris McCaughan is the mainstay that has connected the masts of Chicago punk since before 1996. Emerging in Tricky Dick and post-Slapstick The Broadways, Chris found his songwriting stride with The Lawrence Arms. Always encapsulating Chicago winters and hardships with an urban optimis
Review: Y La Bamba – Lupon (2010)
Lightning struck twice this year. Once during “My Darkness“, and the latter soon thereafter in watching easily the most beautifully orchestrated video of the year. Y La Bamba came coincidentally at the same time Nick Jaina performed in a small housing cooperative in Madison, however the form
CONCERT REVIEW: GIGMAVEN CHICAGO LAUNCH AT SUBTERRANEAN
Brendan is a Pennsylvania native currently in New York City. He was kind enough to lend us a review of last night’s show at Subterranean in Chicago, which served as the official launch of GigMaven in the city. GigMaven seeks to ease the process of booking shows for local bands with venues. (Photos
Limelight: Thomas Paul (Boise, Idaho)
For the first of a new feature inviting musicians to talk about musicians influencing them or living nearby, we’re stepping back into last year with: Thomas Paul is a Boise, Idaho-based guitarist who most recently performed guitar for Nick Jaina on his Fall 2010 tour (Madison concert photos).
REVIEW: NICK JAINA – A BIRD IN THE OPERA HOUSE (2010)
Earlier this year there was an artist coming to Madison, a favorite. Like Barnum & Bailey Circus, it was a show not to miss. But when Nick Jaina took to the floorboards in a quaint, couch-lined co-op room, my resolve to stay and hear a few songs soon dissolved faster than sugar in wate
Photography: 3rd Annual F.Stokes Day After Christmas Show at the Frequency (Madison, Wisconsin)
F.Stokes (Madison), DJ Radish (Madison), Legendary Jackson (Madison)December 26th, 2010The Frequency in Madison, Wisconsin. F.Stokes treats Madison like family. From inviting everyone on stage after over two hours of a set, to passing cookies and inviting friends up for story tim
2010: JOHN’S TOP TEN ALBUMS
10. Sophie Hunger – 1983 Zurich-based Sophie Hunger is a singer not many people in North America have heard of yet, which is quite the pity. Her voice is powerful, and calming, much in the way you think of Randy Newman but absolutely without the tackiness. She can just pull those emotion