REVIEW: JUICEBOXXX – HEARTLAND 99 (2015)
The first time I ever saw Juiceboxxx was at the now defunct Darling Hall in Milwaukee in 2006 (it was close to Conejito’s if you know where that is). His live performance was an ecstatic mix of in your face MC brashness and crowd manipulation not far removed from Dan Deacon performances (here is a
REVIEW: HELLO DEATH – REMNANTS (2015)
“Sometimes all it takes to truly be great is that it’s not so bad as the last time that you tried.” Whether in an attempt to reassure themselves or downplay the record to come, Hello Death begins their sophomore release with what could almost have been written as an ode to follow-up a
REVIEW: GROUP OF THE ALTOS – R U PERSON OR NOT (2015)
Sometimes it is impossible not to be derivative in music. The Group of Altos, structurally and sonically, seems largely influenced by Canadian post-rock ensembles Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Do Make Say Think (all part of the terrific Constellation Records) with their large personnel, use of roa
REVIEW: DOUBLE EWES – DOUBLE EWES (2014)
Double Ewes seem to be the stalwarts of the yearly Rock County Folk Symposium. The event has occurred for the past four years at the band’s front man Whilden Hughes’ family estate in Janesville. This year it has been moved to been to Camp Rotamer (still in Rock County), which features bathrooms
LIMELIGHT: SAVANNAH SMITH (EAU CLAIRE, WI)
Originally from Eau Claire and now based in the lovely city of lakes that is Minneapolis, a mere ninety minutes away, Savannah Smith is the closest thing you’ll get to a southern belle in the northern Midwest. Often with her ukelele, she’s the kind of lady you would be proud to introduce to your
CONCERT REVIEW: BEST COAST AT THE RAVE (MILWAUKEE, WI)
Best Coast (Los Angeles, CA)August 1st, 2013The Rave in Milwaukee, WI Los Angeles lo-fi duo Best Coast made the most out of a mildly attended concert that, all things considered, was going to be a tough draw for most indie rock bands playing the bill that night in Milwaukee. Bud
CONCERT REVIEW: FOXYGEN AT TURNER HALL (MILWAUKEE, WI)
Foxygen (Westlake Village, California)July 28th, 2013Turner Hall in Milwaukee, WI If you only know Foxygen from their tantalizing pop single “San Francisco,” then you would likely be surprised by their live show, at least the one they put on in Milwaukee Sunday night. Not onl
PHOTOS: COUNT THIS PENNY & HALEY BONAR AT SH*TTY BARN SESSIONS (SPRING GREEN, WI)
Count This Penny (Madison, WI) and Haley Bonar (Minneapolis, MN)May 22nd, 2013Sh*tty Barn Sessions in Spring Green, Wisconsin “I wrote the setlist on the back of a Culver’s receipt.” What better opening line could you have for an evening of music in Spring Green, Wisconsin
REVIEW: PIONEER – BLACK PASTURE (2013)
For me, summertime in Wisconsin means a lot of things. There are ingredients to the recipe; some that have been in place since I was little. Backpacking adventures in Northern Wisconsin, trips to my favorite lakes (Devil’s Lake and Lake Superior), grilling out, sand bank hangs on the Wisconsin Riv