Non-Stop Music Weekend!
By Sarah Dahnke in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 16, 2007 6:10PM
Is it just us, or is this one of those weeks that never stops? Looking ahead at our weekend musical calendar, we're realizing we're not going to get any sleep until we fall into a Thanksgiving dinner-induced coma next week. Oh music, we do it all for you.
A look at the weekend ahead:
We've written plenty about the Tomorrow Never Knows festival in the past, and we wouldn't miss it again this year for anything. The five-day festival will be held at Schubas from Jan. 16 to Jan. 20 and will feature indie darling John Vanderslice, local freak show Bobby Conn, dance music master White Williams, the ever-touring Walkmen, a southern and roots rock tribute by the kiddies at Paul Green's School of Rock Music, and many, many more. Tickets go on sale today at noon. Each individual show ranges between $10 and $15, but you can snag a five-day pass for $55.
Speaking of Schubas, we'll be heading there tonight to celebrate the release of Tom Schraeder & His Ego's EP The Door, the Gutter, the Grave. The man has experienced a wild 2007, playing CMJ, Lollapalooza and a ton of other gigs, and he doesn't even have a freakin' record deal yet! He and his eight-piece boozy country-pop outfit have been getting attention gaining steam all year, and they'll be in full force tonight to prove to Chicago that all the hype is worth it. Tom and the boys play tonight at 10 p.m. at Schubas with Curtis Evans.
It is rare that we even mention folky, singer/songwriters on this 'ole blog, but there are exceptions to every rule. Tennessee-come-Chicago vocalist and guitarist Emily White is celebrating the debut of her sophomore release 12 Ways to Live , which features enchantingly beautiful melodies that address everything from love (duh), relationships (double duh) and the disappearing wetlands in Louisiana (what the?). She intertwines themes of romance and politics throughout her songs strategically, backing them with sparse musical arrangements and avoiding bombarding the listener with the standard angry female fit that became the standard of singer/songwriters in the '90s. White plays an album release show at 9:30 p.m. at the Red Line Tap on Saturday with Brianna Lane, Adam Hitchell and ActorSlashModel.
The West Town Dill Pickle Food Co-op is a group with a cause near and dear to our heart. They're working to raise funds to open a food co-op in the West Town area, particularly focusing on a storefront at 3039 W. Fullerton in Logan Square. But what do they need to make that happen? MONEY! So they're throwing a benefit show this weekend, featuring the aforementioned Bobby Conn, one-man band Willis P. Jenkins and trio Pit er Pat. It all goes down at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Logan Square Auditorium. Admission is $15.
Photos of Bobby Conn and Tom Schraeder via Myspace.