With the recent release of *The Moonlight Butterfly* the Sea and Cake shows how to negotiate the fine line between consistency and boredom without ever falling on the wrong side. more ›

Before the Sea and Cake and his collaborations with Sam Prekop, Archer Prewitt was a member of the Coctails. Those shows were glorious. The Coctails were lumped in with the lounge revival of the early 90's, but they considered themselves a "garage jazz band" and they would often switch instruments during concerts. more ›

Thrill Jockey Records turns 15 this year, and in order to celebrate they've decided to throw themselves a couple of big-ass parties, one of which already occurred in London earlier month. However, the label has called Chicago home for over a decade, so we're expecting the 2 days of shows happening at Logan Square Auditorium on December 14 and 15 to blow London's party apart at the seams. more ›

Thirty-six years ago Vashti Bunyan released an album that was haunting and different than all the other folk musicians out there. She has been touted as creating "psych-folk" and then, like many musicians, the singer kind of forgot about her voice amidst lukewarm sales and everything that life throws at us. Now she's back with Lookaftering and is playing a pair of shows with Archer Prewitt. Monday/Tuesday, Lakeshore Theater, 7 p.m., $15 advanced/$20 door, All... more ›

826CHI, a non-profit organization, supports students with their writing skills and helps teachers inspire their students to write. David Eggers’ writing center hits Chi-town! Help them pay their security deposit by attending a show at the Metro Sunday evening. For ten bucks, we will be entertained by Archer Prewitt, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Babyteeth, and Watchers. 826CHI may sound familiar if you’ve ever wasted time at McSweeney’s. They offer programs that strengthen students’ power... more ›

Chicagoist loves "free" so we were happy to hear about these three upcoming free events. more ›

Country-music fans (yes, both of you) rejoice: Chicago transplant Kelly Hogan will play a pair of shows tonight at Hideout. But the real music story is tomorrow night, when there are so many quality bands playing in the area that we decided to give you a day’s warning to make the torturous decision. At the Empty Bottle will be the Mountain Goats, a.k.a. John Darnielle. (Chicagoist just loves singer-songwriters that pretend to be full-fledged bands, e.g. Cat Power, (smog), Destroyer, Iron & Wine, and Bonnie “Prince” Billy.) Darnielle will perform his unique, literate brand of lo-fi folk pop, and here’s hoping his awesome acoustic cover of Ace of Base’s “The Sign” makes the setlist. Archer Prewitt from local heroes The Sea & Cake will open. At Metro, weirdo Neutral Milk Hotel wannabes the Decemberists will play – probably in costume – their songs about pirates, soldiers, movie characters, and real-life novelists after the equally strange Chicago-area popsters Head of Femur open. And at House of Blues, check out Danger Mouse – the brilliant mind behind the justly lauded Beatles-Jay Z mash-up “The Grey Album” – performing with Brooklyn cohort Jemini. The duo’s recent collaboration “Ghetto Pop Life” evidences further wizardry with hip-hop tricks both underground and mainstream. No matter which show you choose, each will be a great way to kick off the weekend. more ›