The Tribune caught up with local-boy-made-good Richard Marx and discovered that he’s -– wait for it -– just a regular guy living on the North Shore. And writing country music. more ›

Sometimes, some days, there is a story or two that makes you scratch your head and ask yourself what sort of vortex exists in the world that allows for, say, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago to buddy up with the man responsible for unleashing horrifically bland pop music sung by practically neutered, grown men onto the collective conscious. more ›

There are turning points in every band’s career. Unlike the flashy moments that make for signposts in a Behind The Music episode, these are often financial and/or artistic decisions that determine whether artists continue to enjoy the comfort of being a big fish in a small pond or take a shot at widespread acclaim. While many bands have one or two of these moments in their career, the Arcade Fire’s brief career has been full of them. more ›

Move over, Billy Corgan and tell Liz Phair the news: Chicago has a new ambassador of cultural affairs in Kanye West, who graces the cover of this week’s Time magazine. Writer Josh Tyrangiel turns in a solid profile of West (subscription required) that swims in the contradictions of an artist whose brilliance onstage is matched only by his braggadocio and petulance offstage. Proving that it’s not always best to dress up for an interview, West... more ›

Chicagoist really tries to stay on top of what’s happening in the city. Sure we’re a little behind the curve sometimes but mostly we try to keep our finger on the pulse, you know? So please forgive us for not writing about this sooner: tonight at the Metro, Die Warzau is playing their first proper live show in almost a decade. more ›