Think back to the last time you talked romantic disappointment with a kindhearted friend who, despite his or her endearing nature, never seems to catch a break in relationships (we all have at least one friend like this). Then, imagine that friend is also endlessly self-deprecating, possesses an amazing voice and indulges in some corn-ball humor. Combine those factors, and what you'd have, approximately, is Sharon Van Etten. more ›

Chicago has always been friendly to glacial ice-pop a la The Aluminum Group and The Sea And Cake. What can we say? We must have Bacharach encoded in our communal DNA. more ›