Want a chance to see Neko Case perform in an intimate setting? more ›

Ask any five Neko Case fans to name their favorite album from the flame-haired siren and you'll likely get a different answer from each. For us, it's a tough call but we always go back to Blacklisted. That album was the beginning of Case's shift from outright twang to the more literate, ethereal blend of country and pop she's now producing. Blacklisted was also Case's last record on Bloodshot. Here's one of many standout tracks from the album - "I Wish I Was the Moon." more ›

While we think it's CRIMINAL to have Guided By Voices play before Animal Collective, we're still happy the Ohio-based stalwarts have been added to the Pitchfork Music Festival bill. Other notable additions include ex-Hideout bartender Neko Case and Chrissy Murderbot's juke to be reckoned with. We admit we weren't toally stoked about the line-up for the festival, taking place in Union Park from July 15 through 17, but now we're ready to head out and save a prime seat on the lawn right now! Tickets for each day are still available, though three-day passes are sold out. more ›

We heart Neko in a big, big way. Middle Cyclone and Fox Confessor Brings the Flood are two albums we never grow tired of spinning and we decided the smart-and-sultry chanteuse deserves a cocktail of her own. We figured it ought to have bourbon in it. High-proof bourbon. After fiddling with various components in various proportions, the end result was ... more ›

The New Pornographers rolled into town a day ahead of Lollapalooza for a show at The Metro last night. Running through a set heavy on their more recent albums, Twin Cinema, Challengers, and Together, the band was tight, stomping through songs, belting out some beautiful harmonies, and showing some good humor along the way (Neko Case's imitation of Midwestern moms discussing Lady Gaga was a particularly funny moment). Carl Newman led the band through a stellar set and while Neko Case (and her amazing voice) still plays the perfect female vocal companion, Kathryn Calder continues to impress as well, her voice adding more texture to the layered harmonies that are the root of the New Pornos' joyful pop. more ›

• According to a new report, the Mag Mile is seeing its lowest vacancy rate in seven years.
• One hard-working pooch for the Chicago Customs and Border Protection office sniffed out 23 pounds of opium last week.
• A CTA Red Line conductor is under scrutiny for pulling his train into a smoke-filled station during Sunday's track fire.

As reported here and here, the full list of Lollapalooza 2009 headliners has been revealed. In addition to the Beastie Boys, Jane's Addiction, and Depeche Mode, the anchor stages at either end of Grant Park will also feature The Killers and Tool. Lou Reed, the Decemberists, Neko Case, and Andrew Bird have also been tipped to participate. more ›

Based on response to the cover alone, it's safe to assume Neko Case's new disc Middle Cyclone is going to be a critical juggernaut. Get a sneak peek into her own thoughts about the album and her approach to jumping over laser swords when she appears on Sound Opinions tonight at 8 p.m. or tomorrow at 11 a.m. (Oh hell, get a sneak peek and just download the podcast here if you can't wait.) more ›

This year’s Hideout Block Party had it all: blues, world music, stoner rock, deep country blues, puppet shows, political dissidents, robo-rock, the return of Neko Case in two guises, and a punk rock marching band. In-between all of this the organizers managed to mix in voter registration, political discussion, and a drunken spelling bee. The amazing thing about this whole package? Its whole purpose was to raise money for various community centers, primarily in the interest in improving the lives of area children, proving The Hideout truly is striving to create a sense of community through the arts. more ›

We have to hand it to The Hideout, those cats know how to throw a party. What began as an affair populated mostly by local bands friendly to the bar has expanded to become one of the most inventively and entertainingly booked local festivals of the year. more ›

Had he moved to New York to seek his fame and fortune, Oscar Brown, Jr. would have been a superstar. Instead, the wildly talented singer, songwriter, poet, playwright, and activist stayed in Bronzeville, married, raised a family, and charted his own course. Anyone who had the honor of speaking with the man, however brief, left with a renewed sense of hope. more ›

If you're not off to New York for the CMJ Music Marathon, or to Reykjavik, Iceland for the Airwaves Festival this weekend, there's plenty to take in right here on the home turf. There's nary a group of more talented individuals in independent music than Matador Records' New Pornographers. Despite the widely varying solo careers and additional projects of the main dudes, Carl Newman and Dan Bejar (of Destroyer and Swan Lake), and dudette Neko... more ›

Time to get that credit card out of hibernation and spend away, my friends! This week must mark the proper amount of time between on sale dates and concert dates that corresponds to warm weather coming back to Chicago. Kaiser Chiefs will be out in support of their soon-to-be-released album Yours Truly, Angry Mob off which the single “Ruby” we were told sounds like Morrissey fronting Cheap Trick. While this image still has us reeling,... more ›

We realize we’re a bit late to the game on this one, but Illinois Entertainer recently published a list of the top 25 local albums of the last ten years. And we’re a bit surprised that it hasn’t inspired more discussion on their site. The usual suspects made the list with Wilco, Sea and Cake, Jim O'Rourke, Kanye and Smashing Pumpkins all making appearances. Local H seems to be the most glaring omission here, as... more ›

This week marks the return of Adventures in Modern Music at the Empty Bottle. Arriving on the heels of the World Music Festival, the five-day event celebrates experimental music like the mash-up dance rock of Brazil’s Tetine, blessed-out head trips of France’s Colleen and Trapist’s space rock. A full lineup is available at the Bottle’s website, but don’t forget to see You’re Gonna Miss Me, a documentary at the Siskel Film Center on the fall... more ›

Bloodshot Records has been up to some fun stuff as of late. First, they dropped an advance copy of the Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook Vol. 1 in the Chicagoist mailbox and it's full of gems. We usually like more rock in our folk but damn if we aren't suckers for any version of "I Know You Rider." Linda Smith turns in a fine turn here as does Robbie Fulks on the following... more ›

Torontoist immediately wins our heart by using the word "Jackass" in a headline. In fact, we love their use of it so much that we're going to use it as much as possible throughout this post. For example, it looks like there are Toronto-area jackasses besides those who misuse the sidewalk: look at the crap on sale on Toronto's craigslist. But it looks like Toronto doesn't contain the kind of jackasses who pee in public... more ›

Gothamist posts on the capture of a NYC perv thanks to Little Brother and a camera phone. They also scour the city for vodka martinis and Shamrock shakes and spot the friend from the Wonder Years at a city law firm. New York police think that Littlejohn is their man. Houstonist is no stranger to megachurches or stripmalls or mega-strip-churchmalls. The children of Houston are under assault by unknown forces as this week a playground... more ›