Last week, we gushed about the State-side release (finally!) of Swedish pop star Robyn's self-titled record. A magnificent, intelligent slice of dance-pop heaven, the record has been garnering rave reviews, even three years after its release on her native continent of Europe. Now she's on a cross-country trek to continue her quest to capture our American hearts, minds, and ears. We caught up with her on the day after the record's release, as she......

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Chicagoist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla. Seriously, there are so many bands worth seeing this weekend, we're making this a music-only edition of Pencil This In. Spoon Britt Daniel and the boys bring his coked-out Bowie croon to The Vic tonight. It's been odd seeing the band go from indie darlings that couldn't even fill Double Door, to modern rock stars......

The Chicago City Council held off on voting on a controversial ban on urban chickens yesterday. Since urban chickens are all the rage, it seems like a perfect time to ban them, right? Southwest Side Alderman Lona Lane (18th), who proposed the ban, said she didn't know why the vote on the ban was held up. Maybe it is, as the Sun-TImes suggests, because Mayor Daley has a thing for urban poultry: "Let's be realistic,"......

"100 Days, 100 Nights", the new album from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, has been getting a serious workout from us since its release last month. We're guessing the Dap-Kings are happy to be back supporting the sassy Jones after a summer backing up the Amy Winehouse trainwreck. Seeing Jones and the Dap-Kings live was the sole redeeming factor of our last New Year's Eve on the town. They're playing Park West Thursday night,......

Girl Talk, aka one Greg Gillis, has been wowing audiences from the Empty Bottle to the Pitchfork Music Festival with his wildly popular brand of mash-up wizardry. Just try to hold a stoic cool-kid pose when Gillis brings his one-man jammin' train through town in January, with newly minted prince of the hipster dance party Dan Deacon in tow. Metro, January 26, 7:30 p.m. (all ages) and 11:30 p.m. (18+), $16. On sale Saturday.......

Rhett Miller is as poppy a dude as you'll find, but he's mastered the art of knowing when to hold back and when to let the whole symphony out to play. As leader of the seminal-turned-name-checkable insurgent Americana band the Old 97's, Miller culled a rep for giant, hooky melodies and had one of the sharpest tongues on the independent rock scene. As a solo artist, he's replaced much of the whiskey and vinegar of......

One week from today we’ll be sitting in the sun (hopefully) listening to The Polyphonic Spree. We know everything doesn’t end and begin with Lollapalooza, so here are some concerts that are happening locally after the madness is over. Wilco in the Park – that should be the album they record when we, their fans, are past our prime and sit on park benches reminiscing about the good old days of mp3 players. Instead, Sky......

Memorial Day weekend is nigh! That means summer is officially here and girl-watching season is in full force. We thought we’d dedicate today’s EOYW to all the ladies who make summer worthwhile. Amanda Leigh Moore has been cultivating that girl next door image her entire life. We’re not sure how Mandy has managed to avoid the pitfalls of excess that other Hollywood divas her age seem to revel in, but this movie and television star......

Chicago native Jason Kanakis is one of those rare dudes who can honestly call himself a "career musician." He's has toured the world playing with the likes of KT Tunstall, Butch Walker, Rachael Yamagata, Aqualung, and an impressive heap of others. Now based in Los Angeles, Jason has an interesting perspective on how the Chicago music scene shapes up in comparison to the rest of the country, not to mention some pretty weird stories about......

Considering what it's like outside, we were tempted to name this week's column Awesome Day and Decent Nights, but then we looked over the listings and realized Awesome Days and Awesome Nights would be more appropriate. Tonight Chamber Strings begin their month-long Monday night residency at Schubas. A few months ago we caught their triumphant return to the stage after a five year hiatus, and can wish to bear witness that Kevin Junior seems to......

The House Theater of Chicago moved one step closer to world domination this morning, netting 13 Joseph Jefferson Citation nominations, 10 for their phenomenally successfully spring show “The Sparrow” (pictured, right) and 3 for their modestly admired fall show “Hatfield and McCoy.” TimeLine Theater improved by 10 over last year, netting 12 nominations, 10 for celebrating a New York mayor in song in "Fiorello!" (pictured, far right) Lifeline and Bailiwick Rep once again impressed,......

The best excuse to see TV stars sans makeup, The Tenth Annual Chicago Improv Festival continues through Sunday at The Athenaeum, Park West, and sites all over the north side. (Yes, south siders, they do hate you, get over it…) Chicagoist attended the opening show Monday night at the Cultural Center, featuring the only three performers dedicated (or crazy) enough to perform at all 10 festivals: Joe Bill, Susan Messing, and Mark Sutton. They brought......

Perhaps it is the image of Jennifer Hudson walking down the red carpet at the Academy Awards, but we've been getting inundated with talk of the event. The barrage has had its affect though, we have some Oscar related events for you this weekend, well except for one that involves vintage beer drinking, but we all need a break some time. We are all about gluttony and package deals this weekend, enjoy! We would suggest......

Did the groundhog see his shadow this morning? What does that mean again? We'll just jump forward to spring and get us some tickets to shows where we can don a jacket instead of a parka. My Brightest Diamond will be opening for The Decemberists on a pair of evenings at the Riviera. If anyone has the perfect pedigree to open for the lit-rockers it would have to be Shara Worden. She's the granddaughter of......

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,......

Well, it’s that time of year again. We’re done with Halloween costumes and on to the more pressing question, “How are we ringing in the New Year?” We know our readers aren’t chumps and bought their Raconteurs tickets for the 30th at the much cheaper rate than the New Year's Eve show. Here are a few more choices for that evening that holds so much promise, but usually just ends up being expensive with someone......

After a day of seeing great art we can’t think of anything better than going to see some great fashion. • Head over to The Lot, 2038 W. North Ave. before it closes for the year (October 29.) The Lot is a spot where rotating vendors sell homemade clothes, vintage clothes, jewelry as well as other surprises. The Lot is just what it sounds like, a rare empty space near the Damen Blue Line stop.......

Chicagoist is positively overflowing with free stuff lately. And next on our list of giveaways is two tickets to the Hotel Cafe Tour. Named after a club in L.A., this annual tour features some of the best and most sensitive singer-songwriters around. Chicagoist faves The Weepies are on the local tour stop at Park West (where else?) along with Charlotte Martin, Joshua Radin and Matt Costa. Speaking of Radin, we're imagining you'll soon be unable......

We were gonna start these Decent Days & Nights off Sunday with some dancing at Scissor Sisters, but instead we got our fix of "Desperate Housewives." We guess that everyone is trying to hit the Midwest before the snow starts flying, which may not be that far away, because there are an insane number of great shows happening this week. This week offers something for our ever-changing moods. On Monday, we may feel like being......

According to Mute Math’s myspace page, the group has “enough dizzying energy to make the hardest cynics wet their pants”. Well, we will be the first to admit that there was no need for Depends last night at Park West. We wanted to piss ourselves, but we just didn’t believe Mute Math even cared that they were there. Oh, they went through the motions – pulling all the rock star moves. Guitars held over head?......

This week we can help Ticketmaster achieve over $1 billion in fee charges this year with a little something for everyone. Following are some of the shows going on sale this weekend. Diplo We were sad when Diplo didn't back M.I.A. last fall, so this is our chance to see him spin in all his glory. On sale Saturday at noon at the Metro Box Office, or feed the man. Smart Bar, Nov. 24, 10:00......

Which is better, words or music? Revenge of the Bookeaters asks the question as they bring together authors and musicians for a one-night event. 826CHI and Jam Productions are hosting Ben Gibbard, Ira Glass, Dave Eggers, ZZ Packer and John Roderick for a night of readings, music and whatever else fits in between. The proceeds benefit 826CHI, a non-profit co-founded by Eggers that helps kids with reading and writing. The program looks pretty neat if......

Last evening at the Park West, Chicagoist attended the Mason Jennings show. Mason Jennings has stated that he is interested in the experience of life and his songs relate those experiences in an extremely personal way. In fact, it’s a little shocking at just how vulnerable he allows himself to be in his songwriting. Before heading to the show, we anticipated a bunch of lovebird hippies sitting around arms around each other in a kumbaya......

Sure, sometimes Chicagoist waxes promotional on the latest candy and soda to grace the convenience store aisles. But really, we know that a good diet is all about balance. The four food groups if you will. Which is why we’re taking this moment to alert you to the fact that May is National Salad Month. Now, we’re not exactly sure who is behind this observance. Dole? The Association for Dressings and Sauces? In any case,......

Coming of age is important in every culture from quincenaras to bar mitzvahs to the now uber-popular Sweet Sixteen bash (Thanks, MTV). Parents now flaunt the love and affection for their children with hugely expensive parties that honor the special achievement of turning sixteen. As we were sitting in our apartment covered in blankets Saturday, because we were not turning the heat back on, the biggest party in Chicago was Peoples Energy’s president’s daughter’s Sweet......

Nominations for The Joseph Jefferson Awards Citation Wing, recognizing the finest work from scrappy but brilliant non-Equity theater companies, were announced this morning. A local, less insufferable version of New York’s Tonys, the Jeff Awards recognize excellence among productions that opened between last April and this March. Click here to learn (and possibly understand) the nominations process. Queen Lucia rules the musical nominations; Lifeline’s original adaptation of E.F. Benson’s operatic rivalry tale leads all productions......

In an annual standard of living report, Chicago came in (tied with Washington DC) at 41st place. The study ranks the quality of life in the world's major cities. Zurich came in first, Baghdad last. The top US city is Honolulu. It's nice out and everyone's pulling out their bikes, but who needs a bike when you've got the LimoJet? The Bean is finally finished. Junk food in schools is still ok for now.......

When we head out of the Chicagoist offices tonight, we’re totally taking a disco nap. There’s just too much going on this weekend. First, if you’re not getting enough “playful sex” in your life then allow us to recommend Asobi Seksu. No, it’s not the name of a boner pill, it’s an indie rock band from NYC with a name that’s colloquial Japanese for the above. If you like Sonic Youth but wish they were......

Last Friday night, we braved the deep freeze of February and headed over to the Park West to see the Chicago stop of the Undertow Orchestra. We were drawn by way of Will Johnson (also of Centro-matic), but we were familiar with Mark Eitzel (also of American Music Club), and curious about the music and musings of Vic Chesnutt and David Bazan (also of Pedro the Lion). The Park West was sparsely attended this evening,......

We recommend live music every night of the week, but to keep the hangover at bay after the great time sure to be had by all at Chicagoist's Ctrl-Alt-Rock concert, we suggest the 2006 HAWK Winter Music Festival. It's a celebration of Chicago's music scene and who doesn't love that? We sure have it going on here in the Windy City and The League of Chicago Music Venues is presenting 3 days of music,......