Last Minute Plans: Haley Bonar At Schuba's

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 25, 2009 5:40PM

Looking for something a little slower-paced than the (pretty awesome) Kid Sister-Flosstradamus duo (tonight, House of Blues, 6:30 p.m., $18)? Maybe getting blitzed on Black Out Wednesday isn't quite your style? Consider, then, Haley Bonar. A product of the Midwest, Bonar recently moved to the Pacific Northwest but has returned to the Midwest for a tour in advance to a new LP, the follow-up to her excellent 2008 LP Big Star.

While she may seem reminiscent at times of fellow female singer-songwriters like Neko Case, Bonar's soft, honeyed vocals on songs like "Big Star" are much more akin to someone like Rosie Thomas. It's a comparison backed up by the intimacy of Bonar's songs, something that remains whether it's backed by the haunting piano-backed "Bag" or if it's part of rollicking country-folk number like "Highway 16." Bonar's voice can swing from strong to vulnerable and back again at the drop of a hat but it always feels natural. If you're looking for a mellow affair to take you into the holiday weekend, catching Bonar at Schubas - as intimate a venue as we can think of that fits Bonar - is a worthwhile bet.

MP3: Haley Bonar, "Big Star," from the LP Big Star (2008)

Haley Bonar with Daniel Knox and Sin Ropas, Tonight, 9 p.m., 18+, Schubas (3159 N. Southport), $12