This Weekend In Music: Three To See—Soft Speaker, Ike Reilly, The Hotelier
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 14, 2014 7:00PM
This time in Chicago is usually a little quiet musically as most bands head to Texas to waste their time at SXSW, but that doesn't mean we don't have some awesome shows to look forward to this weekend!
Soft Speaker at Cole's
If we describe something as genre-jumping psych rock you'd be forgiven for thinking the result would be some challenging mix of aural whiplash, but Soft Speaker manages to carry their songs into unexpected places so organically you don't notice the changes. They also manage the neat trick of being able to indulge in long stretches of soloing while keeping you wanting to dance without ever making you want to do The Wombat.
Friday, March 14, at Cole's, 2338 N Milwaukee, 10 p.m., FREE, 21+
The Ike Reilly Assassination at Double Door
Ike Reilly is one of those Midwestern dudes who briefly had a shot at major label stardom, became a critic favorite and was then launched on a public who just didn't seem ready for him at the time. Reilly writes smart bar-room rock with just enough quirk nipping at its edges that it keeps fans of good music happy, so screw the masses that don't seem to get him. Luckily for us, this has never slowed Reilly down and he continues to play dependably amazing live shows.
Saturday, March 15, at Double Door, 1572 N Milwaukee, 9 p.m., $20-$30, 21+
The Hotelier at Township
We honestly have no idea how we stumbled across The Hotelier—an investigation of our inbox shows it certainly wasn't via a publicist—but their screamy-shouty emo-tinged rock attack is exactly what you think it would sound like from that description, but only really good.