Faronheit | A Chicago Centric Music Blog

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Category: show preview

Show Preview: Jenny Hval + Briana Marela at Constellation [9/3]

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On 08/27/2015

In chicago, live music, music, show preview


We’re in sort of a weird, experimental pop renaissance so far in 2015. There have been some extremely interesting and important records released this year that may have flown just under your radar but are more than worth the time and effort to seek out. I’m talking about albums from such notables as Bjork, Holly Herndon, Deradoorian and Circuit des Yeux among others. Later this year we’ll also get albums from Empress Of and Julia Holter, which should fit in perfectly with the rest. But right now I want to take a moment to highlight two particular LPs that I’ve been quite taken with so far this year.

The first is Briana Marela’s All Around Us, which came out earlier this month. It’s her first for Jagjaguwar, and for it Marela flew from Seattle out to Iceland hoping to be inspired. Iceland of course being the home to Sigur Ros, she wound up working with the band’s producer Alex Somers, as well as the orchestral collective Amiina who make their instrumental presence felt on just about every one of the band’s albums. The results are stunning and beautiful, particularly when paired with Marela’s sugary sweet yet breathy vocals. There’s a brightness that radiates through every song, reflected outward in a burst of rainbow colors like when sunlight hits a crystal. Cuts like “Surrender” and “Take Care of Me” are great examples of the expansive arrangements and slightly obtuse song structures present throughout the record.

If you’re interested in going a bit stranger and more confrontational with your music, Jenny Hval’s latest effort Apocalypse, girl can definitely help you there. Her modus operandi is tearing apart traditional pop songs and repurposing them to somehow find the more memorable and catchy elements within. There are two primary factors that help make her music so challenging. The first is the seemingly random way songs are composed, where pop melodies will emerge from a strange direction and either choose to stick around or continue on a separate path into obscurity. What the motivation behind such shifts are remains a mystery, but that’s all part of the adventure. The second has to do with Hval’s lyrics, which tend to be odd and provocative yet also meditative and well thought out. She’ll use phrases like “soft dick rock” and “huge capitalist clit” that have a certain WTF quality to them, yet their grand purpose is to make you think about concepts like the patriarchy and counterculture in a different way. Sure it’s not exactly easy listening, but the effort you’ll expend trying to dig into everything going on across this record pays out dividends across repeat listens. Give a listen to “That Battle Is Over” and “Sabbath” to get a better idea of what the album is all about and whether or not you might consider it to be your cup of tea.

What’s very exciting is that Briana Marela and Jenny Hval are touring together, and will be performing at Constellation in Chicago next Thursday, September 3rd. It’s an 18+ show that kicks off at 8:30. Tickets are $12 in advance and can be purchased here. It promises to be a highly fascinating and memorable night, so I strongly encourage you to come out and support these two powerful and innovative artists!

Lollapalooza 2015: Preview Guide

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On 07/30/2015

In chicago, class of 2015, lineup, live music, lollapalooza, lollapalooza 2015, music, music festivals, show preview

lolla2012
Are you prepared for three days of music madness right in the heart of downtown Chicago? Yeah, me neither. Every year Lollapalooza starts out so promising, the sense of excitement palpable in the air as you walk onto the grounds of Grant Park. But if you take this music festival seriously, and you should, then by Sunday night you’ll be about ready to collapse, practically wishing for the sweet embrace of death. It sounds terrible and in many ways it is at the time, but once you’ve had a couple days to recover only the fondest of memories will remain. You’ll have seen many of your favorite artists perform, and might have even been introduced to a few new ones along the way. You’ll have eaten some delicious food, sipped some delicious drinks, spent quality time with friends and maybe even made a new friend or two as well. There’s so much to be gained from the pain and punishment we put our bodies through at this festival, especially walking back and forth from one end of the park to the other. If you play it right so you’re not running all over the place, and you’re cool with sitting down and taking a breather a couple times each day, the experience actually becomes quite pleasant. So beyond tips to minimize walking, I’ll also say to wear plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water. That’s just a rule of thumb for life in general actually.

But what about the music? Sure, you know at least a handful of artists playing each day of the festival, but there’s likely to be times where either you’ll be clueless about who you should see or two (maybe even three) of your favorites are all on at once and choosing between them seems too difficult. Fear not, loyal reader! I’m here to help. After the jump you’ll find an advice guide recommending artists worth seeing every hour of every day, all weekend long. You’d have to be some sort of superhuman to see all of these sets, but if you’re smart and economical enough you can catch most of them and wind up having a spectacular time. So enough with the chit-chat, let’s dive right in. Brace yourselves, this is going to be a bumpy ride.

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Pitchfork Music Festival 2015: Sunday Preview Guide

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On 07/16/2015

In chicago, class of 2015, lineup, live music, music, music festivals, pitchfork music festival, pitchfork music festival 2015, show preview

p4k
If you’re attending all three days of this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival and are anything like me, by the time Sunday rolls around you’ll wake up even though your body will definitely not want to. The thought that you’ll have to spend another full day standing around will seem like the worst idea in the world. Take an extra hour to rest if you must, but then you’ve got to push through and get moving, because music waits for no human. Which brings me to a couple of quick tips on surviving your weekend at Pitchfork without winding up in a medical tent or the hospital. Priority one is hydration. It’s going to be hot outside, and you’ll be standing on your feet for extended periods of time, so do yourself a favor and drink plenty of water. Save the majority of your alcohol consumption for the early evening hours when it starts to cool down. The next tip is to sit and find shade whenever possible. Yes, you want to see as many artists as up close and personal as possible, but don’t put your body at risk any more than you feel you have to. You know your limits, so be sure to keep close attention on how you’re feeling and rest when and where you can. You’ll still be able to hear the music while seated under some shady trees, even if it’s across the big field in Union Park. Wear sunscreen and bug spray. You know why, and will pay the price for forgetting. Lastly, be prepared for weather. I’ve already mentioned the heat, but currently the forecast is suggesting scattered storms pretty much the entire weekend. Definitely don’t forget a poncho, and consider an umbrella too even though you’ll likely annoy fellow fest-goers if you leave it up while standing close to a stage. Also, mud. If it rains, Union Park will turn into a large mud pit, so wear appropriate shoes you’re okay with potentially trashing at the end of the weekend. So that pretty much wraps up my Pitchfork tips. Join me after the jump for the Sunday Preview Guide!

If you missed my previous Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 posts, go here to hear/see/download songs from every artist on this year’s lineup. If you’ll be at Union Park on Friday, you may want to look over my preview guide for that day by going here. Last but not least, go here for my preview guide for Saturday.

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Pitchfork Music Festival 2015: Saturday Preview Guide

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On 07/15/2015

In chicago, lineup, live music, music, music festivals, pitchfork music festival, pitchfork music festival 2015, show preview

p4k
Saturday was the first day of this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival to sell out. When you take a close look at the daily lineups, it makes perfect sense as to why. While the entire thing is pretty stacked, Saturday in particular looks extra heavy on quality. This is both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, you get to see all this great music in one day, meaning if you don’t have a ticket for the entire weekend it seems like the best deal for your time and money. On the other hand, you can’t see everything, leading to a nasty pile-up of conflicts that can be problematic. If you’re concerned about that, and you should be, allow me to offer some help and guidance to make the most of your Saturday at Pitchfork. Join me after the jump for the hour-by-hour breakdown of who’s playing when, complete with recommendations on what you can’t/shouldn’t miss.

If you missed my previous Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 posts, go here to hear/see/download songs from every artist on this year’s lineup. If you’ll be at Union Park on Friday, you may want to look over my preview guide for that day by going here.

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Show Preview: Torres at Empty Bottle [5/21]

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On 05/13/2015

In chicago, live music, music, show preview

Photo by Shawn Brackbill


Have you heard the new Torres record Sprinter yet? If not, immediately put that on your list of priorities for the week. This sophomore effort takes everything about Mackenzie Scott’s project and harnesses it into something that’s equal parts intense, spiritual and personal. She’s gotten much louder and more aggressive compared to her folk-centric debut, and her lyrics have gone from vague, possibly untrue stories to very specific diary-like entries. To put it another way, a curtain has been torn down, and we’re now hearing more of the living, breathing Torres than ever before. Throw some credit to producer Rob Ellis for helping turn Sprinter into one of the better things 2015 has had to offer so far. Ellis is best known for his work with PJ Harvey, who’s probably as good of a reference point as any to what this album sounds like.

Prior to the release of the record, Torres played a number of shows primarily during and surrounding SXSW in March. The reason it’s worth mentioning is because not only were those performances offering previews of what Sprinter would sound like, but they also felt like something of a coming out party for Scott, the hype building at a fast and furious rate by catching the attention of all the right people. Simply put, Torres has become a hot commodity. Not that she wasn’t back in June of 2013 when she came through Chicago for a show at the Empty Bottle, but like her new record everything is bigger and the shouts of taste makers are louder this time around. She’ll be making a triumphant return to the Bottle next Thursday (May 21st), and all indications are it will be a very exciting and powerful evening. You should definitely be there if you’re in town. It’s a 21+ show, starts at 9PM and tickets are only $10 in advance. Buy them here and thank me later. And just in case you need a little more coersion, stream a couple of the new songs below.

Show Preview: Lady Lamb at Schubas [5/6]

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On 04/16/2015

In chicago, live music, music, show preview


We’re knee-deep in the spring concert season, and great shows are blooming up just about everywhere you look. Case in point, about three weeks from now Lady Lamb (aka Aly Spaltro) will be rolling through Chicago for a headlining performance at Schubas. If you’re not familiar with Lady Lamb and her music, allow me to provide a little bit of background. The year was 2013 when a young upstart from Maine unleashed her debut studio album Ripely Pine under the moniker of Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. It was a critically acclaimed work of depth and complexity, anchored by Spaltro’s harrowing vocals and lyrical poems that were intensely personal and powerful. A song like “Bird Balloons” does a fantastic job of capturing all of those qualities, to the point where I named it one of my favorite songs of 2013. This year heralded a new record called After, and the dropping of “the Beekeeper” from her name, most likely for the sake of verbiage. But just because she’s no longer tied to bees doesn’t mean she never gets stung. The album focuses on loss, be it a relationship, friends, family or even your sense of home. Spaltro gets even more personal with her reflections, and ferocious in her melodies. Perhaps the best thing about it though is how it manages to surprise at almost every turn, with many of the songs morphing over their duration so you never quite know what to expect. Take a listen to “Spat Out Spit” and “Billions of Eyes” (below) to better understand Lady Lamb’s sound and unique style. She’s more than worth checking out in a live setting too. Back in 2013 I had the privilege of seeing her open for Torres at the Empty Bottle, and it was an impressive showcase of her talents. Not only did Spaltro perform completely solo, but she managed to bring the entire room to complete silence by belting out her opening song completely a capella without even the use of a microphone. There’s just so much fire and passion in her voice that you’re compelled to stop whatever you’re doing and just soak it in. It’s my understanding that with this current tour there are some backing musicians to help flesh out the new songs a bit more, and maybe even add a bit of extra power. In short, you’re probably not going to want to miss this stop at Schubas on Wednesday, May 6th. There are very few tickets remaining for the show, so jump on it quick. Tickets are $12, it’s an 18+ show, and starts at 9PM. Hope to see you there!

Show Preview: Foxygen at Metro [4/9]

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On 03/25/2015

In chicago, live music, music, show preview


Let’s not sugar coat this: Foxygen aren’t for everyone. They’re the sort of band that thrives on doing their own thing and not apologizing for it, which can really rub some people the wrong way. If you want to listen to and enjoy music that’s safe and comfortable that’s fine, but if unsafe and uncomfortable music is more up your alley, then by all means give Foxygen a try. Their 2013 album We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic represented the band at the height of their powers, taking cues from classic artists like The Rolling Stones and The Kinks while at the same time blurring lines between psych-pop, soul, funk, gospel and straight-up rock. They took that smorgasbord of influences and doubled down both figuratively and literally with last year’s …And Star Power. Across two discs and 24 tracks, Foxygen had crafted something akin to a 70’s glam rock concept record along the lines of Pink Floyd’s The Wall and The Who’s Tommy. Of course both those albums are classics, while Foxygen’s latest effort was met with more of a collective sigh from many critics and fans. Much of the good will the band had amassed the year prior had been wiped away by that point anyways, thanks to band in-fighting, shows being cancelled and an overall sense of fatigue that came with spending too much time on the road. Some artists progress slowly and steadily, while others push themselves to extremes and flame out quickly and in spectacular fashion. For all practical purposes, Foxygen appear to be the latter.

Last week they let everyone know via Twitter that this will be their final tour. Now before you go crying tears of sadness or joy, depending on your opinion of the band, I think it’s important to remember the following: they may not be 100% serious about it. Allow me to offer up a reasonable explanation. Upon the release of …And Star Power last fall, Foxygen decided to go all-out spectacle with their tour in support of it. They put together a true production with a large crew, elaborate stage design and extra band members that included backup singers/dancers. Then they kind of but not really changed their name. I’m not sure if they settled on Foxygen and Star Power or simply just Star Power, but to avoid confusion everyone kept calling them just plain Foxygen anyways, so it doesn’t matter so much. Upon claiming that this is their “final tour,” that could have multiple meanings. Will this be the final tour in support of the …And Star Power record? Will they be breaking up “Star Power” only to reform again as Foxygen? Will they simply be ending their extravagant live show with extra band members and will scale back to normal? It could be any/all of those things, none of which truly spell the end of Foxygen. More than anything, I’m convinced they’ll disappear for a few years, then resurface with a new album.

Whatever they choose to do, it’s likely to be interesting if not a bit bothersome and annoying. But that shouldn’t stop you from going to see Foxygen play what could be their final show in Chicago on April 9th at Metro. At the very least it’ll be the last time they come through town for the foreseeable future with a whole big event-style performance. To give you at least a taste of what that might entail, check out their visit to Letterman from back in January where they blew him away with “How Can You Really”. Pretty great, right? Anyways, tickets to their show at Metro are $18 in advance and can be purchased here. It’s an 18+ show and starts at 9PM, just so you’ve got all the necessary details. I hope to see you there!

Show Preview: Springtime Carnivore at Lincoln Hall [3/6]; Ryley Walker at Schubas [3/9]

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On 02/26/2015

In chicago, live music, music, show preview

Though this is an all-inclusive music site featuring artists from all over the globe, Faronheit is officially Chicago-based, and as such from time to time it’s nice to send a little love out to the locals and others who might be visiting our fair city. There are a couple of quality shows coming through town over the next couple of weeks that I’d like to take a moment to mention in case you or someone you know might like to check them out.

First up is Springtime Carnivore, who will be at Lincoln Hall opening for The Dodos on Friday, March 6th. While they are technically a full band when performing live, Springtime Carnivore is actually the new solo project from Greta Morgan, best known for her roles in Chicago bands like The Hush Sound and Gold Motel. Her self-titled debut album came out last November, and it’s a delightful collection of ’60s inspired psych-pop. Morgan pretty much recorded the entire thing on her own and played every instrument except bass, which really fits in with the DIY approach of a lot of noteworthy artists are gaining exposure from these days. Check out the tracks “Name on a Matchbook” and “Sun Went Black” below to get a better feel for the album’s warm and fuzzy atmosphere. These songs should come to life in impressive fashion on stage thanks to a couple of touring members, and the crowd will no doubt be packed with locals eager to see how their once local superstar is doing with this ambitious new direction. The show is 18+ and starts at 10PM. Tickets are $15.


While we’re on the topic of Chicagoans past and present playing hometown shows, local folk hero Ryley Walker will be returning to town on Monday, March 9th as part of his tour with Kevin Morby (of Woods/The Babies). Walker will be releasing his new album Primrose Green on March 31st, and this show will provide a great chance to hear a good number of those songs a few weeks in advance. It’s his first record for Dead Oceans, and marks yet another remarkable step forward for him since shifting into a more folk-inspired direction over the course of the last couple of years. He’s taken a lot of the guitar techniques displayed during his experimental/noise rock period and smartly twisted them into jazz-prog flourishes via acoustic guitar. As such, Walker is able to embody the pastoral sounds of Tim Buckley and Bert Jansch while also showing Chicago roots thanks to small detours that’d sound at home in the Sea & Cake or Tortoise catalogs. Check out the songs “Primrose Green” and “Sweet Satisfaction” and you’ll hopefully hear what I mean. He’s worth checking out live too, and it’s probably best to do it now before he really starts to blow up. The show is 21+ and starts at 8PM. Tickets are $13.

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