As we reported last month, Harmonica Dunn, (AKA Donnie Biggins) of Chicago folk rockers The Shams Band, took it upon himself to create a three-day festival devoted entirely to Americana and folk music. Dunn Dunn Fest spreads itself across Chicago's Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods this February 20-22, featuring a fine collection of local, semi-local and out of town folk acts. Loud Loop Press picks three acts to check out this week at Dunn Dunn Fest.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, TONIC ROOM
MICHELE MCGUIRE In spite of her youth, singer-songwriter Michele McGuire is deep down, an old soul. McGuire's voice is both sweet and a little raspy when she sings in the gorgeous low-tones presented on her second album Mid-western, which came out last fall. The album does an excellent job of intermingling twangy bluegrass ballads ("Mama Can't Save Me Now") and upbeat odes that incorporate fun pop melodies ("One Too Many"). There's a lot of sly wisdom hanging around, if you're ready to listen.
http://youtu.be/UbkMyi17Rb0

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, SCHUBAS
GRANDKIDS Champaign-Urbana quartet Grandkids lean more toward sleepy indie pop, but the band can create some heavenly melodies that evoke movement from breezy swaying ("Where's My Tribe") to out-right head-bobbing ("Ethylene"). Look for the band to release new material soon.
http://youtu.be/bcOE0zCbIr0 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, LINCOLN HALL
SAM DOORES + RILEY DOWNING & THE TUMBLEWEEDS New Orleans sextet Sam Doores + Riley Downing & The Tumbleweeds specialize in old, old country style. The kind of honky-tonk music that you'd imagine would be playing in a black and white movie where the protagonist orders a sasparilla just before being shot by an out of town outlaw. The Tumbleweeds aren't about drama, though, the band also creates some swinging 50s-style rock and roll like "Depression Blues" that is wall-to-wall harmonica and pure groove. Check the band out before they head out on tour with Alabama Shakes.
http://youtu.be/01oImX9AvKw Single day passes are $10; a three-day pass is only $25. For more information including Dunn Dunn Fest's full line up, please visit Dunn Dunn Fest's Facebook page.