Originally we had included Quennect4’s open mic, 20hzx20kHz, in our list of Chicago’s finest. Then we learned that Quennect4 had been forced by the city to close its doors after over four years of giving local artists a place to show their skills.
But, after all those years of hard work the good folks at Q4 are not willing to go down easily. And here’s where you come in: they’re asking for donations, which can be easily pledged at their Kickstarter page.
Charlotte Gainsbourg has a pretty voice, but it’s more or less just that: pretty. What I mean to say is that she doesn’t possess a lot of range, which makes it all the more astonishing that her new album IRM is such an enjoyable listen. Despite her lack of raw vocal talent, the fourteen tracks that compose the album are a relatively varied and interesting bunch. Gainsbourg herself deserves credit here for switching up her style and delivery from song to song, but the real congratulations should be directed at Beck, who wrote and produced all but one of the album’s songs.
There’s something comforting about an open mic. Have a little acoustic ditty you’d like to share with an audience? Then sign up, and hit the stage. Too timid to play in front of a crowd just yet? Then head on over, grab a beer or a cup o’ joe and feel the scene, man. One thing’s for sure, we’re exceptionally lucky to live in a city with a wealth of great open mics for musicians (Sorry, comedians. Maybe next time). Here, in no particular order, are 10 of our favorite spots to see some very talented locals play their hearts out…
Three with warmth comes the rain reasons to jog on over to the Hideout this very evening…
1. You love a party. You love a record release. Therefore, you love a record release party. Tonight is just such a deal. Come celebrate Chicago’s own Shapers, a band willing to take their sound wherever they damn well please, as they celebrate the release of Little, Big.
Mako Sica are still in no hurry. On their second, Dual Horizon, the band follow the same path, a slow, meandering path at that, as they did on their debut, Mayday At Strobe, and god bless them for it. In a world of easy pay-offs and cheap thrills, Mako Sica force you to pay close attention to what they are doing. The reward doesn’t come at specific points mind you. Your reward comes with the whole. Dual Horizon is an album, three songs total, that gets inside of the listener as it gently guides from start to finish.
Last weekend, Chicago post-hardcore outfit Gauge reunited after 16 years to perform three shows: one in Milwaukee and two in Chicago. Here’s a clip of the band playing “Autopilot” during their final reunion performance at the Bottom Lounge last Saturday night. No word yet on if the reunion was a one-off or more shows will be booked. The clip was shot by fan Ray Zschau, and you can also buy Gauge’s EP Mints and their 21-song release II at gauge.bandcamp.com right now.
Going through Wilco withdrawl, Chicago? While it may be a while until the full band plays another windy city gig, enigmatic frontman Jeff Tweedy will perform two solo shows at the Vic Theatre this weekend.
2. You need more than that? Fine. Well, tonight Califone will be playing a live soundtrack to their film, All My Friends Are Funeral Singers. The proverbial double whammy as they say. The film is an official selection of Sundance, but not only do you, dear Chicagoans, get a chance to see it now, you get to see the band play live along to it as well.
Originally we had included Quennect4’s open mic, 20hzx20kHz, in our list of Chicago’s finest. Then we learned that Quennect4 had been forced by the city to close its doors after over four years of giving local artists a place to show their skills. 
Going through 
Three wasn’t the sun just out reasons to slide on over to the 
