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. By Staff  \  comments

Magic Milk's latest, a scraggly DIY three-track collection titled NAVKLIMEHTEVAS, wasn't released under the best circumstances. Earlier this month, Magic Milk's van, aptly dubbed The Milk Van, was the victim of a hit-and-run and is in pretty bad shape. To make matters even more pressing, the garage-psych outfit have a tour coming up soon that inclue some big stops including the 35 Denton festival and SXSW. So, to help with repair costs, Magic Milk are offering the new, digital-only release, NAVKLIMEHTEVAS, as a $7 download. And you know an artist has their heart in the right place when in the Bandcamp liner notes, the band explains the simple decision to charge money for their music:

Under normal circumstances songs like these (digital only, self-released) would be freely available for download and the name of the release would most likely be more cryptic // but this time we really need your help. without the van, the band can't go. if the band can't go, we can't make the show. getting her working again is going to be very expensive.

The good news is that NAVKLIMEHTEVAS is still a fine entry into Magic Milk's catalogue of heady, lo-fi garage rock. The opening track in particular, "Black Rolls Royce," is a punchy take that features a warbling bass groove, hypnotic beat, messy guitar antics and lead singer Kenny Alden's muffled howls. Listen to "Black Rolls Royce" below, but it would be far more beneficial to head to the band's Bandcamp page and download the entirety of NAVKLIMEHTEVAS and help Magic Milk hit the road. ___________________________________________________________________ MAGIC MILK 9:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport 18+. $14. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Monday Afternoon Quick Fix runs every Monday afternoon to showcase the best of Chicago music news, views and stories from around the interwebs and blogosphere that we might have missed.

• • The Sun-Times has the details regarding Pearl Jam's summer gig at Wrigley Field.
• • Consequence of Sound unveiled its second Top Note Session, this time featuring Nada Surf. The band's six-song set was filmed inside the Metro's mysterious fourth floor. Sadly, Nada Surf did not include the jam "Popular."
• • Speaking of the Metro, it is the setting for Hot Water Music's new live album/dvd combo to be called Live in Chicago. The punk rockers filmed the concert, a reunion show, at the Metro in 2008.
• • Notes and Bolts teamed up with Windy City Rock to deliver a Chicago music podcast. So far the pairing has released two podcasts featuring interviews with the bands Songs for Gods and Pink Frost.
• • Harmonica Dunn (of the Shams Band) has announced a three-day Americana and roots spectacular called "Dunn Dunn Fest." The new series will take place February 20-22 at Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and Tonic Room. Some of the acts particpating are Kentucky Knife Fight, Michele McGuire, Grandkids, The Giving Tree Band and The Shams Band. Three-day passes are $25; single day passes are $10.

By Audrey Leon  \  comments

No, Chicago music festivals don't cease when winter arrives. They simply move indoors as proved by last weekend's the fourth annual Psych Fest and Tomorrow Never Knows 2013, which kicks off on Wednesday night. If you're new to Chicago, Tomorrow Never Knows is a five-day, multi-club event that brings together top indie pop and rock talent from both the national and local scene. This year, TNK goes down at Lincoln Hall, Schubas, The Hideout, Metro, Smart Bar and the Vic. A few big names have joined the fold including Bear In Heaven, Born Ruffians and The Walkmen, which was surprising for a festival that usually keeps it a low-key affair. But, there are, of course, some choice locals that we think you should probably check out. Here are Five to see at Tomorrow Never Knows 2013... THE ORWELLS Friday, 1/18 - Schubas - 18+ - Tix The Orwells are young even by rock 'n' roll standards as they're debut LP, 2012's Remember When, generated a buzz before any of the band were of legal drinking age. But, despite their ages, the Elmhurst outfit are not merely riding the coattails on those other bored youngsters, Smith Westerns. No, The Orwells are more of the dangerous variety with their raw but melodic take om basement-slacker punk rock. SYBRIS Thursday, 1/17 - Schubas - 18+ - Tix Sybris have been an staple of Chicago's live scene for a while now with their whimsical indie rock attack. Though their hard at work on a new record, their last, 2008's Into The Tree is a highly addictive listen thanks to its fine balance struck between wild guitar flourishes, punchy drums and the intoxicating voice of lead singer Angela Mullenhour. THE HUDSON BRANCH Sunday, 1/12 - Schubas - 18+ - TIX Hudson Branches' 2009 release, Tightrope Walker, was a solid exercise in stylistic Midwestern indie pop. On it, the band deliver big, simple melodies with confidence. Their latest LP, World Kid, has them reaching a dreamier and more atmospheric state from the eerie piano stikes of "What Did I Eat" to the majestic orchestrations of the Sufjan-sound take, "Tread Trample Tremble Trampoline." WEDDING DRESS Friday, 1/18 - Schubas - 18+ - Tix Wedding Dress is another case of talented local musicians from other bands getting together to make really cool music because they are, in fact, all really talented musicians. This time around, it's members of Maps & Atlases, Suns and Joan Of Arc getting together for some sleek jams that meets at the intersection of jangly guitar rock, synthy new wave and rhythm-heavy pop. You can download Wedding Dress' two-song debut at their Bandcamp. SCHOOL OF ROCK CHICAGO: A TRIBUTE TO WILCO Sunday, 1/20 - Schubas - All Ages (1PM Show) - Tix Because the kids at the School Of Rock Chicago are super talented and because Wilco are Chicago favorites. There's no doubt that these kids will do the music of Tweedy and Co. complete and absolute justice. And it's no Wilco, but here's the School Of Rock Chicago performing Zeppelin's "Kashmir" at Ace Bar last year: httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skDndczOjBk ___________________________________________________________________ TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS 2012 Wednesday, January 16 - Sunday, January 20 Schubas, Lincoln Hall, The Metro, Smartbar, The Hideout, The Vic Info/Tix: Tnkfest.com ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  1 comment

Maybe it's because over the holiday break I became nearly obsessed with the new Tame Impala record, but Conductive Alliance are sounding great right now. This Chicago experimental pop outfit seem to have a thing for stylistic and organic, moving atmospherics. Though their last official release, Water Glyphs dopped in 2010, they've already posted a few new cuts from their upcoming full length, Opticks, on Soundcloud. And the new songs are quite impressive as they run the stylistic gamut from moody and synth-heavy ("Opticks") to Euro-tinged, layered sound collages ("Alfred's Tongues). But one in particular that stand out is "Deep Sea," a cheery fog of spacey melodies, krautrock grooves and one wild saxophone solo. With such dense musical pieces, the Conductive Alliance live experience should be quite engaging - and find out first hand tonight at Schubas WATCH: “Deep Sea” Video | Also appearing: Killer Moon, BigColour 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 1/3. Schubas. 21+. $8. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

Seems like a great weekend to be distracted by some great local music. We're talking ON AN ON at Schubas, Outer Minds at the Empty Bottle and more. Buckle up...

FRIDAY

ON AN ON Rising from the ashes of the recently disbanded Scattered Trees is the group ON AN ON. Made up of three members (Nate Eiesland, Allisa Ricci, and Ryne Estwing) from the aforementioned band, ON AN ON takes an experimental pop path to contrast Scattered Tree's moody orchestrals. There's some synths and ethereal atmospherics casually hanging out in the background of such recently released tracks as "Ghosts" and "The Hunter" to lend a more playful feel. In the case of ON AN ON, less is more. Also appearing tonight are A Lull and Taught Abroad. (Audrey Leon) 10:00 p.m. Friday, 12/14. Schubas. 18+ $10-12.

SATURDAY

OUTER MINDS On Saturday night at the Empty Bottle, Outer Minds celebrate the release of their second LP this year. Titled Behind The Mirror, it finds the psychedelic garage outfit venturing into considerably darker territory. Opening track "She Calls My Name" opens with a thick bass groove that's backed by snarling guitar work that gives way to the slinky melody line, while "End Of The Word" feel a bit gloomy with its crusty synthesizers - but yet both songs and the rest for the rest of the record ooze that vintage pop sound. it's really good stuff. Also, the band encourages fans to bring a can food item that will be donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Opening are local and site favorites Bare Mutants, Radar Eyes and Blizzard Babies. 9:00 p.m. Saturday, 12/15. Empty Bottle. 21+ $8 or FREE with RSVP. ARCHIE POWELL AND THE EXPORTS Get your power pop pants on and buckle them tightly because Chicago's own Archie Powell and the Exports are rocking for children. The second annual Noise for Toys show will benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Archie Powell and the Exports are stuffing everybody's Christmas stockings with plenty of big flashy guitar hooks and catchy harmonies. So for a measly five bucks and a packaged (unwrapped) children's toy, you could imbibe some sugary sweet tuneage and plenty of good times. Diabeetus be damned because it is for the children! Also appearing (and doing it for the kids) are The Noise FM, Blane Fonda, and the Grooks. (Audrey Leon) 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 12/15. Subterranean. 17+ $10 or $5 with PACKAGED toy.

SUNDAY

BRAID When Braid vocalist Bob Nanna broke the news to The Reader's Gossip Wolf that the once Champaign-based emo rockers would release a new album in 2013, he ended the interview by saying, "We can only play 20-year-old songs for so long!" Well, Never Will Come For Us because the band will play its legendary 1998 album Frame and Canvas in its entirety this Sunday at the Metro. Go enjoy all the heart-felt angst, taut melodies and grinding, manic rhythms at least one more time. Also appearing tonight are Into It. Over It., Diamond Youth, and Cut Teeth. (Audrey Leon) 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 12/16. Metro. All Ages. $16. By Staff  \  comments

For those who like their music nicely textured, then look no further than Volcanoes Make Islands if you haven't already. The band is not a stranger to our bandwidth as they caught our attention with their eclectic 2010 EP, Sick City, which was part noise, part dance, part folk but all rock. Next week, on Friday, November 23, to be exact, Volcanoes Make Islands are dropping a new record, Museum of Endangered Sounds, and celebrating it with a release party at Schubas. But not only that, we have the first single for your listening pleasure. As I was saying above, "Trilithons," is quite the textured composition. It starts with a spacey, pulsating guitar work that gives way to some very melodic vocal melodies. The tune is a warm but shifting one that builds into something quite grand complete with gritty, bombastic drums and emotionally laden piano strikes. Download "Trilithons" for free at Volcanoes Make Islands's Bandcamp or stream it below: ___________________________________________________________________ VOLCANOES MAKE ISLANDS 10:00 p.m. Friday, November 23. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport 18+. $10. ___________________________________________________________________ By Richard Giraldi  \  comments