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

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.

• • Jim DeRogatis keeps tabs on all the latest Congress Theater drama, including owner Eddie Carranza's latest move - evicting the current operators of the Portage Theater.
• • Consequence of Sound delves into the history of Chicago label Thrill Jockey in a new feature, "20 Years of Thrill Jockey Records."
• • The Walkmen return for another stint at the Tomorrow Never Knows festival, which spreads to the Vic, this January.
• • The Chicago Reader's Leor Galil has the deets on local punk label Swerp Record's "Johnny Foreigner vs. Chicago" showcase at Subterranean next week.

By Audrey Leon  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_24729" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Alex White | Photo by Audrey Leon"][/caption]Guitar World recently ranked the "10 Female Guitarists You Should Know" and Chicago’s own red headed force of nature Alex White of White Mystery made the cut. The magazine listed White’s raw energy and “jangly punk-ass guitar playing” as reasons for inclusion. If you have ever witnessed hard rocking duo White Mystery live - and the band has given us plenty of chances, logging over 100 shows in 2011 alone - Alex White puts on an electrifying show with her trusty Rickenbacker. No matter the playing position - either writhing on the floor or standing upright - the woman can wail. Read the rest of the write-up by clicking here. White Mystery’s next live show is Sunday, January 15, at Schubas as a part of Tomorrow Never Knows Fest along with Mannequin Men. Tickets are $15. By Audrey Leon  \  comments

Clear your calendars come early January. Chicago's dead-of-winter, multi-venue festival, Tomorrow Never Knows, is back for its eighth year. The event, which takes place from Wednesday, January 5, through Sunday, January 11, goes down at a number of top Chicago venues including Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Metro, Smart Bar and the Hideout. The initial lineup as always brings together some excellent indie talent from both the national and local level. At a glance, highlights include moody folk rockers The Walkmen (who will play at the Metro on Saturday, January 14), electro-pop duo Chairlift and alt-rockers Grouplove. Other announced acts include Tycho, Active Child, Caveman, Nadastrom, Craig Richards(Fabric), Kate Simko, Mr. Saturday Night with James Friedman and Only Children. More acts will be announced soon including a comedy lineup at the Hideout, which is new for 2012. Five-day passes for Tomorrow Never Knows go on sale this Friday at LincolnHallChicago.com at a price of $100. And get all additional information at Tomorrow Never Knows' Facebook page. By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

[caption id="attachment_16153" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="The Helio Sequence"][/caption]Three who-knew-the-Sharks-were-going-to-be-the-weak-link-in-my-world-of-sports-fandom reasons to just go to Lincoln Hall and do the following already...
1. First, I'll try my hand at coming up with something original for Portland's The Helio Sequence. They are from Portland. You'll love their Northwest indie sound. You know, swirling guitars, chiming at times, kind of poppy. It's definitely easy to digest and quite ready for a car commercial, which, what with all the hipster stuff finding its way into commercials recently, isn't even a diss. Not at all.
2. Ok, there's another band on the bill that has also been highlighted by our tiny tiny staff. Sometimes this "job" is just too easy. The long lost Faye Rasmussen reviewed California Wives back in August and had nothing but lovely words for them and their sleek, indie pop antics. Who am I to argue? Don't answer that. Not sure why blogging is such a big deal. Far as I can tell it's just about linking to other people's work. Easy peasy. 3.Well look how convenient this is. Our very own Britni Day, in all her geekish fandom, just interviewed local electronic duo Houses for our big ass music site. So, instead of me giving you reasons to go see them live, perhaps you can just click on over to the interview and let them tell you themselves. I'll wait.... 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, 12/12. Lincoln Hall. 18+. $15. By Ross Meyerson  \  comments

As we previously reported, Chicago's best multi-venue, dead of winter music festival, Tomorrow Never Knows, returns for its seventh year next week. Well, the good people at Lincoln Hall and Schubas, who are spearheading the whole sha-bang, have put together this really awesome mixtape featuring a great number of acts participating in the event from locals A Lull and In Tall Buildings to national buzzbands such as The Besnard Lakes and Twin Shadow. TMK 2011 kicks off next Wednesday with The Helio Sequence at Lincoln Hall and Magic Kids at Schubas. Check out the schedule here, and listen to the mixtape after the jump. Tomorrow Never Knows 2011 by TNK2011 By Richard Giraldi  \  comments

It's back! Chicago's top winter music festival, Tomorrow Never Knows returns for its seventh year from January 12 - January 16, 2011. TNK has become one of Chicago's most anticipated musical events because not only is it in a dead time, musically and weather-wise, but it serves up the best of both national and local acts. UPDATE: There's been a few updates to the lineup from the TNK 2011 Facebook page. First off, Oberhofer, Cloud Nothings and Jaill have been added to the Handsome Furs show on Saturday, January 15, at Schubas. Bone and Bell will open for Markéta Irglová on Thursday, Januar 13, at Schubas. Local indie rockers Lionlimb have been added to the S. Carey show on Sunday, January 16, at Schubas, and Sun Airway will support The Helio Sequence at Lincoln Hall on Wednesday, January 12. You can find the complete, updated lineup after the jump. Additionally, five-day pass holders for Tomorrow Never Knows 2011 will get free shuttle ride between Schubas, Lincoln Hall and The Metro courtesy of the Chicago Trolley Company! A quick glance at the initial schedule looks promising thus far. There are big names such as Besnard Lakes and Freddie Gibbs performing alongside up-and-coming new local groups such as psych outfit A Lull and indie rockers Pet Lions. And, as you will see, there's still a lot to look forward to as many "Special Guest" spots are reserved for bands that have yet to be announced. This year, the other big news is that in addition to the usual TNK venues Schubas and Lincoln Hall, the Metro will participate this year on TNK's Friday and Saturday nights. A limited number of $75 five-day passes and $15 single-day passes will be available this Friday, October 29, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Passes can be purchased at Schubas.com, Lincolnhallchicago.com or Metrochicago.com. Check out the current lineup below: Wednesday 1/12/11 Schubas: Special Guest with Generationals, Drink Up Buttercup and Pet Lions Lincoln Hall: The Helio Sequence, Sun Airway, & Special Guest Thursday 1/13/11 Schubas: Markéta Irglová with Sam Amidon, Jeremy Messersmith, Bone and Bell Lincoln Hall: Besnard Lakes with Special Guest, Lia Ices and A Lull Friday 1/14/11 Schubas: Special Guest with Fol Chen, Apache Beat and BRAHMS Lincoln Hall: Mystery Jets with Title Tracks and Guests Saturday 1/15/11 Schubas: The Boogers (daytime family series show), The Concretes with The Red River and Special Guests (evening show) Lincoln Hall: Handsome Furs, Oberhofer, Cloud Nothings, Jaill Sunday 1/16/11 Schubas: Human Tim/Robot Tim (daytime family series show), S. Carey with Darwin Deez, Young Man, Lionlimb and Sea of Bees (evening show) Lincoln Hall: Little Dragon with Alex Winston and Guests Confirmed Metro Artists: Freddie Gibbs | Rita J | Tanlines (Dates & Time To Be Announced) By Richard Giraldi  \  comments