More ATDI updates. They played Trees last night in Dallas and they are playing Lollapalooza this summer in Chicago. Brooklyn Vegan has up a few videos of the show from last night.
Craig Finn is playing Empty Bottle on June 2, 2012. He was pretty good last time, this will be even more fun since it’s a Saturday. I wonder if he’ll find a way onto the Do Division lineup as well.
Remember Q and Not U? Those guys were good:
There is some good stuff in the Trib today. First there is a feature on Sharon Van Etten.
The Trib also has a good review of Craig Finn’s show last night.
I really enjoyed the Craig Finn show last night. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one. I had listened to some of Craig’s new solo stuff online but I was only familiar with a handful of songs. Although the performance wasn’t as loud as a Hold Steady show, it was still captivating. Craig had a backing band for most songs but he also played a few songs by himself. Some of the songs were kind of depressing but others were fun and energetic. You could tell that Craig and his band were having a good time. I also appreciated that Craig provided an explanation for most of the songs that he played. It was different from a Hold Steady show but I honestly enjoyed it more than the last time I saw THS. I don’t know if he’ll play any more solo shows in Chicago, but last night was definitely a treat.
January was kind of a slow start but there are quite a few good shows going down in February.
February 7, 2012 – Craig Finn @ Empty Bottle
I believe this is Craig Finn’s first solo show in Chicago. He just released his debut solo album to some mixed reviews. I really like what I’ve heard from his solo album. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the music comes across live. I know this isn’t going to be as loud as a Hold Steady show but Empty Bottle is a little more intimate than the venues THS usually plays so I think it’ll balance out.
February 10, 2012 – Other Lives @ Lincoln Hall Other Lives are hitting up Chicago on a headlining tour before they go on tour with Radiohead. I haven’t seen them play in almost 3 years. They are kind of a quiet, laid back band but I think that works well in a venue like Lincoln Hall. I still haven’t bought tickets to this one but I think it could be a good one.
February 16 & 17, 2012 – Sharon Van Etten @ Lincoln Hall I’ve been meaning to see Ms. Van Etten for a while. She’s playing two shows at Lincoln Hall on a Thursday and a Friday. She just released a new album that has gotten favorable reviews so try to see her if you can.
February 18, 2012 – The Jealous Sound, Into It. Over it @ Subterranean
I’m a pretty big fan of the Jealous Sound. I haven’t seen them since they opened for Sunny Day Real Estate back in 2010. I just heard about this show so now I have to start convincing people to go. Into It. Over It is opening, I’m not too familiar with their music but my friends seem to like them.
February 25, 2012 – The Promise Ring @ Metro
I’ve been really excited about this one ever since it was announced. I love the Promise Ring but I’ve only seen them once and that was back in 1998. I’m trying not to get my expectations too high but I think this will be one of the better shows of the year.
There are a couple of albums currently streaming that are worth a listen. Over at NPR, you can listen to Craig Finn’s debut solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes. I’m digging it so far. I can’t wait for his show at Empty Bottle next month
John K. Sampson’s debut full length, Provincial, is streaming over at Exclaim.ca.
I’ve had this song stuck in my head today:
NOBLEEX 