“A home is a place that’s full of people,” says Chicago guitarist, composer, and improviser Daniel Wyche. “I’ve been inspired by my grandparents’ hospitality. They had this need to welcome tons of people into their home. That’s cultivating what family means.” The first track on Earthwork, Wyche’s new album on local label American Dreams Records, […]
Tag: Ben Billington
Posted inMusic
A memorial to Alejandro Morales
Alejandro Morales’s death doesn’t just leave a hole in Chicago’s DIY music scene—it’s a loss to community activists, to affordable housing advocates, and to countless friendships.
Posted inMusic
Olivia Junell, codirector of Experimental Sound Studio
“Right before the shelter-in-place got announced, we started thinking: OK, how can we help?”
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Mako Sica headline a showcase of challenging homegrown experimental music
Since it opened two years ago, Sleeping Village has become a hub for some of the city’s best (and most affordable) local shows. A fine example is this concert, headlined by Chicago underground stalwarts Mako Sica. They’ve been at it since 2007, with core members Przemysław Drążek (formerly of intense rockers Rope) and Brent Fuscaldo […]
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Experimental musician Daniel Wyche celebrates his 40th birthday with a show at Elastic Arts
Composer and guitarist Daniel Wyche has long been a vital figure in Chicago’s experimental music scene, most notably at Elastic Arts, where he’s curated, produced, and organized concerts since 2013. His upcoming show at the Logan Square venue, where he’ll perform alongside frequent collaborator and fellow guitarist Mark Shippy, celebrates his 40th birthday and his […]
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Plantasia celebrates the music of Mort Garson—and plants
On his 1976 album Mother Earth’s Plantasia, composer Mort Garson captures some of the most inventive sounds and most radical notions of the mid-70s. Specifically, he made his goofy and endearing compositions solely on the relatively new Moog synthesizer, and he intended that they be played for plants to help them grow. Inspired by his […]
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Busy drummer Ben Billington releases music from two of his bazillion bands
Busy drummer Ben Billington releases music from two of his bazillion bands, black digital media platform the TRiiBE crowdfunds new projects, and more.
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Five local labels that had excellent years in 2016
These modest Chicago imprints have gotten so good at what they do that they’re shaping music scenes far and wide.
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Cable-access dance party Chic-a-Go-Go celebrates its 1,000th episode
Cable-access dance party Chic-a-Go-Go celebrates its 1,000th episode, Al Jourgensen of Ministry appears on the next Ono album, and more.
Posted inBlogs
Folk guitarist Ryley Walker and free jazz drummer Ben Billington jam tonight for a good cause
The duo team up at Cole’s tonight to benefit the Carrefour Collaborative.
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best Soundtrack for Staring Into the Void
A folk chanteuse who soulfully sublimates her noisy past into transcendent performances full of pained howls and delicate melodies
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Gossip Wolf: More one-take split cassettes from Hausu Mountain
More one-take split cassettes from Hausu Mountain, a new long-distance LP from Slushy, and more
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Gossip Wolf: Help for two former Chicagoans caught in the SXSW hit-and-run
Help for two former Chicagoans caught in the SXSW hit-and-run, new music from the Lemons, and more
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Gossip Wolf: A flood of new tapes from Teen River
New tapes from Teen River, news from superduo Acteurs (Disappears, White/Light), and more.
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Three Beats: Alex White and Righteous Love repay a favor from God
A one-man hip-hop pizza party, and more