Constellation hasn’t hosted a New Year’s Eve bash since the Sun Ra Arkestra’s legendary fete in 2017. This year, the intimate venue ushers in 2023 with homegrown talents who could be considered Constellation all-stars. The evening is headlined by Natural Information Society, led by multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams; the five-piece ensemble realizes his teeming compositions (often […]
Tag: Ben LaMar Gay
Posted inMusic
Recommendations for the year’s final Bandcamp Friday
The final Bandcamp Friday of the year arrives December 2. I’ve made a habit of rounding up music recommendations from recent Reader stories for each Bandcamp Friday, and since this is the 26th one, I hope it’s redundant to explain that for a 24-hour period, Bandcamp passes along its usual share of sales revenue to […]
Posted inMusic
Ben LaMar Gay’s Certain Reveries is a pandemic dream worth remembering
In November 2020, Chicago multi-instrumentalist Ben LaMar Gay debuted his long-form composition Certain Reveries at a London Jazz Festival livestream show. The performance was no mere park-and-play: wearing a black hooded shawl that recalled the grim reaper, Gay played electronics, synths, and of course his cornet, and in collaboration with brilliant percussionist Tommaso Moretti, he […]
Posted inAgenda
Sunset 1919, CUFF, Atomic Sketch, and more
Atomic Sketch, which bills itself “Chicago’s original drink and draw” event, celebrates its 14th birthday today in the best way it knows how: a special anniversary drinking and drawing session from 6-10:30 PM tonight at Green Eye Lounge (2403 W. Homer). Featured artists Cecilia Jane, Rebeca Soto, Vivian Jones, Mel Valentine, Morgan Hall, and Megan […]
Posted inMusic
A concert-by-concert guide to the Frequency Festival
After a COVID gap year, the Frequency Festival returns on February 22. The six-day event is an outgrowth of the Frequency Series, which is programmed by former Chicago Reader staff music critic Peter Margasak and hosted by Constellation. Founded in 2013, shortly after drummer and promoter Mike Reed opened the north-side venue, the series presents […]
Posted inMusic
The year’s last Bandcamp Friday arrives
Since the start of the pandemic, Bandcamp has passed along its usual share of sales revenue to artists and labels 17 times, usually on the first Friday of the month. You probably already knew that, since you clicked on a story about the 18th such Bandcamp Friday—but you might not be aware that the site […]
Posted inMusic
Edgar Miller’s handmade homes have become wellsprings of inspiration for local artists
Like a scarlet pane of firelight shining from a brick-and-mortar facade, a red door on the 1700 block of North Wells announces the presence of a little piece of magic in the Old Town neighborhood. “You just walk beyond that barrier and you leave your life behind—a calm washes over you and you’re in this […]
Posted inMusic
Ben LaMar Gay’s Open Arms to Open Us embraces all—including us
In an essay accompanying Open Arms to Open Us (International Anthem), composer-cornetist Ben LaMar Gay says his latest album is part of the extended death terror many have felt since the start of the pandemic. “What can I leave behind for the young people in my life?” he asks. Open Arms to Open Us sounds […]
Posted inMusic
Chicago musical wonder Macie Stewart takes command of her path on Mouth Full of Glass
Macie Stewart has her hands in so many different musical projects it’s a wonder she finds the time to sleep. She coleads enchanting art-rock band Ohmme, of course, which she cofounded with Sima Cunningham in 2014, but aside from her best-known gig, Stewart plays violin in a duo with cellist Lia Kohl, makes up one-third […]
Posted inMusic
Burr Oak debuts with a long-gestating album of dreamy folk-pop
Burr Oak debuts with a long-gestating album of dreamy folk-pop, Experimental Sound Studio hosts an all-star fundraiser in its backyard, and more.
Posted inCity Life
Juneteenth celebrations and more
Upcoming events and recommendations for the next seven days
Posted inMusic
Ayanna Woods raises funds to capture ten years of songwriting in the studio
Ayanna Woods raises funds to capture ten years of songwriting in the studio, Fulton Street Collective hosts an exhibit of photos by four jazz musicians, and more.
Posted inMusic
German indie veterans the Notwist draw from Chicago’s jazz community for the new Vertigo Days
Long-running German group the Notwist perfected their airy combination of lovelorn indie rock and tender electronic sounds nearly two decades ago, but once they got it just right, they apparently decided never to repeat themselves. They preceded the new Vertigo Days (Morr Music) with an instrumental album steeped in the wallpaper aesthetics of library music […]
Posted inMusic
A eulogy for Danny’s Tavern
For decades, Danny’s nurtured a devoted and welcoming community of music lovers—but it couldn’t survive the pandemic.
Posted inMusic
Jaimie Branch’s Fly or Die band celebrates a new record that nixes the sophomore jinx
Jaimie Branch’s 2017 debut LP, Fly or Die, heralded the arrival of an already mature talent. While it wasn’t a secret that she’s a superb trumpeter, it was her chops as a composer and bandleader that made the record stand out. She devised bold themes and galvanic grooves that inspired a band of elder musicians, […]