Since 2019, local jangle-pop six-piece CalicoLoco have been dropping singles whose smart, rigorous songwriting sensibility reminds Gossip Wolf of 80s UK indie-pop masters such as Prefab Sprout and Aztec Camera. Last month, the band released their sharpest single yet, the emo-tinged, radio-ready “The Bad Hair Day”—and it has to be the catchiest jam about fringe […]
Tag: Cafe Mustache
Posted inMusic
Chicago’s record stores make for minimally miserable Black Friday destinations
Record Store Day usually takes place in the spring (well, before the pandemic it did), but in 2011 its organizers launched a Black Friday spin-off. Since then I’ve become increasingly weary of this invented retail holiday. Even though RSD promotes independent brick-and-mortar music shops—unquestionably a good idea—its list of special releases has become saturated with […]
Posted inMusic
Jessica Risker’s in-person version of Music Therapy welcomes Izzy True
Folk-pop artist and licensed therapist Jessica Risker launched the long-form interview podcast Music Therapy in spring 2020, and Gossip Wolf has been an avid follower since day one. Earlier this summer, Risker and former Hideout talent buyer Sullivan Davis began producing an in-person version at Cafe Mustache called Music Therapy: Group Session, which augments the […]
Posted inMusic
Sacha Mullin, singer-songwriter and backup vocalist extraordinaire
“I want to assemble things as if I’m storyboarding in my head. In a way, I feel like a casting director for sound.”
Posted inMusic
COVID-19 hits live music hard
You can still support artists and staff by buying merch and donating to fundraisers.
Posted inMusic
Dungeons & Heshers on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was designed by Adam Luksetich for his series Cafe Must Thrash.
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Eye Vybe Records doesn’t need you to pretend Christmas is fun
Eye Vybe Records doesn’t need you to pretend Christmas is fun, Comfort Station throws a holiday benefit show with a dazzling lineup, and more.
Posted inArts & Culture
Ladylike lets women be as gross as they please
The live show and podcast aim to shake the shame from our most disgusting moments.
Posted inMusic
Chicago filmmaker Jim Sikora screens a rarely seen love letter to Saccharine Trust
Chicago filmmaker Jim Sikora screens a rarely seen love letter to Saccharine Trust, Sacha Mullin celebrates an earnest, silly new video for an old song, and more.
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Keeping the beat
Chicago’s beat scene has to do without the attention the city’s rappers get, but it’s a vital incubator for adventurous, ambitious instrumental hip-hop.
Posted inMusic
It’s a minotaur murder party on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was designed by local artist and musician Jordan Reyes for his upcoming show at Cafe Mustache.
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Local producers Tensei create an electronic canvas of astral soul
Local producers Tensei create an electronic canvas of astral soul, Chicago house producer Derrick “Sleezy D” Harris passes away, and more.
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A dangerous cosmic communion on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was designed by local artist, musician, and Secret Historian Steve Krakow for his band Plastic Crimewave Syndicate.
Posted inMusic
Record Store Day 2019: how and where to celebrate
Details about discounts, giveaways, in-store performances, and more at three dozen shops—with an interactive map and alphabetized listings
Posted inMusic
John Corbett celebrates his latest book with free barbecue and fantastic bands
John Corbett celebrates his latest book with free barbecue and fantastic bands, self-described “Bruce jazz” trio Poplife play a farewell-for-now show, and more.