New Jersey native Harry James Brenner found his footing in Chicago’s music scene partly by playing in art-rock group Chandeliers; he joined in the mid-aughts as a percussionist, and he’s since played keys for them too. The sharply defined clatter of Brenner’s drums has kept Chandeliers’ mercurial instincts from running away with them, giving even […]
Tag: Chandeliers
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
Scott McGaughey of local electronic-music veterans Chandeliers goes solo
If you’ve ever seen Chicago ensemble Chandeliers, you’ve seen Scott McGaughey hunched behind a bunch of black boxes and patch cords. Chandeliers have long taken an ecumenical approach to electronic music, weaving together clattering drum programs, squelchy funk punctuations, and long, proggy melodies; the closest they get to a rule is that hardware, not software, […]
Posted inMusic
Longtime Reckless Records buyer Jim Magas quits to spend more time with his music
Longtime Reckless Records buyer Jim Magas quits to spend more time with his music, emo four-piece Kittyhawk play their first show in more than three years, and more.
Posted inMusic
Chicago’s Chandeliers have spent more than 15 years exploring dance music’s fringes
Electro rockers Chandeliers have been keen on experimentation ever since they emerged from South Loop arts hub Shape Shoppe in 2004. Their debut album, 2008’s The Thrush, uses sharply defined Krautrock percussion, crystalline techno synths, and dreamy psychedelic melodies, but since then the group have guided their progressive, shape-shifting style toward boogie (aka “modern funk”). […]
Posted inMusic
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 […]
Posted inBlogs
RIP Chicago techno marvel and international cult figure Dan Jugle
Dan Jugle only ever got famous for Dar Embarks and Juzer, but his influence on Chicago punk, electronic music, and indie rock spans decades. He died this past weekend at age 37.
Posted inFilm
Our guide to the 2015 Chicago International Movies & Music Festival
New documentaries focus on Devo, Morphine, the Mekons, the Residents, and more
Posted inBlogs
DryHop Brewers and art-pop trio Moritat celebrate together at the Empty Bottle
Moritat’s free Monday release party for the High Plus Tight EP doubles as a DryHop tap takeover featuring a lovely wheat IPA of the same name.
Posted inMusic
Metal maniac Carmelo Española debuts the fanzine Distort/Delay
Plus: Dumpster Tapes drops its first label comp, OnYou celebrate their best album yet, and more
Posted inCity Life
Inside the Pink Palace of the Edgewater Beach Apartments
The Roaring 20s grandeur meets contemporary simplicity at the Edgewater Beach Apartments.
Posted inMusic
In Rotation: Cave’s Cooper Crain on a mind-blowing Chilean DIY label
Current musical obsessions of Cave’s Cooper Crain and Scott McGaughey of Chandeliers
Posted inMusic
Listen closely to Jimmy Whispers
His street art and love songs have a powerful antiviolence subtext—and his Summer in Pain Festival benefits CeaseFire.
Posted inBlogs
Best shows to see: Thin Hymns, Kobo Town, Flume, Goodie Mob
Between now and Wednesday, your live-music options include Thin Hymns, Kobo Town, Flume, Chandeliers, Goodie Mob, and Brandy.
Posted inBlogs
Gig poster of the week
This week’s gig poster is a collaboration between Lukas Abubeker and Sonnenzimmer for the Eternals New Year’s Ever show at Hideout.