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: Cooper Crain
Posted inMusic
Chicago explorers Bitchin Bajas to pay homage to Sun Ra
Last fall Chicago drone explorers Bitchin Bajas released a cassette of synthesizer-only Sun Ra covers called Switched on Ra (Drag City). The trio of Cooper Crain, Rob Frye, and Dan Quinlivan combine feel-good vibes with versatility and flexibility—they’ve shape-shifted into a free-jazz-inspired combo on Frye’s 2021 solo LP, Exoplanet (Astral Spirits), and leaned into their […]
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Bitchin Bajas travel the spaceways on their new album
Update on Thu 11/4: Due to a positive COVID-19 test among Fulton Street Collective’s event-planning staff, the Unity Night fundraising event on Sat 11/6 has been tentatively rescheduled for Sat 3/26/2022. Ticket holders for the November date can get refunds or retain their tickets to use in March. They haven’t released a full-length of new […]
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Versatile instrumental trio Bitchin Bajas unspool new material at their first concert since 2019
For the past decade, local trio Bitchin Bajas have exemplified the virtues of patience and versatility. All three members play synthesizers, Cooper Crain and Daniel Quinlivan play organ, and Rob Frye plays woodwinds and percussion. They create plush, pulsing instrumentals with melodies that evolve at such a leisurely pace that you might not notice the […]
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Haley Fohr joins forces with Bitchin Bajas on Jacqueline, her second album as alter-ego Jackie Lynn
A few years ago, Haley Fohr, who makes experimental rock music under the name Circuit des Yeux, introduced a new project where she inhabited a drifter-turned-drug-pusher alter ego named Jackie Lynn. Her 2016 album under that name mixed dejected pop and stripped-down electronics with off-kilter alt-country; its second half in particular had a mysterious, dangerous […]
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Former Can vocalist Damo Suzuki still diving into impromptu moments
Update: This show has been canceled to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Damo Suzuki has always had a case of wanderlust. Born in 1950 in Kobe, Japan, he began traveling while still in his teens and spent time living in Gräsmark, Sweden, before eventually landing in […]
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Chicago’s weirdest cook-off signs off on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was created by local artist and animator Samuel Nigrosh.
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Spektral Quartet bring a mind-expanding program (and Julia Holter) to the Music Box
Spektral Quartet bring a mind-expanding program (and Julia Holter) to the Music Box, the Synthesizer-Chili Cookoff signs off with its tenth installment, and more.
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Chicago riff machines Bible of the Devil celebrate 20 years with album seven
Chicago riff machines Bible of the Devil celebrate 20 years with album number seven, local rapper Boys vs. Girls hosts “The Pride Takeover” at Gallery Cabaret, and more.
Posted inBlogs
Singer-guitarist Haley Fohr hunts for a path forward with a colorful Hideout residency
Fohr’s three freewheeling Wednesday shows feature guests such as Hamid Drake, Tim Kinsella, and Olivia Block, plus an eight-piece version of her Circuit des Yeux band.
Posted inBlogs
Cave return with their first new music in five years, and it’s worth the wait
Chicago five-piece Cave release the funky Allways on Friday and play two Hideout shows to celebrate.
Posted inBlogs
Noise punks Running and jazzy folk guitarist Ryley Walker release an unexpected collaboration
Chicago weirdos Running and Ryley Walker are far-out in very different ways, but they find middle ground on a new instrumental tape.
Posted inBlogs
Wand’s Cory Hanson goes pastoral on his forthcoming solo album
Cory Hanson of psych-rock band Wand previews his first solo record with a free set on Saturday.
Posted inBlogs
Listen to an obscure, vintage jam from Cave
A 2008 track from the group’s recent rarities collection Release
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best transcendental deep-space synth trip
Matchess It’s always nice when a solo project comes into its own, and Whitney Johnson, aka Matchess, has taken off into the stratosphere. Better known as the singer and violist of psychedelic Krautrockers Verma, Johnson has been performing as Matchess for years, using prepared tapes, delay-treated vocals, minimal beats, cosmic keys, and viola to pursue […]