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Home » folk

Tag: folk

Posted inMusic

Peter Berkow has spent five decades traversing at least that many genres

by Steve Krakow September 10, 2020August 18, 2021

Chicago native Peter Berkow has been a producer and a professor, and moved from folk to funk to fusion to prog and back.

Posted inMusic

Goodbye to songwriter Michael Smith

by Mark Guarino August 5, 2020November 24, 2021

With “The Dutchman” and other widely recorded songs, Michael Smith created emotional realities that let you feel along with his characters.

Posted inMusic

Folk genius Dwain Story died a legend to the few who still knew his music

by Steve Krakow December 4, 2018August 18, 2021

Dwain Story roomed with Phil Ochs and made a fan of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, but mental illness denied him a career like theirs.

Posted inMusic

If you don’t know Megon McDonough, blame the maleness of Chicago’s 70s folk scene

by Steve Krakow September 11, 2018August 18, 2021

Folk singer Megon McDonough made her 1972 debut LP while still in high school and in 1990 joined Christine Lavin’s Four Bitchin’ Babes.

Posted inMusic

Folksinger Kristin Lems has been a favorite of the women’s movement—and of Dr. Demento

by Steve Krakow August 14, 2018August 18, 2021

Evanston native Kristin Lems has shared stages with John Prine and Gloria Steinem, and she’s currently working on a play with songs about Jane Addams.

Posted inMusic

Decades after Stumpwater put out their only single, the Aurora folk-pop group ride again

by Steve Krakow October 10, 2017August 18, 2021

Dan Berg, Dan Haligas, and Joe Gloor released two songs in 1975 and split up in ’80, but now they’re back to writing, recording, and gigging.

Posted inMusic

Jenna Lyle of Parlour Tapes on a cowboy prophet with a didgeridoo

by Peter Margasak July 19, 2017August 18, 2021

Current musical obsessions of Parlour Tapes cofounder Jenna Lyle, techno artist and composer Eric Fernandez, and Reader critic Peter Margasak

Posted inMusic

Folk polymath Rhiannon Giddens honors the musical cultures of the oppressed

by David Whiteis June 7, 2017August 18, 2021

Carolina Chocolate Drops cofounder Rihannon Giddens sings fables of struggle from a diversity of peoples and eras.

Posted inBlogs

Rhiannon Giddens, Ron Trent, D.C. blues, and blockchain: music stories from around the Web

by Austin Brown February 27, 2017August 18, 2021

The Reader‘s weekly roundup of music journalism that didn’t happen here

Posted inMusic

Al Scorch plays roots music with unlikely roots

by Leor Galil May 11, 2016August 18, 2021

Chicago banjo fiend Al Scorch talks about his inspirations—including freak bikes, DIY hardcore, and Kelly Hogan.

Posted inBlogs

Ryley Walker performs tonight to raise awareness for Chicago’s homeless

by Luca Cimarusti November 11, 2015August 18, 2021

The jazz-folk prodigy plays a show for a good cause.

Posted inBlogs

Ryley Walker continues making gorgeous folk music on ‘Primrose Green’

by Luca Cimarusti January 9, 2015August 18, 2021

Today’s 12 O’Clock Track is the gorgeous title track from the fingerstyle prodigy’s upcoming LP.

Posted inBlogs

Folk guitarist Ryley Walker and free jazz drummer Ben Billington jam tonight for a good cause

by Luca Cimarusti December 4, 2014August 18, 2021

The duo team up at Cole’s tonight to benefit the Carrefour Collaborative.

Posted inBlogs

Gig poster of the week: An all-day country billboard

by Luca Cimarusti June 18, 2014August 18, 2021

This week’s gig poster was designed by local artist Ryan Duggan.

Posted inBlogs

Street View 159: Indie summer

by Isa Giallorenzo January 15, 2014August 18, 2021

Isa Giallorenzo’s Street View 159

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