Kind. Funny. Genuine. A sweetheart, an artist, a legend. If the true sign of a life well lived is a tidal wave of emotional tributes when you die, then Cynthia Albritton—better known to the whole wide world as Cynthia Plaster Caster—lived a very good life. So much so that writing about her after her passing—she […]
Tag: Julie Pomerleau
Chicago underground heroes Cheer-Accident stay joyously weird on their 24th album, Here Comes the Sunset
When I moved to the Windy City in 1995, “psychedelic” and “progressive rock” were dirty words associated with patchouli-scented hippies. A few local bands were boldly mining this expansive territory, though, including Sabalon Glitz, Frontier, and Cheer-Accident. Led by drummer, singer, keyboardist, and trumpeter Thymme Jones, Cheer-Accident always put on a thrilling, even hilarious live […]
A linchpin of Chicago’s 1980s avant-garde has died in Florida
Daniel Scanlan played in groups as diverse as Liof Munimula, the Vandermark Quartet, Broken Wire, and Church Key.
Michael Zerang explores time, tone, and light with a musical coffin from Moby-Dick
This weekend Chicago percussionist Michael Zerang plays an instrument called Queequeg’s Coffin with a string quartet for the drone piece Follow the Light.
Would you let your children listen to Justin Roberts?
Chicago kids’ musician Justin Roberts is up for a Grammy, so we asked seven local parents to listen to his latest album.
Kaplan’s Liquors Kicks Out the Dummies
Bridgeport’s Kaplan’s Liquors, aka Maria’s, is reopening as Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar this Friday.
The Political Conn; In Memory of Chris Saathoff
The perpetual prankster wants you to know he really, really, seriously does hate George Bush.