In 2010, Chicago underground music maven Patrick Scott (formerly of My Lai and 97-Shiki) launched postpunk label Modern Tapes with the self-titled debut cassette from Carbondale coldwave three-piece Staring Problem. The band have since relocated to Chicago, and Scott now lives in New York City, but their relationship has remained intact: Staring Problem’s first vinyl […]
Tag: Vol. 50 No. 1
Issue of Oct. 1 – 14, 2020
Posted inMusic
Rest in power to Chicago hip-hop’s first breakout artist
In 1991, Black A.G. made it onto TVs all over the country with the Quicksilver Cooley production “No Typa Drugdeala.”
Posted inMusic
Exhalants transplant the sounds of New York and Chicago into their muscular Austin noise-rock
On their self-titled debut full-length in 2018, Austin’s Exhalants sounded oddly like a Chicago band. Austin noise-rock has a very specific feel: whether we’re talking about the unhinged no wave of the Butthole Surfers, the loose-limbed pummeling of Cherubs, or the deadpan country-fried twang of Spray Paint, it always feels more slippery and acid-laced than […]
Posted inMusic
Eartheater creates fey folk for lush and terrifying rituals
As a genre designation, “folk music” can mean a wide variety of things, including early rural Americana, politicized revival strumming, and weird psychedelia. Alexandra Drewchin, who makes music as Eartheater, doesn’t really fit in any of those categories. Instead she approaches folk as chthonic, atavistic druid witchery, making gentle music for sacrificing goats—complete with buzzing […]
Posted inMusic
Alt-metal giants Deftones widen their uncharted path with the heavier, moodier Ohms
Ohms (Reprise) is the new ninth album from alt-metal giants Deftones, whose 25 years of boundary-blurring music have inspired a generation of bands. Announced just weeks before its September release, the ten-track offering in many ways represents a return to form, starting with the band’s decision to work with Terry Date, who produced their classic […]
Posted inMusic
Chicago’s Rezn gets more psychedelic and experimental on Chaotic Divine
Chicago has no shortage of bands making metal or psychedelic rock (thank God), but relatively few operate in that sweet spot where the two genres overlap. If you’re into that kind of thing, you’re going to want to keep your eye on local four-piece Rezn. Over the past few years, they’ve released a couple of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Jennifer Kim’s pojangmacha and more food and drink to look forward to in the fall
Everything is terrible, but we’re not starving. Yet.
Posted inArts & Culture
Finding her spine
Chicago-based dancer Paige Fraser advocates for those with scoliosis; plus Fly Honey brings the dance party online.
Posted inFilm
A Chicago International Film Festival unlike any other
The 56th annual celebration of cinema features nearly 60 films, seven of which are world premieres, online and at the drive-in.
Posted inFilm
We love TV: PEN15
Two television addicts talk about the all-too-relatable middle school cringe comedy.
Posted inCity Life
Dressed to chill
No matter where they are, these friends are clad for their best life.
Posted inNews & Politics
The voices of the uncounted and undercounted immigrants on the census
Latinx immigrants in three south side neighborhoods—Back of the Yards, Pilsen, and South Chicago—share their fears and hopes as the 2020 census count comes to an end.
Posted inMusic
Chicago rapper KC Ortiz brings buckle-your-seat-belts fun to The Campground
Rapper KC Ortiz grew up in Mobile, Alabama, and fell in love with Chicago after her drag mother showed her a video of local female-impersonation pageant Miss Continental. As she told Windy City Times last year, “I hadn’t transitioned at that time and didn’t know that world existed. When I saw that video, I wanted […]
Posted inMusic
Resurrection Band opened the gates for Christian hard rock
The hard-rocking Resurrection Band arose from the Jesus movement in the early 70s and went on to help the modern Christian music industry break into MTV.