Both Lykke Li and Bon Iver have graced my “Current Listenings” list over the past year and recently collaborated for an impromptu version of Lykee Li’s tune “Dance Dance Dance”. Li has some pretty awesome dance moves and the harmonies are sweet as sugar. Ms. Li will be making a stop through Chicago October 25 at the Empty Bottle.
Yesterday was the first day of Fall, so I thought it would be appropriate to preview the top concerts coming through Chicago this Fall. My concert calendar is packed with great shows for the Fall and here are my recommendations.
See you there?
Missouri rockers, Ha Ha Tonka, have released their debut music video for ‘Caney Mountain’. It’s pretty damn cool! You can check them out November 22 at Congress Theater with The Avett Brothers and The David Grisman Quintet, part of the Chicago Bluegrass & Blue Festival.
The Killers have announced details about their third studio album, Day and Age. The follow-up to 2006’s Sam’s Town is sceduled for a stateside release Novermber 25th. “Human” is the title of the first single and will be released preceding the album. Other announced tunes include ‘Losing Touch’, ‘I Can’t Stay’, ‘Goodnight, Travel Well’ (a seven minute “epic”) and ‘Spaceman’, which the band debuted this August at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Rumor has it they have gone back to the sound of their New Wave infused debut album Hot Fuss, although I thought the mixed reviewed, Boss-esque Sam’s Town was a pretty damn good album.
Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! is current addiction of mine. You either love them or hate them and I happen to love them. Ben Folds is cool and all, but I have to admit I was more excited to see that Tim and Eric had directed and starred in his new video for “You Don’t Know Me” than the fact it was a new Ben Folds video. SPAGETT!
You Dont Know Me (featuring Regina Spektor)
Going to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a grand occasion. Dress to impress and get ready for some serious music. Medievil mistress and hapist, Joanna Newsom, blanketed the CSO with her fairly dust the night of August 22, transcending the grandeur scale of the venue. Her most recent album Ys featured orchestral arrangements by Van Dyke Parks famous for his work with Brian Wilson.
From her first notes the goose bumps were flowing. Her calm demeanor and timely piercing squeak, teetered to a balance that is freshing and mesmerizing. She is an anomaly, a diete of the harp. The first of two coalescent sets, was shared with the CSO and conductor Ryan Francesconi (he would later join her on guitar for the second set). It was amazing how natural the performance sounded. Van Dykes arrangements are truly genius, making this set one of the most interesting I have experienced in years.
Percussionist Neal Morgan’s minimal drum set complimented Newsom’s polyrhythms perfectly. During the stripped down second set, the technical genius of the music came to light, covering tunes from her debut album, The Milk-Eyed Mender. Highlights included my personal favorites, “Book of Right On” and “Sprout and the Bean”. In total contrast from Ys, The Milk-Eyed Mender consists mainly of the duet of Newsom and her harp. The additions of guitar, violin and percussion were welcomed, adding color to these already vivid tunes.
Joanna Newsom is an aquired tasted, kind of like blue cheese. I happen to like both. Take a taste, I think you might like her. Check out some of her tracks on Last.fm.