Archives

City Life, Public Service Announcement Feb 26, 2021
Celebrating Black achievements

Upcoming events and recommendations from our listings coordinator
- By Salem Collo-Julin
- Tags: Public Service Announcement, Jim O'Rourke, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Hereaclitus, COVID-19, Experimental Sound Studio, Ken Vandermark, Black History Month, DuSable Museum, Que4 Radio, Angel Bat Dawid, Sam Trump, Brandon Breaux, Smithsonian, Ella Jenkins, Printed Matter, Almighty and Insane Books, Candor Arts, Half Letter Press, Mariame Kaba, Soberscove

City Life, Stay at Home May 30, 2020
The Reader’s stay-at-home chronicles: days 71 and 72

What we’re reading, watching, listening to, etc., to pass the time.
- By Reader staff
- Tags: Stay at Home, Stay-At-Home, Stay Home, pandemic, coronavirus, COVID-19, Angela Davis, Angela Y. Davis, Justseeds, Just Seeds, Josh MacPhee, Jim O'Rourke, Steamroom, Mobilegirl, Discwoman, Party Girl, Parker Posey, DJs, mixes, Soundcloud, heavy metal, Metal Mondays, DJ Eleven, Late Bar, Whitney, National Independent Venue Association, Cole's, comedy, GLOW, Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, Chicago Public Library

Music, Music Review May 8, 2020
Recommended
Kassel Jaeger and Jim O’Rourke take us on a journey with In Cobalt Aura Sleeps
- By Joshua Minsoo Kim
- Tags: Music Review, Kassel Jaeger, Jim O'Rourke, In Cobalt Aura Sleeps, Editions Mego, Paris, France, electroacoustic, François Bonnet, Wakes on Cerulean, electronics, field recording, waves, Tokyo, Japan, Recommended

Music, In Rotation Jun 17, 2015
Slo 'Mo DJ Tess Kisner on the antidote to terrible mainstream radio

Plus: MC Rita J on a new album for sophisticated hip-hop heads, the Reader's Tal Rosenberg on the best DJ-Kicks mix yet, and more
- By Tal Rosenberg
- Tags: In Rotation, DJ Koze, DJ-Kicks, Jim O'Rourke, Simple Songs, Randy Newman, Greil Marcus, Mystery Train, Tess Kisner, Slo 'Mo, Daley, "Look Up", Days + Nights, Hiatus Kaiyote, Vocalo, Rita J, Oddisee, The Good Fight, J*Davey, Pomp

Music, Music Feature Mar 24, 2015
Video
Guitarist Ryley Walker lets go of the reins on the unruly but pastoral Primrose Green

He's tried punk, noise, and Fahey-style fingerpicking, but he's about to reach his biggest audience yet with the jazzy, open-ended folk-rock of his new album.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music Feature, Ryley Walker, Primrose Green, Rockford, folk-rock, Tim Buckley, John Martyn, The Evidence of Things Unseen, Plustapes, Tiny Cancer, Andrew Scott Young, Jim O'Rourke, Bad Timing, Dead Oceans, Musical Memories, Daniel Bachman, All Kinds of You, Brian Sulpizio, Ben Boye, Cooper Crain, Minbal, Anton Hatwich, Frank Rosaly, Jason Adasiewicz, Whitney Johnson, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Video

Music, Record Roundup May 19, 2014
Lily Allen's almost annoyingly catchy Sheezus and 15 more record reviews

Nine Reader writers sift through a musical farrago that includes Ben Frost's defibrillating body music, Dawn Golden's alchemical electro-pop, and Sleaford Mods' grimly minimalist postpunk.
- By Peter Margasak, Leor Galil, Miles Raymer, Bill Meyer, Kevin Warwick, Luca Cimarusti, Kim Kelly, Tal Rosenberg, and David Whiteis
- Tags: Record Roundup, Lilly Allen, Auto-Tune, records, Ambarchi, Stephen O'Malley, Oren Ambarchi, Randall Dunn, Dunn O))), guitar, Drag City, Black Anvil, Relapse, black metal, Bok Bok, Night Slugs, producers, Kelela, Alex Sushon, Dawn Golden, Downtown records, Mad Decent, Bandcamp, Dexter Tortoriello, Houses, Rosy Cross, covers, Arne Deforce, Mika Vainio, Editions MEgo, sound qua sound, electronic music, Pan Sonic, duets, John Escreet, Sunnyside, John Hébert, Tyshawn Sorey, Evan Parker, Fennesz, Christian Fennesz, Pita, Jim O'Rourke, Empty Bottle, laptops, Ben Frost, Mute, Probcause, Bonafyde Media, rappers, EPs, instrumentals, Twista, Jarekus Singleton, Alligator Records, blues, Sleaford Mods, Harbinger Sound, Andrew Fearn, Jason Williamson, Weatherbox, Triple Crown, Favorite Gentlemen, punk, emo, Lee Weisert, New Focus, composers, Clara Yang, piano, Leslie Winer, Alexis Zoumbas, Angry Mom Archives, violin

Music, Music Feature Mar 31, 2014
David Grubbs on the meaning of records

In a new book the former Gastr del Sol front man discusses why the experimental music of the 1960s was so rarely recorded at the time—and what changes when we listen to it today.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music Feature, David Grubbs, Bastro, Gastr del Sol, Jim O'Rourke, books, dissertations, University of Chicago, Brooklyn College, Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College, Duke University Press, experimental music, 1960s, records, recordings, documentation, composers, free improvisers, John Cage, Derek Bailey, AMM, La Monte Young, David Tudor, Morton Feldman, Christian Wolff, Fluxus, Earl Browne, David Behrman, Time Records, Columbia Records, CDs, Morton Feldman, mp3 blogs, DRAM, Database o Recorded American Music, Kenneth Goldsmith, Corbett vs. Dempsey, readings, interviews, John Corbett, John McEntire, essays, Tony Conrad, college students, Henry Flynt, Ubuweb, Keith Rowe, Bob Ashley, Alvin Lucier, Charles Curtis, John Cale, Joseph Byrd, The United States of America

Blogs, Bleader Sep 17, 2013
12 O'Clock Track: "Low Bow," new music from Jim O'Rourke

The musician, now based in Tokyo, contributes a new composition to the forthcoming compilation Air Texture Volume III.
- By Tal Rosenberg
- Tags: 12 O'Clock Track, Music, 12 O'Clock Track, Jim O'Rourke, Low Bow, Time Out Tokyo, Air Texture Volume III, Air Texture

Best of Chicago, Music & Nightlife Jun 19, 2013
Critics' Picks
Best Music School for Graduating Contemporary Jazz Greats

DePaul University
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music & Nightlife, Best of Chicago 2013, DePaul University, Jon Irabagon, Matana Roberts, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Nate Lepine, Jason Adasiewicz, Amir ElSaffar, Nick Broste, Jon Lundbom, Tomeka Reid, Jim O'Rourke, Greg Davis, Critics' Picks

Music, Record Roundup May 14, 2013
Deerhunter's dreamily scuzzy Monomania and 14 more record reviews

Nine Reader writers fan out across the world of music, with stops at RP Boo's spastic but accessible footwork tracks, Altar of Plagues' dead-planet black metal, and points beyond.
- By Peter Margasak, Miles Raymer, Leor Galil, Kevin Warwick, Philip Montoro, Tal Rosenberg, Luca Cimarusti, Monica Kendrick, and Bill Meyer
- Tags: Record Roundup, Mad Meg, JohnMcNeil, Equal Vision, Pretty & Nice, Giovanni Verrando, Glassnote, Phoenix, Dulle Griet, Neon Neon, Gruff Rhys, Super Furry Animals, Boom Bip, Lex, Merzbow, Jenny Hval, Rune Grammofon, Hush Point, Bill McHenry, Aryeh Kobrinksy, Vinnie Sperrazza, Jeremy Udden, Jimmy Giuffre, jazz, composers, Freeband Gang, mixtapes, Freebandz, rap, Future, Deerhunter, Pitchfork, Kranky, Lockett Pundt, noise, Black Bug, HoZac, 4AD, Todd Novak, Blackout Festival, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Iva Bittová, ECM, Soundway, Aeon, Altar of Plagues, Profound Lore, James Kelly, Adult., Ghostly International, The Rift Brothers, Miles Claret, Kenyan music, Kenyan pop, compilations, U.S. Maple, resissues, Al Johnson, Mark Shippy, Todd Rittmann, Pat Samson, Adam Vida, Jim O'Rourke, Skin Graft, record pressing, RP Boo, Planet Mu, electronic music, Kavain Space, DJ Slugo

Blogs, Bleader Apr 18, 2013
12 O'Clock Track: The summery, engrossing instrumental guitar of William Tyler's "Cadillac Desert"

The second track off of Impossible Truth, the sophomore album from the instrumental guitarist, who plays at the Hideout Fri 4/26.
- By Tal Rosenberg
- Tags: 12 O'Clock Track, Music, 12 O'Clock Track, William Tyler, Impossible Truths, John Fahey, instrumental guitar, singer-songwriter, 1970s, Jim O'Rourke, Bad Timing album, Mark McGuire, A Young Person's Guide to Mark McGuire, Behold the Spirit, Merge Records, Tompkins Square Records

Film, Movie Sidebar Apr 17, 2013
Image
Our guide to the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival

This year's fest includes a Big Star documentary, the Jesus Lizard's last concert, Brazilian punks, and plenty of live music.
- Tags: Movie Sidebar, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me, CIMMpathy for the Stones, Muddy Waters and the Rolling Stones Live at the Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 1981, The Rolling Stones: Charlie Is My Darling—Ireland 1965, Stones in Exile, Some Girls: Live in Texas '78, Rolling Like a Stone, Sympathy for the Devil, Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, In Search of Blind Joe Death, In Search of Blind Joe Death, John Fahey, Thurston Moore, Jim O'Rourke, James Cullingham, Jesus Lizard: Last, David Yow, Cabaret Metro, Tony Ciarrocchi, Duane Dennison, David Wm. Sims, Mac McNeilly, Richard and Van Dyke Parks, Van Dyke Parks on Song Cycle, Van Dyke Parks on Discover America, Music Man Murray, Murray Gershenz, Sacrificial Youth, Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Kennedys, Joe Losurdo, Busby Berkeley, Viva Viva, Carolina Pfister, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Punks, Sarah Yakhni, Alberto Geico

Blogs, Bleader Jul 5, 2012
Audio
The radiant sound world of Oren Ambarchi

The latest studio effort from Australian guitarist Oren Ambarchi displays his rich sound world in all its splendor
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Oren Ambarchi, Audience of One, Salt, Paul Duncan, Sunn O))), Eyvind Kang, Jim O'Rourke, Keith Rowe, Audio

Blogs, Bleader May 1, 2012
Mats Gustafsson launches Discaholic Corner

Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson shares his obsessive love of obscure records with a new website.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Mats Gustafsson, Diskaholics Anonymous, Discaholic Corner, record collecting, Jim O'Rourke, Thurston Moore, Byron Coley, John Corbett, free jazz, noise, experimental music

Blogs, Bleader Apr 19, 2010
Pavement Tour Diary: Nagoya, Japan

Sayonara, Japan! Pavement's monitors engineer describes the last days of the band's Japanese tour and finds the best soba noodles he's ever had. Plus, robocop.
- By Jeremy Lemos
- Tags: Music, Food & Drink, Pavement Tour Diary, Pavement, karaoke, Jim O'Rourke, coffee shop, Nagoya, robots, robocop, airports, soba noodles, chicken wings, beer, good times

Music, Post No Bills Feb 11, 1999
Funeral for a Friend

Phil Bonnet/ Empty Space
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Post No Bills, Phil Bonnet, Thymme Jones, Nicki Sangdahl, Naperville North High School, Naperville, Old Plank, Steve Jacula, Solid Sound, Hoffman Estates, Kyle Bruckmann, Dag Juhlin, Josh Caterer, Capitol Records, The Smoking Popes, Jeff Libersher, recording engineers, record producers, Jim O'Rourke, Brenda Breitenstein, Cheer-Accident, The Slugs, Lozenge

Music, Music Review Jan 29, 1998
Remembering a Dream

Tony Conrad, Early Minimalism Volume One (Table of the Elements)
- By Monica Kendrick
- Tags: Music Review, Rock Etc, Tony Conrad, Table of the Elements, CD box sets, minimalism, Theatre of Eternal Music, Dream Syndicate, violin, John Cale, La Monte Young, Jon Hassell, Terry Riley, Arnold Dreyblatt, composers, filmmakers, Jim O'Rourke, Angus MacLise, Marian Zazeela, Alexandria Gelencser, cello, Faust

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Upcoming events and recommendations from our listings coordinator

What we’re reading, watching, listening to, etc., to pass the time.

Plus: MC Rita J on a new album for sophisticated hip-hop heads, the Reader's Tal Rosenberg on the best DJ-Kicks mix yet, and more

He's tried punk, noise, and Fahey-style fingerpicking, but he's about to reach his biggest audience yet with the jazzy, open-ended folk-rock of his new album.

Nine Reader writers sift through a musical farrago that includes Ben Frost's defibrillating body music, Dawn Golden's alchemical electro-pop, and Sleaford Mods' grimly minimalist postpunk.

In a new book the former Gastr del Sol front man discusses why the experimental music of the 1960s was so rarely recorded at the time—and what changes when we listen to it today.

The musician, now based in Tokyo, contributes a new composition to the forthcoming compilation Air Texture Volume III.

DePaul University

Nine Reader writers fan out across the world of music, with stops at RP Boo's spastic but accessible footwork tracks, Altar of Plagues' dead-planet black metal, and points beyond.

The second track off of Impossible Truth, the sophomore album from the instrumental guitarist, who plays at the Hideout Fri 4/26.

This year's fest includes a Big Star documentary, the Jesus Lizard's last concert, Brazilian punks, and plenty of live music.

The latest studio effort from Australian guitarist Oren Ambarchi displays his rich sound world in all its splendor

Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson shares his obsessive love of obscure records with a new website.

Sayonara, Japan! Pavement's monitors engineer describes the last days of the band's Japanese tour and finds the best soba noodles he's ever had. Plus, robocop.

Phil Bonnet/ Empty Space

Tony Conrad, Early Minimalism Volume One (Table of the Elements)

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