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- Music, Music Feature Nov 19, 2020
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John Herndon of Tortoise has a deal for you
The influential drummer and artist shares the engrossing story of his upbringing—but mostly in hopes that you’ll give his new solo music a chance.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 10, 2020
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A room of Ohmme’s own
On Fantasize Your Ghost, Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham make their music a place of trust, discovery, and compassion.
- Music, Music Feature Mar 25, 2020
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The Chicago Underground Quartet bottle their lightning again
For 19 years, their first album was their only album—but now longtime collaborators Rob Mazurek, Jeff Parker, and Chad Taylor have recaptured the group’s freewheeling jazz spirit.
- Music, Concert Preview Feb 28, 2020
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Celebrated guitarist Jeff Parker builds electrifying jazz songs out of experimental demos on Suite for Max Brown
- Music, Music Feature Feb 13, 2019
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Daredevil producer Jlin survives her own trial by fire
The Indiana-based beat wizard returns to the stage for Pitchfork Midwinter after courting burnout to finish her second album and score an avant-garde dance performance.
- Music, Concert Preview Feb 7, 2019
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Postrock instrumentalists Tortoise reemerge from their shells for Pitchfork’s Midwinter festival and afterparty
- Music, Music Feature Jan 10, 2019
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Extraordinary Popular Delusions play free jazz two centuries deep
The members of this underappreciated ensemble bring vast and varied experience to their regular weekly shows—which follow no rules but their own.
- Blogs, Bleader Nov 14, 2018
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Pitchfork’s Midwinter brings Kamasi Washington, Slowdive, Laurie Anderson, and dozens more to the Art Institute
Midwinter runs February 15 through 17 and also includes Oneohtrix Point Never, Grouper, Perfume Genius, DJ Koze, two William Basinski performances, and Tortoise playing all of TNT.
- Blogs, Bleader Nov 8, 2017
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New York percussion quartet Ensemble, Et Al. refract minimalism through a postrock lens
New-music group Ensemble, Et Al. uses tuned percussion that reflects Tortoise's influence as much as Steve Reich's.
- Music, Gossip Wolf Oct 3, 2017
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The Blue Ribbon Glee Club turns ten with a reunion party for fans, friends, and alums
Plus: Old-school beat party Boombastic returns to Wicker Park, and the Logan Center celebrates five years with a packed daylong festival.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 12, 2017
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There's a Bird Machine bird village on the gig poster of the week
This week's featured gig poster was designed by local artist and screen printer Jay Ryan.
- Music, Music Feature Feb 8, 2017
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Chicago musicians speak up about the Affordable Care Act
Before the ACA, musicians were uninsured at more than twice the average rate—and with Trump pushing a repeal, they’re already suffering.
- Music, Music Feature Oct 26, 2016
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American Football: Accidental rock stars
This downstate band became heroes to the emo scene after breaking up in obscurity—and 17 years later, they’ve returned with a second album.
- Blogs, Bleader Oct 25, 2016
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Tomorrow Never Knows announces its 2017 lineup
Big names playing the 2017 edition of winter festival Tomorrow Never Knows include Tortoise, BadBadNotGood, Beth Stelling, Title Fight, and Open Mike Eagle.
- Music, Gossip Wolf Aug 23, 2016
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Simulation celebrate a new tape at ESS’s Summersonic festival
Plus: Tortoise drummer John Herndon and artist Jennifer Gutowski marry at Rainbo, and Bric-a-Brac Records takes over East Room for Scummer Slam 2016.
- Music, Music Feature Apr 20, 2016
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An oral history of the Empty Bottle
Staff members and musicians share stories of the venerable nightclub in this excerpt from The Empty Bottle Chicago: 21+ Years of Music / Friendly / Dancing.
- Blogs, Bleader Feb 3, 2016
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Pink elephants haunt the gig poster of the week
This week's gig poster was designed by local artist Josh Davis of Dead Meat Design.
- Music, Music Feature Oct 28, 2014
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Twin Peaks listen to ten mystery songs from 1994—the year three of them were born
A new way for the Chicago garage-pop whiz kids to make you feel old
- Music, Gossip Wolf Aug 13, 2014
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Gossip Wolf: Kid Sister dishes about her imminent mixtape
Plus: Decade Studio takes over the Soma space, Daniel Knox signs to Carrot Top, and more.
- Music, Gossip Wolf Jun 18, 2014
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Gossip Wolf: Anatomy of Habit signs to Relapse
Plus: A mixed-media mixer from the Chicago Film Archives and a history lesson on house at Northwestern
- Music, In Rotation Feb 10, 2014
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In Rotation: Jake Austen of Roctober on a sitar cover of the Banana Splits
Plus: WHPK's Mario Smith on a J Dilla orchestra, the Reader's Philip Montoro on microtonal black metal, and more
- Film, Artist on Artist Nov 19, 2013
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Artist on Artist: Fingerstyle guitarist William Tyler talks to Douglas McCombs of Brokeback and Tortoise
"There's definitely a way to be lyrical without lyrics."
- Blogs, Bleader Jul 13, 2013
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Reader's Agenda Sat 7/13: West Fest, Windy City Smokeout, and Jerry's sixth anniversary
What's on the Reader's Agenda for Saturday, July 13
- Music, Music Sidebar Jul 9, 2013
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Yin and yang at West Fest 2013
Lush, cerebral postrock from Tortoise, raunchy garage trash from the reunited Oblivians, and loads more.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 26, 2013
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12 O'Clock Track: "Promises Kept," masterful modern jazz from Sonny Sharrock
The opening track from one of the greatest jazz records of all time, by guitarist Sonny Sharrock
