Our (fairly) regular roundup of Music & Arts related news from Chicago-based web media, featuring thoughts and insight from some of the city’s most dedicated writers.
- Stephin Merritt Coming to Chicago for a Rare Solo Performance
Stephin Merritt’s range as a musical artist knows no bounds. Merritt may be best known for his extensive catalog of magnificent pop music as the head of The Magnetic Fields, but this barely scratches the surface of his work. He has found himself working within musical theater, contributing fantastic original music to audio books, creating film soundtracks, and as part of the multitude of side projects including The Gothic Archies, The 6ths, and Future Bible Heroes. There are very few writers than can be as introspective and genuine as Merritt when it comes to songs about something as delicate as love. Merritt has managed to infuse every project with his lovely and always entertaining songwriting along with his intoxicating bass voice. His prowess doesn’t end with his musical talents. He has recently released his first book, 101 Two Letter Words, a collection of poetry accompanied by illustrations by Roz Chast. It would seem as if Merritt’s reach knows no bounds, expanding into every realm his vast talents will take him. Stephin Merritt will in Chicago for two very special events. On November 7th he will be speaking with Peter Segal as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. Tickets for this event are $12. The following evening, November 8, Merritt will be performing an intimate solo set at the Old Town School of Folk Music. This rare event will have Merritt performing pieces from his massive oeuvre in alphabetical order. Advance Base, a solo project of Owen Ashworth, will be opening for him. Tickets are $30 for the general public, $28 for members.
- Hozier Takes Us to Church @ Metro, 10/26
Hozier is a name I’ve been hearing quite frequently lately, buzzing about my city, and surely beyond. Whether it is hearing his hit song, “Take Me To Church,” on radio station after radio station, and music stream after music stream, or talking to my friends about his emotive, expressive rock sound infused with folk, I was overjoyed to see him perform his breakout album live to a sold out crowd at the Metro, with the show opened by the talented James Bay.
James Bay is a new force to be reckoned with. A London-based artist at only 23 years old, he is able to craft effortless folk music that entrances and captivates from the moment he sings his first lyric. He has released two EPs in the past two years, which have allowed him to attract a fan base to his deliberate musical style from both the UK and the US.
Emerging with his classic look of flowing hair under a brimmed hat, looking like the epitome of cool, Bay performed his endearing tunes for an eager audience. With a croon akin to his predecessors such as James Morrison, he sang beautiful tunes such as “Scars,” wailing out, “We can’t leave us behind, anymore.” Tall and gangly, he commands the stage with his presence: just him, a guitar, and his British charm. With languid, glittering tunes, I expect James Bay to amass a larger following as the years move forward.
I, like all others at the Metro, had become enamored with the music of Hozier. The beautiful and powerful ballads contain so much emotion that they can teach us how to feel the full spectrum of feelings over and over again, with no reprieve, much to our desire. His self-titled debut was just released, following the heels of his dynamic EPs, dated over the past two years. Andrew Hozier-Byrne is also a young musician at 24, and has already garnered acclaim for the music that he performs, and the well-crafted songs that he writes. Emerging to an overwhelming round of applause and cheers, Hozier began by performing the brooding “Like Real People Do,” commanding the crowd from the get-go with his sexy and soulful vocals. He then proceeded with the popular tune “Jackie and Wilson,” and as he sang that he would “raise ’em on rhythm and blues,” the entire crowd was moving to the beat and satisfied by the music.
Hozier was flanked by a large backing band, comprised of soulful singers, guitarists, and more, which allowed his sound to become even more booming and powerful. He continued with “To Be Alone,” and then let everyone know that he was going to play songs with the band, and then solo songs as well for everyone, much to their delight. The performance hit its peak during “Take Me To Church,” the notable crowd-pleaser that has catapulted Hozier to his platform of fame. I think each member of the crowd left feeling satisfied by the church that Hozier was able to bring us all to, one of soulful music that keeps us intrigued and rejuvenated at every turn.
- 10 Overlooked Recent Horror Movie Gems
Here are 10 horror films from the past five years that have flown under the radar that will put a chill in your spine for Halloween. [ more › ]
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