Deirde Timmons, the director of burlesque documentary A Wink and a Smile, is interviewed by burlesque performer and columnist Jo Weldon to discuss filming first-time strippers, the liberation of burlesque performance, and making her first feature-length film.
Tortoise premieres high-contrast video for “Prepare Your Coffin”
Seemingly out of an introductory class on black-and-white photography, the video for “Prepare Your Coffin” is an aesthetically pleasant visual accompiment for the second song on Beacons of Ancestorship, the upcoming new album from Tortoise.
Art Institute of Chicago opens The Modern Wing
The Art Institute of Chicago opened its Modern Wing on Saturday, May 16, housing world-renowned collections of European painting and sculptures, architecture and design, photography, and contemporary art.
Nigerian icon King Sunny Ade announces North American tour
Rising to prominence in the late 1970s, Nigerian singer/songwriter King Sunny Ade made a name for himself by combining pedal-steel guitar and other Western sound with the traditional pop of his homeland.
Photographer Brian Willette to exhibit at Portland’s BIAS
Chicago native Brian Willette is this month’s featured artist at BIAS, Brooklyn Industries Art Space, in Portland. The exhibit opens on May 14.
Zach Hill: Compositional inspirations inform demented tech-pop debut
Inspired less by drummers and more by instrumentalists such as John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, and Ornette Coleman, drumming virtuoso Zach Hill begins his journey as a bandleader with Astrological Straits.
What We’re Seeing This Weekend: Mastodon, Converge, Peanut Butter Wolf
It’s a great few days for metal in Chicago as Mastodon, Converge, Kylesa, and Russian Circles each performs new material.
Fans of softer fare have great options as well as hip-hop producer Peanut Butter Wolf, chicha enthusiasts Chicha Libre, and post-jazz/jam guitarist Charlie Hunter hit town.
Secret Chiefs 3 Announces New Album of Italian Horror Inspirations
With a history that has spanned Indian, Persian, surf, metal, spaghetti western, and electronic music — and so much more — Trey Spruance‘s unparalleled Secret Chiefs 3 is releasing a new album in late May, this time inspired by the Italian giallo horror/erotica films of the 1960s and ’70s.
Mike Patton: Crank 2: High Voltage
The first feature-length film score from musical maven Mike Patton winds through high-intensity electro-rock, shifting from track to track with spaghetti western, film noir, and kung-fu elements.
This exceptional work conjures up many different visuals for the listener, and it may be best experienced before seeing the film.
Weekly Music News Roundup
The Dillinger Escape Plan begins recording a new album in July; El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez and Madvillain post tracks; Sunny Day Real Estate is rumored to be reuniting; Steve Reich wins a Pulitzer. Keep reading in the roundup.
What We’re Seeing This Weekend: Coalesce, Sole, Hackensaw Boys
This weekend, we’ll be sure not to miss the unadulterated force of Coalesce as the hardcore four-piece readies its first full-length album in 10 years.
We’ll also catch indie rapper Sole, rapid-fire bluegrass sextet Hackensaw Boys…and a few Bulls/Celtics basketball games, which have ravaged the emotions of ALARM founder Chris Force.
Element Skateboards and Odd Nosdam strayed from the norm with the skateboarding video This is My Element, featuring instrumental hip hop that takes into account the skaters’ tricks, nuances, and personality, resulting in a mesmerizing accompaniment.