Related
Interviews
Interview
Black Duck is a rising star of a band hailing from Chicago. The trio’s guitarist, Bill D. MacKay, talks to Lisa Torem about their self-titled debut, influences and songwriting.
Interview
Chicago DJ Debbie Benjamin Koller and Chicago DJ/Windy City Soul Club founder, Aret Sakal share insights regarding the Northern Soul phenomenon in an exclusive interview.
Interview
Edinburgh-born but now Chicago-based singer-songwriter Chris Connelly talks to Eoghan Lyng about his new concept album 'Eulogy to Christa', which is about the life of Velvet Underground singer Nico.
Interview
Edinburgh-born but now Chicago-based singer-songwriter Chris Connelly talks to John Clarkson about his new album 'The Birthday Poems', which recorded with Monica Queen, is a fictionalized account of the romance between Stella Cartwright and poet George Mackay Brown .
Joanna Connor
Interview
Guitarist Joanna Connor speaks to Lisa Torem about her new Joe Bonamassa-produced album, ‘4801 South Indiana Avenue’, the Chicago club scene and her blueprint for balancing artistic work and family.
Dhani Harrison
Interview 2016
Dhani Harrison, son of the late George Harrison and Olivia Harrison, has formed several bands and most recently released a solo album. In this 2016 archival interview he spoke to Lisa Torem before a show in Chicago.
Matt Brown
Interview
Executive Producer Matt Brown talks to Lisa Torem about 'On Big Shoulders', his fascinating album project which takes as its theme the city of Chicago.
Tomiko Dixon
Interview
In her first Pennyblackmusic interview, Chicago-based singer/songwriter Tomiko Dixon unveils her artistic inspirations and desire to explore experiential themes, whilst carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, Willie Dixon
Zombies
Interview with Colin Blunstone
Colin Blunstone’s solo band will perform this April in the UK, as he concurrently continues his role as front man of the Zombies. He chats with Lisa Torem at a sold out show at City Winery, Chicago.
Renee Rosen
Interview
Lisa Torem speaks with Chicago-based author, Renee Rosen, about her latest novel, 'Windy City Blues', which is set in 1950s and 1960s Chicago.
Tautologic
Interview
Ethan Sellers, Chicago-based, co-founder of Chicago prog rock group Tautologic, elaborates with Lisa Torem on the making of new album, ‘Re:Psychle’, on which often-marginalised people are given a voice.
Byrd
Interview
Chicago radio personality, Byrd, speaks with Lisa Torem about his programming choices, on air and in-person fan rapport and how he nabbed his dream job
Liam Kelley
Interview
Lisa Torem interviews Detroit native Liam Kelley, a new talent in the Chicago area, whose instrumental work and original tunes are steadily garnering critical acclaim
Miles Nielsen
Interview
Musician/songwriter Miles Nielsen, before performing a set with his group Rusted Hearts at Chicago's Northcenter Rib Fest, speaks with Lisa Torem about guest artists on his new album, its themes and his talented band mates
Ralph Covert
Interview
Lisa Torem speaks to Chicago-based musician and singer-songwriter Ralph Covert about his band, the Bad Examples, and long solo career
Aaron Fox & the Reliables
Interview
In our second interview with him, Lisa Torem talks to Aaron Fox from Chicago-based indie pop/rock group Aaron Fox and the Reliables about their forthcoming second album and drive to keep making music together despite conflicting schedules
Ronnie Montrose
Interview
At a show in Chicago, Lisa Torem speaks to guitarist Ronnie Montrose about his recovery from a harrowing health setback, and his legendary bands Montrose and Gamma
Smoking Popes
Interview
Chicago-based punk band the Smoking Popes include Morrissey amongst their fans. Front man Josh Caterer talks to Lisa Torem about his band's reformation in 2005 after a seven year absence and 'This is Only a Test', their new album
Lil' Ed
Interview
Lisa Torem chats to Chicago-based singer-songwriter, slide guitarist and showman extraordinaire Lil' Ed about his lengthy career in the blues and his band of the last two decades, the Blues Imperials
Profiles
1955-2023
Lisa Torem recollects meeting, interviewing and enjoying Chicago-based saxophonist Mars Williams’s music and endearing personality over the years.
Common
Let Love Have The Last Word
Chicago-raised rap artist, Common, lays bare his spiritual growth in his sophomore book, ‘Let Love Have the Last Word’ in 'Raging Pages'.
Tuts Chicago
40th Anniversary
Philamonjoro reflects on short-lived but influential Chicago music venue Tuts in its 40th anniversary year.
Michael Bloomfield
Profile
Mike Bloomfield was once known as a Chicago blues icon, playing with The Butterfield Blues Band, The Electric Flag, and as a soloist. Lisa Torem listens to two newly-released albums of his stunning work.
North Coast Music Festival
Profile
We preview the North Coast Music Festival, which will take place on September 1st-3rd in Chicago
David Bowie
David Bowie Is, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Lisa Torem reflects upon the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago's new David Bowie exhibition, 'David Bowie Is'
Michael Darling
Interview
Lisa Torem talks to Michael Darling, the chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, about the 'David Bowie Is' exhibition, which after its run at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is now about to open there
Perry Bax
Interview
Chicago-based sound engineer Perry Bax speaks about his experiences working for the Rolling Stones on their 2003 fortieth anniversary tour
Profile
Todd Rundgren 1
Todd Rundgren recently spent a week at Columbia College in Chicago working with its music students both at a recording session and also on preparing for a show. In the first part of a two part profile Lisa Torem sits in on the recording session...
Fest for Beatles Fans 34th Annual Chicago Beatles Celebration
Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois
Lisa Torem attends a remarkable annual festival in Chicago for fans of the Beatles, and which is now in its 34th year
Live
The Salt Shed, Chicago, 29/12/2023
Lisa Torem finds Patti Smith’s explosive, emotional performance with Jackson Smith, Dee Jay Daugherty, Lenny Kaye and Tony Shanahan at Chicago’s Salt Shed exceeding expectations.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 23/6/2023
Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond’ returns to Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music with Asher plus partner folk artist Jeremy Clyde, formerly of Chad and Jeremy. Lisa Torem reviews.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 11/6/2023
r: Lisa Torem admires French pianist Riopy’s passionate performance at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 30/4/2023
Lisa Torem finds that Graham Nash’s 'Sixty Years of Songs and Stories' makes for a festive and educational night at a sold-out gig at Chicago’s iconic Old Town School of Folk Music.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 7/5/2023
Lisa Torem watches dobro player Rob Ickes and guitarist Trey Hensley play an exceptional set of bluegrass in support of Rodney Crowell at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
City Winery, Chicago, 23/4/2023
At Chicago City Winery, Lisa Torem watches vocalist/pianist Ann Hampton Callaway's exciting tribute to the late singer Peggy Lee bring down the house.
Copernicus Theater, Chicago, 14/10/2022
Lisa Torem finds that the Celebrating David Bowie tour which entertained Chicago fans lives up to its ambitious promise and more at the Copernicus Theater in Chicago.
Chicago Theater, Chicago, 9/10/2022
Lisa Torem enjoys Regina Spektor’s engaging performance at the Chicago Theater in support of the singer-songwriter-pianist’s latest album, ‘Home, Before and After.’
City Winery, Chicago, 21/9/2022
Philamonjaro enjoys and photographs an intimate, stripped down set of Squeeze classics at City Winery in Chicago.
Park West, Chicago, 22/9/2022
Philamonjaro watches and photographs seminal 80's electronic act Heaven 17 embark on their fitst American tour with a thrilling show at The Park West in Chicago.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 1/7/2022
After a two-year lockdown, The Zombies rose above adversity to tour and celebrate their 2019 Hall of Fame induction. Lisa Torem at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago enjoys both the classics and new tunes.
Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, 27/52022
Lisa Torem watches a glowing Tori Amos, with drummer/percussionist Ash Soan and bassist Jon Evans, exceed expectations with a nearly two-hour Chicago performance.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 1/5/2022
Lisa Torem enjoys Suzanne Vega's much-awaited set at Chicago's Old Town School. which includes hits and selections from her one-woman show about novelist Carson McCullers.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 21/4/2022
Lisa Torem at the Old Town School of Folk Music enjoys the Chicago show of Robyn Hitchcock’s long-awaited North American tour.
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 22/4/2022
Lisa Torem watches James McMurtry return to Chicago’s Old Town School and drew from an assortment of albums, including gems from his latest album ‘The Horses and the Hounds'.
Great British Venue and Beyond
3
For the third part of our four part series, in which our writers and photographers reflect upon great venues, Dastardly, Dave Goodwin and Lisa Torem examine Vinyl Deptford in London, Rock City and the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
Tori Amos
Chicago Humanities Festival, Chicago, 6/5/2020
Although the popular Chicago Humanities Festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, featured guest/singer-songwriter Tori Amos agreed to a live-stream interview. Lisa Torem reviews the highlights.
Rolling Stones
Soldier Field, Chicago, 21/6/2019
Lisa Torem got her share of 'Satisfaction' as the World’s Greatest Rock N’ Roll Band resume their postponed tour at Soldier Field, Chicago.
Chick Corea With Bela Fleck
Old Town School of Folk Music, 3/5/2019
Lisa Torem watches East Coast musicians jazz/fusion pianist Chick Corea and banjo player extraordinaire Bela Fleck trade impressive licks at Chicago’s Old Town School before a packed house.
Struts
House of Blues, Chicago, 24/11/2018
Lisa Torem is mesmerised by charismatic and energetic British rockers The Struts when they head out to Chicago for a House of Blues gig.
Albums
Otis Rush
Live in Boston, 1973
Carl Bookstein finds Chicago Blues guitar great Otis Rush's 'Live in Boston' album which was recorded in 1973 captures him in fine form.
V/A
Chicago Anthology
In our 'Re: View' section, in which we reflect upon albums from the past, Lisa Torem examines 'Chicago Anthology', a recently reissued live compilation album which was recorded at Big John's, a legendary blues club, in 1966
Lobster Newberg
Actress
Lisa Torem examines 'Actress', the debut album of Chicago-based pop/prog act, Lobster Newberg, which was released at the start of the year
Alkaline Trio
Goddamnit
In our 'Re: View' series, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Adrian Huggins assesses Chicago punks the Alkaline Trio's 1998 debut album, 'Goddamnit !', which has just been re-released in a remixed and remastered version
Rise Against
The Sufferer and the Witness
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers look back at albums from previous years, Alex Halls examines Chicago quartet punk Rise Against's fourth album 'The Sufferer and the Witness;, which he missed out on when it was released last year
Features
Lani Hall Alpert
Emotional Memoirs And Short Stories
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds jazz singer and musician Lani Hall Alpert distilling hard-scrabble Chicago life, debilitating illness, crummy therapists, disoriented hitchhikers and more in her first book 'Emotional Memoirs and Short Stories'.
Bruce Iglauer/Alligator Records
Raging Pages
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Chicago-based writer Lisa Torem finds ‘Bitten by the Blues’ about the Windy City label, Alligator Records, to be a compelling, frank and informative read.
Bob Dylan
61 Highways Revisited: The Albums Of Bob Dylan
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds that Chicago author Bob Shiel with is new book, '61 Highways Revisited — The Albums of Bob Dylan’, does everything Dylan by way of smart, comprehensive reviews and a double-CD of related renditions in which he strums and sings.
Windy City Blues
Windy City Blues
In 'Raging Pages' Lisa Torem finds that Chicago-based author Renee Rosen captures the ghosts of music past with her informative and lively novel, 'Windy City Blues', based on Chess Record legacy and an interracial couple.
Steve Krakow
Raging Pages
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem is excited about Steve Krakow AKA Plastic Crimewave's well-researched book about unsung Chicago luminaries. 'My Kind of Sound: The Secret History of Chicago Music'
Gig of a Lifetime
Tori Amos, Park West, Chicago, 1992
In our 'Gig of a Lifetime' series, Lisa Torem writes of seeing Tori Amos in in 1992 at a show in Chicago on a tour to promote 'Little Earthquakes', her debut album
Gig of a Lifetime
Grateful Dead, Chicago, 1994
In the second in our new column in which a different Pennyblackmusic writer each month will be reflecting upon a 'Gig of a Lifetime', Carl Bookstein describes the impact upon him of going to see the Grateful Dead in Chicago in 1994
Photoscapes
Lawrence Arms
In the latest in our Photoscapes series, Anna Gudaniec photographs Chicago hardcore trio the Lawrence Arms at the London Mean Fiddler
Doug Hoekstra
Six Songs/Su Casa, Mi Casa : the Official Live Boo
Chicago-born, but Nashville-based musician Doug Hoekstra has been away for a while, but is now back with both a new studio EP, 'Six Songs', and a live album, 'Su Casa, Mi Casa.' John Clarkson profiles both CDs
Ampersand Records
Broken Music : Clawing the Eyes Out of Mona Lisa
David McNamee finds himself smitten with three beautifully packaged CDs from the Chicago electronic label, Ampersand, and tells why overnight it has become his new favourite label
Photography
Dream Syndicate
Photoscapes 1
In a two part Photoscapes Philamonjaro photographs the reformed Dream Syndicate at the Thalia Hall in Chicago on the 4th December.