Words & Photos: Ashley M. DowningOn a brisk Friday evening in May, The Park West in Chicago kicked off its summer season with a wild, music filled event. This show was presented as the official Summer Camp Music Festival pre-party, with all of the musicians in attendance scheduled to play at upcoming fest the following...

The Growth Of Their GrooveWords: @312mrg | Photos: Ashley M. DowningSustained interest in a band is not accomplished easily. To achieve it, a band must be creative, considering the myriad of musical levers at play in a community where one size will not fit all. Tour t0 tour changes in approach or sound, setlist switch-ups, even...

Words / Photos: Ashley M. DowningCubby Bear has been going above and beyond to restore great live music in an unlikely neighboorhood. Despite its Wrigleyville location, The Cubby Bear is a lively venue that has all of the right amenities needed to put on a killer show and is supplementing some of its more questionable bookings...

Words & Photos: Ashley M DowningAfter taking a hiatus and implementing some innovative adjustments, Particle is back as a musical force that cannot be ignored. They have played a handful of shows over the past few months, gearing up to fully takeover the scene that they once helped to create.Within the jam-electronica world there...

Contributed By: Ashley M. DowningI have always heard that birds of a feather flock together. This was recently proven to me first-hand when The Ragbirds and Birds of Chicago gathered together in the windy city for an intimate evening at City Winery. I arrived to the venue just before the sold out show began; eager...

Words: Alex WoodPhotos:Eujin KwakKishi Bashis set at the Metro balanced expressive violin performance with a creative use of effects. Though only three band members backed the violinist, their sound was massive, achieved through looping techniques and well-composed songs.Kaoru Ishibashi has released only two records under the Kishi Bashi moniker, but the set list...

Words / Photos: Alex WoodChad VanGaalen has become increasingly prolific in recent years, his unique songwriting always recognizably his own.VanGaalens set at The Empty Bottle focused on his newest release, Shrink Dust, a record that blends simple folk songs with murky, psychedelic flourishes.While Shrink Dust is an excellent record, the songs sounded even better...

Given the format and its inherit lack of spontaneity, I was in "no spoilers" mode and had shut myself off from the flow of information about the Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration featuring Warren Haynes prior to the Chicago stop on the short spring tour.So it was a bit strange that the only bit of (...

Words / Photo: Alex WoodPerhaps my expectations were too high, or perhaps seeing both Neil Youngs sparse acoustic set and The Nationals over-the-top performance at the Chicago Theatre in the past few weeks spoiled me, but Neko Case left me underwhelmed.The outstanding songwriting was there, and Cases voice sounded strong as ever, but the six-piece...

Words: Alex WoodPhotos: Alex Wood & Tom HarmonEdward David Andersons album release show at Martyrs' was about more than his new full-length, Lies & Wishes. It felt like an odd family reunion, old friends gathering together joyously to see Anderson perform with a band after years of patiently waiting.Yet perhaps the most joyous member...