Literature/Music

Just as the Vic Theater's sold-out crowd was beginning to become anxious about Lykke Li's arrival, smoke and blinding strobe lights began to illuminate the dark and deserted stage.

As Blitzen Trapper took the stage at The Metro on Thursday night, their humble and down to earth presence was immediately felt.

Coming all the way from Japan on their fifteenth American tour, Melt Banana has solidified itself as an experimental punk rock staple, while remaining extremely inventive and fresh as they progress artistically. Interestingly, on Oct. 16 at the Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., they shared the bill with two local bands.

As soon as I walked into the Double Door for the Datarock show last Wednesday, I was approached by a concerned Datarock fan who wanted to know, "When is Datarock going to come on already? I've been here since 8, I think I'm going to go home and take a nap!"

Summer in Chicago is all about music festivals, and this last weekend was no exception! Saturday kicked off the first of the free four concert series Summer Sessions on The Square at the Logan Square monument in Logan Square.

Beyond the Coyote is this weekend in Wicker Park. After perusing the line up of participating music acts, I decided to check out their web, Myspace, and Facebook pages to see what fare I might like to take in this year

Tangleweed's sixth Birthday BBQ featured the "bluegrassish" sounds that make your toes tap while a few "yee ha"s shoot over your lips out into the world.  Then some Texans strode out and let loose with a Shotgun Party that further hog tied the audience in the former Acme Works space at 1741 N. Western.

During the years of 1914-1918, the devastating conflict of World War I occurred which scarred soldiers, families and millions more.  It turned the United States into a central power and created many changes that still afflict us today. The recent passing of the last living soldier of this war also brings to mind the reality that this conflict still affects many of the children and grandchildren of those who were a part of that war.