Here are the Wisconsin and Chicago shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list. This week’s recommended new releases includes Elvis Perkins in Dearland – The Doomsday EP, Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard – One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Music From Kerouac’s Big Sur, Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependance, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Summer of Fear and White Denim – Fits.

Upcoming Wisconsin Shows:

10/20 – Sunset Rubdown – High Noon Saloon
10/21 – The Avett Brothers/Nicole Atkins – Barrymore, Madison
10/21 – Drummer – High Noon Saloon, Madison
10/22 – Lucero – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee
10/23 – Great Lake Swimmers – der Rathskeller, Madison
10/24 – Ingrid Michaelson – Barrymore, Madison
10/24 – Langhorne Slim + Dawes – High Noon Saloon, Madison
10/24 – Alejandro Escovedo – Northern Lights Casino, Milwaukee
10/25 – Ingrid Michaelson – Turner Hall Ballroom, Madison

Upcoming Chicago Shows:

10/19 – Wilco – UIC Pavilion
10/19 – The Dodos – Bottom Lounge
10/19 – Sunset Rubdown – Logan Square Auditorium
10/22 – Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers – Empty Bottle
10/23 – Langhorne Slim + Dawes – Lincoln Hall
10/24 – Lucero – The Bottom Lounge

Just Announced:

11/18 – Brendan Benson + Cory Chisel – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee
12/7 – David Rawlings Machine – High Noon Saloon, Madison
12/7 – Mew – Metro
12/31 – Jens Lekman – Empty Bottle
12/31 – Girl Talk – Congress Theater

New Releases:

Elvis Perkins in Dearland – The Doomsday EP, Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard – One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Music From Kerouac’s Big Sur, Kings of Convenience – Declaration of Dependance, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Summer of Fear, White Denim – Fits

+Bookmark our Wisconsin and Chicago shows pages for all your concert announcements+

One of the many highlights of Andrew Bird’s two-night stint at Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater over the weekend came on Saturday night during the show’s encore. After inviting opener St. Vincent back to the stage for selections from each of their catalogs, they also dug out an acoustic cover of Bob Dylan’s “Oh, Sister” from the album Desire.

This performance was special for a lot of reasons. It surprised the heck out of me as I had completely forgotten Bird covering this tune on his 2007 Soldier On EP. The song happens to be on of my favorites in the Bob Dylan cannon and hearing Annie Clark and Andrew Bird duet on it was simply sublime. There are various videos of them doing this song together in other cities, but below find the track from the aforementioned EP. It’s a worthy addition to your collection as is Dylan’s far to underrated Desire.

MP3: Andrew Bird :: “Oh, Sister” (Bob Dylan)

Buy: Andrew Bird – “Soldier On” | Bob Dylan – “Desire”

By Jodi Root

It was a simply magical evening at Schuba’s this past Saturday night. Warm glowing orange and golden lights illuminated the small, intimate stage of this Chicago indie hot spot music venue. A gathering of couples and small flock of hipster kids decked in flannel hugged the front of the stage, swaying and mesmerized by the men of the hour, Sub Pop Sweethearts–Grand Archives. Front man Mat Brooke (formerly of Carissa’s Wierd and Band of Horses) and crew showcased several tracks from their September release Keep in Mind Frankenstein, following fellow Seattle rockers Black Whales.

The sound at Schuba’s was especially clear and crisp, bringing out the best in this melodic, delicate folksy alt country performance. While stage banter was (admittedly) lacking and slightly awkward, (Chicago sports references, really? You think the skinny dude with tight rolled jeans and massive beard gives a crap about the Bears or White Sox?), Grand Archives definitely made up for it with their harmonic vocal melodies and gorgeous multi-instrumentation. Harmonicas, whistling, soft guitars and variety of percussion tactics made up the backbone of the soundtrack for the evening—serving as the ultimate hipster lullaby score. Highlights included Frankenstein’s “Dig that Crazy Grave, “ the upbeat single “Silver Among the Gold,” the harmonica infused “Left for all the Strays,” the country twang melodic “Oslo Novelist” and the light, folky ditty “Witchy Park/Tomorrow Will (Take Care of Itself).”

Overall, the performance proved itself to be a delicate and light, delectable evening of listening pleasure. An alt-country indie version of a hipster’s Winter Ball, if you will—melodic and charming, an impressive score for such a small four-man lineup.

Buy: Grand Archives
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MP3: Grand Archives – “Oslo Novelist”
MP3: Grand Archives – “Silver Among the Gold”

Monster of Folk are set to land at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on Friday, October 30th. The new album featuring M. Ward, Jim James, Mike Mogis & Conor Oberst has been at the top of my listening pile for weeks. If the new collaborative tracks weren’t enough to get you out to seen them live, peep the Vancouver set list and tell me those My Morning Jacket and M. Ward tunes don’t make seeing them a done deal.

Buy: Monsters Of Folk

It’s been some time since we checked in with Milwaukee’s own Time Since Western. I was recently sent “Dizzy,” which began while working at Chris Walla’s Portland studio before eventually being finished up locally with Beau Sorenson at Smart Studios. The song carries a very Sea Change sound, which is a perfect audio compliment to these dreary days. Hear for yourself below:

MP3: Time Since Western – “Dizzy”

A tinge of regret still lingers for not making a road trip south to catch one of the big surprise dates that featured Old Crow Medicine Show, David Rawlings Machine (with Gillian Welch), The Felice Brothers, and Justin Townes Earle. Some saving grace comes via news that David Rawlings Machine will play Madison’s High Noon Saloon on Monday, December 7th. One can only hope/guess that David will be accompanied by Gillian Welch.

Tickets: $22 Advance | $25 Day of Show
Ages: 18+
On Sale: Coming Soon