The Ocean Blue at Schubas Tavern on Jan. 13, 2013

written by: Craig Bechtel on January 18, 2013

Sunday’s show at Chicago’s Schubas Tavern drew a packed crowd of the Midwestern faithful, so much that at times it was hard to tell if it was Schelzel’s reverb-heavy tenor or the attendees singing along that created a chorus effect on his lead vocals.

Read More

Unmasked At Last

written by: Craig Bechtel on January 16, 2013

Unlike many modern rock ensembles today, My Gold Mask has crafted a collection of songs that deftly defy classification, belie any disparate influences and are in many ways anachronistic.

Read More

Duncan Sheik is Way Past “Barely Breathing…” Are You?

written by: Craig Bechtel on December 10, 2012

Before his mid-November concert at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois, singer, songwriter and producer Duncan Sheik, who was catapulted to stardom and pigeonholed as a “one-hit wonder” by the success of his breathy single, “Barely Breathing,” shared some thoughts behind what prompted him to embark on his most recent projects and what was next on his […]

Read More
Ceremony for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Hotel BPM

Balmorhea at Schubas Tavern on Oct. 14, 2012

written by: Craig Bechtel on October 15, 2012

Almost as difficult to describe as their name is to pronounce, Austin sextet Balmorhea put on a phenomenal set on a showery Sunday night at Chicago’s Schubas. It’s pronounced ball-more-ay: unlike their music, it’s not as difficult as it first appears. The group is named after a town of 500, six hours west of Austin, […]

Read More
Chicago-Screwball-Press

Laetitia Saedier – Silencio

written by: Craig Bechtel on August 7, 2012

It’s easy to imagine seeing these songs performed on a small stage in a smoke-filled club in Morocco in some anonymous film noir.

Read More

Gold Motel at Schubas Tavern on July 26, 2012

written by: Craig Bechtel on July 28, 2012

The set was rich with highlights, but standouts included the torch song single “Slow Emergency,” “Leave You In Love, and the rollicking and ironic “Musicians.”

Read More