JT and the Clouds

scattered leaves don't lie
aw' now baby, baby, quit your cryin'
like everything that ever mattered, scit-scat scattered
like every love word you heard
but that's just the way when you walk your days
in the beauty of this world

That's just the way you wander through your days without opening up to the quirky JT and the Clouds and all the folky-roots rock with soul music streaming from their tracks... a music influence ranging from the Band and Gram Parsons to the Talking Heads and the Family Stone.

It was another July apocalypse
Looked out the back window, seen my little 'sis
With her hands to the sky, waitin' on it to burst
So the very first drop to fall would be hers

And the Clouds will unveil their musical creations and revelations on July 10th at Evanston's James Park at 7:30 pm. Come raise your hands to this band with a distinct personality that combines several different musical influences to create a "country-tinged bar rock with surprising range" (Time Out New York). When they say "soul" they mean deep feeling and emotion bursting through instrumentals and lyrics presented to audiences on stages throughout the country since the release of their first album, Delilah, in 2004.

pretty little disappointments all in a row
been about a year since you disappeared through my door
and now you come back with your head on straight,
but I got no love or hate left for you, girl

The release of Delilah was key for The Clouds. Clint Mathis of the west-coast alt-country/roots rag "freight train boogie" called them "simply one of the best bands to ever emerge from the Americana scene."

Shadows of birds, shadows of planes
Invisible lines through sunny days
Nothing no good ever could remain
Oh my darlin' Clementine…
We are lost and gone forever-
But the moving feels fine

They traced their second disc "the city's hot yeah the city's hot" independently at Studio Chicago-- moving through odes of love and hate to the city of their origin. But again, they are itching to escape to the lab to finish recording their third album (by July to be released in September) that is sure to be spliced with "haunted harmonies, strange dissonances... and hard city beats" (website) drawing the admiration of those in and outside the Chi like their second.

Over mountains high and valleys deep
In a restless California sleep
My sister came to me and lit my way
Back to the danger and the love of a July day

Santa Barbara in June, UK in July, and Evanston in-between, JT and The Clouds will surely bring the summer, spellbinding buzz to all with their melodic precision. Americana UK says it: "Half boogie piano, half Memphis soul, plus another half of folky swing . . .The trick that JT & The Clouds pull off is putting soul into the white roots sound, and being as talented at both sides of the equation."

Come share in the love at James Park on July 10th. The lilting tunes and storytelling vocals won't disappoint.

Check here for more on JT and The Clouds and for samples of their tunes:
http://www.jtandtheclouds.com/

Tom Schraeder and His Ego

The band name may make Tom Schraeder sound like a bigshot whose Ego is too big to handle, but this is far from the reality. Consider the title in a different light-- the ease with which Americana, soul-inspired Schraeder can make fun of himself and the nine-piece band that rolls out of the van with him at every gig. This feat is often difficult for 23-year old singer and songwriters who have an upright bass, drums, second guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, singing saw, banjo, cello and violin accompanying them at every show... shows like last summer's Lollapalooza without even having a record out.

Jealous, yet? Dying to hear some of Schraeder's creations? The latter we can help you with. Tom Schraeder with, the informal title given to his band as a running-joke, His Ego will be playing the Starlight Concert Series on Thursday, June 19th at Evanston's James Park. The band might be a lot of mouths to feed on tour, but for Schraeder "those songs aren't the same without those instruments."

The trek to Evanston with the full van will not be too difficult for this ambitious young artist; he has gone to place like Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, and was born and raised on Chicago's Northwest Side-- a perfect place to be introduced to the glories of playing guitar by a member of the local rock band the Renfields. In fifth grade, Schraeder had himself a National guitar, lessons, and a yard-raking job to pay for both of the above. Prefering Jimi Hendrix and Velvet Underground over the Butthole Surfers, he soon came upon his other main influences: Graham Parsons, Paul Westerberg and Wilco-- though the edginess emulated in his music is beyond mere imitation.

His varied influences have lead to sophisticated arrangements and insightful lyrics on his first self-released seven song EP-- an album reflecting college-age growing pains from the perspective of a down-to-earth 23-year-old guy. Check out "Whiskey Song" for his experimentation with a backdrop of clinking glasses and rowdy voices, as well as some of his other popular tracks: "Porcelain Doll," "An Easy Way to Cry," and "The Door, the Gutter, the Grave."

The only thing that has continued to inflate for each show Tom and His Ego have played since last summer is the size of the crowd. After a sold-out record release party in November, the band was enlisted as the youngest to play Schubas' prestigious Monday-night "Practice Space" series. Chicago Magazine's Noah Isackson predicts more success in the future: "Tom Schraeder and his Gram Parsons-Wilco-Paul Westerberg-Tim Booth-inspired sound, fresh off Lollapalooza, are on the brink of stardom."

Come to James Park, again, on June 19th at 7:30 pm to attest to Tom Schraeder and His Ego's growing range in musical-styles and audience. For a preview, you must go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD5VfpUha-w&feature=related

And check out his Myspace for more of his bittersweet anthems: http://www.myspace.com/tomschraeder

Chévere’s Secret Dream Revealed

If you enjoy a fusion of Latin, jazz, blues and funk, you should definitely check out Chévere at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival on July 19^th and 20^th at Dawes Park.

This Chicago-based ensemble has been performing in the Midwest for over 30 years, and still manages to create a feel of spontaneity during each of their live concert performances.

In a recent performance at the Green Mill Lounge (one of Chévere’s regular venues), Brad Walseth proclaims that “the band's fiery, joyous, energy-filled playing combined the technical precision of the concert hall with the loose, relaxed feel of a neighborhood jam session…”

Chévere consists of nine extremely talented musicians, all of who have contributed their talent and passion for music to other ensembles including Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and the Lyle Mays Quartet. Howard Levy, the music director of the band, has won a Grammy award and maintains Chévere’s record label, Balkan Samba. The mastermind behind this extraordinary group is Alejo Poveda, who founded Chévere originally as a percussion ensemble in 1977 shortly after settling down in Chicago. Since then, Poveda has maintained a tight-knit band that has, for the most part, stayed together for over 20 years.

This talented group began recording for their first full-length album in 1993, but a busy schedule filled with weekend gigs did not allow for the full track listing to be completed until 2003. “Secret Dream,” receiving its name from one of the featured tracks composed by electric guitarist and Chévere member Ernie Denov, was finally released in 2005. Neil Tesser from the Chicago Reader believed that “[Secret Dream] came pretty close to capturing the charismatic energy Chévere brings to the stage.” The good news is that they are currently planning to release a second CD including a live concert performance!

Chévere’s next performance will be on July 12^th at the Glen Ellyn Jazz Festival, so be sure to get your afro-cuban infused music fix before heading down to the Ethnic Arts Festival the following weekend!

This is Kristina signing out…

The Real Country Soul of The Hoyle Brothers

Feeling a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll? Well, come down to James Park this July 17th 2008 to satisfy your hunger with Chicago’s own The Hoyle Brothers.

A lively quintet, these honkytonk boys have been playing the Chicago scene since 2002 with weekly appearances at The Hideout and The Empty Bottle. They won over fans and critics throughout the city with their genuine country sound and skillful musicianship. Just like the great old country songs you heard when you were a kid, their lyrics speak of universal truths, their melodies melt your heart, and their rockin’ beats get your boots moving. They are "as country as it gets . . . [they] remind me of a neon buzz, a beer buzz and a ‘you gotta see this band’ buzz," said Craig Shelburne of Country Music Television.

In 2004, The Brothers released their debut album Back to the Door which was met with great reviews. Not only did it earn the No. 1 Debut Album in 2004 on the Freeform American Roots “Best of 2004” poll, but it was hailed as the “holy grail” of country and blues music by Rural Delivery TV. In 2006, they released One More Draw which proved to be a fine follow up to their popular first CD.

The Hoyle Brothers have also played at many epic country venues like the famous Grand Ole' Opry for their Plaza Party last June and Austin’s monumental South by Southwest (SXSW) in 2005.

To see The Hoyle Brothers in action, swing down to the Empty Bottle in Chicago any Friday night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for their Hardcore Honkytonk Happy Hour. Best part? It’s free!

Don’t forget to catch The Hoyle Brothers tear down the house this July 17, 2008 at James Park and as their festive website cryptically beckons . . .

“C'mon, Nancy. Time's a wasting.”

Your Blogger Forever,

Lauren

Fran Jaffe and Her Unique Canvases

Fran Jaffe, winner of the 2007 Lakeshore Arts Festival first prize in the Mixed Media category will be back in 2008 with her unique work, and we couldn’t be happier.

Fran paints with mixed media on gourds, slate and granite tiles, river rocks and wood. She uses individual dots of acrylic paint to create the illusion of beading and she employs dye methods and faux batik in her artwork.

However, this is just the material side of Fran Jaffe’s art. The spiritual side is what guides her hand and what informs every piece. Her inspiration has come from her many travels throughout America, India and the Middle East. She has a deep admiration of Tibetan thangkas and mandalas, Native American painting and beadwork, Australian Aboriginal art and the artisans who create such work. Her mission is to bring together spiritual symbols and images of all cultures to show the similarities and unity of the human spirit that has existed since the beginning of time.

Fran is a self taught artist who began painting in 1995 after meeting an artist in Arizona who demonstrated the Australian Aboriginal dot art technique to her. Another aspect of her work that sets her apart is her frequent use of gourds as canvases onto which her elaborate and detailed works are painted. They are truly a sight to behold and we hope that you will stop by Fran’s booth at this year’s Lakeshore Festival to meet the artist and see her incredible work.

Sarah Chapman, Metalsmith

Sarah Chapman is a metalsmith based in Chicago who makes intricate jewelry out of silver, copper, brass and gold. She burnishes the metals with a patina to give her work a specific look, and found objects or semi-precious stones distinguish her pieces as Sarah Chapman originals.

Chapman’s work can be found in retail stores across the Midwest, and her pieces have an industrial yet delicate feel that stand out from the pack. One of her distinctive necklaces resembles a sleek, stylized Slinky, dotted with pieces of silver. A bracelet incorporates silver rings, burnished gold and a pearl clasp that mesmerizes due to its juxtaposition to the metalwork.

Sarah was the 2007 Lakeshore Arts Festival winner for Best Jewelry and we are thrilled that she will be returning to the 2008 festival!