Reader contributor James Kennedy sets his first novel to music.

I dig on Floyd's. I was here for the first time last Sunday with a friend of mine for some $2 PBRs and $5 Bloody Marys. The music was really good -- just some laid back rock-type stuff. Bartenders…

Pop Music Analysis Gone Wrong We don't turn to the New Yorker for our music material and news, but to keep our info as wide and in-depth as possible we often visit a few random sites. The other day we...

The term "godfather of punk" is one that's too often abused: The genre can't possibly have had 189,958 progenitors, could it? And bandying it about too lightly only cheapens it when referring to a musician for whom that really was...

Noble Beast/Mecca Streaming Oh there's been so much local music to listen to today. Noble Beast - Andrew Bird - Free at NPR Mecca - Office - Free at LastFM Ordinary Riches - Company of Thieves - Free on AOL

This place is awesome. Many have crossed my path in beer pong and many have fallen. The service is good, they will play requested music, and the mix of people is local chicagoans to out of towners.…

What a difference a music track makes: the :60 version and the :30 version of the great "Lightbulb" spot for the World Wildlife Fund.

Apple Inc.'s final appearance at the Macworld trade show has opened with a focus on new software for Mac computers. In place of the traditional keynote from CEO Steve Jobs, a top marketing executive, Philip Schiller, showed off improvements in Apple's movie, music and photo software at the annual gathering of Apple devotees.

Been here a good number of times and I like the place. Sure it's a bit out of the way, but the fireplace and Irish beer keep you warm in the winter. The music and bartender's irish drawl make you…

If you've ever been to Inner Town Pub in Wicker Park on a Thursday night, you might recognize local singer-songwriter Lily Schaffer as the long-time host of its open mic. She has also been writing songs and playing around Chicago for years, and recently finished recording her debut album, "Lemonade."The soon-to-be-released album, which can be previewed on Schaffer's MySpace page, immediately brings to mind the wryly clever pop of Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple. With a canon of strong songs that are a

Did you ever fantasize about fronting a band on stage? Always call dibs on the microphone when playing "Rock Band"? With weekly live band karaoke at bars throughout Chicago, you have no excuse not to take your rock 'n' roll aspirations to the next level.Live Band Karaoke, a collective of three local backing bands, is your best bet for becoming a rock star - if only for three minutes - in the Windy City. The group is Chicago's first and longest running live band karaoke outfit.Besides being much m

best bar i experienced in chicago so far. laid-back atmosphere, great beers on tap, good music and service. perfect pub environment! had just a few appetizers, but the menu is impressive. i live in…

Good venue for Bulls and Blackhawks games, obviously, but not that great for seeing a show. Of course, you probably know what you're getting into if you are going there to see a music concert in a…

Really, of the worst bar experiences I have had in a long time. Let me get this straight, shitty music, bad attitudes and $4 Schlitz? Oh, and a 45 minute wait for a drink, WHEN YOU HAVE A WAITRESS!…

Each year, the Grammys dish out a CD right before the big show -- a round-up of the songs nominated for the year's music awards. Regardless of whether you watch the show or not, the CD's always a nice way...

Dirty Pleasure For us Maroon 5 is one of those bands that sort of dig into our skin with a guilty pleasure vibe. It's what pop music does, sticks in your brain long after you wished it was over. With...

From the L.A. bureau, something different here to jump start your new music appetite for 2009.

Confession? I know little about music, and my typical weekend does not involve chasing some underground secretly hip band a la "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" (I only wish I were that cool)...…

1. PRESS RELEASE - From: Jamaica Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and SportsRe: The Passing of "Tata" FordThe Honourable Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Minister of information, Culture, Youth and Sports has expressed regret at the death of Vincent "Tata" Ford, known to have been a close associate of Reggae icon, Bob Marley and who was author/composer of one of Bob's greatest hits, "No Woman No Cry.""As the Minister with portfolio responsibility for music and entertainment, I was saddened to learn

Going here was a little bit of a trek for me, but it's close to the red line, so I didn't mind. Drinks were expensive, but it's a music venue so that's kinda expected.. The crowd was a little queer…

three words.... "rock.corn.shrimp" order that and life becomes a little better. love the food here, love the staff, love the music and service. Live band kareoke on tuesdays and half of wine on…

Jim and Greg round out the year like any good music fan: with a mixtape. Tune in to hear some of their favorite songs, and then find out how they rate the new album from rapper Common.

Okay, I just have to say that it's quite unfortunate that when Chicago closes four locations in the coming months, that this location isn't on the chopping block. I want to like this Borders,…

Yeah - um the Peppermint Mocha Trio at the Seattle's Best inside this Borders is heavenly. I have went there twice when I had no need to be in that area just for this drink. Since my car is in the…

Aww, went to a jazz concert held by Close Up 2, and the after party at the actual lounge. Not really the best service or layout, but great music and feel.

Nice little neighborhood bar on Harlem just before 16th. Great bar food during the afternoons. Darts and bowling machine. nice drink specials at night. music isn't too loud most of the time. lots…

Hard Drive is overpriced. Other than that, it's not a bad place. The music is fun, the drinks are good (with the exception of the Pop Rocks Martini, ew), the staff is decent and the decor is nice.

mm, I dunno! here's what I like about this place: - the doorman on fridays is really sexy and nice, altho I'm not sure if he likes me or not. - good music (honestly... I never noticed the music was…

i'm Mexican and i can honestly say this place has The Best mexican food around other than my moms. Great atmosphere, live music, mariachi, dance floor and great service. La Parrillada is a great meal…

BonoboSunday, January 4 at Sonotheque, 9 p.m.; $12 Despite the blog-house craze and the preponderance of overpaid Serato "DJs" (I'm looking at you, Samantha Ronson), it's good to know that talented and thoughtful producers and DJs can still get the attention and respect they deserve. Take for example Bonobo; he doesn't fall into a specific dance-music category and he isn't concerned with the latest trends in electronic music, but he's developed a strong following thanks to his releases on the pre

In 2008 the news cycle seemed to churn through some great highs and some really low lows. Something similar seems to have happened in pop culture as well. Chicago Reader's music critic (and frequent Radio M guest) Peter Margasak and Eight Forty-Eight...

Who: NAKED RAYGUN : HOT WATER MUSIC When: Saturday, January 3 5:00 PM Where: House of Blues - Chicago (329 North Dearborn)

what a nightmare of a bar.Coke bar to the max/overpriced waterdown drinks/tanya the bartender was not friendly/the music box was old/the people were were nice /restrooms stunk/never ever going back to…

Smallish type borderline hipster bar in Wicker Park, but there's always good music! The DJs are really DJs here; they mix the tracks and play old school and lesser known artists all the time. The…

Ok. Went here for New Year Eve because of a friend. I did like the music here and the place was nice for the space. I guess what I didn't like was some of the crowd. Drinks were awesome though as…

it is impossible to have a bad time here, unless you are lame. strong drinks, great music, great staff.