Incoming

Playin’ real good for free. Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will perform the music of David Crosby tomorrow night at the Golden Dagger venue on Chicago’s north side, and there’s no charge for those who RSVP in advance. Admission is $10 at the door; doors open at 7:30 pm. This gig is sure to be special for Angotti, considering his admiration for The Byrds and the recent news of Crosby’s passing. Golden Dagger is located at 2447 N. Halsted.

Tall Poppy Syndrome has started work on four tracks; each of which is destined to be a single release. Expect the first single (which was composed by Vince Melouney and Barry Gibb) to arrive this spring. The band is relatively new, and includes Vince Melouney from The Bee Gees, Jonathan Lea from The Jigsaw Seen, and Clem Burke from Blondie.

The Michael Cohen Trio will be performing from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm for customers enjoying the Jazz Brunch at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights this Sunday, January 29. Cohen has extensive experience with power pop and rockabilly bands, but for this type of gig, he taps into his expertise in playing vintage love songs.

You may not have heard of the Bluedot Festival, but it’s possible inhabitants of other planets are familiar with it. Billed as an “Intergalactic festival of music, science, art, technology and the exploration of space” as well as “a unique carnival,” it’s set to take place July 20 – 23 at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, U.K. Pavement and Grace Jones are among the headline acts, and the featured events include 60 Years Of Doctor Who: A Celebration and An Afternoon Of White Rabbit Books Featuring Miki Berenyi In Conversation. Berenyi, the vocalist-guitarist for Lush, recently released a memoir titled Fingers Crossed - How Music Saved Me From Success. 

The 5th Annual International Puppet Theater Festival continues its run at assorted venues throughout the Chicago area through January 29.

Congratulations to WXRT on its full day of celebrating the life on Lin Brehmer the best way possible—through commentary from his friends and peers, recordings of him spinning his best anecdotes, and lots of his favorite rock songs. We lost the beloved DJ this past Sunday morning, and the station was able to put together an amazing tribute only a day later. See yesterday’s post for my own reflections on the man who rightfully claimed to be our best friend in the whole world.