Incoming

Peter Checksfield, a UK-based music historian/author whose previous efforts have covered The Rolling Stones and Jerry Lee Lewis, released a new book today titled The Hollies - Elevated Observations: The Graham Nash Years 1963 – 1968. His Facebook post states the book explores “all the singles, albums, outtakes, live recordings, BBC radio, TV shows, cover versions, and much, much more!” It’s available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and kindle versions. I’ve already ordered the hardcover version.

The 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival opens at the Landmark Century Centre Cinemas (2828 N. Clark Street) this Thursday and will run through April 14. The festival will offer 51 features and 30 shorts from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.

The Cincinnati, OH publisher Ruffian Books has released a new one titled 500 Essential Pop-Punk Albums - From Blondie To blink-182, offering more than 550 pages of famous and lesser known artists. It’s available for $29.95.

The Michael Steven Cohen 100th Show Celebration takes place at Montrose Saloon this Sunday at 6:00 pm. As part of the festivities, Cohen will unveil a new version of The Everly Hillbillies with Fred Morg. Montrose Saloon honcho/musician Eric Chial will be a special guest. Note: Cohen means 100 shows at Montrose Saloon. Who knows how many thousands of shows he’s done if we count all the venues he’s performed at over the years in various bands?

The Miki Berenyi Trio, led by Lush founding member Miki Berenyi, has its first album Tripla coming out in digital and vinyl formats this Friday. Later this year, the band will kick off a North America Tour that includes an October 17 date at Lincoln Hall in Chicago.

There will a Muddy Waters Birthday Celebration! featuring performances by John Primer and The Real Deal Blues Band this Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at The Walnut Room At Macy’s on State Street in Chicago. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so check to see if it’s still possible to attend.

Alejandro Escovedo has shows coming up this Friday and Saturday at City Winery Chicago. In addition to his roots rock solo career, Escovedo found success as a member of Rank And File and True Believers. The venue is located at 1200 W. Randolph Street in the West Loop area.

Veteran folk/country/rock singer-songwriter Kent Rosenwald will perform covers and originals at an 11:00 am solo show this Saturday at City News Cafe. The venue is located at 4018 N. Cicero Avenue in Chicago.

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, continues its Thursday night residency at Montrose Saloon this Thursday. Vinyl copies of McLuhan’s ground-breaking and recently re-released album Anomaly will be available for sale at these shows.

Singer-songwriter Steve Dawson has garnered praise for his work with the Dolly Varden indie rock/Americana band, as well as for his solo albums. Members of Dolly Varden—Diane Christiansen, Mike Bradburn, Matt Thobe, Alton Smith—will join Dawson onstage for his Annual Birthday Bash at Simon’s on Chicago’s north side this Sunday.

Pravda recording artist Nathan Graham is known for mixing classic blues with Americana music, and he’ll likely showcase songs from his Saint Of Second Chances album during his gig this Friday at the Thornton Distilling Co in Thornton, IL. Falling Stars, who gave us catchy indie rock songs on their recent Garden Variety EP, will be the opening act.

Lovely Stuff, the first new studio album from the Chicago-based indie rock band Smoking Popes in seven years, comes out this Friday.