Chris Greene is one of Chicago’s A-list sax players, and his band, Chris Greene Quartet, just put out their first album in 7 years, “Conversance.” It’s also the first-ever jazz release for long-running local indie label Pravda Records, and it’s…

Days before their career-best new release “Content” comes out, Kevin, Alyssa and Ken of Guardrail join me for a fantastic dinner interview at Southeast Evanston’s go-to Mexican restaurant, La Principal (700 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202, Laprincipalevanston.com). Joining us for…

Frank Orrall of Poi Dog Pondering joins me for a chat at award-winning distillery, FEW Spirits (918 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL). Poi Dog started 2023 off with their tenth full-length album, “Keep On Loving Each Other.” The messages within are…

Nora O’Connor returns with “My Heart” (Pravda), her first solo album in close to 20 years. That’s not to say she hasn’t been busy, of course. We talk about her work with everyone from Decemberists and New Pornographers to Robbie…

I’m conducting an experiment: Is it possible to walk into a record store with $10 and walk out happy? I explained the concept here. After leaving Squeezebox in Evanston, I headed north for a mile and a half to visit…

Record collecting isn’t a cheap habit to feed. I’m well aware that I’ve spent a fair amount of money on vinyl over the past few years. That ongoing expense got me thinking: is it possible to walk into a record…

Evanston was a hotbed for the temperance movement and remained a dry town for many decades. These days, it’s home to one of our favorite distilleries, the very-local and very-excellent FEW Spirits. We went onsite to the distillery for a…