Music

In this installment, Chris chats with singer-songwriter Emily Otnes about how her style has changed and what new music she has to share.

A bunch of shows worth checking out lined up again all over Champaign-Urbana this week.

Brendan catches up with the C-U expatriots of Comfort Food prior to their show at Mike 'N Molly's tonight.

Here's a recap of what we took away from the biggest and craziest day of Pygmalion Music Festival 2013.

Day two of Pygmalion came in with a clatter and went out with a nostalgic buzz.

This installment of B-Sides features a few albums with very different sounds for last month's local album releases.

We're still recovering from Pygmalion, but live music continues in C-U again this week.

Our coverage of Pygmalion 2013 begins with a recap of some shows we caught last Thursday evening.

Trevor Powers & co. are riding their wave of successful releases straight into Champaign for Pygmalion Music Festival, performing on Saturday night.

The internationally acclaimed project from Diplo & Co. invades Downtown Champaign on Saturday night, and Sarah discusses why Major Lazer simply larger than life.

Katie chats with Fred Thomas of Saturday Looks Good To Me prior to their show at Mike 'N Molly's this weekend for Pygmalion Music Festival.

Doug Enas of Stagnant Pools talks ambiance and DIY releases with Brendan ahead of the band's performance at Mike 'n' Molly's on Saturday.

Like a Phoenix, ON AN ON rose from the ashes of a former band to greater acclaim. Andrea sits down with front man Nate Eiesland to talk about the tour and their Pygmalion performance.

Tom discusses Johnathan Rice prior to his performance with Dawes and Kurt Vile in Urbana this evening for Pygmalion.

Katie chats with Erin Fein of Psychic Twin before she makes her way back to her old stomping grounds for Pygmalion on Saturday.

Ben takes a look at the Los Angeles four piece Warpaint prior to their show tonight at the Canopy Club for Pygmalion.

Tom talks with Murder By Death's Adam Turla about the progression of the band and much more prior to their show at the Canopy Club tonight for Pygmalion.

Although The Head and The Heart headlines over at Krannert Center tonight for Pygmalion, Cody dives into what to expect from Daughter and Damien Jurado as opening acts.

The Breeders broke new ground with Last Splash's release in 1993—it was a ray of bright and sunny indie pop in what had been a bleak and grungy landscape. Jon previews their set prior to their performance at Pygmalion Friday night.

Kaoru Ishibashi, better known by his stage name, Kishi Bashi, makes music that is complex and stunning. Brian chats with Ishibashi about how his music translates to a live performance ahead of his Pygmalion appearance.

You don't know how much you love San Fermin yet, but have no fear, Jon is here to break it all down for you.

Kirby dissects folk-revivalists The Head and The Heart prior to their set at Pygmalion on Thursday night.

Jeremiah talks to Pygmalion performer Jenny Hval about her fascination with sound, coffee, covers, and the importance of a good hat.

Patrick chats with Cory Chisel about his songwriting, his latest album and a world-wide tour ahead of his Pygmalion performance on Saturday.

Jon discusses Kurt Vile's greatness prior to his performance at Pygmalion Music Festival in Urbana on Friday night.

Patrick talks METZ, the high-energy punk trio from Canada, before their performance on Friday night at Pygmalion.

Pygmalion Music Festival is happening this week. Everything else is probably lower on your priority list, or at least should be.

Chris examines the music of Pygmalion Music Festival act Dawes, and what separates the band from the rest of the musical landscape, prior to their performance on Friday.

David chats with the incredible Patrick Stickles about how he lives his art, crashing in a closet in the performance space he helped found, and consciously rejecting the flashier trappings of success.

Chris talks with The Dodos' drummer Logan Kroeber about how the band created its Polyvinyl debut, Carrier, ahead of their performance at the Highdive.

Katie goes out on a limb this week to talk black metal with the duo Øde Vinter leading up to their show at Error Records on Sunday.

Katie spends some time talking to Mutts along their tour route before they hit Champaign Friday at Cowboy Monkey.

This week Chris catches up with local roots rockers Neoga Blacksmith and gets to the bottom of whether any of them is actually a blacksmith or from Neoga.

So many good shows this week, it is pretty ridiculous. The Dodos, Titus Andronicus, Allerton Music Barn Festival, and many, many others around C-U to see.

Jeff recaps the Johnny Cash Tribute show over at the Rose Bowl this past weekend.

Katie sits down and has a chat with the Giving Tree Band, performing tonight at Cowboy Monkey.

In the latest installment of Soundcheck, Chris chats with Kevin Miller, a.k.a. DJ Belly.

A bunch of live music once again this week in C-U, with another music festival lined up in the C-U Pride Festival this weekend.

A handful of Smile Politely writers and photographers took on ELLNORA: The Guitar Festival 2013. Check out our full-fledged recap of what we caught this past weekend at Krannert.

Liz discusses John Scofield's Überjam Band prior to their performance for ELLNORA tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Alt-country legend and multiple-Grammy Award winner Lucinda Williams graces ELLNORA with her presence at just the right time.

Jason Pierce. J. Spaceman. Spiritualized. What's the difference? Take a chance on tonight's show at the Great Hall in Krannert and see for yourself.

The ELLNORA headliner Buddy Guy takes the stage tonight over at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and Donald gives us a rundown of Guy and his greatness.

Dan Zanes is much more than a children’s artist, and he's paying a visit to ELLNORA in a variety of ways this weekend.

David previews Buke and Gase's performance at ELLNORA, and you should check them out after Buddy Guy wraps up, because this duo is interesting, rocking, and maybe best of all, totally free.

Jon provides a rundown of the first full night of ELLNORA, headlined by Jonny Lang.

Taylor interviewed Sheryl Bailey to get the inside scoop of her popular jazz/rock band, Hendrix Electric Ladyland Project.

Ben talks with El Ten Eleven's Kristian Dunn about their upcoming performance at ELLNORA, live shows, and the challenges that come with composing as a two-piece.