Smile Politely

The Overture: August 29 – September 5

WHAT: Shadows on a River, We Are the Willows

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s

WHEN: Wednesday, August 31st at 8:00 p.m.

We Are the Willows is probably the most instantly-captivating artist I’ve seen this year. Pete Miller’s fractured takes on folk and twee are both sonically captivating and lyrically watertight, and he has a voice to die for. Meanwhile, Shadows on a River features some folk with local connections, namely Undertow Management’s Adam Klavohn. We’re expecting this to be a good one, especially if it’s outdoors.

WHAT: Chicago Farmer, Hot Iron String Band, CoCo Butter Kids

WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Thursday, September 1st at 9:00 p.m.

Chicago Farmer seem to get lumped in with the jam-band scene a lot of the time, which is pretty incorrect given that they’re actually a wonderfully spacy folk group. If the good weather holds out, we’ll have a perfect environmental match for the music. 

WHAT: Daytrotter Barnstormer V Tour with White Rabbits, Princeton, Psychic Twin, Hacienda, Hundred Visions

WHERE: Kalyx Center [Monticello] ($20 advance)

WHEN: Friday, September 2nd at 8:00 p.m.

If you’re drinking beer in a barn, you’re probably having a good time. If you’re drinking beer in a barn and listening to White Rabbits and Psychic Twin, you’re probably having a really good time. The Kalyx Center is a stunning venue and Barnstorm is always a blast, so go to this and have yourself the latter.

WHAT: Star Prairie Jam Band

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s

WHEN: Sunday, September 4th at 8:00 p.m.

I have very little idea of who or what this group is, but it seems to be a random collective of whoever shows up to a show with an instrument, which is a pretty fucking cool idea.

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