Concert Preview

Native Chicago band Kill Hannah will be headlining Double Door's 15th Anniversary party tonight. Excitement has been building up all week because I had heard talk of this band since my arrival in Chicago in August. By the time I had caught up to the hearsay and chatter, the band was already on a fully fledged European tour (with Powerspace's Tom Schleiter subbing in for Jon Radtke). Since learning of this show from the Powerspace website, I decided to really dig deep and decipher some of the mystique behind this band. Every band has its fans, but what I found behind Kill Hannah was an entire community that not only loves the music but supports each other in that love. Thanks to the blog of lead singer Mat Devine, I've been able to learn a lot of what has gone into their most recent record as well as how this band survives in their daily lives. I'm anxious to see how that will transfer onstage this evening.
From the recordings I've been exposed to so far, the standouts have been Lips Like Morphine (powerfully sexy, intense and haunting tune), Kennedy, and Wrap Myself Around You (for me, this tune showcases the unspoken emotions behind spoken physical desires). It will be interesting to see how their recorded intensity and almost industrial sound will transfer live. Hopefully it'll be a nice blend between this great acoustic version and the stellar headphone mix of the EP.


Not to leave out opening act Powerspace, whom I mentioned in just last week. I am excited to see the sorts of energy they'll exude after being cooped up inside a studio for the past few weeks.

Expect a full write-up of the experience in the next couple of days. Until then, I'll be residing in the fear that a blonde girl who wears pink and purple will be shunned at a show like this!

Why Is My Mind Consumed By Powerspace?

Shortly after moving to Chicago in August 2008, I was treated to a concert at the Metro. The headlining band was Cute Is What We Aim For (of whom I had never heard), and the opening acts were Danger Radio, Ace Enders and Powerspace. I had actually never heard of any of these bands, so had no idea of the excitement that would ensue in the hours to come. While I'm not reviewing that show, I will mention that I have almost but forgotten the headliners, and have fallen for the talents behind Ace Enders and Danger Radio, and the mystique that is Powerspace.

Signed by Fueled By Ramen, almost entirely from Illinois (minus drummer Kevin Kane, who hails from Ohio), and almost too smart for their own good, Powerspace has weaseled their way into my mind. I did not want to like this band. During their performance in August, I was impressed by their passion and drive toward a strong performance (though the lead vocals were pitchy at times). All of the members bring an identifiably raw energy to the stage as an extreme compliment to tremendous instrumental talents. Just watch guitarist Tom Schleiter shred this solo. I mean...fuck. Not only is this guy a smart musician but there is talent on the other side of the board as well, as all of their demos were produced by him.



Also, I never noticed a drummer walk onto the stage, but my jaw dropped the moment the first beat fell. Kevin Kane commands the drums with such ease that one would be hard pressed to believe he sleeps behind that throne.


Perhaps I didn't want to like Powerspace simply because I was jealous. I've listened closely to many of their songs from The Kicks of Passion, trying to scrutinize elements of songwriting and production - but have fallen trap to admiration instead. I must admit that I am now anxiously awaiting a leak or even some sort of tease from their second studio album on which they are hard at work with Jonny K.

Maybe the Chicago music scene has created a fan girl out of me. Maybe a new interest in songwriting has led me to follow what those in my age group have already achieved.
Maybe I should just shut up and enjoy my new love of power pop.

Maybe I'll find myself at their show at Double Door on May 29.

Just A Guitar

Since our world of popular music has turned to "techtronica" and auto-tune, I find myself as an artist getting mentally stuck in the jumble. Call it writers' block, call it fear, call it what you will - but I am confused and have turned to other songwriters for inspiration.

So thank you, Ace Enders for your musical honesty and integrity. I've had the pleasure of seeing this musician play twice (the following video from August at the Metro included), and each time I've been somewhat haunted by what he brings to the stage. His lyrics appear to rise right out of his soul, cutting the air with such poignance and emotional sincerity that I found it quite difficult to resist being mesmerized and wanting to know more.

So instead of getting caught up with Reason and Logic and headphone tricks, I took a moment to get back to basics and enjoyed the raw, intense and simple ride that a person with a guitar can take us on.