Category: Music

Frida Hyvönen Q&A

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Punk Planet’s March-April 2007 issue. Frida Hyvönen didn’t hear many records when she was growing up in Robertsfors, a town of 3,000 people in the north of Sweden. Hyvönen, who was born in 1977, did hear her parents performing their own renditions of songs by Bob Dylan… Continue reading Frida Hyvönen Q&A

My Brightest Diamond Q&A

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Punk Planet’s January-February 2007 issue. See Underground Bee for a longer version of this Q&A. A year ago, Shara Worden’s biggest claim to fame was singing and playing in Sufjan Stevens’ band—duties that included dressing up as a cheerleader for the Illinoise tour. Worden, a classically trained… Continue reading My Brightest Diamond Q&A

Buddy Guy Q&A

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in The Daily Southtown on December 24, 2006. For years, Chicago blues fans could count on one thing happening every January — Buddy Guy would play a marathon series of concerts at his Chicago nightclub. But when Guy, an Orland Park resident, performs 18 shows next month at… Continue reading Buddy Guy Q&A

Tom Waits: 2006 concert review

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in The Daily Southtown on August 21, 2006. As Tom Waits and his musicians approached the Auditorium Theatre’s stage Wednesday night, their shadows loomed high on the curtains, like specters in a haunted house. Even in the flesh and blood, Waits seemed supernatural. Twitchily gesturing with his outstretched fingers,… Continue reading Tom Waits: 2006 concert review

Record review: Neko Case, ‘Fox Confessor Brings the Flood’

This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on March 9, 2006. Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings the Flood **** This siren tops her previous records — as excellent as they were — with a haunting suite of gothic folk songs. The calmly macabre cover art sets the mood: A girl and some… Continue reading Record review: Neko Case, ‘Fox Confessor Brings the Flood’

Record review: Tom Waits, ‘Real Gone’

This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Playlist magazine’s winter 2005 issue. Tom Waits Real Gone To get into the mood for this music, picture how it got started. The famously—need we say it?—gravel-voiced Tom Waits spends hours in his bathroom, making “mouth rhythms,” sounds like “Boom-chikka-ah!” Then his band records the resulting songs,… Continue reading Record review: Tom Waits, ‘Real Gone’

Record review: Liz Phair, ‘Somebody’s Miracle’

This review by Robert Loerzel originally appeared in Pioneer Press on September 29, 2005. Liz Phair Somebody’s Miracle **½ We want our old Liz back. You know, that Liz Phair from Winnetka who shook up rock critics with her 1993 debut “Exile in Guyville.” It was frank, compelling and idiosyncratic. We’re not sure who this… Continue reading Record review: Liz Phair, ‘Somebody’s Miracle’