Jordan Mainzer/Since I Left You
@jmainzer.bsky.social
Nicholas Tremulis has brought together another batch of like-minded musicians for the Hua Momona Foundation fundraisers in Chicagoland today through Saturday. Spoke with him about his involvement. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7994864...
Nicholas Tremulis, Helping The Mainland Feed the Island
Bernard Fowler and Nicholas Tremulis at the 2025 Maui Music & Food Experience; Photo by Sean Hower
BY JORDAN MAINZER
Chicago tech executive Gary Grube founded the Hua Momona Foundation to feed Maui....
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Nicholas Tremulis has brought together another batch of like-minded musicians for the Hua Momona Foundation fundraisers in Chicagoland today through Saturday. Spoke with him about his involvement. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7994864...
In David Byrne’s world, songs that in lesser hands might appear absurd throwaways are key for us to comprehend his ethos. Words on Saturday night's Who Is The Sky? (@matadorrecords.bsky.social) show in Chicago sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7993836...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In David Byrne’s world, songs that in lesser hands might appear absurd throwaways are key for us to comprehend his ethos. Words on Saturday night's Who Is The Sky? (@matadorrecords.bsky.social) show in Chicago sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7993836...
"I was obsessed with music when I was a kid, and I still am, obviously. I hope that all that [we] can do...is create a space for people to disappear into and feel great for at least 45 minutes." Check out my interview w/ Jace Lasek from The Besnard Lakes! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7988360...
The Besnard Lakes Interview: The Besnard Lakes Are No Longer The Greatest Besnard Lakes Cover Band Of All Time
The Besnard Lakes
BY JORDAN MAINZER
The titles of most albums by indie rockers The Besnard Lakes follow the format The Besnard Lakes Are _____. Really, then, the truly consistent thing about their.....
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"I was obsessed with music when I was a kid, and I still am, obviously. I hope that all that [we] can do...is create a space for people to disappear into and feel great for at least 45 minutes." Check out my interview w/ Jace Lasek from The Besnard Lakes! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7988360...
List of Demands (@intlanthem.bsky.social) came out in January, but now is as good as a time as ever to dive into Damon Locks' masterpiece of poetry, samples, and virtuosic instrumentation. My review: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7982920...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
List of Demands (@intlanthem.bsky.social) came out in January, but now is as good as a time as ever to dive into Damon Locks' masterpiece of poetry, samples, and virtuosic instrumentation. My review: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7982920...
"The last couple weeks playing gigs and being in a room with people, everybody feels focused in a way where they want...[to] embrace an experience that feels positive and human." Chicago area, go see Amy Rigby tonight in Berwyn! My interview with her: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7976638...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
"The last couple weeks playing gigs and being in a room with people, everybody feels focused in a way where they want...[to] embrace an experience that feels positive and human." Chicago area, go see Amy Rigby tonight in Berwyn! My interview with her: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7976638...
Chicago! Go catch @natesmithdrums.bsky.social tonight at Promontory in Hyde Park and tomorrow at @evanstonspace.bsky.social. I spoke with him about his new album LIVE-ACTION, a collaboration born from online pandemic-era relationships sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7975691...
Nate Smith Interview: Likes and Flame Emojis
Nate Smith
BY JORDAN MAINZER
Remember the novelty of the early days of the pandemic? Virtual hangouts with folks from all over the country or even the world, live-streamed makeshift concerts from...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Chicago! Go catch @natesmithdrums.bsky.social tonight at Promontory in Hyde Park and tomorrow at @evanstonspace.bsky.social. I spoke with him about his new album LIVE-ACTION, a collaboration born from online pandemic-era relationships sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7975691...
The Sophtware Slump and Greg Freeman's new Burnover (@transgressive.bsky.social & @canvasbackmusic.bsky.social) came out 25 years apart but share more than just their lead singer's style. My review of their show at Thalia Hall last week: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7975632...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The Sophtware Slump and Greg Freeman's new Burnover (@transgressive.bsky.social & @canvasbackmusic.bsky.social) came out 25 years apart but share more than just their lead singer's style. My review of their show at Thalia Hall last week: sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7975632...
There are more of us than there are of them. @riotfest.bsky.social Sunday coverage, ft. @smokingpopesmusic.bsky.social @lambrinigirls.bsky.social @idlesband.bsky.social sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7973860...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
There are more of us than there are of them. @riotfest.bsky.social Sunday coverage, ft. @smokingpopesmusic.bsky.social @lambrinigirls.bsky.social @idlesband.bsky.social sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7973860...
Thinking back to a Saturday in September at Douglass Park. @riotfest.bsky.social coverage including @thecribs.bsky.social @superchunk.bsky.social @dropkickmurphys.com @officialjackwhite.bsky.social @weezer.bsky.social sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7969299...
Riot Fest Saturday 2025: Festival Veterans
Weezer
BY JORDAN MAINZER
Continuing on my day-by-day breakdown of this year's Riot Fest, Saturday featured lots of bands playing Douglass Park for the umpteenth time--but that doesn't mean they...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Thinking back to a Saturday in September at Douglass Park. @riotfest.bsky.social coverage including @thecribs.bsky.social @superchunk.bsky.social @dropkickmurphys.com @officialjackwhite.bsky.social @weezer.bsky.social sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7969299...
Posting about my @riotfest.bsky.social Friday coverage weeks late in this small corner of the internet. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7967507...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Posting about my @riotfest.bsky.social Friday coverage weeks late in this small corner of the internet. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7967507...
Sound & Gravity was as advertised: a mini-Big Ears. Words on and photos of Sam Prekop, James Elkington/Nathan Salsburg, Bill Callahan, Helen Money, Fred Moten/Brandon Lopez, and Finom. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7950428...
Sound & Gravity 2025: 9/10 - 9/14
Bill Callahan
BY JORDAN MAINZER
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times about the inaugural Sound & Gravity festival, founder Mike Reed said, "There’s no advertising, and there’s no bit of press....
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Sound & Gravity was as advertised: a mini-Big Ears. Words on and photos of Sam Prekop, James Elkington/Nathan Salsburg, Bill Callahan, Helen Money, Fred Moten/Brandon Lopez, and Finom. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7950428...
"I like when things are layered and ambiguous, when you’re not quite sure what you’re hearing or where one sound ends and another begins." Maria Somerville talks Luster (@4ad.com) in advance of her Sound & Gravity set tonight at Judson & Moore! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7944988...
Maria Somerville Interview: Where One Sound Ends and Another Begins
Maria Somerville
BY JORDAN MAINZER
So far at Sound & Gravity, many of the sets I've seen have intertwined with their atmosphere: the echo of synth bass against exposed brick, the sounds of the...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"I like when things are layered and ambiguous, when you’re not quite sure what you’re hearing or where one sound ends and another begins." Maria Somerville talks Luster (@4ad.com) in advance of her Sound & Gravity set tonight at Judson & Moore! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7944988...
2025 has seen Mdou Moctar go acoustic and William Tyler and Steve Gunn go ambient. I can't wait to see all 3 of them at Sound & Gravity tonight and tomorrow. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7943110...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
2025 has seen Mdou Moctar go acoustic and William Tyler and Steve Gunn go ambient. I can't wait to see all 3 of them at Sound & Gravity tonight and tomorrow. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7943110...
Happy Sound & Gravity week, Chicago! I especially can't wait to see so many @intlanthem.bsky.social artists, such as Chicago Underground Duo, who celebrate their first album in 11 years on Friday at the Beat Kitchen. Read my interview with Rob Mazurek! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7941275...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Happy Sound & Gravity week, Chicago! I especially can't wait to see so many @intlanthem.bsky.social artists, such as Chicago Underground Duo, who celebrate their first album in 11 years on Friday at the Beat Kitchen. Read my interview with Rob Mazurek! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7941275...
Raspberry Moon is the second Hotline TNT album released via @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social, and their first written with a full band. Wrote about the record and the band's upcoming 24-hour livestream/telethon after they removed their music from Spotify. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7935842...
Hotline TNT's 24-hour Livestream
Photo by Charlie Boss
BY JORDAN MAINZER
The second Third Man release from NYC-based rockers Hotline TNT combines frontman Will Anderson's deeply felt pop sensibilities and riff reverence with the...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Raspberry Moon is the second Hotline TNT album released via @thirdmanrecords.bsky.social, and their first written with a full band. Wrote about the record and the band's upcoming 24-hour livestream/telethon after they removed their music from Spotify. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7935842...
"I’ve become a member of this local Brooklyn community of struggling musicians who are struggling to keep going in the face of this very strange music industry where all music is free with a little monthly subscription." sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7925835...
Anand Wilder Interview: Songs for Bike Ramp Videos
Anand Wilder; Photo by Madeline Jennings
BY JORDAN MAINZER
When I spoke to Anand Wilder over the phone last month, he was in the middle of pulling grueling, stressful 12-hour days working on two...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"I’ve become a member of this local Brooklyn community of struggling musicians who are struggling to keep going in the face of this very strange music industry where all music is free with a little monthly subscription." sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7925835...
"In the hands of @jamesmcmurtry.bsky.social and @bettysoo.bsky.social, the utilitarian, inanimate objects are symbols of survival and thriving." sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7924141...
James McMurtry & BettySoo Live Show Review: 8/15, FitzGerald's, Berwyn
James McMurtry
BY JORDAN MAINZER
Prior to the final song in his main set Friday night outside at FitzGerald's, singer-songwriter James McMurtry took a moment to acknowledge the unique nature of the....
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"In the hands of @jamesmcmurtry.bsky.social and @bettysoo.bsky.social, the utilitarian, inanimate objects are symbols of survival and thriving." sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7924141...
Terrific singer-songwriter showcase tomorrow night at FitzGerald's in Berwyn: @jamesmcmurtry.bsky.social and @bettysoo.bsky.social! Wrote about both of their new records in advance sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7918542...
James McMurtry & BettySoo Live Preview: 8/15, FitzGerald's, Berwyn
James McMurtry; Photo by Mary Keating-Bruton
BY JORDAN MAINZER
On his latest album The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy (New West), James McMurtry's got his head in the past. As a writer, he often...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Terrific singer-songwriter showcase tomorrow night at FitzGerald's in Berwyn: @jamesmcmurtry.bsky.social and @bettysoo.bsky.social! Wrote about both of their new records in advance sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7918542...
A jam band unafraid of the darkness, and a duo occupying the most experimental, formless, epic end of the "jam" spectrum: Review of @rosecityband.bsky.social and @jenpowers.bsky.social @matthewjrolin.bsky.social duo at @evanstonspace.bsky.social. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7905104...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A jam band unafraid of the darkness, and a duo occupying the most experimental, formless, epic end of the "jam" spectrum: Review of @rosecityband.bsky.social and @jenpowers.bsky.social @matthewjrolin.bsky.social duo at @evanstonspace.bsky.social. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7905104...
A mixed emotions, contrast-heavy record about being stuck in the middle: Treasure Pool, the new one from NYC band Freezing Cold, out Friday via Don Giovanni. Spoke with lead vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Jeff Cunningham sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7903225...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A mixed emotions, contrast-heavy record about being stuck in the middle: Treasure Pool, the new one from NYC band Freezing Cold, out Friday via Don Giovanni. Spoke with lead vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Jeff Cunningham sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7903225...
"It’s funny that this very short-lived micro genre of freak folk has been applied to [Michael] Hurley, because he’s so much bigger than that. He was a super sophisticated musician." Spoke with Jolie Holland about her and Max Knouse's new covers EP. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7900513...
Jolie Holland on Michael Hurley: If Bob Dylan Never Got Famous
Max Knouse & Jolie Holland at Jefferson Public Radio; Photo courtesy of JPR/Danielle Kelly
BY JORDAN MAINZER
On April 3, still dazed by Big Ears Festival, I found out that one of its performing...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"It’s funny that this very short-lived micro genre of freak folk has been applied to [Michael] Hurley, because he’s so much bigger than that. He was a super sophisticated musician." Spoke with Jolie Holland about her and Max Knouse's new covers EP. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7900513...
Trekked to Lincoln Square this past weekend (ok, I actually live kind of close) for Square Roots, wrote some words on and took photos of @alejandro-escovedo.bsky.social @tedleo.bsky.social Heartless Bastards and Verböten. The revolution is in your mind! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7893254...
Square Roots 2025: 7/11 & 7/13
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
BY JORDAN MAINZER
This past weekend, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer audio volume of the sets at Square Roots. Sure, Lincoln Square's preeminent street festival...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Trekked to Lincoln Square this past weekend (ok, I actually live kind of close) for Square Roots, wrote some words on and took photos of @alejandro-escovedo.bsky.social @tedleo.bsky.social Heartless Bastards and Verböten. The revolution is in your mind! sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7893254...
I've been writing about music for 13 years, and this is my first time ever premiering a song. Hard to believe! Anyway, if you missed Jamie Lidell, he's back, and reinvented sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7892326...
Jamie Lidell Song Premiere: "Capture the Moon"
Jamie Lidell
BY JORDAN MAINZER
As recently as a decade ago, no avid listener would have predicted Jamie Lidell's pivot into neoclassical music. After all, even his seemingly disparate eras, the...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I've been writing about music for 13 years, and this is my first time ever premiering a song. Hard to believe! Anyway, if you missed Jamie Lidell, he's back, and reinvented sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7892326...
Tonight at @saltshedchicago.bsky.social, Primus and Ty Segall grace the stage! Wrote about the inspired pairing, the new Primus era/song, and Ty's new album Possession. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7887796...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Tonight at @saltshedchicago.bsky.social, Primus and Ty Segall grace the stage! Wrote about the inspired pairing, the new Primus era/song, and Ty's new album Possession. sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7887796...
DECK is "limitless, everything independent music can sound like." SILY contributor Keith Miller on the new one from Hallelujah the Hills (@ryanhwalsh.bsky.social) sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7880497...
sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com
July 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
DECK is "limitless, everything independent music can sound like." SILY contributor Keith Miller on the new one from Hallelujah the Hills (@ryanhwalsh.bsky.social) sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/7880497...