On his band’s MySpace page, Judson Claiborne—a.k.a. Chris Salveter, also of Chicago indie-rock act Low Skies—explains his new moniker as a name once given to him by his father, that it represents “rebirth into a greater consciousness” on a personal level. While only Claiborne himself can accurately explain the symbolism of his new stage name, his musical demeanor has unquestionably transformed from the slow-jam depressing-rock of Low Skies to the dreamy folk of Judson Claiborne. On his latest record, “Before Midnight Scholar,” Claiborne weaves autobiographical storytelling like the best of them: “Bloody Holiday In The Sun” recalls the truly mind-boggling story of his great-grandmother, shot in the head by her third husband, but refusing to die—she lived another seven decades with the bullet lodged around her brain. Meanwhile, Claiborne’s bandmates supply the mood, a tranquil, slow-moving yet precise accompaniment that sounds a helluva lot like Andrew Bird—so if Claiborne starts whistling and using words like “plecostomus,” watch out. (Andy Seifert)
March 5 at Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, (773)227-4433, at 9pm. $8.
For “Want” of a Change: A Preview of Rufus Wainwright at Ravinia Park Rufus Wainwright isn’t the first singer-songwriter to reinterpret earlier work through an orchestral lens. And much of Wainwright’s third and fourth albums, “Want One” and “Want Two”—whose twentieth anniversaries are the prompt for this new tour—is fully scored. But when Wainwright hits the Pavilion stage at Ravinia tonight, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be behind him.
Brutal Finesse: A Preview of King Crimson at Ravinia There have been few new compositions from King Crimson these past two decades, but the live arrangements of songs from its catalog are often strikingly different than the recorded versions.
Cooling It: A Preview of Colleen Green at Cole’s Bar When Green strums power chords or chiming notes on top of her backing track, you might think you’re at Ramones karaoke night and Madonna is taking her turn.
Can’t-Miss Music Events (Fall Arts Preview 2023) This fall we get new albums and tours from iconic acts like Wilco and Kurt Elling, plus a Corrine Bailey Rae project inspired by Theaster Gates' Stony Island Arts Bank.
