Everything

Chicago’s Local Blues Talent: Chris Henderson

Posted on by halley in Everything | 1 Comment

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Our Canadian readers may not have much sympathy for me when I say: Chicago is cold. As a newbie to the city, I was told to expect frigid temperature, and I THOUGHT I was prepared (how bad could it be?!) – but lo and behold Mother Nature, as always, awes and inspires with her power. There have been days when (don’t tell anyone) I haven’t even ventured out of my building for fear of freezing over. The winter is real.

The good news is this dark, cold sadness has translated into a newfound music interest that thrives in the Windy City: The Blues. I’ve perused the classics, looked into contemporary artists, and – so so so happily – found a hometown gem I’m so excited to share with you.

Thirty-year old Chicagoan Chris Henderson was born and raised on the city’s west side and first found his voice at the tender age of three. Brought up by his parents and grandparents and surrounded with the influences of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Bobby Blue Bland, Aretha Franklin and Al Green, Chris quickly knew the blues were his calling. To help in his musical education, his cousin Minnie Davis, coming from the Blues hotbed of Mississippi, taught him how to sing Gospel whenever the two were united by family functions.

“She always gave me chills… and encouraged me to sing and use my talent. (She and) my mother (were always) my number one fans,” Chris remembers fondly. Chris’ family supported him since day one, making the day of his big break in 2003 at the Wallace Catfish corner on Chicago West Side a day of celebration among his relatives. Since then, Chris has been performing at various local venues. His joy and excitement at using his gift in front of an audience is palpable – the positive energy between him and his listeners is breathtaking in a really unique way that adds to the resonance of his song.

As if that’s not enough to win the most critical music listener’s heart, Chris has no formal training or education, but still writes and arranges all his own songs. After thirteen years of hard work, he recorded a Blues EP filled with blues and soul and “much love all of my experience.” Chris’ goal is not only to do the Blues justice today, but to carry it into the future. “I’ve always wanted to be the face to keep the blues alive (and inspire) a younger generation (to) appreciate their rich history.”

Chris is on the up and up and on the go – the man never stops moving (he’s also a local actor!) so look out for him and give him a listen!

How to close this post? No better way than to quote the great Chris Henderson himself: “Love, peace and the Blues.”

SXSW Song of the Day: Saint Sister, Causing Trouble

Posted on by Gary in Everything, Song of the Day, South By Southwest | Leave a comment

Adding the adjective Celtic to any modern music automagically evokes that most popular of icons in the “New Age” of 1990, harmonizing on an island clifftop as “Orinoco Flow” plays over the airwaves, whilst I was living on an island without those same airwaves. Sad, regarding that second bit.

New Age is unfortunately a bastardized term that could taint many music genres performed by Irish women for which philistines lack the attention span to digest. Thankfully, Dublin-based Saint Sister is unlikely to be boring even to those readers of a bourgeois disposition, which of course we have none, so my bad. Having released their first EP, Madrid, just two years ago, the sisters Morgan MacIntyre and Gemma Doherty were promptly named one of the Best Irish Acts of 2017 by the Irish Times. This is high praise that has been sustained by appearances in festivals like Reeperbahn and Glastonbury, as well as major broadcasting centers like ABC and BBC1. Very exciting stuff, indeed.

“Causing Trouble” is the first track off their next album. Their songs are characterized by clear, crisp, yet delicate vocals with a distinctly Celtic and Nordic melody. The lack of a purposeful harmony is refreshing, as it steals a peek almost naturally, yet when you least expect it. I’m determined NOT to read the lyrics here, however, because “Causing Trouble” is the last thing on my mind when I hear this. Paired with a backdrop of simple electronics, it is just an atmospheric and cleansing soundscape that recalls a rejuvenation spell in Skyrim (perhaps I’ve completely destroying the imagery at this point). I also recommend “Blood Moon” from the first EP, which is a bit more sparse but also more emotional. Looking forward to seeing them live, as well as taking a stroll on a beach with this buoying my state of mind.

Song of the Day: Lucy Dacus – Night Shift

Posted on by Gary in Everything, Song of the Day | Leave a comment

It’s hard to recommend break-up songs. Search one’s Best-Of lists over the years, and I would argue that it’s a specific and endangered species of accolade like the albatross. In this age of hyper-connectivity and over-social carnage, spending the time to compose and write a song is more of a redundant anachronistic mechanism, like the mix-tapes from the 1980s. Where is the catharsis if you invest it into a creative work, only to prolong the hurt like an albatross around your neck every time you play it? One is supposed to vent the anger and disappointment immediately, and move on to better and brighter things one can Instagram. Plus, wouldn’t you question the recommender’s frame of mind? Who would heartily and vicariously share pain?

We covered Lucy Dacus’ excellent debut at SXSW two years ago. This new single is broken up into two parts (no pun intended). Thanks in no small part to Dacus’ evenly narrative voice, as on the first album, we are able to follow the story in the lead portion. But if you lack patience, skip to 3:25 for the beautifully written refrain: a feat all by itself that fits any shoe. It feels ever so slightly wrong to be excited in the anticipation of being depressed, but I’m sure you’ll get over that feeling very quickly, too. This is now my favorite night-shift song next to The Commodores. No, they don’t mix well.

Dacus’ new album, Historian, is coming out on March 2nd.

Hot Docs Review: Mountain [2018, Jennifer Peedom]

Posted on by Ricky in Everything | Leave a comment

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Mountain is basically the subreddit Earthporn but in film form. For 80 minutes or so, you witness mountains in glorious HD film and the film shows ranges from all around the world, from Anarctica to Scotland. Featuring a very dramatic score and narrated in poetic prose by Willem Dafoe, we admire the mountains from afar and very personally, as the film also captures our relationship with mountains and the dangers that are associated with it.

You don’t learn a whole lot about mountains, but it’s quite a glorious film from an aesthetic point of view.

It’s playing this weekend at Hot Docs. Click here for more information

Trailer