Mice Parade, Bob Mould, Saint Etienne, Stars
MICE PARADE
Mice Parade is the prolific vision of multi-instrumentalist Adam Pierce as one of his many outlets for experimentalism. Although Pierce has indeed collaborated with a handful of various artists with similar ideals, the broader dream is carried on this New Yorker’s shoulders — and it’s been there for six albums. The most recent Bubble Core release, Bem-Vinda Vontade, is a very different Mice Parade. With earlier records enticing the ghosts of post-rock through a lavishly embellished jazz/rock groove, Pierce attempts to focus some of that experimental edge with more of a song-based record. The re-introduction of Mum’s Kristin Anna Valtysdóttir was a great way of anchoring Pierce’s thoroughly ambitious mind — and he does so without losing any of his pretty melodies, endless live instrumentation or Eastern charm. Pierce also manages to add his own vocals alongside the delicate hush of Valtysdóttir, taking his sound to a whole new level of experimental adequacy. (Appearing with Del Rey at Empty Bottle on Feb. 13) –text: Cliff Berru
BOB MOULD
The former frontman for Husker Du and Sugar returned in 2005 with his best solo album to date. The tour behind Body Of Soul also found Mould leading a band again for the first time in 10 years. After a fantastic two nights at Metro last October, Mould returns to Chicago for a pair of acoustic performances at the Old Town School of Folk Music. This is a treat beyond treats for any fan. And for anyone that may have missed Mould’s Metro shows, don’t feel disappointed that he’s only packing an acoustic this time around — it’s always been the best measure for an artist to take his or her songs back to their simplest forms. Savor the moment witnessing one of the great songwriters of the past 25 years as he dives into his wide-ranging catalog of priceless songs. (Appearing at the Old Town School of Folk Music with Kaki King from Feb. 17-18) –text: Chris Castaneda
SAINT ETIENNE
When two former music journalists make the effort to create their own music, one expects nothing short of a conceptual prototype chock full of the best components from each genre they follow. True to form, Saint Etienne made it their personal mission over a decade ago to blend early Britpop and club music into what has become indie dance. The ethereal pulsating byproduct of Etienne’s musical chemistry experiment dissects into clever breathy lyrics by Sarah Cracknell mixed with techno and hip hop beats, light melodies, and detailed production. Etienne has come and gone on their own accord over the last decade, popping up periodically and sporadically while scratching at European charts in the late ’90s — which led to an extended break for the trio soon after. Yet with last year’s release of their eighth album, Tales From Turnpike House, Etienne seeks to prove this time that they are back with a vengeance. (Appearing at Metro on Feb. 15) –text: Jyn Radakovits–photo: Elaine Constantine
STARS
Every city in the United States seems to take its turn as the hub and benefactor of the “new music scene.” There was New York with the punk life of CBGB in the ’70s. Seattle and its flannel-craze better known as grunge in the early ’90s. The roots-driven movement of neo-soul in Philadelphia circa 2000. Yet from 2004 to 2006, the center of the music universe has been none other than the city of… Montreal? That’s right, Montreal. As in Canada. With the indie-ensemble success of Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene, a definite sound has developed that strays from the traditional guitar/bass/drums formula of American rock towards a more expansive universe of passion and instrumentation. Stars is another Montreal-based band that fits squarely into the mold of this new sound. They deem their beloved hometown a “cold, cruel place” where they nonetheless “hunkered down and set themselves on fire” to record their new album. Here’s to hoping some of the heat escapes to Chicago when they visit this month. (Appearing with The Elected at Metro on Feb. 17) –text: Tim Slowikowski–photo: Emily Wilson
