Winter 2014-15 pop concerts preview

Photo by Robert Loerzel

Crain’s Chicago Business, November 1, 2014 — My picks for the season’s top pop concerts. Read more at Crain’s Chicago Business. Photo of Mavis Staples by Robert Loerzel

Five reasons to brave crowds for ‘David Bowie Is’ at the MCA

Photo by Robert Loerzel

Crain’s Chicago Business, September 22, 2014 — The much-anticipated “David Bowie Is,” which opens to the public tomorrow at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, could turn out to be the biggest blockbuster in the museum’s history. Read more at Crain’s Chicago Business. Photo by Robert Loerzel

Pitchfork 2014 photos and reviews

Perfect Pussy. Photo by Robert Loerzel.

Newcity, June 18-20, 2014 — My coverage of the 2014 Pitchfork Music Festival for Newcity: Sharon Van Etten Sun Kil Moon Beck Saturday Photo Roundup Twin Peaks Neutral Milk Hotel Speedy Ortiz Perfect Pussy Real Estate Slowdive Sunday Photo Roundup Photo of Perfect Pussy by Robert Loerzel

How Bloodshot Records has lasted so long

Crain’s Chicago Business, April 12, 2014 — Here’s how the music business works in 2014: On April 3, BuzzFeed proclaimed, “This Country Cover of Kesha is Totally Beautiful,” drawing listeners to a free audio stream of Bloodshot Records artist Lydia Loveless’ twangy version of pop star Kesha’s “Blind.” Over the next four days, the post… Continue reading How Bloodshot Records has lasted so long

Can the Empty Bottle/Longman & Eagle team tap into another success?

Crain’s Chicago Business, October 5, 2013 — Nearly a year ago, Craig Golden stood in the balcony of the musty, long-vacant Thalia Hall, an ornate Pilsen theater that was in foreclosure, and knew he had to call Bruce Finkelman right away. “I don’t know where you are, Bruce, but you should get in your car… Continue reading Can the Empty Bottle/Longman & Eagle team tap into another success?

Q&A with the late Jason Molina

Underground Bee, March 19, 2013 — I had the privilege of interviewing Molina, for an article that appeared in Pioneer Press. It was Sept. 8, 2006, and he asked me to meet him that Friday afternoon at Simon’s Tavern in Andersonville, which was close to where he lived at the time… Read my interview at Underground… Continue reading Q&A with the late Jason Molina

Kelly Hogan Q&A

This article by Robert Loerzel originally appeared at The A.V. Club in May 2012. Kelly Hogan was one of the Chicago alt-country scene’s brightest stars of the 1990s, and she has never stopped singing in the years since then—but she went a long time without releasing an album. Someone looking at a list of Hogan’s… Continue reading Kelly Hogan Q&A