Tuesday, January 1
A perfect way to kick off 2013 would be to check out the Relax Attack Jazz Series at The Whistler in Logan Square. Cornetist Rob Mazurek — of Isotope 217, Exploding Star Orchestra and the Chicago Underground Duo — is a giant in the Chicago jazz community. Mazurek, who has also contributed to recordings by Gastr Del Sol, Tortoise and Stereolab, begins a month-long residency tonight. Rob Mazurek’s Throne of the House of Good & Evil will feature Matthew Lux (Iron and Wine) on bass and John Herndon (Tortoise) on drums. Mazurek also plays tomorrow, January 2, and then every Tuesday in January. 10pm.
Wednesday, January 2
If you are like me, you know there are not too many things better on a wintery Chicago night than eating an amazing bowl of soup. Well, how about if that bowl of soup was prepared by some amazing Chicago chefs? If that sounds good to you then you'll want to be at The Hideout for the first night of Soup & Bread. Sample soups prepared by Café Swim, Milk & Honey and La Sirena Clandestina and munch on bread provided by Publican Quality Meats while listening to Damon Locks of The Eternals spin the jams. And all pay-what-you-can donations will benefit Casa Catalina Food Pantry in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. 5:30pm.
Now that your belly is warm and full, stay at The Hideout for the Immediate Sound Series with Tres Hongos featuring special guest Peter Hanson on saxophone. 9:30pm.
Thursday, January 3
Recent Kennedy Center honoree Buddy Guy kicks of his 16-show residency tonight at Legends. Face it, you’ve lived in Chicago forever and you’ve never bothered to watch the blues legend perform. Well, now is your chance. Oh, and if you go, get there early. Watch the Kennedy Center Honors Buddy Guy tribute here. 9pm.
Don't miss a fascinating evening of electronic music at the Empty Bottle featuring Magas, Jeremy Lemos & Peter Speer playing the modular synthesizer and Andy Ortmann. 9:30pm.
Also, listen to the sweet R&B of Nikki Hill at Martyrs'. 9:30pm.
Friday, January 4
As they do every Friday, The Hoyle Brothers will play a set of rip-roarin' country music at the Empty Bottle to get your weekend started right. 5:30pm. But wait, is 5:30pm too early for you? Can't make it down to the Bottle? Well, you are in luck because The Hoyle Brothers will also be taking their honky tonk up north and will open for Tangleweed tonight at the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park. With The Famous Brothers. 8pm.
It's January and it's cold so don't spend the night traipsing from bar to bar when you can spend the entire night at The Hideout. First, take in the always entertaining The Interview Show with knowledgeable host Mark Bazer. The guests for tonight's show will include author Rebecca Skloot, chef Homaro Cantu of Moto and iNG and rock music from The Stone Chromatics. Chicago band Clip Art, the project of JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound keyboardist Andy Rosenstein, serves up healthy slices of upbeat pop as evident on their lastest single, "Death v Decline." The Interview Show starts at 6:30pm. Clip Art with Weatherman and Tom Musick. 10pm.
It’s time once again for the three-day festival known as Ian’s Party. Over the next three days both Township and Quenchers will be overflowing with bands including The Brokedowns, The Slow Death, Hospital Job, Meat Wave, Lord and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic. Tonight, classic Chicago band The Arrivals will be tearing the roof off of Township. The Arrivals' 2010 record, Volatile Molotov, contains classic Chicago punk rock mixed with more tuneful rock anthems. Don't miss 'em. 6pm.
Also, local power-pop band Penthouse Sweets celebrate the release of their new record It's Fine It's Fine It's Fine at Schubas. With The Safes and Warm Ones. 9pm.
And Rob Mazurek Pulsar Quartet at the Green Mill. 9pm.
Saturday, January 5
Tonight it's a Philly Jam Session at The Shrine featuring Kindred the Family Soul with special guests ?uestlove and Black Thought of The Roots. And you know, everybody loves The Roots. 8:30pm.
The swagger and high energy rock-n-roll of Black Actress will be on display at Empty Bottle. Tonight is the record release for their self-titled debut album. Take a listen to the searing single "Wrong Side of the Tracks" here. With Bitter Wigs, Burning Sons and Black Cat Rebellion. 9:30pm.
90's punk legends The Bollweevils bring their spirited brand of punk rock to Township tonight as part of the three-day festival known as Ian's Party. With Winepress, Vacation Bible School, Deth Warrant, The Heat Tape, The Mons, Wide Angles, Dirtybird and Business Papers. 6pm.
Ian's Party continues at Quenchers with Paper Mice, Dr. Manhattan, Vanna Inget, Absolutely Not and Hot Garbage. 8pm.
Lakeview's The Chicago Diner, serving delicious meat-free food since 1983, recently opened a second location in Logan Square and Diner Fest at The Burlington features four bands that are affiliated with the restaurant. Le Tour, Deep Wizard, Chaperone and The Letter Jay will perform and DJ Tim Allen will be spinning vintage soul in the front room. 9:30pm.
Also, the Vulgar Boatmen and Kerosene Stars at Schubas. 9pm.
Sunday, January 6
Michigan’s Breathe Owl Breathe bring their lovely and enchanting indie pop to Schubas tonight. Check out the song “Playing Dead," from their 2008 record Ghost Glacier. This hauntingly beautiful song was expertly used over the end-credits of the terrific 2012 film Your Sister’s Sister. 8pm.
It will be a captivating evening of rootsy chamber folk at City Winery tonight with Charles Kim's The Astronomer and the The Horse's Ha, which feature the beautiful harmonies of James Elkington of the Zincs and Janet Beveridge Bean of Eleventh Dream Day and Freakwater. 7:30pm.
Also, DJ Plastic Crimewave at The Whistler. 9:30pm.
