Once again, Chicago’s godfather of the LGBT music scene, Scott Free, gathers an elite ensemble of queer singer-songwriters for the annual Alt Q Festival at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, May 17. The Outmusic Award winner will be joined by independent voice Cris Williamson, acoustic duo Coyote Grace, Edward Thomas-Herrera, alternative country’s The Erin Waters Show and Chicago’s very own cabaret darling, Mekole Wells. Now in its eighth year, the Alt Q Festival is the ultimate gathering of LGBT artists sharing their experiences. Highlights from the festival are hearing these out musicians introduce their material and interact with the audience. A meet-the-artists reception will follow the event, which benefits Black LGBT & Allies for Equality.
Outmusic Award winner Rachael Sage radiates on Chandelier. Available now on iTunes, but due to hit retail stores on June 10 via MPress Records, Chandelier shines brightest on the slower numbers ‘Corinne’ and ‘Moonlight and Fireflies.’ While her sound is more of a classic alternative take on pop music—imagine a livelier Tori Amos less hung up on religion—Sage has been named one of the 32 finalists in the prestigious 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival ‘New Folk’ competition.
When The Ones propose ‘When We Get Together,’ New York City hipsters and the dance community heed the call. The accompanying video clip features an all-star line-up boasting Deborah Harry, Ultra Nate, Pat Cleveland, Gay Pimp Jonny McGovern, Cazwell, Colton Ford and The Scissor Sisters. The piece is directed by Karl Giant, who also helmed Nate’s titillating video for her spin on The Pointer Sisters classic ‘Automatic.’ ‘When We Get Together’ features Nashom Wooden’s smooth vocals demanding for unity. The anthem appears on The Ones’ self-titled debut album and on the remix collection NYC Jungle, both available on iTunes. Absolutely flawless, indeed.
By blending Billie Holiday inspired jazz with Lauryn Hill-hued hip-hop, Estelle scored a number-one hit overseas with her red-hot single ‘American Boy.’ Here, Kanye West chimes in with a rap, as the British rising star’s raspy voice flirts with West’s irresistible groove. On her Atlantic release Shine, Estelle also teams with Kardinal Offishall, John Legend and Cee-Lo. Some may recognize Estelle, as she remade ‘Why Go’ for Faithless’ hits retrospective, which Boy George originally sung on the dance act’s 1998 opus, Sunday 8 PM. In case you missed her recent concert at the House of Blues, Estelle is scheduled to perform at The Taste of Chicago at the Petrillo Music Shell July 2.
Tony Award-nominated chanteuse Melissa Errico steps off the Broadway stage to celebrate another stage in life’s journey—motherhood. On Lullabies & Wildflowers, the veteran of Les Miserables and My Fair Lady sings an assortment of nurturing numbers, including ‘Mockingbird,’ ‘Hushabye’ and ‘Someone to Watch Over Me.’ Errico’s serene voice and motherly approach make these renditions her own. Lullabies & Wildflowers is out now via Velour Music.
The refrain on Madonna’s club smash ‘Sorry’—’I’ve heard it all before’—foreshadows the icon’s final Warner Brothers studio outing, Hard Candy. Dubbed a musical chameleon, Madonna proves to be more of a musical peacock here. Hard Candy is receiving more attention for its all-star collaborations (The Neptunes, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Kanye West) than its material. However, even these top producers cannot salvage Hard Candy. ‘Spanish Lesson’ is an embarrassment to Madge’s previous Latin-tinged efforts ‘La Isla Bonita’ and ‘Spanish Eyes,’ not to mention a slap in the face to aspiring songwriters. The chart-topping album does have some sweet confections with top 40 potential, such as ‘Give It 2 Me’ and ‘The Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You’ but, ultimately, the goods turn out to be a rehashing of Madonna’s 1994 R&B set Bedtime Stories, Nelly Furtado’s Loose and Kylie Minogue’s Body Language. Like Gwen Stefani’s solo material, Hard Candy lacks any long-lasting flavor. Hopefully, the Material Girl’s new deal with Live Nation will have her return to a trend-setting mode; after all Robbie Williams says it best on his recent single ‘She’s Madonna.’ The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee just announced The Sticky and Sweet Tour, with a stop in Chicago at The United Center Oct. 26.
Madonna admits to being a fan of newcomer Katy Perry. On Perry’s pop ditty ‘UR So Gay,’ she is fed up with her high-strung boyfriend, ranting ‘you’re so gay and you don’t even like boys.’ While straight, Perry’s interest is a waif vegetarian, who requires SPF 45 and drives an electric car, which she associates with being gay. Also on her Capitol bow, One of the Boys, the 23-year-old sings ‘I Kissed a Girl,’ which is not to be confused with Jill Sobule’s signature hit of the same name. Perry reflects on her drunken, experimental same-sex lip-lock: ‘It felt so wrong, it felt so right, don’t mean I’m in love tonight, I kissed a girl and I liked it.’ On One of the Boys, the California native collaborates with producers who specialize in working with female artists, including Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, Glen Ballard (Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morissette) and Butch Walker (Avril Lavigne, Pink). Expect to see Perry rocking out on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour with a scheduled date at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park Aug. 2.