Josh Caterer

The SPACE Sessions

The SPACE Sessions follows in the footsteps of his critically-acclaimed early 2021 release The Hideout Sessions, which was recorded at the beloved small Chicago venue that album took its title from. Caterer reunites with bassist John San Juan (Hushdrops) and drummer John Perrin (NRBQ) for another electrifying performance, this time recorded at SPACE, an intimate concert hall on the city's north side. 

In keeping with the format of The Hideout Sessions, this powerful, poppy trio performed to empty house, live-streaming as a virtual concert event. Josh and his cohorts played with all the inspired intensity of the performance at the Hideout, but with an even more tangible sense of self-assurance. The band tears through an ambitious setlist including visionary arrangements of standards like the Etta James' classic "At Last", Frank & Nancy Sinatra's "Somethin' Stupid" (delivered here as a stirring duet between Josh and his daughter Phoebe) and a handful of original compositions, spanning the breadth of Caterer's impressive songwriting catalog. 

Caterer first burst onto the Chicago punk scene in 1991 with Smoking Popes who he formed with his brothers Eli and Matt. From their early indie releases to their critically acclaimed major label albums, Smoking Popes developed a unique blend of buzzsaw guitars, caffeinated rhythms and heartfelt

Nora O'Connor 

My Heart

Nora O'Connor's dance card has been jam-packed in recent years, as she's toured and recorded with The Decemberists, Neko Case, The New Pornographers, and her beloved Chicago band The Flat Five. She finally found her way back to the studio to write and record music of her own. The result is My Heart, ten songs of pure Nora, a stunning reflection of her eclectic taste and spectacular talent. Songs range from Linda Rondstadt-esque 70s country rock to heartbreakingly sweet folk reminiscent of her heroes: The Roches, Norma Tanega and Margo Guryan (Nora humbly covers one of Guryan's songs on this new release) to danceable Bacharach-inspired piano pop. My Heart is sonically driven by her smooth acoustic guitar playing and impossibly rich vocals, with stellar support from longtime collaborators in the Flat Five; Casey McDonough, Scott Ligon, and Alex Hall (Hall also co-produced), as well as Pravda labelmate Steve Dawson. Lush harmonies push it all right over the top. This was worth the wait.