April 2024 • Volume 50 , Number 06 • www . illinoisentertainer . com
Photo Photo : Edward : Spinelli Spinelli
COVER STORY : ELBOW
In Almost Famous , Cameron Crowe ’ s semi-autobiographical film covering his early mid- ‘ 70s music-scribe years , Philip Seymour Hoffman channeling legendary rock critic Lester Bangs - has some sage advice for Patrick Fugit ’ s earnest teen hopeful William Miller . In the cold , cutthroat new world he ’ s entering of publicists , exotic junkets , free booze , and possibly drugs , it ’ s all on offer simply in exchange for a streamlined puff piece on showbiz ’ s latest picked-to-click artist . But Bangs repeatedly stresses his most crucial caveat to the kid :” You CANNOT make friends with the rock stars !” But I can tell you this much – every once in a while , there ’ s a notable , faith-instilling exception to the rule . And Manchester prog rockers Elbow are that wild card for me . After 23 years of working together , I can ’ t truthfully say that we ’ re thick-as-thieves buddies . But we ’ re damned close .
And that ’ s been one of the treasured upsides of this often unrewarding music business - the warm , comfortable familiarity that settles over the proceedings when Guy Garvey ’ s image first flickers on the Zoom-call computer screen this year , and he begins discussing Audio Vertigo , Elbow ’ s adventurous , sonically diverse new album , its tenth . And nothing much has changed since our Night and Day introduction - the man is still sleepyeyed , droll-witted , and as affably unpretentious as Phil Harris ’ lovable Baloo the bear from Disney ’ s animated classic The Jungle Book . Nothing much seems to faze or anger him , and he has a slew of wry observations prepared for every new track , from the jagged-chorded opener “ Things I ’ ve Been Telling Myself For Years ” through a New Wave-punch anthem dubbed , ironically , “ Balu ,” and a calliope-pneumatic “ Her to the Earth .” He stands momentarily during the call to grab some liquid refreshment - “ A pot of tea !” He announces proudly . “ I ’ m just adhering to the national stereotype !” Tom Lanham shared a cup with Mr . Garvey
RECORD STORE DAY SECTION 2024
Now in its 17th Year , Record Store Day has a become a go-to event for vinyl music fans in April . RSD is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store – the staff , the customers , and the artists — to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities . View our special section in this issue featuring the complete RSD list , select RSD previews and the best local stores supporting the community and magazine in 2024 .
PAGE 20 : ELBOW
Spins
Liam Gallagher John Squire , Brian May , and more
CinemaScopes
April Films in Theaters .
Media
MeTV FM ’ s Phil Manicki .
Calendar
1400 shows and 3000 bands , it ’ s IE ’ s live music calendar .
Classifieds
Music services , musicians and more .
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Publisher John Vernon
Contributing Editors Curt Baran Mike Meyer Tom Lanham Lori Vernon
Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Vision Design Teknigram Graphics
Classified Advertising David Gedge
Founder Kenneth L . Voss
Publisher Emeritis David Roberts
Publisher John Vernon
4 illinoisentertainer . com Contributing april 2019Editors Curt Baran Mike Meyer illinoisentertainer . com april 2024
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director John Vernon
Website Direction Notion Pool
Senior Columnists
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
- Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer - Media
Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh
David C . Eldredge - East Coast
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director
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