It's freezing outside and you don't want to tear yourself away from the pod of warmth you've created with a pile of blankets on the couch. Yeah. We get it. "30 Rock" is on and you don't want to leave the house.
Fine. But today prolific folks at The Pabst / The Riverside / Turner Hall Ballroom have given us plenty of reason to leave the house this season. Check it out:
A music-filled 2010 begins with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Michelle Branch hits The Pabst Theater Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. With her new record, "Everything Comes and Goes," (her first since 2003's "Hotel Paper"), Branch returns to solo writing and reflects on her life -- both public and private. With her days as half of country duo The Wreckers now behind her, she's getting back on stage alone with her powerful voice. Tickets are $25 and go on sale Friday, Dec. 18 at noon.
Next up is Langhorne Slim at Turner Hall Ballroom Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. The folksy indie rocker is no stranger to Milwaukee, though he has now graduated from playing smaller venues like The Rave Bar and The Mad Planet to a headlining gig (with special guests to be announced) at Turner.
I interviewed Mr. Slim before he came through town in 2008 while on tour with The War Eagles, which includes drummer Malachi DeLorenzo, son of Violent Femmes' drummer Victor DeLorenzo. Read the interview here. The show is $10 and tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 18 at noon.
Then Appleton native Cory Chisel and his band of Wandering Sons arriving in Milwaukee just in time for Valentine's Day, Sunday, Feb. 14. It's been a big year for the band, which has gone from a locally-loved Wisconsin treasure to a national songwriting sensation in no time thanks to its high-profile appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and its headliner slot in the "Daytrotter Presents" show. The 8 p.m. show opens with Dawes & Jason Boesel. The $10 tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 18 at noon.
Then a month later The Cowboy Junkies arrive for a show Thursday, March 25 at 8 p.m. Toronto's legendary alternative rock quartet Cowboy Junkies have been together for over 20 years, becoming one of their home country's rock and roll icons with their blend of Americana, alt-country and rock and roll. Tickets are $29.50 and go on sale Friday. Dec. 18 at noon.
Although it has not been announced locally, Puscifer (aka Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle) plays at The Pabst on March 29, after a two-night stint at Chicago's Vic Theater.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
