Heavenly Choir

Related Content

• Van Halen, Including David Lee Roth, Will Play Oracle Arena and HP Pavilion in June
  January 6, 2012
• David Lindley: Show Preview
  January 11, 2012
• Mekons at Hardly Strictly: Sally Timms Talks Longevity and the Punk Rock Ethos
  September 30, 2011
• Van Halen Reinforces Irrelevance by Playing New Album to Even More Irrelvant Bands
  July 19, 2011
• Friday: Smashing Pumpkins Press on with New Faces and New Songs at the Fox Theater
  October 10, 2011

More About

• Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
• Belle and Sebastian
• Warren Zevon
• Gospel Music
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

Certain cities have legendary and/or mythical stylistic hallmarks — say "Los Angeles" to rock fans and it's likely they'll think of Sheryl Crow, Black Flag, Warren Zevon, and/or Van Halen. Say "Chicago" and they'll think Naked Raygun, the Tortoise axis, Smashing Pumpkins, and/or the roots-oriented Bloodshot Records roster. The last thing most folks would expect to emanate from the Windy City is twee, melancholy, slightly melodramatic art-pop à la Belle & Sebastian and the Television Personalities … yet that's just what Chi-town's Scotland Yard Gospel Choir serves up in fine style. But it’s not a knockoff — while the Choir shares a penchant for rainy-day-at-the-bus-stop wistfulness ("I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way for a Boy," "This World Has No Place for Me") with its UK forebears, it has a somewhat crunchier, more brittle style, especially live. Aside from Welsh-born Elia Einhorn (vocals, organ, guitar), Ellen O'Hayer (bass, cello), Sam Koentopp (drums), and Matthew Kerstein (guitar, vocals), the latest eponymous recording features contributions from locals Sally Timms (of the Mekons, now resident in Chicago) and Kelly Hogan. A fine mini-album/maxi-EP, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir closes with the sublime "Everything You Paid For," a virtual cross between early Belle & Sebastian and Basement Tapes–era Dylan.
Sun., Dec. 2, 9 p.m., 2007