Beloved queer-centric outfit Scissor Sisters is taking a hiatus. The band has four albums and a remix collection to its credits and scored much success in the United Kingdom compared to its reception in its native United States. Its career to date is highlighted by the remarkable electronic reworking of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" and Elton John being a guest on the infectious pop goodie "Don't Feel Like Dancing." "Filthy/Gorgeous," "Fire with Fire" and the overkilled "Let's Have a Kiki" have topped the club charts.
In between commitments, guitarist Del Marquis released solo EPs; Ana Matronic collaborated with New Order on 2005's "Jetstream" and with Duran Duran on "Safe (Heat of the Moment);" and frontman Jake Shears co-wrote "Too Much" for Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite. Shears is slated to work with Queens of the Stone Age. A reunion has not been cut out of the picture for Scissor Sisters.
Midge Ure helped define the New Romantic music scene in the late '70s and early '80s by landing hits "Vienna" with Ultravox and "Fade to Grey" with Visage. The Scottish-born Ure also produced and co-wrote the quintessential holiday charity single "Do They Know Its Christmas?" for the collective Band-Aid to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. To add to his legacy, Ure released much solo work, including the songs "If I Was" and "Breathe." Ultravox reunited for the new set Brilliant last year, an album transporting the magic of the early '80s into present day. Ure is set to tour stateside with a stop at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., on Sat., Jan. 19. Unlike his previous acoustic shows, Ure will be accompanied by a band.
To make it nowadays, an artist has to stand out for the right reasons. In 2009 I saw Ssion open for Fischerspooner. What an impression Ssion made—and not just for having Scissor Sister-worthy songs like "Street Jizz." Lead singer Cody Critcheloe danced across the stage, sporting clunky black shoes, thick eyebrows and eye makeup, clearly a nod to Madonna's Who's That Girl era. Critcheloe's unmistakable image once flashed on the screen during an episode of Project Runway. The Kansas City-based band's latest, Bent, is a fun album balanced with mellow moments. Just check out the "Groove Is in the Heart"-sampling "Blonde with U" and the Prince-referencing "Luvvbazaar." Ssion takes to the stage on Friday, Jan. 18, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., with Niki and the Dove, Onuinu, Vacationer and Moon Boots also performing (as part of the Tomorrow Never Knows festival).
That festival comes to a close on Sunday, Jan. 20, at Lincoln Hall. Here, British siren Jessie Ware headlines the show with Rochelle Jordan, Mister Lies and Kriz Baronia. Once a vocalist for SBTRKT, Ware stepped forth with her solo bow Devotion overseas. Comparisons to Sade and Lana Del Rey are undeniable on "Sweet Talk" and "Devotion." Ware's five-track EP, If You're Never Gonna Move, is out now domestically via Cherrytree Records/Interscope.
In my year in review column, I ranked Emeli Sande's concert as the best of 2012. Here, she spoke with the audience about the inspirations behind her songwriting and gushed over the rambunctious audience's cheers. Sande's full-length debut, Our Version of Events, contains "Heaven," which recalls Massive Attack's Blue Lines. "Next to Me" is one of the best pop confections in recent times. With a striking look, a knack at coming up with heartfelt pop tunes and an impressive voice as well as the necessary "it" factor, it's no wonder Sande is a hitmaker overseas, but it is a mystery why she has not crossed over stateside yet. Sande returns to Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 22, with Emily King opening.
Lesbian singer-songwriter Daphne Willis has a homecoming concert at Lincoln Hall on Thursday, Jan. 24. Golden, Gina Venier, Shaheen & Associates and DJ Mr. Gac are also on the bill. I saw Willis, a former DePaul University student, wow the audience at The Alt Q Festival with her loveable storytelling and acoustic guitar jamming. The song "Backyard" can be downloaded for free at www.daphnewillis.com .
Ellie Goulding dispelled the curse of the sophomore slump by having one of the best songs and videos of the year with "Anything Could Happen" from the album Halcyon. The set also contains numbers where Golding narrows the gap between Scandinavian favorites Bjork and Robyn as heard on "JOY" and "Explosions." Looking like a modernization of Jem and the Holograms come to life, Goulding plays at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
I cannot stop praising Ruthie Foster's Let It Burn. If I had the Grammy-nominated album on cassette or vinyl, it would be worn out by now. Here, Foster marries blues with folk and her gospel roots, be it with her remakes of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," or her own penned material like "Welcome Home" and "Lord Remember Me." On the latter two the celebrated lesbian musician performs with The Blind Boys of Alabama. Foster is nominated for the Koko Taylor Award (Best Female Traditional Blues Artist) at the 34th Annual Blues Music Awards, which takes place May 9 in Memphis. Foster's fantastic live show comes back to the Windy City with a date on Wed., Jan. 30, at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St.
