Peter Margasak
Bio:
I’ve been a staff writer at the Chicago Reader since 1996, which is when I started writing the Post No Bills column. It ran until 2004 and was reborn a few years ago as my Reader blog. I've written about all kind of styles and music-related topics over the years, from proto-punkers to rabid record collectors to jazz drummers. My work has also appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, DownBeat, and on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. I also appear on the third Friday of each month as a guest on WBEZ’s Radio M program.
I’ve been a staff writer at the Chicago Reader since 1996, which is when I started writing the Post No Bills column. It ran until 2004 and was reborn a few years ago as my Reader blog. I've written about all kind of styles and music-related topics over the years, from proto-punkers to rabid record collectors to jazz drummers. My work has also appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, DownBeat, and on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. I also appear on the third Friday of each month as a guest on WBEZ’s Radio M program.
- News & Features, Feature, Aug 28, 2008
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The Best of the Afterfest
The music doesn't stop when the park closes.
- News & Features, Our Town, Aug 7, 2008
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A Bridge to Iraq
Amir ElSaffar forges a singular fusion of jazz and Iraqi classical music—and reconciles his roots in the process.
- News & Features, Feature, Jul 17, 2008
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The Man Who Makes It Happen
Mike Reed's best known as the guy who assembles indie rock's favorite festival, but in his spare time he performs miracles for the local jazz scene.
- News & Features, Our Town, Apr 10, 2008
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Great Black Music in Print
After ten years, George Lewis's monumental history of the AACM is finally finished.
- News & Features, Feature, Aug 2, 2007
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An Improvised Life
Her path has been anything but straightforward, but Nicole Mitchell is on her way to becoming the greatest living flutist in jazz.
- News & Features, Our Town, Sep 28, 2006
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Ra Materials
Hundreds of artifacts from Sun Ra's Chicago years nearly wound up at the dump.
- News & Features, Miscellany, Sep 21, 2006
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See It, Hear It, Buy It
Local venues, record stores, and radio
- News & Features, Our Town, Jan 12, 2006
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Spirits on the Rise
A determined couple with no experience have launched Illinois' first small-batch distillery.
- News & Features, Our Town, Oct 27, 2005
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Ask Me About My Grandma
The Fiery Furnaces' latest flight of fancy is grounded in the true story of their 83-year-old grandmother, Olga Sarantos.
- News & Features, Our Town, Aug 25, 2005
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Socialized Medicine and Now This
Empty Bottle staffers get a working vacation courtesy of the Norwegian government.
- News & Features, Our Town, Jun 23, 2005
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Pimp My Pine
It's not just for Cub Scouts anymore.
- News & Features, Our Town, Jun 16, 2005
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Mmmm, Sauerkraut Custard Pie
Meet Sue Anne Zollinger: no-wave guitar hero, doctoral candidate, collector of unusual pastries
- News & Features, The Reader's Guide Feature, Jun 2, 2005
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It Takes a Worried Man
Devo front man Mark Mothersbaugh on his latest art project, his oldest obsessions, and the continuing story of de-evolution.
- News & Features, Miscellany, May 26, 2005
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It Takes a Worried Man
Mark Mothersbaugh on his latest art project, his oldest obsessions, and the continuing story of de-evolution.
- News & Features, The Reader's Guide Feature, Mar 24, 2005
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Three Likembes and a Wooden Microphone
With a few thumb pianos, junkyard percussion, and a homemade PA, the Congolese band Konono No. 1 is gaining a worldwide rep.
- News & Features, Our Town, Mar 17, 2005
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You Don't Have to Be Austrian to Love Mozart
How a Chinese guy came to be Chicago's Balkan folklore maven.
- News & Features, Feature, Feb 17, 2005
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The Funk Archaeologist
How Dante Carfagna's record collection became a Rosetta Stone for funk fanatics around the world.
- News & Features, Our Town, Sep 16, 2004
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Our Least Known Local Treasure
Foday Musa Suso's played all over the world, but he mostly just sleeps here.
- News & Features, Our Town, Jul 15, 2004
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All the World's On Stage
The acclaimed Chicago Immigrant Orchestra gets together again--for its second gig ever.
- News & Features, Our Town, Jun 17, 2004
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One Man's Dumpster Is Another Man's Billboard
Stencil artist Josh MacPhee gets his message out by any means necessary.
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