Chicago drummer Ben Baker Billington has some of the busiest sticks in town. He always has his fingers in a whole icebox of musical pies—he plays in Ono and free-jazz trio Tiger Hatchery, for instance, and used to be in dearly departed Doors-y three-piece Moonrises. Last week his synth project Quicksails dropped a new EP called The Bright via Italian label Gang of Ducks that’s full of bloopy electroacoustic weirdness, as well as remixes by Brett Naucke and Khaki Blazer (aka Pat Modugno of Moth Cock). As if that weren’t enough, on Saturday, February 24, he’ll headline the Hideout as part of improv squad ADT, celebrating the new Hausu Mountain release Insecurities.
Gossip Wolf has somehow missed all the recent shows by Pivot Gang cofounder Frsh Waters, but fortunately there’s another chance to catch up with him this week. On Friday, February 23, he headlines All Smiles, Rich Jones’s monthly hip-hop series at Tonic Room. Mr. Jackson and JBro Bugatti open; DJ Elliven spins all night, and Lynzie Jazzsun hosts. Tickets are $10, and the show starts at 9 PM. v
