Tuned In

What is good music? That’s a question I’ve been asking a lot lately. It’s actually kind of been driving me a little crazy. Who has the right to determine the quality of music? And what do we mean when we say whether something is good or bad? Music is such a subjective experience that it’s…

“It’s pretty much everything.” That’s how Dogs With Hats’ lead vocalist and guitarist, Sam Shrier, described music. Everything. Dogs With Hats is a newer Chicago band, and my favorite local discovery of 2025. When I sat down to talk with Shrier, I quickly realized that music isn’t simply a hobby for him; it’s the center…

2025 has been a great year for music. I was planning on writing this month’s post about “Elli’s album of the year”, but when I sat down to think about my favorite, I couldn’t choose one. When it comes to music, I think it’s nearly impossible to measure true favorites. Different music finds its way…