TVD Live: Clip Art at Schubas Tavern, 1/16

On January 9th, Clip Art, led by Chicago singer-songwriter Andy Rosenstein, began their month-long residency at Schubas Tavern. The schedule features a new set of openers each Monday, and incredible Chicago groups, The Damn Choir and Paper Thick Walls kicked off Week 2.

I was fortunate enough to find myself front and center for the entire show, and on a cold, rainy, Monday night in Chicago there is nowhere else I would have rather been.

When he isn’t playing the keys for Chicago’s JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, Rosenstein has put together a incredible group with a stage presence as engaging as their tracks. But first, let’s take a step back.

Kicking off the show was folk/rock group, The Damn Choir. If anyone has ever doubted the potential energy of indie-folk music, they would only have to see these guys live.

In the short 30 minute set, The Damn Choir set the mood for night, led by an acoustic guitar and a cello. The highlights for me were the powerful single “Noah”, and some pretty impressive showmanship on the tambourine.

One amazing aspect of the night was that the vibe of the show was maintained from beginning to end. Following up The Damn Choir was folk/rock group Paper Thick Walls, and the two sets complimented each other perfectly. These are two bands that were made to share the stage.

Supporting their latest release, A Thousand Novels, Paper Thick Walls built on the energy in the room and didn’t hold anything back. With a rotating arsenal of instruments including the mandolin, trumpet, upright bass, acoustic guitar, and violin, there was never a lag in the set.

In order to better fit with the “chamber music” feel that had been created at the show, Clip Art took the initiative to re-arrange their songs with the help of a special guest on the cello.

Performing songs from their 2010 EP, Broken by Design, as well as introducing a handful of new tracks from their upcoming release, Clip Art played an amazing set. Switching between the guitar and keyboard, Rosenstein led the group with an incredible energy.

The instruments used throughout the entire show had been so eclectic, that when Rosenstein donned an accordion for the last few tracks of the night, it seemed just perfect.

Fortunately, there are still two more nights left in Clip Art’s residency. With some more truly talented openers coming up, you need to get out to one of these shows. All of the shows are 8:00PM/$6/18+ at Schubas Tavern. (3159 N. Southport)