Ezra Furman returns to his roots for Chicago show
As an Evanston Township High School student, Ezra Furman would spend weekends performing at open mic nights at local venues such as Tommy Nevin's Pub, and would even hold makeshift shows in his own home.
"That's where I started playing guitar and writing songs," Furman said.
He took it to the next level at Tufts University, where Furman and a few classmates formed Ezra Furman and the Harpoons. The band split in 2011 and, since then, Furman, 28, has released three solo albums and tours around the world with Ezra Furman and the Boy-Friends.
On Aug. 11, Furman will return to his Chicago roots with a performance at Lincoln Hall.
Furman's music, alternative rock tinged with punk, explores themes ranging from depression to love. His most recent album, "Perpetual Motion People," dropped this past July. The record is riskier than past albums and more about self discovery, said Furman.
"I didn't really go into it with a set idea of what was going to come out. This was like, 'What if we do something that kind of sounds strange and ridiculous?'"
The album channels 1950s rock 'n' roll with songs such as "Lousy Connection" that are filled with "doo-wops" and "shoo-doos."
"Perpetual Motion People" has Chicago influences. The album notes contain a hand-drawn map of Chicago, with a street address assigned to each song.
"When I write a song, my goal is to make something that is up to my standards and that comes from a place of reality," Furman said. "(I also hope) that it expresses something true and vital, and is really alive."
Furman describes himself as gender fluid, so in his shows he occasionally dons dresses, pearls and makeup.
Furman, who toured through Europe this summer, is looking forward to returning to Chicago.
"I like the people," Furman said. "Chicago's my place. It's my community - a real, loyal, longtime group of people who have always been supportive of me. Also, Lincoln Hall is a great venue and I've wanted to play there for years now. It sounds really good and I like the ambience."
Ezra Furman
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11
Where: Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 525-2501, <a href="http://ezrafurman.com/">ezrafurman.com</a>
Tickets: $14; show for 21 and older