Power-Pop Trio Dream Wife Dazzles in Chicago Debut
Rakel Mjöll ushers in infectious, Icelandic charm at Lincoln Hall.
While waiting for the Sunflower Bean show at Lincoln Hall to start, I headed over to CVS next door to kill some time and maybe buy a pack of mints. I arrived earlier than usual since I didn’t want to miss the second opening act for the evening: Dreamwife.
Dreamwife is an unapologetic, power-pop trio with members from Iceland and the UK, catching my attention a year earlier with their Icelandic Airwaves performance on KEXP. (see video below) While in line waiting to buy my mints, the group’s guitar player, Alice Go and bassist, Bella Podpadec strolled in, stood next to me, and gestured to different parts of the store. I waved to both until I caught their collective stare, and creepily said, “Dreamwife?” Alice smiled and said, “Yes, mate. How are you?” I told them I was here to shoot their show, with Alice responding with a polite, “Nice. I’ll see you there.” followed by “Do you know where the cigs are?” For a moment I didn’t understand what she was asking and had to ask again. I don’t think I was starstruck, but I was surprised at this surreal, drugstore moment and would’ve been caught off guard regardless, even if she had asked what the color of the sky currently was. She smiled, nodded, waved goodbye and pulled Bella towards the back of the store, seemingly in continued search for her cigarettes. To my knowledge, I didn’t think pharmacies sold “cigs”, but CVS was still the best pre-venue I’ve ever been in, if that’s even a thing (It’s not). As for the show? Dreamy, though I have taken up smoking. (I haven’t)
Full Gallery: Dream Wife @ Lincoln Hall
