Interview

Jónsi performs at The Pabst, 144 E. Wells, on April 26. Call 414-286-3663.

As front man of the groundbreaking Icelandic band Sigur Rós, the openly gay Jónsi (pronounced Yónsi) provided warmth and an ethereal quality to the band’s lushly chilly songs. It’s hard to imagine what Sigur Rós would sound like absent Jónsi, but on “Go” (XL Recordings), his solo debut disc, we get the chance to hear him without his longtime band. His primary collaborator is openly gay orchestral pop artist Nico Muhly, who assists Jónsi in giving “Go” a fresh and original style.

Owen Pallett performs April 12 in Milwaukee at Turner Hall Ballroom.

‘Heartland,” by out musician Owen Pallett (formerly Final Fantasy), is already being hailed as one of the best albums of 2010. As lush and symphonic as it is percussive and poppy, “Heartland” (from Domino) contains a cycle of a dozen songs that are essentially monologues by a fictitious character named Lewis. He’s described as a “young, ultra-violent farmer” in a world called Spectrum, and he’s struggling to come to grips with his creator – “a supreme deity named Owen.”

The Magnetic Fields

The Magnetic Fields gets real on “Realism” (Nonesuch). Once again proudly proclaiming “no synths,” the band puts aside the fuzzy (and aptly titled) Jesus and Mary Chain homage of “Distortion” and goes for a more folksy and cuddly acoustic sound.

Sophie B. Hawkins says she’s in the perfect place right now.

1. You are currently writing a musical for Kristin Chenoweth. What was the first Broadway musical you ever saw?

Director Stephan Elliott holds Fizz as he arrives for the BFI London Film Festival screening of “Easy Virtue” in London. – Photo: AP/ Matt Dunham

Stephan Elliott is a storyteller. On screen or over the phone, Elliott has a way of telling a story and making it fascinating.

Patty Larkin performs April 9 at The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington, #105, in Madison. Call 608-661-8599. – Photo: Jane Leon

Musicians have found a variety of ways to commemorate musical anniversaries, including massive concert tours and expanded reissues of hit albums.

Out comedian and actress Lily Tomlin brings her internal cast of characters to Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts on March 24. Tomlin speaks with WiG’s Gregg Shapiro about her legendary career, from “Laugh In” to “Damages”.

The mere mention of Lily Tomlin’s name brings an ear-to-ear smile to most people. The comedy legend is remembered fondly for her work in such big-screen gems as “Nine to Five,” “All of Me,” “Big Business,” “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” and “A Prairie Home Companion.” She’s also beloved for her repertoire of hilarious comic characters performed on stage and television: Edith Ann, Ernestine, Susie Sorority and Lucille the Rubber Freak, among others.

Glenn Davis and Phillip James Brannon in Steppenwolf’s “The Brother/Sister Plays” (“The Brother Size”) by Tarell Alvin McCraney. – Photo: Michael Brosilow

Gay playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney’s trilogy “The Brother/Sister Plays” is one of the most memorable theatrical experiences you are ever likely to encounter. Currently playing at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, the trilogy runs more than three hours. But it’s time well spent – as emotionally rewarding as it is refreshing.