Amanda Shires Has Van Burglarized in Chicago
Riding high after the release of her recent album My Piece of Land and getting ready to participate in this week’s AmericanaFest festivities in Nashville, Amanda Shires and her band had their van broken into while on the stage at the City Winery in Chicago on Monday (9-19) evening.
“All my thesis writing and new songs and journal are all gone…I’m the one who doesn’t ever do a back up…” Shires said via Twitter Monday night after finishing up her performance and discovering the window of their van was smashed in, and certain contents were taken. “Also missing my ukulele, my in ear monitors, blood pressure medicine, MacBook, unreleased signed Saunders book ‘Lincoln in the Bardo,’ thesis notes from professors, sunglasses, retainer for my teeth, address book, violin strings, thesis…did I say thesis writings yet? I do 90% of my writing with paper and a ballpoint pen.”
If there is any good news, it’s that the van wasn’t taken itself. This is usually the case with the numerous thefts from vans that seem to be a weekly occurrence. “Also missing passenger side window…currently driving with the wind on our faces,” says Shires.
At the moment there is no word on who might have perpetrated the crime, if there was any surveillance video, or any more specific information on the stolen items. But folks in the Chicago area are being asked to be on the lookout or notify authorities if they saw anything, especially if you might have attended to concert.
Stay tuned as more details become available.
READ: Music Gear Thefts Dealt a Blow After 130 Arrested in Houston
September 20, 2016 @ 1:14 am
We’ll this sucks…… Hope all of her writings turn up!
September 20, 2016 @ 4:07 am
Not what I wanted to hear first thing in the morning. Hope the thesis turns up somehow!
September 20, 2016 @ 5:33 am
Not Cool. If someone stole my thesis, I’d of been on the verge of insanity. I hope it turns up!
September 20, 2016 @ 11:17 am
I was on the verge of insanity writing my thesis. This would have pushed me over. Poor girl.
September 20, 2016 @ 5:54 am
The venue is mere miles from a war zone. Chicago is a disaster in every respect.
September 20, 2016 @ 7:39 am
gross oversimplification; can’t get any more gentrifying than Racine and Randolph. Neither the [to use your “loaded” words, “war zone(s)”] of Englewood or Austin are anywhere near City Winery’s location.
September 20, 2016 @ 7:57 am
“mere miles from” seems like an appropriate way to describe a 7-10 mile drive to me, which is how far the 2 neighborhoods you mention are.
But you are ignoring North Lawndale, East Garfield Park and “Near West Side” which are even closer. I assure you I’m not oversimplifying the issue – it’s widespread and rampant, see the homicide map below for reference.
http://crime.chicagotribune.com/chicago/homicides
September 20, 2016 @ 10:04 am
I do some handyman work in the city an the place is a craphole. Ur lucky they didnt just take the whole van. F*** chicago!!!
September 21, 2016 @ 1:19 am
More like fuck you for judging a whole city by the scum on its boots.
People get robbed and shot in every big city. I live and work on the south side now after living in rural southern Illinois and suburban Illinois and these are some of the nicest most genuine people of them all and 99% of these people, black and white, are fighting for an end to the violence that happen here but it socioeconomic situations don’t change overnight.
My city has been the home to some of the greatest evolutions in music, art, and culture. The musicians I play with here (blues, country, whatever) are some of the most talented in the country and we take pride in where we are from. If you don’t like us get the fuck out.
I’m sure Gary, Indiana or Bumblefuck, Nowhere could use “handymen”.
September 20, 2016 @ 9:12 pm
It was a burglary, man, not a homicide.
September 20, 2016 @ 6:25 am
Welcome to Chiraq. Unfortunate, but hardly surprising. Hope they catch the misunderstood, and misguided, person(s) responsible. Probably just starting to get their life turned around…
September 20, 2016 @ 6:31 am
That’s really sad. Material things can be replaced, but the writings… those cannot be replaced! I hope everything is recovered.
September 20, 2016 @ 7:35 am
Maybe her professor will give her an extension.
September 20, 2016 @ 11:40 am
Sincerely hope her writings are found. Trigger, are you going to do a review of her new album?
September 21, 2016 @ 2:43 pm
Let’s make sure we catch the guy so our president can pardon him.
September 21, 2016 @ 3:08 pm
Yes, by all means let’s make this about President Obama. He actually has been quite stingy when it comes to pardons, so that zinger doesn’t work too well in the reality based community. But you probably thought he was going to pardon OJ.
http://www.infoplease.com/us/government/presidential-pardons-1789-present.html
September 21, 2016 @ 8:48 pm
Jack Williams can’t take a joke.
September 22, 2016 @ 7:06 am
I got the joke. It’s just that it had a horseshit premise.
September 22, 2016 @ 5:42 pm
Well he sympathizes with rioters and criminals so I don’t think it’s that far off. I’m sure Hillary will appreciate your vote come November.
September 22, 2016 @ 3:34 pm
In this day and age of numerous stolen musician’s vehicles and belongings, why doesn’t someone – the venue or performer(s) – specify and require security to be placed on the vehicle? I sure a lot of bands can’t afford this but perhaps it could be written into their contract riders..