OK city dwellers, we know you're just cool enough to bite your thumb at Taste of Chicago - the traffic, the ten dollar cups of beer, and most terrible: the tourists - but that's no excuse not to climb down from your ivory tower (or take the elevator, it's hot out) to see this sincere and stellar act. 

Mike Mangione, born in the 'burbs and currently residing in Milwaukee, has a voice like Ted Leo and a sound like Ryan Adams, more like Heartbreaker than Gold, although if you think you'd like Damien Rice as a country star, you would be golden, because this is it. His second album, Tenenbrae (latin for "shadows"), is set to be released August 5, but before he inevitably skyrockets to fame, you can see him at Taste of Chicago on July 3.

Tenenbrae evolves organically: the timbre of the album is subtly uplifting, and the lyrics are lovely - he's pleading without whining, being honest without sounding in the least contrite. 

He's reportedly amazing live, but if you want to check it out for yourself, watch the video of the title Tenenbrae track. And if you can't get enough of that, check him out on the Taste stage (in Grant Park) Thursday July 3 from 12 - 12:45 pm. All Taste concerts are free. - Elizabeth