Leland Philpot, a Chicago-based Producer and Rapper, has garnered widespread recognition for his viral remix of “Agatha All Along,” amassing over 1.7 million views on social media.
His musical journey began at The Computer Clubhouse in Rogers Park, where he discovered his passion for music production at the age of 14. With a steadfast dedication to his craft, Leland’s faith serves as the cornerstone of his musical expression, aiming to inspire and uplift through his thoughtful lyrics and compositions.
Alongside his notable achievements in the music industry, he remains a vocal advocate for mental health, advocating for the Gospel’s transformative power in everyday life.
With his record label, BabelScatter Productions, Leland Philpot continues to spread joy and enlightenment through the universal language of music.
Hailing from New York City, teenatown is the electrifying indie pop-rock project pioneered by musicians Tina Miller and Diego Agoytia. Meeting in the Lower East Side at a house show, the two formed a friendship over their love of live music as artists healed in the post-pandemic scene. Once becoming collaborators, the project debuted as a five-piece rock group in 2023. However; due to life changes and members moving cities, the two friends decided to size down to a two piece in 2024 – investing in gear that would transcend their recorded sound into an eccentric live experience. With influences such as Paramore, Twenty One Pilots, Evanescence, Tennis, and Magdalena Bay, teenatown continues to move towards high speeds of success – being featured on Apple Music’s “All New Rock” playlist, playing shows all around New York City and gearing up for the release of their debut EP in 2025.
Sons of Arrakis (SOA) is a band based in Montreal formed in June 2018. The formation is fairly influenced by the universe ofthe Dune novels written by Frank Herbert. The members describe their own music as Melange Rock and Cinematographic Sci-Fi Rock which differentiate them from “the vast sea of stoner rock bands with their lightning armor-piercing torpedo” (Grotesqualizer, 2019).
Castle Rat is a Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal band hailing from NYC, led by “The Rat Queen,” Riley Pinkerton, on rhythm guitar and lead vocals. On her mission to expand and defend “The Realm” from those who seek to destroy it, The Rat Queen is joined by “The Count” (Franco Vittore), on lead guitar and backing vocals; “The Plague Doctor (Charley Ruddell), on bass; and “The All-Seeing Druid” (Joshua Strmic) on drums. Together they face the relentless wrath of their archnemesis: Death, Herself — “The Rat Reaperess.”
Along their journey Castle Rat has played in support of Monolord (SE), Acid King (CA), Green Lung (UK), and have appeared at Desertfest NYC (Melvins/Boris/Colour Haze) and RPM Fest (Prong/Bongzilla). Since the band’s pre-plague inception in October 2019, Castle Rat has released their debut album, “Into The Realm,” with King Volume Records in April 2024—it has garnered over one million Spotify streams and held the post as the #1 Best-Selling Hard Rock/All Rock Album on Bandcamp upon its release.
The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following by curating a riveting, interactive, lore-laden live performance, complete with a choreographed battle scene, recruiting fans who crave swords & sorcery; stoner & doom; battle-babes & beasts; Frazetta & Sabbath.
2025 began with an explosive start. Castle Rat launched a record-breaking Kickstarter to fund their second album, funding the project in just 37 minutes. The month-long fundraiser went on to be the most successful metal band project in over a decade, closing out at $139K. Just days after the campaign, the band entered the studio to record their second album with producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk). Following two sold out tours in late 2024, the band will undergo a headlining US tour in March 2025, and a six week stint in Europe that will feature numerous festival appearances—including Desertfest, Hellfest, and Copenhell—and performances supporting Conan.
Castle Rat’s second full length album is set to come out in August 2025. The album launch will be followed by a two month long tour across the US and Europe.
Marketing the NonBinary Fantasy. With a decade of drag under her girdle, Auntie Heroine is known for her quick wit and insult comedy on the mic as an emcee. She will get the sleepiest of crowds out of their walkers and doing prune juice keg-stands! There are four pillars to Auntie Heroine: Comedy, Drama, Horror, and Sexy! When you come to one of Auntie’s shows you will see crowds laughing, crying, screaming in horror, or getting all hot and heavy. If you are looking for an Emcee to get the party rockin’, an entertainer that will leave your audience’s jaws six feet under, or just a stand-in lunch lady at your local public school, Auntie Heroine is your queen!
A seasoned American blackened death metal group with ties to , , Void Omnia, , and , Ulthar pair uncompromising sonic brutality with Lovecraftian terror. Emerging in 2014, the California trio released their punishing debut album, Cosmovore, in 2018 on . The group found new ways to invoke horror in 2023 with the malevolent Anthronomicon and Helionomicon.
Founded in 2014 by Bay Area veterans Shelby Lermo (, ), Justin Ennis (Void Omnia, ex-, ex-), and Steve Peacock (), Ulthar, who take their name from the short story “The Cats of Ulthar,” unleashed their crushing debut album, Cosmovore, on the world in 2018. Evoking the blazing, technical death metal attack of bands like and , the group quickly found favor with the extreme metal community and wasted little time getting back into the studio to begin work on their sophomore effort. The resulting Providence, which like its predecessor, sought out the darkest corners of technical death metal, was issued by and released in 2020.
A period of profound creativity spurred by the social and societal limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the release of two new studio LPs from Ulthar in 2023. Anthronomicon and Helionomicon saw the band dig deep into their black metal war chest and deliver a pair of albums that added sinister new textures and unrelenting sonic malevolence to their ever-expanding blackened death metal sound. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi
Mateo Suarez & The Public Ear’s brand of jazz-rock fusion is a call back to the artists of the ’60s and ’70s. His backing band The Public Ear’s sound is a fresh take and mix of Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, Kamasi Washington, and War, creating kaleidoscopes of sound for your ears to enjoy. The band hails from Columbia College Chicago out of the South Loop, and they offer some of the best music coming out of the Chicago area.
Shavon Reznikov is a Chicago based band led by artist Zarathrustra Joan of Arc (also known as Shavon Reznikov). They have recorded two albums and are in the midst of recording a third. Through their catchy hooks and intense lyrics, they introduce you to their world: one filled with different kinds of characters, and many continous themes that keep their projects consistent and recognizable. Their albums are an opera, and live, it manifests itself in front of your eyes. There’s no shortage of stunts, colorful costumes, nail-biting swordfights, emotional speeches, and a decent soundtrack too. When Shavon Reznikov hits the stage, keep an eye out. You don’t want to miss this. Shavon Reznikov is the musical equivalent of a red Ripstik. -Mind Loser
Sarah Coco is a guitar player and singer from Chicago, Illinois. She performs originals as well as covers spanning genres and decades. Her music is described as beach folk meets midwest country. She gathers inspiration from the likes of Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, and John Prine. Along with writing, her other passion is to help promote and empower women in the music industry. Sarah strives to connect with all people through meaningful lyrics about love and life.
Dear Jamie (they/she) is a force made up of colorful passions and talents. They are currently taking a break as a mental health therapist to explore human connection and healing through an alternative medium; music. Their songwriting is heavily influenced by their unique and/or completely relatable experiences that derive from living life through the lens of a queer, neurodivergent, AFAB, Korean first-generation immigrant. They believe that their intersectionality brings a fresh perspective into their music, and with their powerhouse voice and open vulnerability, Dear Jamie aims to make their audience be unafraid to feel their emotions.
Camila Isabel is a vocalist, writer, and musician from the West Side of Chicago. Her musical background explores the sounds, textures and feelings of Jazz and Soul Music, and introduces rhythms influenced by her lineage from the Caribbean Islands. Camila has been performing in and around the city since she was 15 years old, playing in venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, and private events at The Ritz Hotel. Emerging now as the foundation of her trio Cëra, she hopes to cultivate an air of intimacy whenever she performs, bringing sensual, warm sounds and poetry to those with a listening ear.
Chanelle Tru is an aspiring artist hailing from the “City of Wind” who is destined for greatness. Whether in conversation or on stage, the Chicago-born R&B singer and songwriter gives the straight truth about her life, pain, passion, love, triumph, and everything in between with energy and confidence. Inspired by artists such as Beyonce, Aaliyah, Brandy and musical legend Michael Jackson, Chanelle Tru is consistently evolving and developing into a prominent and exhilarating Musical star. With talents ranging from singing, rapping, dancing, songwriting, acting and modeling, calling her a triple threat would be an understatement. Coming into 2021 with her newest single “New Beginnings”, Having over eight thousand subscribers on her Youtube Channel, Chanelle Tru is making a name for herself and is destined for unstoppable greatness. She is definitely an artist to watch out for. Be sure to follow Chanelle Tru on social media and listen to her music SoundCloud, Itunes, spotify and more.
Canadian music producer who has worked with a number of popular rappers, including Tech N9ne, Soulja Boy, and Tyla Yaweh. He sells original instrumentals that can be recorded over and released on his website. Popular songs of his include “My Heart Hurts”, “Fill Up My Cup”, and “Did Me Wrong”.
Listen Like Thieves is the fifth studio album by Australian rock band INXS. It was released on 14 October 1985. It spent two weeks at number one on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Considered an international breakthrough album for the band, it peaked at No. 11 on the United States Billboard 200, No. 24 on the Canadian RPM 100 Albums and in the top 50 in the United Kingdom.
STING “THE DREAM OF THE BLUE TURTLES”
The Dream of the Blue Turtles is the debut solo album by English musician Sting, released on June 17, 1985.
THE POWER STATION “THE POWER STATION”
The Power Station was a supergroup formed by Robert Palmer, Tony Thompson(of Chic) and Andy and John Taylor from Duran Duran. They came together in 1984 to record a one-off album, as a respite from the relentless global touring and promotion of Duran Duran.
The original plan for this one-album project was for the three musicians (Taylor, Taylor and Thompson) to provide musical continuity to an album full of material, with a different singer performing on each track. Those who were approached included Mick Jagger, Billy Idol, Mars Williams (who eventually contributed brass to the album) and Richard Butler (of the Psychedelic Furs), and Mick Ronson.
The group then invited eclectic soul singer Robert Palmer to record vocals for the track “Communication”. When he heard that they had recorded demos for “Get It On (Bang a Gong)”, he asked to try out vocals on that one as well, and by the end of the day, the group knew that they had found that elusive chemistry which distinguishes successful bands. Before long, they had decided to record the entire album with Palmer.
ALFONZO JONES AND THE UNIVERSAL SONIC DIASPORA
Alfonzo Jones’ love of music started in church, watching and imitating every move and sound of the drummer at the age of 3. Once Alfonzo’s mother and grandmother grew tired of finding damaged pots and pans, they placed a drum set in front of him and he has been banging away at his future ever since. Everyday, Alfonzo played along with tapes and videos and watched every drummer he encountered intently in order to learn. From there, Alfonzo was not only playing drums at school, but also the church he grew up in, Liberty Temple.
While in high school, under the tutelage of Phillip Crews, he gathered a wide range of influences including Dennis Chambers, Tony Williams, Carter Beauford, Elvin Jones, and Jimmy Cobb. In 2002, with Alfonzo as the drummer, his high school was chosen as one of the top 15 best high school bands by the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition, garnering opportunities to study with Wynton Marsalis, Herlin Riley and other members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In 2012, Alfonzo was selected as one of the top 10 drummers in the country for the Roland V-Drums drumoff contest, and has participated and progressed far in other national drum competitions.
Throughout his career, Alfonzo has worked in several genres, and has shared the stage with established artists and musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Brian Courtney Wilson, James Fortune, Vicki Winans, Wycleff Gordon, Orbert Davis, Martha Munizzi, Tye Tribbett, Kierra Sheard, Pinqy Ring and more. Aside from playing at Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church, Alfonzo can be seen playing with the band Left.Jones, Mike Zabrin’s Funktastic, National recording artist Nikki Lynette and the O’my’s.
Alfonzo hopes to create his legacy through music, but also by being a good human being. As a shining example to aspiring drummers, he’s well on his way to that goal
Cecil Nuanez is a self-appointed cult leader, interviewer, double dipper and professional slow walker. Nick, Nabeel, Dan and Cecil play soft rock for tough talks and slow ballads for the wee hours, come see what Cecil has to say.
“Rooted in Chicago’s vibrant music scene, The Front Desk is a six-piece band fusing funk, soul, rock, and jazz into a style uniquely their own. The group has built a reputation for shows mixing singable melodies with playful spontaneity. In 2024, they released their self-titled debut album, a genre-spanning collection that showcases the punchy trombone riffs, powerful vocals, and elegant bass solos emblematic of their sound. Following the release of their live single, “Thursdays,” they announced their first headline tour, “The Front Desk: Checking In.”
Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band’s previous album Mother’s Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album’s subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.
Blood Sugar Sex Magik peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200, and produced hit singles “Under the Bridge”, “Give It Away”, “Suck My Kiss”, “Breaking the Girl” and “If You Have to Ask”. The album received widespread critical acclaim and propelled the band into worldwide popularity. Heavily uncomfortable with fame, Frusciante quit the band during its 1992 tour; he rejoined in 1998.
“95 Goldie,” is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, creative director and swiss army knife from the southside of Chicago. Born and raised in what is known as the ‘wild 100’s” in the Roseland, Beverly, and West Pullman community, Goldie has carved his way into the Chicago hip-hop scene. With his soulful music and authentic lyrics, 95 Goldie has created a new lane of hip-hop. Heavily influenced by music from different decades and genres. Goldie has blended these styles to create something unique and entertaining.
Vastum is an American death metal band, formed in 2009 in San Francisco, California. The current line-up of the band consists of guitarist and vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf, vocalist Daniel Butler, drummer Adam Perry, guitarist Shelby Lermo, and bassist Colin Tarvin.
Liam Durkin, A 25 year old singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, has gigged his way around the Chicagoland area since the age of 14, playing at local bars, restaurants, clubs, festivals, and everything in between.
The Bends is the second studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 13 March 1995 by Parlophone. It was produced by John Leckie, with extra production by Radiohead, Nigel Godrich and Jim Warren. The Bendscombines guitar songs and ballads, with more restrained arrangements and cryptic lyrics than Radiohead’s debut album, Pablo Honey (1993).
Work began at RAK Studios, London, in February 1994. Tensions were high, with pressure from Parlophone to match sales of Radiohead’s debut single, “Creep”, and progress was slow. After an international tour in May and June, Radiohead resumed work at Abbey Road in London and the Manor in Oxfordshire. The Bends was the first Radiohead album recorded with Godrich and the artist Stanley Donwood, who have worked on every Radiohead album since.
Several singles were released, backed by music videos: “My Iron Lung”, the double A-side “High and Dry / Planet Telex”, “Fake Plastic Trees”, “Just”, and Radiohead’s first top-five entry on the UK singles chart, “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”. “The Bends” was also released as a single in Ireland. A live video, Live at the Astoria, was released on VHS. Radiohead toured extensively for The Bends, including US tours supporting R.E.M. and Alanis Morissette.
Revolver is the seventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 5 August 1966, accompanied by the double A-side single “Eleanor Rigby” / “Yellow Submarine”. The album was the Beatles’ final recording project before their retirement as live performers and marked the group’s most overt use of studio technology to date, building on the advances of their late 1965 release Rubber Soul. It has since become regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative albums in the history of popular music, with recognition centred on its range of musical styles, diverse sounds and lyrical content.
Subhumans are one of the most influential bands from the UK Anarcho-Punk scene of the 80’s, filed right alongside Crass and Conflict, and just as relevant today as they were during the darkest days of Thatcher’s Britain. Take your choice in how to label them – Punk, UK82, Crusty, etc, – there lies the attraction and consequent reason for their popularity, the band epitomizes non-conformity and connects with people in many different scenes.
Forming in 1980, recording and releasing a series of live and demo cassette tapes on their own Bluurg label, they continued to release music throughout the 80’s – building a powerhouse of a back catalog that completely stands the test of time. Their debut LP ‘The Day the Country Died’ (1983), with its Orwellian influence, is considered by many to be a classic and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies. The second album, ‘From the Cradle to the Grave’, came swiftly the following year (1984), and although the same frenetic pace is in evidence, this marks a significant musical development for the band. In 1985 Subhumans broke up, citing the usual musical differences, although had managed to release a third, maybe ironically entitled, LP ‘Worlds Apart.’ A final EP was released posthumously in 1986, ‘29:29 Split Vision,’ a further demonstration of how far the band had come musically from their initial leanings.
Dick Lucas subsequently joined Culture Shock and then formed political ska-punk band Citizen Fish in 1990, both bands releasing many albums, and still playing today. Subhumans had a couple of reunion shows in the nineties, before a more permanent return for the 21st century, including 2 major tours of the US, the first resulting in the ‘Live in a Dive’ LP. The Subhumans then released a further studio album in 2007, ‘Internal Riot,’ again on Bluurg Records. The band is still passionate and angry, illustrated by Dick saying “Being in a band is the source of most of my passion and drive! The live experience of sharing it with people keeps it ongoing, the release of anger, frustration and initially negative/destructive states of mind is a release from the downward spiral of keeping it all bottled up and it feels positive/constructive as a result.”
The band have recently written ten new songs, which Pirates Press Records are thrilled to be releasing, and are embarking on a year of touring in both Europe and North America! First a split with The Restarts before a 12” of their own comes out in October of 2019! The social and political commentary of bands like Subhumans forged a path, along with their contemporaries, for punk to change lives and opinions around the world. Sadly the things they sang about forty years ago are largely just as important now, sometimes more so in an age of Trump and Brexit. We can’t wait to hear more of what they have to say about the current political climate, the immense imbalance of wealth and power, and the causes they hold near and dear to their hearts.
Out of the shadows comes Mystigaard, the new musical project from the creative mind of Ted Jedlicki (Thor, Chamber Mage). Joined by vocalist Terry Westerman, the two have set out to bring their passion for heavy metal to headbangers everywhere! Taking traditional metal and sprinkling in elements of power metal, the songs have strong melodies, catchy vocals, and a high level of musicianship.
SEVEN SPIRES will release their fourth studio album, titled “A Fortress Called Home”, on June 21st, 2024, via Frontiers Music srl. The highly-anticipated follow-up to “Gods of Debauchery” (2021) takes their signature blend of symphonic, power and extreme metal to new heights, and drags the listener to the deepest abysses in the process. “A Fortress Called Home” was produced, mixed, and mastered by guitarist Jack Kosto. Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan comments: “I visited the void twice while writing this album. I don’t know which begat the other. It’s ugly. I love it and I hate it, and I think it’s our best work yet.”
Seven Spires’ 2024 touring schedule includes a European tour with Skálmöld and Atavistia in March, four North American shows as direct support for Kamelot with Ad Infinitum in April, a headline set at Mile High Power Fest in Denver, CO, in August, and their first-ever headlining Japanese tour with Lords of the Trident in December. Visit www.sevenspiresband.com for more information.
We are Crimson Glory, an American heavy metal band that formed in 1983 in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Our journey began in 1979 under the name Pierced Arrow, then evolved into Beowulf, before we finally settled on Crimson Glory. Our classic line-up featured vocalist Midnight, guitarists Jon Drenning and Ben Jackson, bass guitarist Jeff Lords, and drummer Dana Burnell. With this line-up, we rose to international fame in the mid-1980s and were considered one of the pioneers of the American progressive metal movement, alongside bands like Queensrÿche, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Watchtower. Throughout our career, we released four studio albums and one EP.
Ram is a studio album by Paul and Linda McCartney, released in May 1971 on Apple Records. The album was recorded amid Paul McCartney’s legal action in the United Kingdom’s High Court to dissolve the Beatles’ partnership, following their break-up the year before. This is the only album credited to the couple. He and Linda recorded it in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Its release coincided with a period of bitter acrimony between McCartney and his former bandmate John Lennon, who perceived verbal slights in the lyrics to songs such as “Too Many People”.
On release, the album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, although opinion has become more favourable in subsequent decades. A commercial success nonetheless, Ram topped the national albums charts in the UK, the Netherlands and Canada. Three singles were issued from Ram: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, which became McCartney’s first number 1 hit in America, “The Back Seat of My Car” and “Eat at Home”. The album was reissued in May 2012.
