ASTRAL HAND
ASTRAL HAND is a 4-piece heavy-psych band that channels a deeply cosmic mood. By using synth-driven melodies, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, thundering drums, and lyrical themes meditating on interstellar deities, ASTRAL HAND searches for life and love in the universe at large.
MOLINA MOLINA
MYSIA CHABERT
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, started her comedy career in 2016 those 5 min at an open mic open the doors to tours all over Texas, New York, New Mexico, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico. Her spicy and unfiltered comedy will make you blush but her passion is to make anyone laugh. “If you smile when you hear her name, then she’s accomplished her purpose”.
MICHELLE CANTU
Latina Stand-Up Comedian and Professional Speaker.
CHONA E
The sweetest Toxica you’ll ever meet! Oh and I’m a comedian too 😂
IRMA RUIZ
Irma Ruiz is a former wannabe chola, turned school teacher, turned comedian. Although she’s been kicked out of every neighborhood Nextdoor.com group she’s joined and is banned from 5 Facebook Mom groups, you can still find her performing in comedy clubs, casinos & festivals in Texas and various locations throughout the nation. Her comedy covers motherhood, education, marriage, family and more. She is the producer of the Teachers Gone Bad Show and even though she doesn’t believe in tarot cards, she pretends to in her Tarot Card Comedy Show on VivaLiveTv. Her comedy is not to be missed!
ELIZABETH PILAR
ELIANA LA CASA
Eliana La Casa is a bilingual Argentinean stand up comedian. She has been featured on Comedy Central Latinoamerica, as well as BBC Radio 4 London’s international live show “Welcome to Wherever You Are”. In Argentina, she performed at Festivals like Cuidad Emergente and Manso Comedy Fest as well as in local TV shows such as “Tipos de Minas”. Since moving to Chicago, she took part of Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, World Comedy Expo and Latina Comedy Festival. As a comedian she has toured Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and USA, where she was voted Best Stand Up Comedian of 2021 according to the Chicago Reader.
CHRISTINA GUTIERREZ
writer 🇲🇽 comedian 🫀 londoner 💷 ft baddie💅🏼
ANIRIA TURNEY
As the daughter of a Puerto Rican mom and a Salvadoran dad living in the South, Aniria lives the “Cultural Bermuda Triangle” daily! Having moved here from El Salvador at the age of 6, the culture shock and the pleasing of 3 cultural expectations lingers in her witty observations.
Because she started her passion for stand up later in life, it quickly became therapy that helped her get through a divorce and juggling a new dating life with raising kids. Now remarried, her repertoire has expanded.
Her comedy expresses the “in your face” truths about cultural differences, dating, kids, sex and how men and women relate.
Aside from stand up, Aniria is also an actor. She got her first break in the Netflix film “Naked” with Marlon Wayans. Other TV credits include NBC’s Chicago Med and Hulu’s The Act with Patricia Arquette. She was also voted Tampa Bay’s 2017 Best Up and Coming Comic by Creative Loafing and she performed at the 2019 Burbank Comedy Festival.
HYRYDER
Hyryder strives musically to create an authentic Grateful Dead experience, paying close attention to detail. The band routinely performs “monster” 3 set shows, weaving in and out from one song to the next. While paying tribute to the original compositions, Hyryder indeed craft’s their own unique take on the music focusing on extended improvisational jamming. The band prides itself on its ever changing progressive jams and set lists that are unique to each particular show. Hyryder performs multiple night runs without ever repeating any material giving fans an intimately different experience each time they take the stage.
JC AND THE REUP BAND
TONY CASTRO
Chicago-based stand up comic
DEADLY DAPPER
ADORNMENTS TO DIE FOR. Wearable art. Ungovernable passion.
EM GRACE & THE UNDERCUTS
From experiencing ghosting, heartache and love to discovering her non linear healing journey around sexuality, self love, body neutrality, and addiction; Em Grace untangles an intimate part of herself and gifts you with a mirror. Her deepest intention is to use her music to heal; to connect and unify communities all over the world with vulnerability.
EM GRACE & the Undercuts is an all queer band making ukulele punk, defying the perceived contrast between sweet tones and strong electric waves. Front woman, Em, pairs her electric baritone ukulele with emotionally visceral vocals and is amplified by bass (Sage), and drums (Rachael V.).
Em Grace has independently released two EPs, “Peach Tree” and “Waves of Grief”, which are on all listening platforms.
Em Grace started in 2017 as a solo project and the Undercuts joined in 2022.
We have headlined at The Golden Dagger Chicago and Burlington Bar; performed at Chicago staples Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, Reggie’s Music Joint, Fruit Salad and The Second City. In March and April we’ll be making our debut at Liars Club and Subterranean.
We’ve paid our dues and played at copious amounts of local comedy shows, DIY venues, bars, restaurants, professional studios, apartments, and speakeasies.
FIRE CAT!
Chicago Punk est. 2016
Liam – Drums/Vocals
Lou – Bass
Tim – Guitar/Vocals
Justin (aka cheese)
JESSE RAY AND THE CAROLINA CATFISH
Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish is a Rock N’ Roll Blues duo from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band is known for their Elvis-style vocals, amazing guitar riffs, splitting harmonica, and danceable drumming.
Starting out in 2014 with open-mics in Grand Rapids, MI, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish now perform their hypnotic rock music across the United States.
Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish is Jesse Ray (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica) and Paul Jensen (Drums, Percussion)
MURPHY’S LAW + THE RUMJACKS + THE BAR STOOL PREACHERS (CO-HEADLINE)
JER + VIAL CO-HEADLINE
BOY JR.
writer producer singer guitarist etc etc etc
listen to Pay Attention To Meee before you listen to my 5 most popular tracks OKAY?! 👁️ 👁️
10 bands in a trench coat / genrefluid / escape room lite / post-genre / hyperpoppostpunkindiesleaze / they-rock / internet pop? / allkind pop-rock house dnb+evrythn / the one with sounds / post-pop / relatable bangers / everything / tasty gnoshw / golden brick wrapped in bubble wrap to the head rock / futuristic 80s vibe music / somewhat nightmare dream pop / goblin / hot / alt pop / idk but it’s great / marshmallow / eclectic / maybe new wave / synth wave comes to mind / mhm / sarcastic pop rock / coach / social media rock / gay anarchy / music for people who regularly have to deal with fuckboys / power / eeby deeby / electro magnetic anti-troll / queer pop / jersey mikes sub pop / rocktronica / sad bitch pop / no / scrollcore / tiktok shame / 60s french ye-ye pop / hero having sex with the villain ost / yandere-core / girl sr. / perfect /
VIAL
VIAL is a Minneapolis-based indie punk trio of best friends: Bassist Taylor Kraemer (she/they), guitarist KT Branscom (they/them), and drummer Katie Fischer (she/they). VIAL has brought their genre-bending cascade of sound into electrifying live performances since their formation (On Tinder, mind you) in mid-2019. They’ve got songs that smack you in the face: Rage-written speedruns about running over misogynists (“Roadkill”) and head-bopping, cheek-blushing queer love songs to tingle your toes (“Violet”); VIAL is a powerhouse who knows how to adapt their sound, and themselves, allowing them to grow in new ways during 2020’s days of quarantine by creating a wide audience on Tik Tok and other social media while revving up to release their blossoming debut album, LOUDMOUTH (2021). This record was highly anticipated after the success of their debut EP, “Grow Up,” which hit streaming sites soon after the group’s formation in late 2019.
Following the release of LOUDMOUTH, VIAL has made an explosive return to live music, playing historic venues across Minnesota, including First Avenue’s iconic main stage, and have hit many of their favorite cities while supporting artists such as FIDLAR, HUNNY, and Mal Blum.
MATT CARTER BAND
CHOCOLATE IN YOUR POCKET
Like a cold glass of water on a summer’s day, Chocolate In Your Pocket provides a refreshing mix of rock, jazz, pop, and electronic to create a blend of their own.
Started while attending Millikin University, the band took advantage of the many amenities that the school of music had to offer and started releasing their music. After establishing a successful following at Millikin, Chocolate released their most popular single to date, “Bradford Baby”, which currently sits at more than 500,000 streams worldwide.
Catch Chocolate around Chicago and be on the lookout for more music on all streaming services coming soon.
HARLEM HAYFIELD
Harlem Hayfield is out to spread the gospel of Rustbelt Soul.
A 6-piece ensemble from a small, industrial city called Decatur, Illinois, who have managed to blend key aspects of alternative rock and Motown to create a unique, heartfelt sound. Drawing influence from such bands as Afghan Whigs and The Black Crowes, but with the added touch of neo-soul artists like Curtis Harding & Anthony Hamilton. Since first forming in 2019, Harlem Hayfield has successfully fused sophisticated, catchy melodies enveloped with a barrage of driving guitar tones, all while incorporating gospel-inspired harmonies.
DJ SOUTH SIDE ERIC KEOGH
DRAB
Apocalyptic rock from New Orleans.
ACTON’S DICTUM
A new take on old-school punk from Berwyn, IL.
MIKEYEVERYTHING
Michael Nelson, better known as, “Mikey Everything”, hasn’t taken on the stage name “Everything” for nothing. Everything’s salacious debut EP “The Reason” is an undeniable fusion of House, Hip Hop, & 90’s R&B. A carefully crafted collection of songs, “The Reason” EP is a journey through emotions – sex, romance & the harsh realities of being a black gay man in America. Mikey has risen to the top as one of the leading independent artists with a legion of talented dancers to showcase a new sound rooted in old school flavored hip hop. Jam packed with collaborations with some of Chicago’s finest on the Indie scene, catchy samples and racey lyrics, this EP is an obvious release of an array of pent up emotions. Mikey Everything holds down being a Recording Artist, Dancer, and LGBTQ Activist all while working with 4 Star Casting. His knack for adding the perfect visual presentation to any creative piece has led him to working behind the scenes on the smash television show Empire during its last 2 Seasons. Known for his vibrant, open, and charismatic personality. His position on the set of a hit television show has afforded him the opportunity to utilize his talents and skills for a major production. As an established “visual artist” he is known for his vibrant and charismatic personality. Proving to be more than a “one trick pony” Mikey is making his reason clear, he is just getting started. “The Reason” EP has something for every music fan and is streaming everywhere.
MUDTOMB
Guitars: Dennis Bereza
Vocals: Brian Gulliford
Drums: David Devich
Bass: Steven Chave
TWIN WIZARD
Twin Wizard is a two piece Doom/Rock and Roll band from Northwest Illinois.
FULCI
Fulci is the death metal band named after the “Godfather of gore” Lucio Fulci. The band combines the two
things they like the most: horror movies and death metal.
Lucio Fulci films had a strong influence on the aesthetics of extreme music. Fulci’s intent is to pay homage to the maestro by creating concept albums based on his films. The band released three discs till now, some of which have reached their 6th reissue. We did four USA tours as headliners plus several festivals and apparitions in Europe and South Africa. In 2023 we released a live session in Tampa, Florida at the Morrisound Studios where American death metal was born. in 2024 will be released our 4th album via 20 Buck Spin Records. Fulci live shows try to resemble cinematic experiences through video projections, lights, synthesizers and horror staging. In September 2023 we played a show in a movie theater presenting our first short movie and soundtrack release. We have a regular collaboration with the fashion brand Slam Jam to develop events, products and performances. We have a strong fanbase and among others we have been mentioned by Max Cavalera, Eli Roth and Dwid Helion. KERRANG! Magazine gave us the 35th place on the chart of the 50 bands that have revitalized death metal over the past 10 years.
MEMBERS: Klem (bass) Fiore (vocals) Dome (guitar/synth/programming) Ando (guitar) Edo (Drums)
COUNTRY: Italy
YEARS ACTIVE: 2014 – Present
GENRE: Death Metal
THEMES: Horror, Gore, Zombies
CURRENT LABEL: 20 Buck Spin Records
PAST LABELS: Maggot Stomp, Time To Kill Records
DRAWN & QUARTERED
Classic death metal from Seattle since 1992! Dark atmospheres, melodic solos, incredible quality control, and brutal riffs across the decades have made Drawn and Quartered a legend in the underground death metal scene, with good reason!
CARLOS JOHNSON BAND
Carlos Johnson is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is left-handed, but plays a right-handed instrument upside-down like players such as Otis Rush, Albert King, and Jimi Hendrix. Johnson is known for his aggressive playing which has attracted audiences in Chicago blue scene since the 1970s. He has played on recordings of notable musicians including Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues and Son Seals.
BILLY FLYNN BLUES BAND
Billy Flynn is an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.
TRAGIC TIMES
We are Shaun, Jason and Tom. We are TRAGIC TIMES.
WHITMORE
Formed in 2019, Whitmore began establishing a brand of 2000’s Throw-Back Metalcore, and high energy performances.
The group’s desire to play, along with resonating live performances helped them grab foot holds in the Omaha local music scene. Though COVID delayed the ability to play their first show, when they did finally take stage, the reviews were exemplary.
In May of 2021, they self-released their debut demo “Identity”, and released a music video for their most popular song, “Sam Elliot Is Hotter Than Patrick Swayze In Roadhouse (Fight Me)” the following month. The lyrics were highly regarded with their value and messages, breaching issues of mental health, social stigma, and idealism.
Whitmore has also shared the stage with some of the larger Omaha acts, such as No Loss No Regret, The Tale Untold, and The Impulsive, and have been known to host private, invite-only house shows. They have also been invited to play large events such as the annual Movember Showcase, and the Annual Metal PJ Party, and warming the stage for national touring acts like Seven Kingdoms, Nodes of Ranvier, Norma Jean, Saltwound, Gideon, For The Fallen Dreams, Guerrilla Warfare, Orthodox, and The Last Ten Seconds of Life.
THE WORLD WITHOUT US
Active since 2018, The World WIthout Us are a fairly new group, one that has been honing their skills and defining their sound in the NorthEast metal scene. Playing with many local heavy hitters, The World Without Us set themselves apart by cultivating a sound that blends genre-bending progressive death metal with modern strains of heavy, groovy, and often uplifting modern progressive metal.
DANIEL GARLITSKY
DG is descendant of a lineage of famous Russian violinists and pedagogues. His grandfather, Mikhail Garlitsky, was the founder of the « Step by step » violin method, still widely regarded as one of the best violin learning techniques. His father, Boris, winner of the Paganini competition, served as concertmaster of the Moscow Virtuosi orchestra and later of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Born in Moscow, Daniel Garlitsky began his musical studies (violin and piano) at the « Specialized Gnessin School » at the age of 6. Having settled in France in the early 90s, he continued his tuition at the Lyon Conservatory and graduated with highest distinctions.
In 1999, DG became a student of the prestigious Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP). Eager to broaden his musical knowledge, he has followed classes of harmony, composition, orchestration, conducting and Indian music. He graduated cum laude and was awarded a special prize for outstanding performance given during his final recital.
For over two decades, DG has been performing a wide variety kind of music worldwide. As a soloist, he has shared the stage with such orchestras as the Hamburg Philharmonic, Wurttemberg Philharmonic , Kanagawa State Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Vienna Chamber Orchestra and many others. He has performed under the baton of such conductors as Vladimir Jurowski, Mishiyoshi Inoue, Dmitry Sitkovetsky and Christoph Eberle. His chamber music partners have included Gidon Kremer, Maria Joao Pires, Oleg Maisenberg, Augustin Dumay, Antoine Tamestit, amongst others.
DG has often been invited to guest lead European top class orchestras such as « Residentie Orkest » (The Hague), Hamburger Symphoniker, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Liege Philharmonic and Strasbourg Philharmonic.
DG’s wide repertoire ranges from early baroque (Monteverdi, Marais, Lully, etc…), that he performs on period instruments, to 21st century compositions. During his career, DG has performed and premiered works by French composers (Philippe Hersant, Thierry Escaich, Olivier Greif…) as well as internationally renowned composers such as John Adams, Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Giya Kancheli and Mark O’Connor, amongst others.
Always willing to break borders between different forms of art, DG has worked closely with the acclaimed choreographer John Neumeier and the Hamburg Ballet. In « Orpheus » (2011-2012), DG has portrayed the mirror of the title role, performing works by Biber and Stravinsky on stage. He has also performed Philip Glass’s violin concerto n°2 for the ballet « Renku » (2013).
In 2014, DG revived the « Tchaïkovky String Quartet » taking over as its 1st violin during the Baltic States Tour. In the 1930s, the same position was held by his grandfather, Mikhaïl.
Education has always been an important part in DG’s life. He currently teaches the violin at the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP) and is invited to give lectures and master classes in Europe (Germany, Italy, France, Portugal…) and Asia (Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand…).
Furthermore, DG is regularly invited to coach, conduct or perform with youth orchestras such as Concerto Moderno (Portugal), Orchesterzentrum NWR (Germany), Orchestre Français des Jeunes (France). In 2007, DG has led and conducted the Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra, performing in Europe (Zürich Tonhalle, Rudolfinum Prague, Berliner Philharmonie) and Japan (Suntory Hall).
Aside from being an accomplished performer and pedagogue, DG is also a skilled composer and arranger. During the past 10 years, he has been approached by different film directors and has composed, arranged and recorded various soundtracks including an original score for « On love » a short film by an award writer/director Eugene Izraylit, based on a poem by Joseph Brodsky. Mr Garlitsky has also recorded the soundtrack of « Au temps de Maupassant », a French TV-series and has occasionally coached actors to successfully portray violinists.
DG has also arranged tracks for the Russian rock-legend : Boris Grebenshikov.
DG plays an 18th century Italian violin labeled « Joseph Guarnerius, filius Andreæ » and a French violin made for him in 2003 by Jacques Fustier.
DUVED DUNAYEVSKY
Duved Dunayevsky is a Paris-based guitarist, composer and band leader.
He is recognized by many as the foremost interpreter of Django Reinhardt’s 1930s guitar style.
Currently leading the experimental “Prebop Orchestra” and the “Hot-Club” style
ensemble “Duved And His Transatlantic Five”.
Duved regularly performs in jazz festivals around
the globe, keeping traditional jazz alive not by preserving it but by
continuing to expand on its creative legacy.
SUFFOCATION + INCANTATION CO-HEADLINE
JOY BUZZERS
2 Ryans & a Joey
PROF PINKERTONS IRRELEVANT ORCHESTRA
“Professor Pinkerton’s Irrelevant Orchestra maintains an impressive balancing act between being authentic to tradition and being fiercely in the moment. Their interpretation of early Jazz & Blues has a startling air of timelessness that is as refreshing as it is compelling”
STABBING
Texas Brutal Death Metal
EGXBH
Forming back in 2017, EGxBH, more formally known as Eugeine Grey and The Bad Habits, have taken charge of their own unique dark, rolling melodies and blood pumping rock sound to new levels of evolution, blossoming into a raw and wonderfully unpolished sound skin to that of All Them Witches, Highly Suspect, Local H, Clutch. Queens of the Stone Age, and the legendary Fugazi . A talented four piece of Patrick Goray (Guitar/Vox), Mike Arturi (Percussion), Brad Haptas (Bass), and Shaun Meek (Lead Guitar), the band took to the local Chicago scene like a house on fire, pushing their sound to the limit with an illustrative, mesmerizing, captivating example of hard-hitting, rock-n-roll unstoppable force that the world so desperately needs today.
DADBOD
GRIM REEFER
Two piece doomin out of Chicago.
CLAMOR & LACE
Clamor & Lace Noise Brigade is Chicago’s first street marching band composed solely of musicians and performers of marginalized genders. In Clamor & Lace, musicians, dancers, and artists of all backgrounds and skill levels collaborate to create joyful, raucous, and high-energy performances. The band’s eclectic repertoire embraces and promotes female and non-binary composers–with cover songs by new wave and riot grrrl goddesses, pop divas, and outsider music legends, as well as an ever-expanding collection of strange and wonderful originals.
TENNIS COURT OATH
Tennis Court Oath is:
A jaunty ride on a just-tamed stallion A glass of bubbly under a lunar eclipse A cabaret with a cup of strong tea
This trio of seasoned musicians explore searing pop songs with French sensibilities, weaving together fervent rock, smokey cabaret, and quasi-folk styles to bring you a refreshing repast of fun entertainment.
The band was created initially by longtime musical partners Babette Novak and Mike Collins, as Femme de Champagne. The Femmes released a full-length CD and two singles but needed an excellent bass player to round out the sound permanently. Charlie Short was added to the mix and the band was reborn as Tennis Court Oath.
Members
Mike Collins – drums, hand percussion, backing vocals Charlie Short – bass, backing vocals
Babette Novak – guitar, keyboards, vocals, hand percussion
Members also play in/have played in: Third Sunday, The Hurtin’ Kind, Babette’s Feast, Tiberius Strange, Daddy Burger Swag, Femme de Champagne, Phil Angotti and friends, Psycho Ex-Lover, The City Thrills, many others.
An EP was released in 2023. A full-length album is expected in Autumn of 2024.
CHARMING DISASTER
Charming Disaster is a goth-folk musical duo based in Brooklyn, NY, formed in 2012 by Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris. Inspired by the macabre humor of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, the murder ballads of the Americana tradition, and the dramatic flair of the cabaret, they write playfully dark songs that tell stories about death, crime, myth, magic, folklore, science, and the occult.
Charming Disaster’s music has been featured on the podcast Welcome to Night Vale, they have toured the United States and Europe, and have opened for Rasputina, Voltaire, The Dresden Dolls. Recent appearances include Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre in NYC, the Rochester Fringe Festival, Philadelphia’s Science History Institute, Cleveland’s Wizbang Circus Theatre, and the Coney Island Sideshow stage.
“FLEETWOOD MAC IN CHICAGO” BOOK SIGNING
Book signing event for “Fleetwood Mac In Chicago – The Legendary Chess Blues Session” by Jeff Lowenthal and Robert Schaffner
Book Review by Mark Thompson at BluesBlast Magazine
“It happened more than fifty years ago, a memorable recording session at the the Chess Records Studio that brought together an English blues band and some of the best Chicago blues musicians. The music captured during the nine hour session was released as two volumes entitled Blues Jam In Chicago, on Blue Horizon Records in December, 1969.
The classic line-up for Fleetwood Mac included the phenomenal Peter Green on guitar and vocals. He was a true master of the blues, playing with enormous amounts of taste and emotion. The band also featured two other guitarists, the slide guitar whiz Jeremy Spencer and Danny Kirwan, who managed to get one of the finest vibrato tones from his guitar without any electronic enhancements. The rhythm section was comprised of Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass, who would later achieve even greater fame with another version of the band.
Jeff Lowenthal was the proverbial “fly on the wall” that day, the lone photographer invited to be part of the session. Some of his photos were included on the original LP albums, as well as subsequent re-releases in a variety of formats. This new book makes available a treasure trove of his efforts, in color and B&W, many for the first time, highlighting a once-in-a-lifetime summit meeting.
This superb volume is a must have for those who treasure the music of the late 1960s version of Fleetwood Mac, and anyone who remains a fan of Peter Green.”
Read full review HERE
THE BLUES CRUSADERS
The Blues Crusaders are:
Chris Herman
Curtis Meissner
Rob Herman
Chris Avgerin
Rick E Liontones
TODD BEEBE
Todd is a Full Time Musician in the Chicagoland Area. Playing everything from Solo & Duo Acoustic Shows to a Full Band Experience- one thing stays constant: his love for the Music. Blues, Rock, Classic Country, Jazz, Soul and Folk are all in his blood, and you’re sure to hear it all in any setting you witness. Todd has won numerous awards for his performing and teaching skills including “Best Soloist” in Suburban Nitelife’s Best Of The Burbs 2014 Contest. He performs numerous music education shows in schools each year where students are exposed to a live band while learning a history of American Music. He has spent years as a Front Man, Side Man and Accompanist, and he is available to do it all. Contact him today! Music is his life, and he loves to pass that love onto numerous students each week. He is available for Private Guitar Instruction. Call All About Music & Children’s Theatre at 708-479-0440 to set up a time today!!
UNDERGROUND WONDER BAR
LUKE’S JAZZ TRIO
GOOD FRIEND
Punk Rock Salted By the Irish Sea.
MAKEWAR
MakeWar is about a fight.
It’s a fight against ignorance and hate.
A fight to do what you want instead of what you’re supposed to.
A fight to stay up when everything is pulling you down.
It’s fighting for the dreamers and drinking to the screamers.
Fighting off what’s holding you back.
That’s why MakeWar sounds like letting go.
So let’s fucking go!
MakeWar is Jose, Edwin, and Daniel.
Welcome to our fight.
SECOND CITY SEANCE
Chicago based Pop Punk
UNCANNY VALLEY
Uncanny Valley is a high-energy blend of emo, easycore, and pop-punk. They combine emotional, infectious vocals with aggressive instrumentals and hard-hitting drum parts, reminiscent of the mid-2010s punk scene. Drawing inspiration from across the modern alternative landscape, Uncanny Valley is truly making pop-punk their own.
CLEVELAND AVENUE
Featured as one of the number one unsigned bands in Illinois on Alternative Press, Chicago 3 piece pop-punk outfit Cleveland Avenue have made a name for themselves as one of the rising bands in their local scene. Founded in 2017 by charismatic singer Defonte Berry and drummer Adam Gay, the band draws influences from the likes of New Found Glory, The Wonder Years, and Neck Deep by blending catchy, hard-hitting hooks accompanied by lyrics inspired by real life situations. Their new single “Colors” (out June 17th) is the followup single to their label debut track “Lucy” that was released earlier this year. Recorded with producer Seth Henderson (Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Broadside), “Colors” is the band’s most honest effort yet filled with raw emotion that all fans of pop-punk will enjoy. “Colors” is about the push and pull of your own internal monologue. It can be very easy to shut out the world and feel as if you have no one. You know you can reach out for help but your anxiety tells you that no one truly understands, or no one cares. We want “Colors” to let people who feel that way know that they aren’t alone, because we feel that way too. No matter how dark it gets, life is still in full color, and you can’t let other people make you lose sight of that.”
FABIO BRIENZA
Fabio Brienza of Varaha returns onstage with his “Dark Soundcapes and Improvisation” series. Brienza’s dark soundtrack music is a journey in dark, evocative, and mesmerizing nostalgia.
MAX KAPLAN & THE MAGICS
“With a captivating front-man, soulful guitar leads, and a tight rhythm section, Memphis-based Max Kaplan has an exciting and original sound harkening back to the sonic landscape of funky Motown and Stax era soul, to the guitar driven blues of the 1960’s.
Max is an energetic vocalist and stage performer, resulting in a poignant display of music through the medium of Memphis soul songwriting. his influences include B.B. King, Leon Bridges, James Brown, Alabama Shakes, Al Green, The Staples Singers, and more.”
DJ CEE WATTS
DJ Cee Watts is one of the South’s premier open-format DJs. Spinning at festivals, concerts, and large events requires particular energy, and Cee has more than enough to spare. She has rocked crowds at New Orleans Essence Fest, Austin’s SXSW, and Houston’s Hennything Festival.
In addition to multiple weekly Houston residencies, Cee deejays for hip hop A-listers, influencers, and brands including Megan Thee Stallion, Kash Doll, DJ Envy, City Girls, James Harden, Rap A Lot, Sneaker Summit, Pepsi, Red Bull, and Hennessey.
Cee’s future is bright. She is now producing music and inspires to be the most successful female producer out of Houston. Additionally, she has worked with iHeart Radio and The Core 94 online station, and hopes to one day solidify a spot on a nationally syndicated radio station. Until then, you can catch her spinning at the biggest events, coolest lounges, and hottest clubs.
KENTHEMAN
Houston rapper KenTheMan delivers frank yet humorous rhymes about sex and relationships. After starting out with a more freestyle-based, punchline-heavy style, her career took off with the viral success of her commanding 2019 song “He Be Like,” which was included on her breakthrough 2020 mixtape 4 da 304’s. She continued refining her skills while remaining lyrically unfiltered on her 2021 release What’s My Name.
Kentavia Miller started rapping with her friends as a high school student, around the beginning of the 2010s, but her potential career was stalled when her ex-boyfriend (who was also a rapper) broke her heart. She took time off to raise her child, but she regained her confidence and released a fiery diss track against her ex, set to the beat for “Chiraq” by G Herbo and Nicki Minaj. The track appeared on Kenny’s Back, her 2015 debut mixtape, which consisted entirely of freestyles. She continued releasing tracks and freestyles as KenTheMan, a moniker chosen in reference to her aggressive, dominant ego. Her 2017 single “Deserve,” a dancehall-influenced reflection on the pain of a busted relationship, started gaining traction online, and the sexually charged “He Be Like” went viral in 2019. Miller’s 2020 mixtape 4 da 304’s continued in the same vein, and the rapper additionally released the single “For Me” with Chase B and OMB Bloodbath. KenTheMan signed to Asylum and released What’s My Name in 2021. ~ Paul Simpson, Rovi
RACETRAITOR
As one of the most political punk hardcore and metal bands of the 1990s, Racetraitor helped pioneer the blending of extreme metal with hardcore. Reformed in 2016, Racetraitor picked up right where they left off bringing their message and music into a new era.
DJ DIAMOND BOY DITO
SWEET MYTHS
Sweet Myths — the rare and elusive fusion-rock band residing in parts of San Diego, California. So elusive, that no one is able to pin down exactly who or what they are. Some have spotted them late at night as a funky jazz band in the swanky clubs of downtown, some have spotted them as a high energy rock n roll band melting faces atop moving double decker busses.
SNAKE WINE
Rock n Roll from the region.
If you ain’t got that wine, I ain’t got the time…
BLACK CAT HEART ATTACK
Older now, younger then, always dangerous. Four from the ignored generation make art for the exploited. Disposable, beautiful, unavoidable noise blasting end-stage apathy to ashes.
VICARIOUS DREAMS
Formed in 2022, Vicarious Dreams cut their teeth playing covers and igniting local Battle of the Bands stages — quickly earning a reputation for their high-octane performances and undeniable chemistry. What started as a passion project evolved fast into something bigger, as the band began crafting original music influenced by heavy-hitters like Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, Van Halen, and Audioslave.
Blending the melodic with the ferocious, Vicarious Dreams delivers a sound that’s both modern and unmistakably classic — built on real guitar solos, an active rhythm section, and powerhouse female vocals.
The band has already made waves in the regional scene, winning over crowds and competitions with their commanding stage presence and dynamic songwriting. With a debut EP in the works, they’re poised to take their sound beyond the local circuit.
KANBINA
=4-piece rock band writing tunes for people who love Vans, black jeans and Tony Hawk soundtracks. Josue | Alberto | Salem | Jarred
CODEFENDANTS
Fat Mike of NOFX‘s newly launched project, Codefendants, are the breath of fresh air and the steel-toe-cap kick in the nuts music has needed for too long. Get Dead vocalist Sam King’s graffiti crew were giving tattoos and making flash art to raise money to help rapper Ceschi Ramos when he was in prison. Months later they met at the Gilman Street Project in Berkeley, California. They bonded, talking about their love of hip-hop and punk rock, over a bottle of Jameson. They didn’t know it yet, but they had just started Codefendants. Impossible to define by traditional standards, Codefendants were forged out of a desire to make an album that sounded like nothing else; a completely genre-fluid album, a cross between hip hop, new-wave, flamenco, and the Beatles. They call the genre ‘Crime Wave’.
T.A.N.G.
NOOSE RITUAL
Chicago area ghouls summoning up death metal with dissonant, doom and gloom vibes.
MARQUEAL JORDAN
A Los Angeles native who spent his teen years in Kansas City, KS, Marqueal has been based in the music-rich city of Chicago since 1995. Moving to the Windy City after earning a Business Administration degree at the University of Kansas, Marqueal began paying dues by playing gigs in every musical style imaginable. In those early years, he earned his reputation as a seasoned and magnetic performer. Marqueal was the front man for the critically acclaimed local original band, Fat Time, and a member of the spin-off band, Starcandy. By the early 2000’s, he was highly in demand to perform with the top musicians and bands in the city.
In 2008, Marqueal met Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson. Impressed by his playing and singing, Brian offered Marqueal a spot in his touring band. Over the next 10 years, Marqueal traveled the world with Brian, appeared in two DVDs, and was featured on four albums. The exposure gave him the confidence and desire to become a solo artist.
Marqueal’s solo debut album, Catalyst, was released in October 2013. It helped to establish him as an emerging artist in Smooth & Contemporary Jazz. After leaving Brian Culbertson’s band in the summer of 2018 to focus on his solo career, he recorded his second project, Intention & Purpose. Released in February 2019, the album is a musical journey through Contemporary Jazz, Soul/R&B and Hip Hop, and it showcases his growing skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer. The album yielded two Top 20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You Only Knew” and “The Edge”. Currently, Marqueal is putting the finishing touches on his third solo album, All We Have Are Moments. After several delays, the album will be released in early 2022. The album’s lead single, “Last Call”, was released in March 2021 and was well received by SiriusXM Watercolors and Smooth Jazz Radio. To support the album, Marqueal will be rejoining Brian Culbertson on tour as a featured Special Guest in 2022, as well as touring on his own.
In addition to leading and touring with his own band, Marqueal occasionally tours with The Legendary Isley Brothers and the prodigious Guitarist/Vocalist Isaiah Sharkey. He has also shared the stage with some of the greats in music, performing with legends such as: Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing, George Duke, Candy Dulfer, Floetry, Aretha Franklin, Larry Graham, Buddy Guy, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Joe, KRS-One, Kenny Lattimore, Maysa, Frank McComb, Marcus Miller, Najee, Mike Phillips, Eric Roberson, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Sy Smith, and Kirk Whalum. In Chicago, he still performs locally with Brother John Kattke and Midnight Sun Band. Marqueal also collaborates with Chicago-based artist/producer DJ I.N.C., and has been featured on numerous projects of I.N.C.’s since 2000.
Marqueal was proud to be recognized by the Chicago Defender as a Man Of Excellence in 2014. Father, mentor and friend to many, Marqueal Jordan is a humble man who is focused on achieving greatness through his music and his deeds.
HILLERY BANKS
WONNIE
A Korean boy in Chicago writing math rock for nobody in his apartment
HYDRODATE
auditory emotion from the minds of cam olivia max + hendrix
DAARLING
a dynamic 3-piece indie rock band currently based in Chicago, Illinois.
They blend soft and delicate passages with bursts of intensity and noise paying homage to the soft-loud dynamics of 90s bands. Their first two singles, “Dig” and “Metamorphosis” are out now on all streaming platforms.
JOHN A. BEAVERS
Born in Chicago, melodic punk rock with hints of garage rock, hardcore, and riff-rock. Simple songs about life and the good and bad times.
MEMENTO MORI
Chicago based rock and roll.
GRAY GHOST
Dave – Guitars, Vocals
Jeff – Drums, Vocals
Russ – Basses, Vocals
Dwight – Vocals, Nintendos