A wise man once told us “Just stay together, and continue to write the best music you can—great things will happen.” What followed were arguably the most trying 7 years in the history of the music industry, but somehow it never felt like that to us. Needless to say, we followed his advice, and he was right…
Throughout our career, we made 2 albums with Tooth & Nail Records—a cool label out of Seattle that spawned a lot of bands we grew up listening to—and another 2 albums since going independent. We also stumbled upon fun outlets to explore our silly brand of humor, like youtube, where we’ve racked up over 11 million views on our videos.
Once we even got nominated for a Grammy, and saw a single go to number 1 at CHR Radio. Lately, we’ve forged some relationships that we’re really proud of, like an ever-growing friendship with a show called Ninjago, which LEGO produced. The show took on a life of it’s own, and now brings our band name in front of a ba-jillion cool kiddos who might never have heard of us before.
In 2012, we wrote a song that was adopted as the WGN official theme song for The Chicago Cubs, our favorite home team, as well as theme songs for NFL’s Broncos, Bucaneers and Panthers.
We’re so happy and proud that we listened to that man’s advice. Thank you, the listener, for giving us something to sing about!
The Diplomats of Solid Sound is a soul group from Iowa City, IA that performs soul music with a modern garage band twist. The current members of the band are Doug Roberson on guitar, Nate Basinger on Hammond Organ, Paul Kresowik on drums and percussion, Eddie McKinley on sax, David Basinger on sax, Sarah Cram, Kathy Ruestow on vocals. In 2008 Diplomats released an album titled The Diplomats of Solid Sound Featuring The Diplomettes on Italian Funk/Soul/Groove label Record Kicks.
Formed in 2006, The Dopamines wanted nothing more than to play a few shows, drink some booze and let some air out of the tires. By 2020 they’ve amassed roughly 60 songs and about as many fans, all uniting together in a hillock of drunken self loathing, regret, personal reflection and an occasional spattering of hope. They’re also douche bags and can’t play very well live. Shoulder shrug emoji.
The Drastics are modern roots music. Their sound fits as easily in a Kingston dancehall as it does in an artist’s loft-party in the warehouse district. Though primarily classified as a reggae group, The Drastics embrace many styles of music both live and in the studio. This can be heard in their songs which draw from roots Jamaican music, hip hop, hard-bop jazz, afro-beat, dancehall, as well as folk music from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Take this powder keg cocktail of styles, add the pulse of gritty everyday urban living and you get one explosive sound. Not playing into any gimmicks or compromising to trends (“The Drastics deserve much credit for moving deep into unchartered territories” – allMusic Guide) The Drastics have been consistantly rocking crowds for three years from NYC to LA and everywhere in between (“dub masters, The Drastics … never fail to put on a killer party” – TimeOut Chicago).
The Dyes are a raw rock’n’roll trio hailing from Chicago, IL. Often coined as ‘garageabilly’, they’ve dipped into a phonic realm fueled by infectious ’50s and ’60s oldies, approached with an irreverence and vigor that is anything but retro. Frontwomen Lisa and Jill formed the group as teens, then maintained the same line-up since the addition of Charlie back in ’06. The Dyes’ve had the pleasure to travel around the great US of A a time or two, sharing bills with roots rock luminaries including Johnny Powers, Reverend Horton Heat, JD McPherson, Los Straitjackets, and too many other friends to name!
Their last single “Liza Jane” was featured on Bloodshot Records’ (RIP) 25th Anniversary Comp Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots, alongside 21 other Chi-town artists running the spectrum of classic country, bluegrass, rockabilly, folk, and rock. Described as “Cramps-and-Flat Duo Jets-fearing garage power trio spins a sleazy, lo-fi psychobilly take on a pop standard that became David Bowie’s first recorded single.”
The Circle View is a captivating band charting new territory in the modern rock genre. The quartet hails from Chicago and hypnotizes fans with their amazing ability to combine melodic, eye-popping hooks, with a straight-ahead rock vibe. This combination allows the band to cast a wide net, capturing the imagination of fans and competitors alike.
With the release of their new album, The Love Rebellion, The Circle View is getting set to launch a nation wide tour. These innovative shows will showcase their new music which is sure to excite the fans old and new.
The Circle View is Lance Ayers on vocals guitar & keys, Tom Howell on guitar, Chris McKenna on bass, and Joey Williams on drums. The members bring their unique backgrounds together, creating a refreshing and distinctive sound that is uniquely T.C.V.
Joell Hayes of Phonology Studio in Chicago states, “From the very first time I heard his music I knew he was special. Now he has the right group of guys with him. It’s only a matter of time for a guy like Lance.”
The Circle View brings together the influences of the various members, including Jimi Hendrix, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Prince…. just to name a few.
Natives from Rockford, IL, this melodic post-hardcore 5 piece has opened for the likes of Taking Back Sunday, Chiodos, The Used, Four Letter Lie, and Greeley Estates, and Misery Signals. Musical influences range from Misery Signals, Beloved, Life in Your Way, Glassjaw, and Poison the Well to name a few among many more. Having signed to Rise Records, they have released two albums to date. “We All Have Demons” in 2009 and “My Devil In Your Eyes” in 2011.
The Columbines play songs about love, songs about anger, songs about angry love and lovely anger; songs about the devil you know and the devil you don’t.
Classic soul meets rock and roll in this dynamic eight-piece collective from Chicago. The Congregation features Gina Bloom, a singer whose raw and powerful vocals are underscored by Charlie Wayne’s dynamic guitar riffs, the band’s rock and soul rhythms (Dan Wendt on drums, Chuck Sansone on keys and Steve Schuster on bass) and the lively call and response of a three-piece horn section (Justin Amolsch on trumpet, Erik Eiseman on sax and Nick Nottoli on trombone). When it comes to the songwriting, you won’t find any sugarcoated love songs here–you’ll get a little bit of longing and a whole lot of wronging.
While the release of Right Now Everything marked the band’s full-length album debut, The Congregation has been steadily gaining steam since the release of its seven-song EP, Not for Sleepin’, in late 2010. The band was named by the Chicago Tribune as one of “11 Bands to Watch in 2011”, and was recently featured in Paste Magazine as one of “10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now”. The Congregation’s stop-and-take-notice sound earned the group the opportunity to share a triple stadium-bill with Grammy-winning band Wilco and critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird as well as another all-star ballpark lineup with the Flaming Lips and Garbage in the summer of 2012. In 2013, The Congregation appeared as an official showcasing act at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX and appeared on an episode of Through The Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.
The Coop is the concoction of drummer/producer Jake Barinholtz, guitarist/producer Danny Biggins, and bassist/producer Cason Trager. Formed in 2004 in Chicago, The Coop quickly broke into the jam-rock and electronica scene, and with the addition of keyboard virtuoso Joe Re, the band’s sound and versatile abilities stretched into uncharted territories.
Capturing the modern unification of organic and future sounds through the fusion of electronic production and traditional instrumentation, The Coop consistently takes the listener on genre-bending aural adventures. The synchronization of breakbeat, dub, jazz, and jamband rock drive their core sound, resulting in dynamically flowing original tracks and live performances.
Between their debut album, Internalize, and their EP, A Fleeting Glimpse, The Coop proves that originality and popularity can coincide. With numerous headlining shows and major festival slots under their belt and many more on their upcoming schedule, this four-man sound system’s journey to the top is only just beginning.
