Hailing from the rural outskirts of Baltimore, consisting of founder, Dresden Boulden on Guitar and Vocals, Triston Grove on Bass, and Jason Kendall on Drums. Magick Potion is a hard hitting heavy rock trio channeling the raw energy and heavy grooves of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Clearly hooked on the likes of underrated groups such as Blue Cheer, The Amboy Dukes and Budgie, the band crafts a sound that fuse’s heavy rock’s gritty riffs with contrasting moments boarding on psychedelia. With roaring guitars, thunderous drums and hard driving bass lines Magick Potion conjures a vibe that is both nostalgic yet contemporary and original. Their music is a bridge to an era where rock was rebellious, loud and unfiltered, yet they infuse it with a spirit all their own.
ALAN FORD JR.
I am chicago based Comedian who has performed all over the country.
Collaborate, Create, Bloviate. This is how we succeed. Wendi Freeman: drums, backup vocal John Llewellyn: lead vocal, guitar, songwriting Scott Niekelski: bass, backup vocal Stevie Weber: guitars, keys. CHICAGO
Slamming Brutal Death act Peeling Flesh (US). Quitessence of slamming brutal death metal from members of Strangled, Aberrant Construct and Loathing Existence.
LINE UP: Mychal Soto – Guitar; Jason Parrish – Guitar; Joe Pelletier – Drums; Austin Hirom – Bass; Damonteal Harris – Vocals.
Born amidst the chaos of quarantine, Fin Talbot is a unique blend of Chicago’s grit and Dublin’s charm. Started by Sean Fagan and joined by Dan Glines and his brother John, their indie rock landscape is shaped by influences ranging from ’70s glam rock to early 2000s indie rock. As they continue to evolve and grow, be on the lookout for new releases and shows.
A band that bloomed from a dark and damp basement in Chicago… BloomSwitch is a 3 piece band composed of Bing Labog (Vocals/Guitars), Chris Mall (Bass) and Kris Cocjin (Drums). With their combined love for different genres of music, – blues, rock, funk, hip-hop and disco – out came a sound that is both unique and unusual.
4th Point is an American alternative rock band from the Chicago area. In 2011, the band formed with the hope of creating honest music that they believe in. Influenced by the sounds and styles of artists like Switchfoot and Skillet, 4th Point brings passion to their performances through endless energy, sincerity, and crowd interaction. The band’s relatable lyrics and upbeat music are undeniable on the stage and reflected in their three full-length albums. 4th Point has shared the stage with national touring artists Switchfoot, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Red, Big Daddy Weave, ISLANDER, NF, Colton Dixon, and many more.
Additionally, 4th Point has performed at several Christian Festival Association (CFA) festivals including Big Ticket Festival (Gaylord, MI), Lifest (Oshkosh, WI), Unity Christian Music Festival (Muskegon, MI), and Sonshine Festival (Somerset, WI). Band members: Matt Ellis Bryce Knight Bradley Kus Joe Valliquette
Experience the iconic sound of Maná with Sueños Líquidos, the premier tribute band dedicated to celebrating Mexico’s legendary rock group. With passion and precision, Sueños Líquidos brings Maná’s unforgettable hits to life, delivering an authentic and electrifying performance.
Underwear is the solo recording project of Annalise Panken, live they are joined by bassist Luca Cece and drummer Alex DeRango. Words and phrases used to describe Underwear’s sound include but are not limited to: spiky, lo-fi, freaky, jangle-worship, Beatles-esque, and “certainly something.”
Belushi Speed Ball are a Kentucky-based band founded in 2013 as a studio project amongst friends with a penchant for cliché crossover thrash. Their first live performances came soon after, enthralling a rapidly growing fanbase with a uniquely interactive brand of theatrics and unorthodox approach to releases and merch.
Dubbed “one of the funniest f*cking things I have heard this year” by The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano, Belushi Speed Ball are inspired by bands from Toxic Holocaust and Anthrax to Gwar and Municipal Waste, to whom they simultaneously play homage and satirize a mean comment from a fan in their song “Ripping off Municipal Waste”, which was voted one of Leo Magazine’s top 20 songs of 2022.
With a reputation for both trashing venues and meticulously cleaning them up after each individually themed performance, Belushi Speed Ball are masters of executing the unthinkable.
From playing out of a Mad Max-esque moving van and starting Terminator-inspired 300-person Nerf gun fights to releasing entire albums in N64… or Furby… formats, nothing is sacred as they continue evolving as, in the words of Metalsucks, “a freakshow of blistering thrash dedicated to laughing its ass off at blistering thrash.”
This year, Belushi Speedball are readier than ever to keep that momentum going, with yet another album mastered to perfection by Joel Grind of Toxic Holocaust, as well as a host of festival appearances, tours, and merch set to drop over the months to come.
A short-lived side project assembled by the members of costumed shock thrashers GWAR, X-Cops penned comedic hardcore and speed metal ditties inspired by the humorous darker side of law enforcement. Going under such imaginative stage names as Sheriff “Tubb” Tucker (vocals), Sgt. AlDepantsia (guitar), Lt. Louis Scrapinetti (guitar), Patrolman Cobb Knobbler (bass), Cadet Billy Club (drums), Mountain Bike Officer Biff Buff (vocals), Sgt. Zypygski (vocals), and Detective Philip McRevis (samples), the members of X-Cops locked up their debut album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent, in 1995. But they managed only a single the following year before retiring from the force and, once again, concentrating on donning their GWAR outfits thereafter. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi
Siamese Dream is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993, by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Butch Vig and frontman Billy Corgan. Despite its recording sessions being fraught with difficulties and tensions, Siamese Dream debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, and was eventually certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with the album selling over six million copies worldwide, catapulting the Smashing Pumpkins to mainstream success and cementing them as a significant group in alternative music.
Songs for the Deaf is the third studio album by the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, released on August 27, 2002, by Interscope Records. It features guest musicians including Dave Grohl on drums, and was the last Queens of the Stone Age album to feature Nick Oliveri on bass. Songs for the Deaf is a loose concept album, taking the listener on a drive through the California desert from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, tuning into radio stations from towns along the way such as Banning and Chino Hills.
Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings have been playing the blues worldwide for over 25 years, regularly appearing at clubs and festivals worldwide. Years on the road with blues legends such as John Primer, Eddy Clearwater, and most recently James Cotton have made Tom Holland one of the most in demand blues artists on the scene today!
Bob Stroger: Have Bass Will Travel…. I was born in South East Missouri in a small town Haiti, where I lived on a farm. I moved to Chicago in 1955. I lived in the back of a night club on the West Side, where Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters played. It looked like they were having a lot of fun and I made up my mind that what I wanted to do was play music. I got married at an early age and I used to watch my brother-in-law play music. His name was Johnny Ferguson and he and JB Hutto had a band they called the Twisters. They were working on 39’th and State Street in Chicago and I would carry them to work every night and watch them. Then at home I would try to teach myself to play. My cousin Ralph Ramey said that we should start a band and we did just that. We got my brother (John Stroger), who played the drums, to learn the songs we knew and in four months we were making some noise. We went to a club and played two songs and the man said we had a job. It was one of the better clubs, where musicians like Memphis Slim worked. The owner wanted us to wear uniforms but we had no money to buy them, so we got black tams and put a red circle in the top and called the band the Red Tops and that was the way it started. We got so good that they wanted the band to travel, but Ralph’s wife did not wont him to travel. so my brother formed a band with Willie Kent and myself and called it Joe Russel and the Blues Hustlers. We played together for a while,but eventually I decided to move on, because i wanted to travel more and see the world and I found out you can make money doing this. I joined a jazz band and played with Rufus Forman for about 3 years, but we were doing very little work. Then I met Eddie King and we talked. I told him I was in a jazz band and we needed a guitar player that could play blues. He sead OK and joined our groop, and we started playing blues and RB and things took off. We called the band Eddie King and King Men, and we stayed together for 15 years. Then we split up for about 2 years and later we started the band up as Eddie King and Babee May and the Blues Machine and we stayed together until Eddie King moved out of town. I quit playing for 2 years becouse we were so close I did not want to play with anyone but Eddie. Then I met Jessie Grean when I was playing with Morris Pejo and he liked the way I played bass and one night Otis Rush need a bass player, so Jessie said come and work with him. The rest is history. I have been playing music for 39 years and I am still having fun.
Speaking in Tongues is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. After their split with producer Brian Eno and a short hiatus, which allowed the individual members to pursue side projects, recording began in 1982. It became the band’s commercial breakthrough and produced the band’s sole US top-ten hit, “Burning Down the House”, which reached No. 9 in the Billboard Chart.
I’m a songwriter and solo act that performs with acoustic guitar and piano. In an effort to find a platform for my songwriting, I bought a guitar and channeled a few years of childhood piano lessons to start scrapping together some music. I’ve come a long way since then and still push everyday to get better. But my goal has always been the same; to relay my honest experience in a way that can resonate with anyone.
JenniferFemme’s eclectic music takes inspiration from jazz, folk, pop and rnb with topics centered around identity and love, among other things. She plays violin and lead vocal in Jenni and the Loverboys, and guitar/lead vocal for Zhuzh Girls. Jennifer also hosts open mics at the Purple Tea Pot and Eli Tea Bar, and runs sound at the monthly Fruit Salad event at Dorothy. Her music is available on all major streaming platforms.
Brigitte’s always getting away with something. Tonight, she’s a mime masquerading as a musician. Last year, she premiered and sold out a mime rock show about grieving a relationship. She produces a singer/songwriter series called (R)evolve at Voice (R)evolution and is starting to build an immersive, scientific art project. Formerly a theater technician, but forever a woman of the shadows, you can find her @justafriendlygargoyle.
For the past 10 years, Theo Lawrence has been making a name for himself as France’s favorite songbird. A truly one-of-a-kind Country singer and genuine keeper of the flame, Lawrence came into his own on his Austin-made 2023 LP release, Cherie, and on his latest all acoustic album, Pickin’ & Singin’.
Lawrence pens classic love songs, and delivers with a croon straight out of the Charlie Rich and Ray Price golden years. In recent years, he has played a pivotal role in reviving an interest for Country Music in Europe, and with his recent move to Austin, TX, Theo Lawrence is bringing his honed craft back to its American cradle.
A Patch of Blues is a unique blues and soul band with Fati Jones (vocals), Rebecca Egwuenu (lead guitar), Claudia Easterwood (bass), & Stacy Norris (drums). The members met through the years and developed a friendship at the Fernando Jones Blues Camp in Chicago (Columbia College), where they developed a love for the blues, their city’s heritage, and playing music together. Each member is an accomplished musician and vocalist in her own right and decided to come together to bring a unique sound and urban funky flair to their audiences. POB has performed throughout the Chicagoland area and the Midwest (Wisconsin and Indiana) on major festival stages as well as in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge (representing youth Windy City Blues Society). The band was nominated in 2023 for a Chicago Music Award and received a Chicago Music Award for Best Band in 2024. A Patch of Blues strongly believes in the power of music to unite and heal.
“The Golden Bucks” are a Chicago-based Americana project that blends the most iconic sounds of the American music experience. They choose a mix of Western Swing, Blues, Old Country, Rockabilly, Early Jazz, and Folk from the 20’s through the early 60’s. The result is a mix of the most pivotal musical influences from the American soundscape.
Daniel Rey & the Revenirs are a Berwyn-based Chicagoland Alt-Country band reminiscent of the Drive-By Truckers, Son Volt, Centro-Matic and Lucero.
The Revenirs sound revolves around singer/songwriter Daniel Rey’s tales of “sorrow and solitude” and features Dennis Kardys on lead guitar and Dean Radzik on drums–both alums of Chicagoland alt-country darlings, “The Dirty Green”– alongside former “The Soup” (Denton TX) bassist, “Dodgy Mary” (Chicago) vocalist and Lone Star Native “Catfish” Willy Hudson on bass.
“Daniel Rey” began as the solo Alt-country, side-project of singer/songwriter Dejan Kralj (day-on kraal), who has spent the last three and a half decades as the bass guitarist and one of the primary songwriters for Milwaukee’s reclusive alternative-rock band, The Gufs. The former Atlantic Recording/EMI Publishing Artist and 2012 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee is a life-time resident of the Midwest, Rey (the Spanish translation of Kralj) and divides his time between his current home in the Veltway community of Berwyn on Chicago’s near-westside and a small farm in Southeastern Indiana, which has been the source of his alt-folk/alt-country musings over the last twenty-five years.
Daniel Rey has been performing throughout the Midwest since 2018 and released his debut LP “Living Low” on Milwaukee’s Red Submarine Records in 2020. Daniel Rey & the Revenirs are currently working on Rey’s follow-up and the band’s debut LP “Too Busy Dying” for release later this year.
Many are saying “It is good to like West Nile Crows” and we’d have to agree! West Nile Crows is one of the most unique sounding bands to come out of Milwaukee WI during the post-pandemic surge of indie music. Having a background in dream-pop, punk, grunge, goth, chillwave and psychedelia, the music West Nile Crows creates is sure to scratch an itch you didn’t even know you had!
Young Swan is a Chicago-based rock band featuring Edmund Sinnott on vocals, guitar, and keys; Daniel Laumbacher on drums and vocals; and Zach Porlier on bass and vocals. The band blends the best elements of ’80s UK synth pop and ’90s West Coast rock to create a sound that’s both original and nostalgically familiar.
The trio met while attending college, where they formed their first band, The Corduroy, in 2009. Their debut EP, Madeleine, earned them a spot as one of the top 10 finalists out of 729 entries nationwide in the VH1 Raw and Unprocessed Battle of the Bands. In 2014, Young Swan released their self-titled EP, which received airplay on WXRT and was featured on Spotify editorial playlists. They’ve also shared the stage with acts like Nathaniel Rateliff and Fruit Bats. Young Swan continues to release new music and perform live, with more releases expected in late 2024.
MOLDER “CATASTROPHIC RECONFIGURATION” ALBUM RELEASE LISTENING PARTY
NECROTICGOREBEAST
NecroticGoreBeast’s self titled debut album erupted from the cankerous crust of the brutal death metal scene in 2019 and immediately established the band as one of the very heaviest around. Combining fearsome technical ability with intimidating brute force they pushed the limits further with second album, Human Deviance Galore and now they have bulldozed through the boundaries of sonic extremity once again. Repugnant is a relentless attack of world shattering violence, its bludgeoning blows entwined in cruel complexity and warped imagination. Each strike is deadly, from the panic inducing opening of the title track to the final, fatal blow of ‘Frozen Feces Evisceration’. Along the corpse strewn way you’ll find throat shredding guest vocal appearances from Cryptopsy’s Matt McGachy and Bludgeoned’s Jonathan Huber and some of the most incredible brutal death metal you will ever hear. NecroticGoreBeast have the strength to take on anyone in their field and leave them bleeding. In the badlands of brutality there is no match for the ‘GoreBeast. On November 3rd the number one label for the most savage and unforgiving death metal, Comatose Music, will unleash Repugnant upon an unsuspecting world.
Moonbird is a Chicago band formed in the spring of 2022 by strangers seeking a creative outlet. Drawing from a variety ofguitar-based genres, Moonbird is living proof that not everyone on Craigslist is trying to murder you. What does Moonbird sound like? A hug. Your favorite CD as a kid. A cigarette at a house party. Moonbird is whatever you want it to be.
Kepi is a genius. This ex-Groovie Ghoulies frontman is KEEPIN’ IT REAL, with his all new band and solo project. He’s been on tour for like 12 years straight. If you see them play and don’t like them, then you must hate fun. The terrorists win. Buy albums now. Don’t wait.
Hello, I’m Mike Keneally, writing things about myself. What’s happening with you? You good?
Here are a few words about my life in music. I appreciate you reading them, if in fact you do:
I started playing keyboard when I was seven, when my parents gave me an electronic organ for Christmas. It was a total box of magic to me. For my eleventh birthday I got a guitar and that was a whole different kind of beast, one that I loved just as much. I played both instruments obsessively while I was growing up.
I loved The Beatles, too, to an unreasonable degree, starting when I was five years old, and over time that love extended to (I’m writing a list now) Frank Zappa, ELP, Alice Cooper, The Rolling Stones, Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder, Yes, The Beach Boys, Henry Cow, Joni Mitchell, Gentle Giant, Sly Stone, The Residents, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Steve Reich, XTC, Radiohead and a million other incredible people. They Might Be Giants too, they’ve done some unbelievable stuff. Beefheart obviously. Thelonious Monk, sheesh. Laurie Anderson is badass too. Crimson! And Tull! Let’s talk Thomas Dolby and Leonard Bernstein for a second! All of those influences and countless others have found their way into my music; music which, I hope, doesn’t really sound like any of it.
I was a weird kid, and I slowly learned to adapt in different circumstances, except when I didn’t. To the extent that I did, this came in handy when I was 25 years old, in late 1987, and got hired to play guitar and keyboard with Frank Zappa, my ultimate musical hero when I was growing up. It was also my first real professional gig as a musician, and it came with a lot of hard and fast learning, or not. It was a mind-blowing experience in every way, literally a dream come true, but also far more than that. I feel the repercussions every day.
(Just a sec. I’m veering off-narrative here, but do you see over there where it says I’m the leading progressive-rock genius etc.? [Bill Meredith wrote that by the way, thank you Bill!] Anyway, is that really true? What do you guys think? Tell you what, I’ll count to three, and then you all yell out what you think about it. One. Two! THREE! Hey, I couldn’t hear anything!)
Back to my life story here. It took me a while to recover after the Zappa tour, and decide on a next step, but as the 90s got underway I eventually got a solo career going (while also working with Frank’s sons in the group Z, and then playing in Steve Vai’s band for six years. Both extremely fun and educational experiences). Some friends of mine (Jeff and Suzanne Forrest, thank you!) in San Diego started a label, and I signed with Immune Records and did eight audio or video projects with them from 1992 to 1998 – this was when I did hat., Boil That Dust Speck and Sluggo! as well as other titles. Then my pal Scott Chatfield and I formed Exowax Recordings in 1999, and starting with the instrumental one-man-band album Nonkertompf we unleashed another twenty or so Keneally releases, including regular albums, EPs, limited editions with DVDs or bonus albums, etc. Exowax merrily continues pumping out delicious audio for you, to this very freakin’ day.
I started playing live with my own bands a lot in the late 90s, playing insanely intricate stuff, improvising a lot and doing a lot of crazy things onstage, but not quite settling into a jam band scene, or a fusion scene, or an alternative scene, or a prog scene, but (I guess?) combining something of all of that, without ever attempting to do anything specific genre-wise at all; I just keep trying to make music that I enjoy hearing. Add in the energy we get from the many varied and wonderful music-lovers we’ve played for around the world, and it’s all been an extraordinary thing for me to be a part of. I’m endlessly grateful to all the musicians who’ve played my music through they years, and to all the people who’ve enjoyed it.
Sometime around 2000 I started occasionally seeing brown triangles, giving me musical instruction according to some arcane outerplanetary notational system. This would happen, sometimes, when I was playing guitar onstage with my eyes closed. After a couple of years, it stopped. I think it helped my playing for good, and I enjoyed it a lot.
In 2006 I started writing songs with Andy Partridge, former leader of XTC and songwriting hero of mine. Six years later, I put out an album called Wing Beat Fantastic: Songs Written By Mike Keneally & Andy Partridge. Working with Andy was another fairly unbelievable dream come true for me, similar to working with Zappa in terms of the impact these gentlemen have had on my life.
This album and other recent albums of mine have been recorded at Scott Chatfield’s studio Chatfield Manor, with ace engineer Mike Harris a constant co-conspirator. Every moment it’s possible for me to be working on music here, I do my best to take it. I love making albums. It’s an addiction.
Recent releases include Scambot 1 (part one of an epic ongoing saga; Scambot 2 is presently in the works); Evidence of Humanity with drummer Marco Minnemann; and a live DVD/CD set of the Mike Keneally Band, called bakin’ @ the potato! Here’s a video from bakin’: youtube.
Largely thanks to the kind patronage of Co de Kloet at NTR Music in the Netherlands, I’ve also written some orchestral pieces (sometimes with myself as guitar soloist); the most notable is the 52-minute suite The Universe Will Provide, recorded with Holland’s Metropole Orkest and released by NPS Music/Favored Nations in 2003. No other musical experience compares to playing live with an orchestra. For an electric guitarist it’s a real challenge to create the proper space as a soloist, without become overwhelming with volume, and finding a dynamic which feels of a piece with the orchestration. I’d love to do more of it and continue refining the process.
My new album on Exowax Recordings is You Must Be This Tall. It’s one of my crazier releases; mostly instrumental, although there are a few key vocal tracks on it. In a way it might be my most focused and ambitious album yet; it’s a 12-song, 44-minute rocket blast of punchy experimentalism with a lot of melodic and harmonic depth to it, if I do freaking say so. I’m not impressed with myself, you understand, but I’m totally happy with this album.
I also work a lot nowadays as a member of Joe Satriani’s band, and that is really hugely fun. And I play death metal, along with Brendon Small, as a guitarist in the live band Dethklok (originated in cartoon form on the [adult swim] TV program Metalocalypse. We, the human band, play the death metal live, while the cartoon Dethklok is in rhythmic sync with us, on a huge LED screen above the stage. People go nuts. It is incredibly fun).
Looking at all of it in one place, it’s a strange career I have, but it’s been more fun than a basket of warm aardvarks in the springtime.
“Lizard Brain is Rodrigo Braga, Dave Freedman, Ramon Nogueira Manas, and Lucas Pinto, and they are here to rock your subcortical regions”
DUST BITERS
Dust Biters is a hard rock hardcore band from Chicago, IL, blending riff-heavy grooves, post-hardcore intensity, and punk swagger. Drawing inspiration from Refused, Thin Lizzy, Every Time I Die, and Against Me!, they’ve carved out a space in the heavy music scene with a thrilling mix of aggression and melody.
Their latest single, “Old Town Curse,” recorded by Grammy-winner Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore), showcases driving riffs, emotionally charged lyrics, and a heavier sound. The track has earned praise for its energy and distinctive vocal style.
Known for high-energy live shows, Dust Biters have performed at Heavy Chicago Fest and shared stages with Glassjaw, Electric Six, and Many Eyes, quickly building a reputation as one of the most exciting bands in the scene.
Dust Biters is Nick Kinsley (vocals, guitar), Nick Miller (guitar, backing vocals), Thomas “Tommy” R. van Arsdale (drums, piano, backing vocals), and Bryan Fonseca (bass, backing vocals).
Allegra Dayo is a multifaceted artist and creative director hailing from Chicago, blending the worlds of rap, singing, and writing into a distinctive sound. With a natural talent for storytelling, Allegra crafts lyrics that resonate deeply, offering fresh perspectives through her music. As the host of WOOSA Wednesday, a popular podcast, she dives into candid conversations and creative insights, showcasing her versatility as a true jack-of-all-trades. Known for her unique voice and artistic vision, Allegra Dayo continues to push boundaries, making waves in the creative scene with her authenticity and passion.
Simmy, a Chicago-native DJ, producer, and entrepreneur, is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. With her fly, underground, and eclectic sound, she has the ability to ignite any crowd she touches. Simmy’s versatile talents have graced numerous rooms, airwaves, and stages, earning her a reputation as a DJ who consistently delivers unforgettable experiences. Fearless in her approach and fuelled by her unwavering passion, she aspires to transcend geographical boundaries, taking her talents worldwide.
As an LA native who recently moved to Chicago, ADONIA is a dynamic DJ specializing in nostalgic R&B and hip-hop and drawing inspiration from the iconic video vixen era. She is known for her innovative blends of 90’s and 00’s music with current hits that keep the crowd moving. ADONIA creates vibrant mashups that make every set a unique and unforgettable experience. She adds an extra layer of house influenced R&B and soulful disco sounds making her distinctive style a standout presence.
Nique Royale is an artist based out of Chicago, IL. As an Aries, she embodies the fiery passion of a true fire sign. Nique has been creating music since she was a child, always dreaming of becoming an artist. As she grew older, she turned her dreams into reality. What motivates her to keep going is the fact that people genuinely listen to and resonate with her music. Her influences came from watching MTV Jams and 106 & Park, where she aspired to be on those shows just like the artists she admired. Nique Royale is eager to collaborate with other artists to create feel-good music for both men and women, aiming to keep the world exciting through her music.
Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, Ifeanyi Elswith is an R&B/Hip-hop artist known for her fearless fusion of jazz, soul, pop, house, reggae, dancehall and her Belizean roots—crafting a sound that’s unmistakably hers. Named 1st runner-up for The Chicago Reader’s ‘Best R&B Artist’ of 2023 and dubbed “the coolest girl on the block,” she’s been highlighted by platforms like Chicago Tribune, Vocalo, Windy City Live, and Audiotree. Ifeanyi has shared stages with artists like Vic Mensa, dancehall legend, Capleton, and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie. Her music has reached audiences across the globe, with placements on MAX, NBC, Tubi, and in a Belikin Beer commercial in Belize. With her unique style and magnetic energy, Ifeanyi isn’t just making music—she’s making waves.
Zaay is a new wave rapper with a homegrown sound traversing the musical landscape with the same intentionality and vigor with which she explores her internal and external world!
Meet Shiondria, an R&B artist whose soulful melodies have captivated audiences worldwide. With her velvety voice and powerful lyrics, she weaves tales of love, empowerment, and resilience. Her debut ep, “To All The F–kboys I’ve Loved Before” has resonated deeply with listeners of all backgrounds But Shiondria is more than just a talented artist. She is also the visionary founder of The GoalFriendz, a dynamic women’s empowerment organization that has grown to over 126k members and counting. Through Goalfriendz, Shiondria provides a supportive community and resources for female entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed in their personal and professional endeavors. In an industry often dominated by male voices, Shiondria stands out as a beacon of empowerment and representation for women everywhere. Her journey from aspiring artist to influential leader is as inspiring as it is impressive, and she is passionate about sharing her story with the world.
Liv Roskos is a creative, entreprenuer, and events producer. Her passion is to create artistic environments and experiences where artists feel known, valued, and loved. Her music is birthed out of the everyday human experience. Through an eclectic mix of jazz/soul/pop fusion, Liv shares stories of hope, love, & inspiration. Liv is currently in the process of putting together the finishing touches on her upcoming project “growing pains”.
Hunter Amazing is a dynamic rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer hailing from Chicago. Since 2018, she has been crafting her unique sound, viewing music as a sonic diary that captures the essence of her life experiences and the spaces she inhabits. With each track, Hunter invites listeners into her world, weaving personal stories and emotions into captivating rhythms and melodies. Her artistry not only reflects her growth but also resonates deeply with anyone who has ever used music as a form of self-expression.
K. Marie, hailing from the south side of Chicago, has been entrancing audiences with her soulful voice from a young age. With nearly a decade of songwriting under her belt, K. Marie’s music is a fusion of heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies. She embodies the traits of a passionate and creative Pisces, infusing her music with love and emotion.
4×4 Animal Style is an emerging band from the south suburbs of Chicago. Their style can be primarily classified as indie, rock or alternative, but they also take inspiration from blues, rock, jazz, R&B and more. They’ve performed all over Chicago and the Chicagoland area, as well as in the emerging Illinois college scene, at schools such as Illinois State University, University of Illinois Champaign Urbana, University of Illinois Chicago, and more. In the summer of 2022 they released their debut single, “Raft”, and in the following winter released their eponymous debut EP, “4×4 Animal Style”. “Felt Right”, the latest single off their upcoming album was released on September 8th. “Squeeze”, the final single was released on October 8th. “When I Was Young”, their debut album,was released November 3rd.
The Sloppy Boys are a Los Feliz, California based party rock band comprised of Mike Hanford, Jefferson Dutton, and Tim Kalpakis from the comedy group The Birthday Boys. In 2022, the boys travelled to the legendary Sonic Ranch Studios where they teamed with super-producer Money Mark (Beastie Boys, Beck) to record their fourth album Sonic Ranch. The entire process was filmed by director Robert Holguin for his feature length comedy-rock-doc Blood, Sweat and Beers or How The Sloppy Boys Made an Album on a Farm in West Texas.
Megan Hozick is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter specializing in high-energy tunes with witty, creative lyrics. With influences of midwest emo, punk, and even a tiny bit of folk, her catchy melodies and powerhouse vocals come together with lyrics that range from dark to heartfelt to downright silly- making her a compelling force in the Chicago music scene. Her full band is comprised of a rotating crew of some of Chicago’s best musicians, including Joe McGuire, Matias de la Flor, Maria Requena, and more. Follow her on all the social media platforms (@meganhozick) for updates!
Flight Attendant delivers an experience.” – Rolling Stone
Often hailed as a “sonic unicorn” in Nashville’s bustling music scene, Flight Attendant energizes listeners with their infectious power-pop hooks and dynamic performances. This Nashville-based fivesome—Karalyne Winegarner (Lead Vocals, Keys), Vinny Maniscalco (Vocals, Guitar), Nikki Christie (Vocals, Viola), Derek Sprague (Drums), and Peyton Rodeffer (Vocals, Bass)—meld their passions for music (and fine wine) into a distinctive sound.
The band’s formation was a serendipitous blend of shared passions. Karalyne, a certified sommelier from Kansas City, crossed paths with Vinny, an award-winning bartender from Boston, while they were working and making music together for fun. They were soon joined by their co-worker Nikki from Los Angeles, Derek from Boston, and Peyton, all fellow bartenders, to complete the lineup.
Since their inception, Flight Attendant has released standout singles like “Man of Chaos” and “Therapy Couch,” with the latter earning significant radio play in 2024. They’ve played sold-out shows around the world and at major festivals including SXSW, Boulevardia, Tomato Arts Fest, and Crossroads Music Fest.
Influenced by bands like Queen, Florence and the Machine, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Caroline Polachek, Flight Attendant’s live performances continue to captivate audiences:
“Karalyne commands your attention like Freddie Mercury,” notes Glide Magazine.
Their eagerly awaited sophomore album, Under The Powerlines, produced by Swedish collaborator Anders Flemming, releases on November 8th. With a headlining Fall US Tour by TKO Agency, a European Spring Tour by Rola, and increasing radio support, Flight Attendant is set for an exhilarating take off.
German synth pop outfit And One formed in Berlin in 1989. DJs/producers Steve Naghavi and Chris Ruiz first met the previous year in a local dance club, bonding over their mutual affection for early industrial acts like Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb and borrowing their subsequent dual synthesizer and beatbox aesthetic from Depeche Mode. Upon signing to the fledgling Machinery label, And One issued their 1990 debut single, “Metal Hammer,” a significant club hit that set the stage for their first full-length effort, Anguish, completed with contributions from newly added third member Alex Two. And One closed out 1991 with the techno-inspired charity single “Aus der Traum,” originally titled “Saddam Hussein” and produced to benefit Greenpeace. The angry, cynical Flop! followed months later and heralded the exit of Ruiz, who resigned to pursue a solo career. With new drummer Joke Jay, And One cut the EP Monotonie, which invoked the electronic body music influences of their earliest work. Conversely, the 1993 full-length Spot proved their most commercial and accessible effort to date, generating the mainstream pop hit “Life Isn’t Easy in Germany.” Alex Two left the trio soon after, and with replacement keyboardist Rick Schah, And One recorded 1994’s I.S.T., generally considered their most ambitious and challenging project. A year later, Ruiz guested on the single “Deutschemaschine,” which marked the end of their long stint with Machinery. A bidding war quickly resulted, and after signing with Virgin And One issued Nordhausen in 1997. 9.9.99. 9 Uhr followed a year later, scoring the hit “Get You Closer.” In the wake of the follow-up, Virgin Superstar, Joke Jay handed in his resignation, and in 2001 Ruiz finally returned to And One full-time, appearing on the MP3-exclusive single “Amerika Brennt,” the group’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11. As And One entered its third decade, their pace began to slow. A new full-length, Aggressor, did not hit retail until 2003, and a three-year gap preceded the release of 2006’s Bodypop. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Nominated for Chicago’s most underrated comedian Cam Honeyager brings his unique perspective, wit, and crazy life stories to the stage. After starting comedy in college, Cam moved to Los Angeles and developed his comedy chops in LA’s most prominent clubs. Now based out of Chicago you can find him on some of comedy’s most historical stages; Zanies, The Laugh Factory, The Lincoln Lodge. He can also be found traveling in small town America telling jokes in bars, breweries, bowling alleys and even a couple of theaters.
He’s opened for some names almost as big as his waist line such as Mitch Fatel, Tommy Davidson, John Caparulo and many more. He hopes to one day become a big name himself, let’s hope heart disease doesn’t get him first.
Originally from Louisville Kentucky, James Fisher Jr. moved to Chicago and started doing comedy in 2012. Though as an adult, his biggest comedic influences all came from Boston(Patrice Oneal, Bill Burr, Dane cook), growing up he loved watching Comic View, a stand up comedy show on BET, and In Living Color, with the Wayans family, Jim Carrey and Jamie Fox being huge influences from that show. Since he has started, he has performed at all the local Chicago clubs(Zanies, Laugh factory, Comedy bar), in comedy festivals all over the United States, won several competitions and has featured and opened for Jacob Williams (America’s got talent, Wild n out), Hans Kim (Kill Tony Podcast) and SNL Cast Members Chris Redd and Tim Meadows. James is an energetic, funny, controversial yet personable entertainer who is always ready to have fun with the crowd!
Ask Carol, the alternative indie-rock duo from the remote Norwegian mountain community of Auma, defies their small size with a huge and powerful sound – featuring two guitars, drums, synth, and Carol’s innovative bass and guitar system. Their music ranges from fierce to gentle, drawing inspiration from bands like the Kills, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the White Stripes, with a distinct Nordic, melancholic twist. They’ve toured internationally, supported The Brian Jonestown Massacre, played at SXSW several times, and received critical acclaim for their debut album released on their indie label, ChoVan Records. Despite pandemic challenges, they’ve harnessed solitude to create a dark, introspective atmosphere in their music. Don’t miss the chance to experience Ask Carol’s unique and dynamic sound live in 2024.
Salami Rose Joe Louis is an genre traveler multi-instrumentalist female producer and a signee to Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder label. She produces and records pretty much exclusively on her beloved Roland MV8800, nicknamed “Funfunfun”. Her debut record with Brainfeeder, ‘Zdenka 2080’, is a critically acclaimed, conceptual sci-fi epic that earned a nomination for Giles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards Best Album of 2020. Since then, she has toured supporting genre-bending luminaries Flying Lotus, Cinematic Orchestra, Toro y Moi, TuneYards, Clairo, and MNDSGN. Recent collaborations include a feature on Toro y Moi’s ‘Mahal’, a remix for Hiatus Kaiyote’s Ninja Tune/Brainfeeder release, and the 2024 collab album extravaganza”Sarah” with Philadelphia legend, Flanafi. More music coming very soon<3
This Will Destroy You is an American experimental rock band currently based in Los Angeles, California. Formed in San Marcos, Texas in 2004, the band typically composes lengthy, atmospheric, instrumental pieces featuring layers of effects-laden guitars cascading across the dynamic range of the sonic spectrum. In addition to their studio work and performing to diverse audiences around the world, the group has composed and recorded scores for a host of prominent feature-films, documentaries, and art installations.
Chan Fuze is an emerging artist from the music scene of Chicago. His sound is a unique blend of Alternative rock and Alternative R&B, drawing from a wide range of influences that include The Rolling Stones, Tame Impala, and Talking Heads.
With emotive vocals that soar over intricate guitar work, Chan Fuze’s music is a powerful and soulful expression of life’s triumphs and struggles. His upcoming Album promises to showcase his versatility as a songwriter and musician, with songs that range from heartfelt ballads to genre-bending rock anthems.
Fans of Alternative Rock, Alternative R&B, and everything in between won’t want to miss out on this rising star.
The Mummy Cats are a band for the people, the people that want to rock. Inspired by all great music, from as far back as the first caveman to hit two sticks together, The Mummy Cats deliver a highly unique, but strangely familiar tone that is unlike any other. You may think you’ve heard it all, but just wait until the next song.
“The Reveal’s ability to create and release tension is awe-inspiring…you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat just knowing that something exciting is about to happen.”
