TAKE A BREATH
Take a Breath is a band from Pittsburgh
BRIAN MORONEY
Drums/keys/vocals for Airways. Raised in Chicago.
DOGS AT LARGE
Shit kickers from Chicago, purchasing lightbulbs and eating them since the late 1980s
“A nameless, soundless exploration” – Will Leemkuil
JOHNNY HALFTON
CROSSTOWN
ADOT
NATURAL STATE
TWIN HITS
Twin Peaks + Todays Hits
DUSTIN PRINZ
Dustin Prinz was born and raised in the small town of West Point, Nebraska. Dustin’s take on life and love push the boundaries of current indie pop and produce an intriguing view of his world.
THE GOLDEN RULE
After putting out an acclaimed debut EP and putting a year’s worth of club dates behind them last year, Chicago Modern Indie/Surf-Punkers The Golden Rule are of the city’s busiest bands to date with a brand new EP in tow.
“The first time Malcolm, Rob and I got in a room, it was just f*cking magic. The energy just sparked like a match and the ambiance that came from the music we made together was like fireworks,” says frontman and guitarist, Mohit Mehta. “It’s just something you have to experience live. There is no substitute. The first time we heard the term ‘surf-punk’, we were kind of surprised. Personally, I had never heard the term, and it seemed to pigeon-hole us into a weird subgenre. Pretty much not more than five minutes later I realized ‘surf-punk’ is the most fun music I’ve ever played.”
The Golden Rule started out as a solo project for Mehta in late 2012. After a few one-off gigs and some finely-written tunes, TGR entered Backhouse Productions to churn out a debut EP, “These Shoes” in May 2014. Well-received by critics, the EP was featured on WXRT, WZRD, WLUW, WGN and Fearless Radio among local stations, and was well-reviewed by local press.
Soon after, Mehta recruited Rob Miller on bass and Malcolm Rutter on drums to help him slug it out in the underground rock and roll club scene in Chicago. “We met at a record store north of Lakeview,” Mehta explains about teaming up with Miller. “Yeah they have cool weird shit, like records and art and stuff,” interjects Miller. “I was playing with another group and we had brought all our stuff there, and the owner shut us down for being too loud.”
“Yeah it was lame,” adds Mehta, “but he brought his 70s Ampeg V-4, which was sexy as hell. I thought it was the coolest thing, plus he brought all of his neat pedals.” “Don’t get this kid started on gear,” jokes Miller, “he’s got a borderline obsession of Marshall Amps built between 1978 and 1983.” “My babies,” replies Mehta, with a ridiculously silly smile.
Malcolm “Fancy Hat” Rutter came along by random coincidence alone: “We went to school together, [Mohit] was in business school, I was a liberal arts kid myself,” Rutter explains about both his and Mehta’s time in college together at Loyola University Chicago, in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the north side. “Malcolm and I both had the same circle of friends, probably met once or twice, but never really hung out or anything. It was so random how we got in contact,” responds Mehta. “Craigslist,” explains Rutter, “solves 90% of the world’s problems. It was how we got things started and how I got in the group.”
With the trio intact, The Golden Rule started to make a name for themselves as one of the hardest working original rock bands in the Chicago DIY scene. TGR proceeded to take Chicago’s indie scene by storm in 2014, playing 17 dates in the summer alone to support the release of “These Shoes” as well as numerous radio appearances on Chicago’s major stations. “We ended our run at Double Door,” states Mehta. “The Stones played there!” Rutter has to exclaim. “We know. And when we played, it was one big party,” finishes Mehta.
The music for the second EP came almost instantaneously as the group came together. “I brought these songs to the guys and we wound end up putting these incredible tunes together in like 2 hours. Which was fun but not the brightest idea, because we had an ever changing setlist every night we played,” explains Mehta.
The “Crowes” EP releases on March 10th. This is not one to be missed.
JOHNNY LIGHTNING AND THE THUNDER
Johnny Lightning and The Thunder is the most haunted band in the Midwest.
THE SABRES
An American instrumental rock ‘n’ roll combo recreating the savage guitar sounds that ruled the world in the 50s and 60s.
VIVA LA POLE SHOW
Viva La Pole Show (Formerly Rock & Roll Pole Show) features all levels & styles of pole dance set to a bad ass soundtrack
NOW I’M NOTHING
Now I’m Nothing (NIN) is the Midwest’s ONLY Nine Inch Nails Tribute band replicating the sound and energy of ‘90s Nine Inch Nails while covering the entire catalog of music.
NIN was created in 2009 by Mike Reidy, founder and lead singer of W.O.R.M. (Chicago original industrial band.) Since conception, NIN has played in the Chicagoland area at many venues including the Cubby Bear Wrigleyville, Durty Nellies, and Mojoes.
VICARIOUS
Tool Tribute Band
THE CONQUEROR WORM
The Conqueror Worm formed in 2014 organically due to the members mutual love of traditional doom metal. Kneeling at the altars of Candlemass, Trouble, Cathedral and early to mid 90s Paradise Lost, TCW doesnt abide by current trends or any sort of fashion. From Wisconsin, the band features current/ex members of Protestant, Choose Your Poison, Half Gorilla, and more. Metal from the heart, not from the patched up vest.
SABBATH ASSEMBLY
Sabbath Assembly formed in 2009 to share the hymns of the Process Church of the Final Judgment. The band currently records original material in an occult vein.
INTERDEPENDENCE
THE DAMN TRACKS
The Damn Tracks are a punk rock and roll 3 piece from Chicago, IL. The band formed in 2012 releasing their first EP “On Tap” in November of the same year. They’re a mix of 90’s punk such as Face to Face mixed with more new-school influences such as The Copyrights with a sprinkling of good ole fashioned in your face rock n’ roll. They released a split 7″ record in 2014 and recently release their second self-titled album in October of 2015.
TALK TO YOU NEVER
Talk To You Never is a high energy nostalgic pop punk band from the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. In it’s 3 years of existence Talk To You Never has played countless shows around the Chicago area. Highlights include headlining shows at the House of Blues and Wire, and opening for bands such as The Millennium, Sleep On It, The Run Around and Marina City.
Talk To You Never has toured the east coast and several cities among the Midwest off of the success of their first E.P., “Don’t Mind Me”. With the release of their second album, “What Are You Waiting For?” the band continues to push for better opportunities and expansion of their fan base all across the U.S. and out to the rest of the world.
DECAPITATED
Decapitated was formed in the town of Krosno, in south-eastern Poland in 1996 by Witold “Vitek” Kieltyka, Waclaw “Vogg” Kieltyka and Wojciech “Sauron” Wasowicz. Band is one of the most popular Polish bands in their genre, who played many tours around the world.
During that time band has released six studio albums and DVD.
BAND MEMBERS Waclaw Vogg Kieltyka – guitar Rafal Rasta Piotrowski – vocal Pawel Pasek – bass Michal Lysejko – drums
DJ HOOP DREAMS
1/2 CEO of Craze Productions LLC. / @CollegeCraze | #CrazeFest | National Show/Tour DJ & #PartyRocker |
DUKE DA BEAST
OVER THE SIDE BAND
Over The Side with Mike, Joe & Quinn consists of Mike Courtney, Joe Pacelli & John Quinn, an acoustic trio formed over 3 years ago during a local Sunday music session at a South Side tavern in our original neighborhood of the Southwest side of Chicago. Since that time the we have been perfecting our craft covering our musical influences such as Will Hoge, Stephen Kellog, James McMurtury, Reckless Kelly and Chicago legend John Prine.
We have played throughout the City at places including Joes on Weed, Bub City, Countryclub Wrigleyville, HVAC, Cubbie Bear, Firewater Saloon, Four Shadows, Cork & Kerry, 115 Bourbon Street, Twisted Shamrock, Hartes, Barney Callaghans, Lawlors & Old Crow in Schaumburg as well as Corporate Events.
METAL THREAT FEST
An underground metal fest that was inspired by these other fests in North America: Maryland Deathfest, Martyrdoom, Cathedral of the Black Goat, Defenders of the Old, Messe des Morts, Wings of Metal, and Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse.
ATRUM INRITUS
Black Metal from Minnesota.
Vindicaré -Voice/Keys
Eversor – Guitars
Abyssus – Guitars
Cassum – Battery
VIOLENTOR
Violentor is a Metal band from Italy.
Cane – Throat&Guitar
Rot – Bass&Backing Vocals
Iago – Drums
BAPHOMET’S BLOOD
Baphomet’s Blood is Speed Metal from Italy.
Necrovomiterror – Vocals, guitar
Angel Trosomaranus – Guitar
Speed Necromancer – Bass
S.R. Bestial Hammer – Drums
KING NINE
King Nine is a hardcore band from long island, new york
MALFUNCTION
Malfunction is a hardcore band from Buffalo NY.
TAKE OFFENSE
Weathering countless trends and defying all odds, over the past decade Take Offense has established themselves as one of the West Coast’s most prominent hardcore acts. Sonically, Take Offense hits hard, with a sound steeped in late 80’s NYHC tradition, coupled with the distinctively Venice crossover stylings of Suicidal Tendencies and the like. Take Offense manages to both whet the palate of the stodgy old guard, while satisfying the youths’ insatiable lust for hard hitting, mosh riffage. Established in 2005, Take Offense have never been ones to rest on their laurels, and after a handful of EPs, 2011’s landmark full length Tables Will Turn, and a hell of a lot of time on the road with stalwarts such as Terror, Agnostic Front, D.R.I., Trapped Under Ice, Backtrack, Alpha & Omega, and Rotting Out, the band are set to unleash their latest magnum opus, United States of Mind, on the mighty Reaper Records. Though Take Offense are at a point in their lifespan when many bands shrug their shoulders and crank out half hearted riffs and reheated lyrics, United States of Mind proves the group has the stamina and creativity to push their sound forward without losing touch with their roots. In short, Take Offense are one of the most engaging hardcore bands to emerge in recent years, and lucky for all of us, they don’t appear to be going anywhere. All that’s left is to accept your fate and enter: THE T.O. ZONE
FULL OF HELL
On tour forever. Numb your mind.
TOMBS
Tombs front-man Mike Hill is not a man interested in appeasing his existing audience or modifying the music he makes in the hope of luring in a broader one.
HOTSTOP
Hotstop is a high energy rock band based out of Northeast Los Angeles. With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Michael Jackson, Hotstop has been creating a unique blend of rock and pop since the band formed in January 2013. Hotstop has 4 members – Bryn William (originally from Ohio), Drü Marshall (originally from Florida), and the Wlodyka brothers: Waldemar and Derek Max.
The brothers were born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. Derek, the younger of the two, has a street performer background. Waldemar has been classically trained.
Bryn & Drü moved to Los Angeles in the Summer of 2012, meeting through serendipitous circumstances that included chow mein and the Star of David. Once Bryn & Drü got the ball rolling, they met Waldemar who saw their ad seeking a guitarist on Craigslist but did not respond. When roaming Melrose Avenue in search of a Members Only jacket, he noticed a flyer featuring a striking face; it was that of his future drummer and soulmate, Drü Marshall.
Hotstop’s music is loud, fun, and is sure to give listeners of all ages aural pleasure.
FINDING TORY
Finding Tory, a 3 month old Columbia student group, aims to move and inspire. The band features 8 talented players and songwriters whose goal is to satisfy their own creative itch without sacrificing all the things they love about pop music. Through purposeful lyrics, meaningful chords, and unforgettable melodies, Finding Tory will exercise your heart, your brain, and your feet.
THE F.A.U.X.
We are a multicultural musical patchwork combining musicians from Chicago, France and Germany to a Soul, Funk and R&B melting Pot. Our music is influenced by bands like Tower of Power, Robert Glasper, Hiatus Kayote and Electro Deluxe.
Join us for a Set of original Songs written during our extended songwriting sessions.
BLACK ICE
Roots, rock and should in a heady stew
ETHEREAL BLOOD
“…Conceived In Cemetery Soil…”
Many moons ago a group of diverse and vainglorious bastards conferred together with the intention of forming an independent band. After much inebriated discussion (and vomiting) the stars aligned in favor for the decrepit birth of the musical group Ethereal Blood. The vision was later established and agreed upon; to create by whatever nefarious means were available to them the most eclectic, symphonic, dark, and melodic heavy metal music they could possibly aspire to bring into existence. And so the metamorphic beginnings of the quartet commenced. Many a year was spent writing music, rehearsing, and constructing the cast of the grim tragedy only to watch it be demolished anew. Eventually the surviving line-up consisted solely of a duet between Lord Vardoulacha and Abyss. With no one to take the place of the other former musicians Lord Vardoulacha and Abyss agreed that it was paramount to keep the music alive (or undead) and so endeavored to construct a project recording studio where they could continue to compose their sinful symphonies and bide their time for other unsuspecting musicians they would abduct.
Together they spent the next several years refining material, purchasing equipment and sharpening the proverbial claws of their musical technique and production skills on the E.P. Cold Crypt Sonatas Vol. I. During the last part of the production a pair of scoundrels and notorious revelers baring the names Nephilim and Thanatos entered the coven and were indoctrinated as perennial guitarists. The summer solstice of 2014 witnessed Ethereal Blood as an independent band writing, recording, mixing, and mastering music. On Halloween 2014 the quartet released the long labored Cold Crypt Sonatas Vol. I on the unsuspecting masses.
At the start of the new year guitarist Thanatos parted ways with Ethereal Blood to pursue a diferent life style. He was replaced shortly thereafter by a hungry ghoul going by the name of Shtrigo.
They continue to audition additional live members for future concert scenarios and have begun working on the second installment of the album Cold Crypt Sonatas Vol. II.
RIC WILSON
Ric Wilson is a 20 year old black self-proclaimed Artist and Prison Abolitionist from the South-side of Chicago, is also 1/2 of Chicago Rap Duo “Fuck Yo Institution”. On November 24th Ric Dropped “The Sun Was Out” EP In the words of Ric ” Theres a moment In life when you find yourself naked on a porch and everything you thought you were before is stripped off of you and can either stay and freeze on the porch naked or walk off the porch as your new self. This is my walk.” He describes his still as “jazzy soulful with modern elements, such as 808s”. Ric also, is one of the 8 delegates chosen to travel to Geneva, Switzerland in November of 2014 representing the We Charge Genocide coalition. They successfully presented a shadow report and testified at the United Nations, charging the Chicago Police Department with genocide and torture actions on black and brown youth within the city of Chicago. Along with Headlining Promontory, Northwestern University, Ric has also been featured on sites such as Ebony, The Source,HipHopDx, BET, Sprite, FakeShoreDrive, Pigeons & Planes, OkayPlayer,NBC and more.
COLBY BESERRA
SPEAKING WITH GHOSTS
Melodic hardcore band out of Chicago, IL. Debut EP “Searching for Direction” out now!
DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY
Metal band based out of Chicago Devil in the White City breaking the boundaries of modern metal music today.
LITHUANIA
Eric Slick and Dominic Angelella have been collaborating as Lithuania for about a decade, and yet until recently they’ve only had an EP (Heavy Hands) and a 7″ (Domesticated God) to show. The two friends are infinitely busy—Slick plays drums in Dr. Dog and Angelella writes songs for DRGN KING—but they finally orchestrated the time to record their first full-length album aptly titled Hardcore Friends, being released by Lame-O Records this August.
Slick and Angelella first met in the jazz program at University of the Arts in Philadelphia and quickly realized they were the oddballs amongst their classical peers. They immediately connected through mutual musical interests like Husker Du, Captain Beefheart, Boredoms, and Bjork. Dom would take Eric to basement punk shows in West Philly, while Eric would take Dom to the Avant Gentleman’s Lodge, a defunct venue that catered to the Philadelphia art scene. Eventually the two began playing music together and started a conversation about bad band names. “We’ve been a songwriting duo this whole time,” said Eric. “When [Dom] said Lithuania I thought, ‘Oh, it’s like that no man is an island thing.’ No man is an island, so two men are a country, and I thought that was hilarious.” They began playing shows around Philadelphia and went on a short tour last May, but quickly realized they would need to expand live and so they added Ricardo Lagomasino on drums.
Recorded in five days by Joe Reinhart and Kyle Pulley at The Headroom Studios in Philadelphia, Hardcore Friendsspans the last ten years of their friendship. “It’s an old perspective,” says Angelella. “All of those early songs are from or about five years ago. It’s this thing where you’re a completely different person. It’s cool to update it to now.”
Writing Hardcore Friends was a completely contrasting experience for the two: Angelella was used to being the sole songwriter in DRGN KING while Eric was usually playing drums in a band. The first half of the album contains older songs from 2007 when Slick was staying with friends in Asheville and emailing song ideas to Angelella in Philadelphia. The second half is all brand new songs written over the past year. “It’s sort of like this chronological narrative of our friendship,” says Slick. “In the past year we’ve gone through some heavy stuff—family stuff, relationship stuff—and it was pretty wild. We finished up this album with a wiser perspective on the first half of it. We even sequenced it so it would tell that story.”
Hardcore Friends opens with the pop-fueled and fleeting “God in Two Persons,” moved along by Slick’s reflective vocals and racked drumming. “Pieces,” the first single off the album, is a solid anthem with unshakeable guitars and genuine lyrics that invoke the likes of Stephen Malkmus and Archers of Loaf. Aside from their mastered melodious punk style, Lithuania is just as capable of writing a dawdling and quiet song like “Coronation Day,” showing their softer side with acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and Angelella’s mollifying vocals. The album closes with “Hardcore Friends,” a mid-tempo anthem with guest vocals from friends Frances Quinlan (Hop Along) and Rachel Browne (Field Mouse). It’s a culmination of what the rest of the tracks have been leading up to: a resilient friendship that resonates in the face of failure and heartache, and prevails sonically.
WEBSTERX
1/100th of the RooSevelt Collective, past poetry freak turned MC. painting vivid pictures for the listener. MILWAU(KEY)
FOUND HOUNDS
You’ll find these Found Hounds right where bluegrass smacks into honky tonk,
where brother harmony hits up a driving rhythm, where beer chases a shot of whiskey, and where a Southern sound roots itself in the finest Midwest soil.
What began as a side project for four Chicago pickers from several bluegrass bands, took over as lead dog in 2015 with local festivals, shows and a residency at The General Logan Square.
FRENCH CASINO
“French Casino is an indie rock/pop band hailing from Chicago, IL. Writing and playing together since 2014, FC has a sound that could be described as Guided By voices meets The Bats (or, not). French Casino has released an EP, Tricky Tiger, and has a slew of new songs we’re looking forward to putting out there soon! French Casino is: Pat Winters- guitar/vocals, Pete Bush- guitar/vocals, Fran Tuminello- bass and Ed Fee- drums.”
ATOMIC SUNDAE
Atomic Sundae is a Chicago-based rock band of many colors, flavors, sounds, and original songs. High-energy Power Pop blends with Grunge. A dance beat hypnotizes with a slow groove. World beats work into Glam slams into Punk. And through the eclectic Psychedelic atmosphere, solid unapologetic Garage Rock reigns supreme.
ATOM MEETS BOMB
Atom Meets Bomb is a power pop band from Chicago fronted by August Fuller on guitar with Raquel Geverola on vocals.
NIGHT WITCH
Night Witch is an alternative pop synth band from Elgin, Illinois. Formed in the Chicago suburb at the end of 2014, Night Witch’s line-up consists of Daniel Craig (vocals), Danielle Haggard (vocals), Kevin O’Neill (drums), Eddie Du (synth), Dillon Anderson (guitar), Mike Colon (guitar), and Nate Long (bass). The band is an eclectic mix of members who have all had their own successes in the music business. The band members have played at venues such as CBGB’s in NYC, The Metro in Chicago, Double Door in Chicago, and The Rave in Milwaukee. The band’s influences are little bits and pieces of each member’s individual influences like Depeche Mode, Shiny Toy Guns, Deadmau5, and Tears for Fears.
Night Witch just released their EP Heir of Sympathy in August, 2015 which is available on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, ReverbNation, and more. Tracks like Truly and Sunshine have been heard on WXRT 93.1, 103.9 The Fox, and soon will be heard on Radio One Chicago. Although the EP leans towards the Pop Synth genre, Night Witch takes it up a few notches live and is far closer to the alternative spectrum of music.
AMBER FLIGHT
Amber Flight is Moriah Hoyt, Ardin Jameson, Mike Hoyt, and Zach Maa. They started making music in their basement in 2013 with the goal to write music that did more than regurgitate the staples of other genres. Instead they were excited by combining different elements that elicited the emotion they were after and sought to bring them together into something new that made you want to have fun and feel your soul between your bones. Since releasing their self produced debut EP A Brighter Star in April 2015, Amber Flight has been spreading the love to as many as possible and have played with bands like Empires and Vinyl Theatre, and had their first single remixed by NORdjs in Chicago.
JAMES RAWSON
James Rawson’s music has been called an iconoclast of the classical and the contemporary. Being classically trained, he combines modern electro-pop sounds with full string arrangements. Along with combining modern and classic soundscapes, he brings together the influences of Walt Whitman and T.S. Elliot with the influences of modern songwriters Ben Gibbard and Ezra Koenig to craft poignant, layered lyrics.
AUDREY CHER
Audrey Cher is an Inspirational/Soul vocalist who has received many musical accolades. In 2012, she was a Creative Soul – Black Woman Rock nominee and Governor State University “Idol” 1st place winner as a testament to her talent. Audrey has also been featured in the Chicago Tribune “Chicago Live” section as well as the esteemed Chicago “Praise Gospel” Expo. During NAMM 2015, with of an audience of over 7,000, she performed as a guest of Wyn Guitar company and sang before an full house at the famed Maverick Flat Bar and Grill in Los Angeles, CA.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Audrey began singing at the tender age of 3 and like many great singers of our time, grew up singing in the Church. By the age of 12, Audrey’s gifting was evident. Blessed with this extraordinary talent, she would write beautiful lyrics that later turned into purposeful songs. Accompanied on piano by her now husband, Audrey began to bring dreams to life by creating soul lifting music. Relocating to Chicago, she began performing at her local church and at every opportunity, helping to transform her into phenomenal performer.
Fast forward to today and Audrey is known as a multifaceted singer, songwriter, producer and musician who’s soul-inspiring and uplifting melodies have led her to grace the same stage as many greats such as Leo Nocentelli, Chip Shearin, Ethan Farmer, Andrew Gouche, Dwanye Wiggins, Buddy Frambro, Jennifer Hudson, Shirley Caesar, JMoss, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kim Stratton, Percy Gray and Praise Choir lI, Gerald V. and New Direction and Chicago Mass Choir just to name a few.
Audrey currently tours as the featured guest artist with PJ & Soul (Pennal Johnson lead bassist). She finds herself in her calling as she spreads love and hope to the broken as she performs on stages such as; Reggies Music Joint-Chicago,IL, Reggies Rock Club-Chicago, IL, Elbow Room-Chicago IL, Original Mothers-Chicago, IL, Underground Wonder Bar-Chicago, IL, The Tonic Room-Chicago, IL, Goose Island Wrigleyville-Chicago, IL, House of Blues-Chicago, IL, The Mint-Los Angeles, CA, The Maverick Flat Bar and Grill-Los Angeles, CA, etc…
Audrey also serves as executive director/owner at LaBranche’s Childcare Center INC. (LCC), which specializes in quality childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. She is very passionate about quality childcare. In recognition of the quality childcare services provided, LCC was awarded the “Best of 2014”for Child Care Service in Chicago Heights, IL. She was also recently (January2015) inducted into the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW).
In October of 2014, Audrey launched a not-for-profit organization called IPurpose. IPurpose has two areas of focus; IPurpose Youth Group (serving ages between 12 and 18) and IPurpose Women Restored with Care (serving ages between 18 and 25 with children). IPurpose Youth Group is designed to allow youth to build their personal relationship with God while gaining necessary tools they need to find their purpose in life. IPurpose Women Restored with Care assist women in need and aid their efforts to build them up in various areas, while providing childcare services.
March of 2015, Audrey released a single entitled “Follow You”. This single was produced by Sharay Reed – Chicago, IL and written by Audrey. The debut album entitled “Audrey Cher – The Intro” was released September 9, 2015.
When asked how she would like to be remembered Audrey states: “As a person who lives and walks out a life of God-centered worship while inspiring the world through music!”
MY BOY ELROY
My Boy Elroy is the Chicago-based DJ/Beat-Boxer of the world famous Acid Jazz pioneering group & Grammy nominated live act, Liquid Soul. He is also the DJ and producer of his band, Digital Tape Machine’s first album entitled “Be Here Now” released in May of 2013 as well as their four track EP “Omens” released April 23rd of 2014. His passion & dedication to his craft along with his unique presentation quickly led him to open for a sold out show @ the Riviera for the one & only Massive Attack. He’s shared the bill w/legendary greats of our times such as B.B. King & Stevie Wonder and pioneers of electronic music such as Mark Farina, Bonobo, and Beardyman and played such festivals as North Coast, Electric Forest, and Taste of Randolph.
THE OCTAGON FEATURING WYLLYS & LAX CLASS
DIGG
Digg is a unique and progressive fusion of rock, blues, funk, and jazz, blending styles to create a diverse, yet cohesive sound in their quickly growing catalog of original music. Inspired and personal song writing, well chosen, well executed covers, and great musicianship come together into a high-energy live performance that leaves audiences needing more. The band’s wide range of appeal brings together fans of all different types of music, resulting in a steadily and quickly growing Digg family.
Entering their second year of performing Digg continues to add to their original and covered repertoire, honing their live performance into a memorable experience.
INFERNAL SACRAMENT
Originally the solo project of Myrmydon Antichristus, Infernal Sacrament became his main project after he left Black Devotion in June of 2012.
BEAT THE SMART KIDS
Beat The Smart Kids is the product of local Chicago ska and punk veterans banding together to give you that ska punk and other junk sound.
With former and current members of Waste Basket, The Indecisives, Still Alive, and The Damn Tracks you can be sure to find catchy horn riffs, gravely vocals, and a driving punk sensibility.
FIRESTARTER
“Have you ever just packed everything you own, and left somewhere you’ve known for so long and traded it in for the unknown” singer/guitarist Matt LaPerche croons on “49 Stow” – these are the words Firestarter was built on when LaPerche moved to Albany for a fresh start.
The group, also consisting of Tyler McMullen (guitar), Jeff Henlin (bass), and Matt Bliss (drums), came together in the fall of 2012. They hit the ground running and haven’t stopped since. In just over two years, Firestarter has released two EP’s – 2013’s New Beginnings and 2014’s Forget The Past – a split 7” with Orlando’s Old Again, and toured the United States extensively in support of all of them.
Firestarter has no plan of stopping now. With the release of a new EP recorded by Jay Maas (Counterparts, Defeater, State Champs) on the horizon, be sure to keep this Albany, NY band on your radar this year.
AMERICAN BREAKFAST
American Breakfast is a garage punk band from Logan Square, Chicago, formed in 2014. The band consists of front woman Laure Ellie, guitarist Steve Pigozzi, bassist Ray Borchers and Justin Vittori on drums.
SLICK CAPRICE
Slick Caprice, an electronic music producer and DJ, is a Chicago native – a city that has greatly influenced and shaped his music and interest. He has developed his own unique sound that resides as a fusion of electronic, hip-hop, and house. Recently, this past September, he has released his first EP entitled “Limelight”, which focused on a “future trap” style. With many other plans for his music career, as a young 21 year old, he hopes to explore more sounds in the hope of finding peace through his music.
MIRROR COAT
Mirror Coat is a rock band, formed in 2012 in Iowa City, and is now based in Chicago. The band has a wide variety of prominent influences on its music, and their goal is to write and record excellent songs for anyone that cares to put them in their earholes.
Mirror Coat is comprised of two brothers, Nick and Alex Lovelace, and two Scotts, Myers and Hanson.
BOBBY BARE JR.
Bobby Bare, Jr. could’ve phoned in a career. He could’ve exploited the fact that he’s the son of iconic Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, was born into Nashville’s Music Row elite, and counted artists like Shel Silverstein as close family friends and George Jones and Tammy Wynette as next door neighbors. Instead, Bobby blazed a path of unique songwriting craftsmanship with a voice that blows through you like an unyielding wind on the desolate prairie.
With a big-as-the-room persona, an ability to rock the doors off the most jaded of clubs, the heart to hold a room completely still with just his guitar, and a genius for arrangement, Bobby Bare, Jr. and his band of merry makers are one of the most unique bunches around. They are adept at abandoning common sense in favor of laying themselves at the feet of a rambunctious, freewheeling, and unfettered and unhinged muse.
In the late 90’s, he fronted the boss hog rock band, Bare Jr. With their two records, Boo-tay and Brainwasher, they memorably rocked out on a Nirvana-on-Skynryd-not-Sabbath groove, more indebted to the homebrew than “The Other H.” He keeps himself even busier by appearing on albums by indie rock heroes like the Silver Jews and Frank Black and My Morning Jacket. Few that we have found can combine humor, pain, and anger in such an effortlessly well-crafted manner. If encountered in public, beware: Bobby is a big, gregarious, good-natured fellow who will giddily talk music (from the Smiths to Roger Miller to Metallica to Dolly Parton–sometimes in one breath) until the bartender is tossing you both out.
Look, we LOVE Bobby’s records and we want people to hear them. Maybe our descriptions are making you scratch your head or are scaring you off. Forgive us, his music is ahead of its time and we are not sure what to say about it. All the years we all wasted getting English degrees are powerless in coming up with suitable words to describe his projects. When someone around the office is absent-mindedly whistling a tune, chances are real good that it’s, “I’ll Be Around” or “Valentine” or “Borrow Your Cape.” Bobby’s music is ample proof that commercial radio wouldn’t know a genre-bending smash hit if it ran up and bit it in the ass, and, if radio programmers weren’t all neutered corporate lapdogs, his songs would be in the broad canon of rock.
THE Z CHORD
The Z Chord is a Chicago based rock band, formed in August of 2013 by brothers Pete, Frank and Dan Manzella. The aim of the band is to be the yin to the yang of the death metal genre they’ve been best known for in the Chicagoland area over the last 16 years. Being the polar opposite of a genre that explores dark subjects such as gore, violence, perversion, murder and other demonic ideals. The Z Chord explores universal ideals of meditation, peace, awakening to higher consciousness and the exploration of the spiritual path. Lyrically we are unbiased toward any religion. Our songs are written about the journey towards awakening to the higher self, and reaching for the union with all of creation, the creator, God, or whatever you would like to call it. Whatever path you may be on, may our music serve as a small spark that will eventually ignite a fire within you.
Going back to our roots, the influences of The Z Chord include such classic bands as Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd, Rush, The Beatles, U2, The Doors and so on… But also infusing melodies and imagery from different world religions and traditions such as christian medieval chant, American Indian music and classical sitar stylings of India. In short, The Z Chord is high octane modern rock with ethereal overtones. Truly a haunting sound. If Ravi Shankar had a jam session with A Perfect Circle and Pink Floyd in a 14th century monastary somewhere in the mountains of Europe, the end result could very well sound something like The Z Chord. Currently the band is in the studio working on a full length album to be released in the fall of 2014. A music video for the single “The Z chord” is in the making and is set be released in the spring of 2014.
What is The Z Chord? One night Pete was playing the video game Rocksmith at a buddies house. Someone was trying to tune the guitar and jokingly Pete suggested to play a Z chord. Ding! A light bulb turned on. Sounds like that might make a great band name. So after googling the phrase, it turns out the z chord is a term used by Ukulele players when they mute the strings and just strum the instrument rhythmically without any tone or notes being played. But we prefer to define it as a sound, or musical experience that does not exist. Until now.
BRANDON JAMES & AUGMENTED REALITY
Singing sensation Brandon James is a rising star who’s setting his sights on making an impact across the globe.
Chicago native Brandon James delivers a versatile sound of pop and soul to his ever growing fanbase and has plans of delivering much more. Lauren Tate of Serious Art Magazine describes him and his music as “ a refreshingly classic but up to date sound that out shines most upcoming singers.”
Brandon is currently working on releasing a new ep “untitled” It is due to be released on January 14th. The album will be distributed by Ditto Music and made available for download on ITunes, streamed on Spotify and available for purchase on his website The lead single will be released on October 14th. It will be promoted to the world in a music video debuted on Youtube and rotation on MTV. A midwest promotional tour is also in the works.
A Chicago native Brandon James was born “Brandon Foster” on March 17th 1987. He states that he “started doing music as an outlet for depression in Elementary School.” Not realizing his full potential at the time he also states that he “first realized his full potential and passion for singing at the age of 12, after being pushed to become involved in various music related school projects to keep him out of trouble.”
After high school he challenged himself to become a better at his craft, including taking voice lessons from Bobby Wilsyn one of the best Chicago Jazz musicians as well as Ars Musica and Classical singer Andrew Schultze.Seeking to learn music on all levels Brandon James attended Columbia College of Chicago where he earned a degree in Music Performance & Music Business in 2009. The same year Brandon got the chance to perform with legendary band Earth,Wind and Fire.
Brandon James’s primary goal is to share his story and testimony through his music with millions of people all over the world. He seeks to to inspire,touch hearts and provoke thought with his music. In addition to performing live at various notable venues across Chicago including the UIC Pavilion. Brandon James current singles “If I Only Knew” “Everytime” and “There She Goes” can be heard on his website and at www.branddo20music.com
THE BAD EXAMPLES
The Bad Examples are the indie rock band formed by and continuing to be led by Ralph Covert.
ALEX ROSSI
Hailing from Minneapolis, Alex Rossi is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter who has been performing professionally for over 15 years. With strong roots inblues, soul and funk, Rossi has created his own unique and recognizable sound from his diverse musical background. His performances most often include a 3 – 5 piece band and a crowd that never leaves the dance floor.Rossi formed and fronted his band Root City in 1998, beginning as a blues trio and developing into a full band including a horn section and a fellow Minneapolis beatboxer, Heatbox. The band has been a mainstay of the Minneapolis music scene for a over a decade, holding down its legendaryWednesday night house gig at Gluek’s, which will come to an end inSeptember 2015. He is also a cast member and co-creater of the Rhythmic Circus.
In 2013, Alex Rossi’s songwriting was recognized when he was selected as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. He has shared the stage with notable artists including Chicago, Steve Miller Band, Johnny Lang, Eric Hutchinson, Jimmie Vaughan, Blues Traveler, Morris Day & The Time, The Funk Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lonely Boys, and many others.
Rossi’s discography includes 2 full length albums, a live album and his most recent release, “The Root City EP”. Currently, Rossi is back in the studio working on his fifth album, which is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2015.
GORAN IVANOVIC TRIO
One of the most versatile, skilled, and curious musicians in Chicago, guitarist Goran Ivanovic has built a career built upon exploration. Born and raised in Croatia, he was in the midst of studying at the prestigious Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria with masters like Eliot Fisk and Joaquin Clerch when his parents (his father is a Serb, his mother a Bosnian Croat) were expelled in the late 90s; the family was granted asylum in the US and they settled in Chicago.
Since his arrival he’s displayed a deep interest in collaboration, steadily expanding his stylistic range well beyond the European classical music and Balkan sounds he was fluently versed in when he arrived. These days his repertoire not only incorporates those disciplines, but jazz and flamenco as well. He’s recorded duet albums with the great Pakistani-Chilean jazz guitarist Fareed Haque as well as Greek-American musician Andreas Kapsalis. He’s a key member of the quartet Eastern Blok with Matt Ulery, Doug Rosenberg, and Michael Caskey, a combo that deftly surveys the folk music of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia in a distinctly jazz-oriented context, embroidering timeless Balkan melodies and rhythms with sophisticated improvisational gambits.
Most recently, Ivanovic released an eponymous trio album with bassist Ulery and percussionist Pete Tashjian where he’s achieved a stunning assimilation of his many influences, creating a hybrid all his own. Reviewing the new album for All About Jazz, Budd Kopman wrote, “It is easy to get lost in Ivanovic’s technique, especially if one plays (or attempts to play) Classical style guitar, in a jazz style or not.” The trio’s agility has also been noted. As Jeff Elbel wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times, “The trio are recognized for their individual virtuosity, but they show particular excellence as a unit able to stop on a dime and twist gracefully through the trickiest hairpin turns together on local stages.”
IKARAY
Sludge from Chicago
GEORGE URGO
George Urgo is a former Philadelphia-based Blues guitarist and singer now living and playing in Chicago, IL! George brings over 15 years of live performance experience to his new home state.
From 2008-2015 George could be seen and heard throughout Philadelphia, playing 2-3 hours of uninterrupted live music that features blues classics and little-heard chestnuts, the hits of Stax and Motown Records, contemporary, top-40 R&B and pop-hip-hop, as well as his own material.
He enjoyed house musician status at Goat Hollow in Germantown, Hawthornes Cafe in South Philly, The Bainbridge Street Barrel House in Queen Village, The Liquid Room in Olde Kensington, Gunner’s Run in Northern Liberties, Marmont Steakhouse in Old City, ERA Bar in Fairmount, The Queen of Sheba in West Philly, and Carmine’s Café in Bryn Mawr.
In 2009 and 2010 George served as a soundtrack composer/instrumentalist for two Philadelphia Fringe Festival productions, It’s Hard Times at the Camera Blanca and How to Solve a Bear.
George also performs in a blues duo with harmonica virtuoso Carol Moog and is the guitarist/singer of The George Urgo Blues Band.
DESTROYTHM
Born of chaos, in the wake of shattered beings. There was nothing left, as we had come to Destroythm.
KWEKU COLLINS
rapper/producer/stupidrose @closedsessions be the squad
BURY THE MACHINES
Bury the Machines is a stoner metal band initially formed in Chicago, IL by John Bomher and Mark Serpico. The band is currently based in Los Angeles, CA.
MANGY
“If you want to be a different kind of fish, drop out of school.” – Captain Beefheart
MEXICAN WEREWOLF
Ugly dudes playing ugly music to other ugly dudes.
A.JONES
A.Jones raised in Canton, Ohio relocated to Columbus, Ohio for more opportunities. After earning a degree in Digital Video/Audio Sound, he decided to pursue his first love, music. Jones grew up with many musical influences ranging from gospel to jazz which helped in cultivating his soulful sound with a modern twist. Get to know A.Jones through his music and experience the artist for yourself.