MellowPhobia, Ione, Lydia Cash
Based in Kansas City, Kansas, MellowPhobia is an alt-rock band that brings a lively and dynamic sound to the music scene. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the band relocated and recorded their debut EP, “Is This Seat Taken?” Their single, “Jackal,” gained attention, leading to performances at festivals and indie venues. Notable highlights include sharing stages with national touring acts such as The Greeting Committee, The Regrettes, The Velveteers, Colony House, and more. By 2024, “Jackal” had surpassed 40,000 streams. Looking ahead, the band is gearing up for new releases, each contributing to their evolving sound.Ione, A 25 year old Singer/Songwriter from Sioux City Iowa, started her singing career at the age of 11. Since that time she has toured extensively throughout the Midwest developing her unique style. Ione’s powerful, soulful voice is undeniable whether singing her empowering Alt Rock compositions or more intimate heartfelt confessionals.Lydia Cash’s latest release, “Indigo”, boasts her fresh indie take on country music, weaving synths with traditional pedal steel, her airy voice floating with stacked harmonies and emotional, heartfelt lyrics. The five songs share a common theme of longing, whether that be for a person, a feeling, or for the past. While heavy on the nostalgia, there is nothing dated about this EP; honest, full of heart, with confessional lyrics, Cash is creating something new in country music and leaves us feeling good and wanting more.
Adjy, Patrick Jasper, Slow Riser
Adjy is a musical mythopoic apparatus based in undisclosed locations in Appalachia.Patrick Jasper is a Chicago based guitarist and songwriter. Drawing from his roots in folk, math-rock and experimental rock, his new project tumbles into new sonic territory while maintaining a down to earth musical sensibility.Slow Riser is a Chicago-based dark indie-pop project comprised of two longtime musical collaborators, Ian Young and Claire Watkins (Scout Ripley, Morning Arms).
The Cancellations, Genevieve Heyward, All Weather Sports
The Cancellations make depression you can dance to.Genevieve Heyward delivers brutally honest lyrics with a saccharine rasp, effortlessly blending Americana influences into enthusiastic pop music.
Holy Joke, Janet Blackwell, Dogcatcher
Holy Joke is an alt-country band from Chicago, IL. They are celebrating the release of their second EP.Janet Blackwell is a musical artist based in Chicago. Her music explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, with a sound that blends elements of folk, rock, and pop. Heavily influenced by the mysticality of 70s rock lyricism and its imagery, upcoming music has direct influence of the gritty Riot Grrrl movement–with a folk rock twist.Dogcatcher’s sound ranges from the loud and loose ferocity of a modern-day Crazy Horse to the pin-drop silence of a Big Thief show.
The Umbrellas, Pleasant Mob
The Umbrellas are four renegade romantics crafting irresistible indie pop hymns. The band’s self-titled 2021 debut album became a breakout moment, winning critical praise and sparking an international tour. Follow-up LP ‘Fairweather Friend’ goes a step further – absorbing the sonic attack of their live shows, it balances this with studio finesse, allowing the San Francisco four-piece to become the band they’ve always aspired to be. At a glance Pleasant Mob evokes a carefree spirit, but below the surface, their uncluttered compositions are a comforting utopia. Their judicious use of tone, color, and melody strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine energy – take that Piet Mondrian. Their clarity and resolved tension has smoothed down the sharp edges of rock and roll into a joyous flower powered jangle.
Paris Williams, Don’t Be Kendall, Devin
Gritty raps with the pretty tracks, Kansas City rapper Paris Williams is pioneering a bittersweet sound that is poised to live in headphones and speakers for years to come. Bursting onto the scene with his ambitious and forward thinking mixtape DROP DEAD GORGEOUS, Williams immediately established himself as an artist full of creative ideas, and earned comparisons to the sounds of early Odd Future and Kevin Abstract releases from online blogs and forums. From there he pulled back to focus and refine his sound across tight EPs with 2020’s Cocoa and 2023’s Rebel Heart.devin. , a rapper coming from Northport, Alabama, and currently based in Chicago, has been on a journey trying to figure out the complexities of his identity and the world around him through his music. With a curiosity for playing with language, devin’s lyrics serve as a vehicle for introspection and understanding.
Katherine Paterson, Julia Morrison, Yin Waster
Katherine Paterson is a singer/songwriter based in McKinney, TX. She writes indie-folk music to keep you company. Her debut album, Wake, is available on all streaming platforms. Paterson has played at The Bitter End, Deep Ellum Art Co., Johnny Brenda’s, Mohawk Austin, and more.Julia Morrison is a songwriter, painter, and local weirdo. They are releasing a third album this summer.Yin Waster is the musical project from Griffin Mang and Gabe Huff. Together the pair craft “Gas Station Folk” a combination of groovy psychedelic riffs and pastoral tenderness that is sure to bring bliss to your ears
Už jsme doma, Lovely Little Girls
Už jsme doma, (pronounced oosh-smeh-dough-ma), are a progressive avantgarde kazz-punk band from Czech Republic. It was active in keeping freedom during the totalitarian system in former Czechoslovakia and due to that, the band had played mostly on illegal level and in constant danger of jail. The band´s approach to arrangements is unique in the world of rock. They bring the instruments and vocals in different directions within the same scales and keys to create a dense melodic atmosphere. In addition, their rhythms often accent off-beats and half-beats, throwing the listener in unexpected directions. The band is also fond of shifts between time signatures and the insertion of extra beats in the shaping of the mood of the song. Band tours frequently whole the world – till now they visited 43 different countries, major part of them took USA (more than 700 shows in almost all states), but as well as Japan, New Zealand, Israel, France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, etc etc. The band has, to date, released eight proper studio albums, two live albums, several DVD’s a many compilations all over the world. They collaborate to theatre, film or occasionally they play with symphonic orchestra. They collaborated very closely to the world famous band The Residents on their Freak show and later they released album Moravian Meeting, where UJD and Randy, the singer of The Residents, perform together. Artist Martin Velisek is the non-playing and mostly non/travelling UJD member. His unique, absurd cartoon style, replete with alarming flourishes of realism, gruesomeness and beauty, gives UJD records their distinct look. Lovely Little Girls is an avant-rock band led by artist Gregory Jacobsen and bassist Alex Perkolup. Using Jacobsen’s grotesque paintings as a basis, they write theatrical suites that morph from of-kilter dance anthems to punishing and ridiculous prog. Influenced by artists such as Fred Frith, Magma, The Residents and Captain Beefheart, Lovely Little Girls moves between No-Wave, Rock-in-Opposition prog, metal and free jazz.
R & Burlesque….It’s Our Anniversary
R & Burlesque – It’s our Anniversary! Join us for a night celebrating 1 year of what’s becoming Chicago’s ONLY R&B centered cabaret! Headliner: Shimmy LaRoux Featuring: Nami Flare Performing Live: Crip Elle Threat 007 D’Iconic Olivia Sylk Reigny Daze King Kya Kitten/GoGos Dancerella Mo’Lassis Presented & Hosted by: Harlem Nyte
Abun(DANCE)
“Abun(DANCE) is an ode to movement and a celebration of life. This event will be the after party to the SWOP Chicago’s Annual ‘Sex Workers Rights Day’ Exhibition opening reception. This will be a space to exist with luxury and pride in mind. Our stage is our throne. Come one, come all! This is for the sluts, gays, people of color & all their art, in all forms. We welcome all to come out and celebrate as we celebrate sex workers rights day and continue to ride the high of the night. Enjoy this space and experience people who are more than society can handle.Join us for our second event at Cole’s, honoring our community.*All support acts are subject to change without notice.*” FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR PERFORMERS, THIS IS A MASK MANDATORY EVENT.