Sleepy Gaucho, Kneafsey, No Lonesome
Sleepy Gaucho follows in the great American artistic tradition that is the rambler’s drawl. His Panamerican influenced music offers up a cocktail of wry existentialism and mellow introspection that floats somewhat aimlessly in a realm of its own. Born in Wisconsin while also growing up some time in Argentina, the young multi-instrumentalist’s music can at times be melancholic, at others ethereal, but always agreeable. Kneafsey (pronounced “neef-see”) is the solo project of Jimmy Drenovsky. Jimmy has been writing music for most of his life, with his output up until now coming exclusively from the band he co-founded in 2016, Motel Breakfast. While his work in Motel Breakfast focuses on full band compositions, Kneafsey songs draw more influence from the softer, lyric-forward singer-songwriter world, inspired by artists such as John Moreland, Sufjan Stevens, and Adrianne Lenker. Kneafsey’s debut album, due out sometime in 2024, compiles a group of songs about love, loss, and friendships written over the past 7 years. No Lonesome is a Chicago DIY project. Their folk pop leanings are both raw and polished.
Bled Tape, Mr. Softheart, Gerfety
Bled Tape is the solo recording project and occasional live band of Francis Shannon since 2015. Manic and unpredictable indie rock with noise elements and experimental flourishes in abundance. Named an “Artist to Watch in 2024” by Iowa Public Radio, Mr. Softheart has drawn comparisons to Suicide, Viagra Boys, Nick Cave, LCD Soundsystem, and The Cramps. Their sound blends post-punk, new wave, dance, and experimental elements, culminating in a setlist of “moody meditations” centered around lead singer Nick Fisher’s wry poetics and arch stage persona. Gerfety describes themselves as Chicago 3-piece Shadow Rock.
SADNESS, VAELASTRASZ, ARDENTE
Ardente (Lila Starless) is epic black metal in the vein of classic french bands and this will be an exclusive North American Black Metal performance NOT TO BE MISSED! Sadness play blackgaze, emo, shoegaze inspired songs Vaelastrasz is Dungeon Synth project from Azeroth-by-way-of-Virginia that performs loop-based dark ambient music and drone.
Stander, Genital Shame, NÜDE
Stander is a Chicago trio testing the boundaries of heavy music, infusing their penchants for improvising and dynamic, narrative songwriting into music both tense and cathartic. Genital Shame, experimental black metal from Pittsburgh, PA is the one-person project of Erin Dawson. NÜDE is an experimental duo composed of Chicago-bred musicians Ruby Lucinda and Luke Clohisy. Both multi-instrumentalists, Lucinda and Clohisy write music that pulls from indie rock, drone, no wave, and grunge. The duo seeks to write honest music, about what feels like to be home— comforts and complications alike.
Dildox, More Ephemerol, Clubdrugs, Ghost Days
Dildox is a dynamic dance punk duo from Los Angeles that ignites stages with their electrifying energy and boundary-pushing music. They fearlessly explore new sonic territories, pushing the boundaries of what dance music can be. Get ready to dance, rebel, and embrace the chaos with Dildox.More Ephemerol is a dark synth pop duo from L.A. riding a fine line between new wave, minimal wave, and body music.Clubdrugs is a 2 piece goth-pop band from Chicago.Ghost Days is the solo project of Chicago based musician, Alessia Kato. Blending elements of dream pop, post-punk, goth and shoegaze, Ghost Days is a sonic exploration through the dreamscape, leaving behind fragments of nostalgia, bittersweet memories, and the unknown.
Sports Boyfriend, Facing, Caroline Campbell
Sports Boyfriend is a rock band from Chicago. Currently made up of Eileen Peltier, Alex Lukawski & Ashley Guerrero. They’re groovy & tender, just like a boyfriend should be.Facing is a brand new, experimental three-piece from Chicago. Nathan Whitman and Kirk Rawlings (Courtesy) began sharing ideas in early 2023. Claudia Ferme (Claude) joined shortly after as the band’s primary singer and the three have been writing and recording music to be released soon.Caroline Campbell is returning to the stage with a completely new and transformed electronic project. Joined by Benjamin Taylor and Alex Taylor, the trio present a sound that is emboldened by dark and pulsating house rhythms, synth-opera, and stories from the underworld.
Zombie Mañana, They Need Machines To Fly?, NOHMADS
Zombie Mañana is an Indie Electronic/Art Rock artist from Chicago. ZM weaves psychedelic textures and beats with adept songwriting and clever, thought-provoking lyrics. ZM is a crafted sound all his own, but one can sense hints of how favorite bands Radiohead, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, and Flaming Lips… To name a few. They Need Machines To Fly? play rhythm-driven keyboard rock producing walls of sound to hurt your ears in the most pleasing of ways Art rockers from Chicago, NOHMADS weave layers of noir, sludge, and pop to create their unique sound, combining songs, spoken word, and visual elements to tell stories. Soaring guitars, dynamic percussion, and haunting vocal harmonies escort the listener on a ride through everyday silenced small town dramas, into murky backwoods of past lives, and along hopeful deserted dream landscapes
Dear Diary
Dear Diary is an open mic for second hand embarrassment. Come read your old diary entries out loud in front of strangers! Handle with care is a wellness brand that promotes vulnerability in community spaces. Created by Soso, she hopes to connect individuals through unique events and shared experiences.
Dew from 2001, Yiyo, Divinecowgurl
Dew From 2001, Chicago MC and producer well-known among local art spaces, is not new to making and releasing songs online. His curiosity and love for music continues to drive his desire to test sonic capabilities by skipping between sounds and approaches, sometimes multiple times in the course of one track. With dedication, Dew is equally at home rapping over sample-driven hip-hop beats or finding pockets in experimental, electronic production.Yiyo is a 22 year old Mexican-American producer/dj born and raised in Chicago who aims at making people dance through any sub-genre of electronic dance music. Whether it’s house, UK garage, or electronic-dembow.Divinecowgurl is the mother of Pussycore. The diva.
California Cousins (NY), Inkjet, Ira Glass (EP Release), Shotgun Funeral
California Cousins – Riffy emo/post-hardcore from Rochester, NY. Inventor’s of the double EP. “stray.” out now.Inkjet – printer-rock from chicagoIra Glass – ira glass is a post-post-hardcore band from chicago, IL.Shotgun Funeral – a queer 3 piece alternative, emo, punk band with post-hardcore elements. Three writers/vocalists, two guitarists, one bassist (and a slew of rotating drummers) who experiment and ultimately have fun bending genres to leave listeners feeling nostalgic for the past, yet ingrained in the present.