Social Cig, Scam Likely, Ur Mom
Born & brewed in Wisconsin, Social Cig is the ‘Indie-Skate-Rock’ music project of Parker Schultz. Consisting of contagious authenticity, cheery live shows, and cultivating an original story with an attitude of gratitude, Social Cig is creating full-circle moments. While leafing through US music scenes with an ambitious DIY approach and writing songs that capture a genuine outlook from a modern-day Midwest cowboy, Social Cig has become a well-rounded grassroots venture. Scam Likely is on the move! After the raucous “chameleon rock” foursome released their ambitious sophomore album Yolk in April 2024, the band grabbed the closest mic and shouted “We’re moving to Chicago!” Just as Yolk explores new sonic territories for the group, coloring their signature vocal arrangements with acoustic guitar, odd percussion and lead bass lines, Scam Likely are exploring their a new city with the same mischievous curiosity. A passionate rock quartet from the suburbs of Chicago. These soulful suburbanites are eager to bring back the importance of raw rock & roll. Ur Mom doesn’t have backing tracks- just pure talent.
Living Thing, Captain Tallen & the Benevolent Entities, Claire Ozmun, Sara Geist
Living Thing is the solo project of Chicago-based songwriter Danielle Strautmanis. Their debut EP “Everything Is Green” is an introspective and uplifting piece that carried her through her darkest days. It is an exploration of self-care through the elements of nature, vivid imagery and soulful melodies. Danielle encourages all listeners to utilize powerful optimism as a guide through life’s turbulence. Captain Tallen & the Benevolent Entities are tender storytellers, weaving lyrics that sing of nostalgia and yearning with delicate and thoughtful instrumentation. They are based in Brooklyn. Claire Ozmun is soft and hard at the same time. Backed by COB (Claire Ozmun Band for census-takers), Ozmun’s music is jagged and immediate. The literacy and wit of her lyrics don’t glamorize the voice behind them (all lipstick, all pig). COB invites you to take your teeth out, all while feeling a little bit like you’re reading the journal entries of a 20-something Midwesterner-turned-New Yorker (because you are). Sara Geist makes fun indie rock music for scorned lovers and the chronically ill, inspired by artists like the Beths, Phoebe Bridgers, and Great Grandpa.
Pinkii, Melissa Brooks, Chichi
PiNKII channels her experiences as an underground idol in Japan to shape her distinctive sound. She brings a unique blend of hyper pop and bubblegum bass, with sweet vocals over deep, pulsating dance beats to keep you dancing all night long. PiNKII loves involving her audience, turning each show into a memorable experience for everyone, whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering her music for the first time. Join us for a night of infectious music and unforgettable moments!
Clickbait, STEEF, PAL, PROBLEMS
Clickbait pieces together shards of experience and lack thereof, rhythm and asymmetry, punk and dance, less and more. Contort yourself. STEEF is a solo project of New Orleans based artist, Stevie Spring. The STEEF sound is steeped in the playful, jittery side of 70s/80s New Wave and avant garde, drawing from the wonky grooves of groups like Oingo Boingo and XTC and fusing them with distorted samples and electronic beats with a Residents-like cursed energy. STEEFmusic is a freewheeling, eclectic aural experience complete with DX7 steel drums, sour guitarmonies, hypnotic basslines and manic vocal performances.Code Kilgo, Avery Legendre, and Cole Jones bring these fucked up tracks to life with their virtuosic musicianship and unhinged stage presence. The STEEF live band is known to dress up. They were originally chefs but have since then sold out. They now don suits to represent their evolution into scumbag salespeople. PAL is a hyper, woman-fronted punk band led by Maureen Joyce. She takes on the synth in this new minimalist, art punk project alongside Jake Schott (guitar), Adam Atkinson (bass), and Mario Slagle (drums). Based in Cleveland/Akron, PAL leans into its weirdo roots and takes inspiration from hometown heroes like DEVO and The Waitresses, writing songs with melodies that people are finding “dangerously addictive.” PROBLEMS Has toured Europe, New Zealand, and America. I have opened for Peaches, Dan Deacon, Lightning Bolt, and Many others. My new 12” LP “Enter The Annals” was released this year on The Record Machine. I make electronic music with live vocals that is sometimes very fun and is sometimes very beautiful and is always interesting.
And the Animal, MINKA, NÆ
And The Animal is an up-and-coming, female fronted, Cinematic Electro-Pop trio from Chicago, USA. During the span of eight years, they have evolved their sound and collaborated with musicians from around the world. They have infused their music with a versatile range of genres, going from the sonic hues of house beats, to synth pop and the rawness of some rock guitars. Their sound has taken them places; from Chicago, New York and Mexico City, to the lengths of Milan, Italy, and Perth, Australia. They just came back from their second European tour playing shows in Norway, England, Scotland and Hungary. Enter the captivating and clever world of NÆ, Chicago-based synth pop and electronic artist. Known for her high-energy live performances with bold visual props and sci-fi narratives, NÆ ignites her audiences with themes of inclusivity, self-expression, and finding one’s inner child. Her sharp wit and humor are balanced with levity, imagination, and a cosmic effervescence. Funky, electronic, rock…dance..jazz..sexy..Japanese inspired…well, there’s really no way to fully capture the experiences and sounds of Philly-born band, MINKA. But if you want to let your imagination run wild…let’s pretend some scientists got in the lab and crossed Bowie with Prince, and then sprinkled in some Talking Heads.
Cathedral Ceilings, Robot Civil War, The Hypnic Jerks
Sometimes, you don’t want fancy. A black coffee, a domestic beer, a slice of pepperoni pizza—sometimes, these basic staples are all you want and need to be happy. Same goes for rock and roll music; sometimes you just want the basic guitar/bass/drums to make you happy. New Jersey power trio Cathedral Ceilings understands that need, for they specialize in your standard, no-frills rock music. It’s clear that they’ve had Pleased To Meet Me and Grave Dancers Union and On The Mouth in their cassette decks for ages. Robot Civil War are proletaribots raging against capitalist machines. loud, hard, fast, & hopeful.proletaribots raging against capitalist machines. loud, hard, fast, & hopeful. The Hypnic Jerks are a fuzzed out garage/psych band that delivers a loud and energetic live show
Axel Brooks, Tommy Bravos, Abigail Arkley
Ethereal pop, meets trip-hop, meets soft alternative rock would be the best description of Axel Brooks’ music. It’s sort of dark, moody and sexy at times but alternatively can be very upbeat bright and vivid. Axel makes music that takes you in a journey – starting somewhere slow and rather melancholic but ending in a place where everyone’s dancing! Tommy Bravos is like no other. His music exists at the intersection of fantasy, nature, philosophy and reality, bringing audiences to deeper emotional experiences. Contemplative music taps into all the sources of energy that speak to him, including his Greek heritage, exploring what can be made through the factors from which humans form identity. His latest EP, Everything is Growing, Am I? which discusses the changing nature of human identity, was released on June 14th, its reflective lyrics woven together through lush chords and the allure of pop melodies. Abigail Arkley is a 24-year-old artist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Minneapolis. Abigail started making music when she was just 6 years old, being classically trained as a pianist before branching out into jazz, songwriting, production, and learning other instruments. Drawing from her background in instrumental music, Abigail and her band combine soaring jazz pop melodies with bittersweet and complex alt R&B and indie folk soundscapes. Her next release is an EP set for Fall 2024.
Kacie Brown (video premiere), Bread on Fork, Rani
Kacie Brown & The Vision is a neo-soul/pop collaborative band based in chicago. The band’s early remnants started at Columbia College, where each member was a student in the music department, eventually forming the band for a competition. Not too soon after, the band evolved into this six-piece ensemble which includes bandleader and vocalist Kacie Brown, pianist Miles Pretel, guitarists Chris Ihrig and Stephen Ryan, bassist Sam Nesin, and drummer William Penne. This band is collaborative meaning, all members either help with the writing, arrangement, or production of the tunes. Influenced by the ever-expanding soul genre, Kacie Brown & The Vision blend these elements into an engaging musical experience. Bread on Fork is a 7-piece soul-fusion band from Chicago that draws on the individual inspirations of their members, ranging from jazz and neo-soul to psych rock and folk. They seek to remain lighthearted and recognize the joy of music while writing about the experiences of being young adults in the contemporary age and the range of emotions and challenges that follow. They are currently working on recording and releasing more originals and playing shows in the Chicago area following their past shows at prominent venues such as Martyr’s and Cole’s Bar. With smooth vocals and meaningful lyrics, Rani gives homage to the R&B 90’s-2000’s era. Rani is a fierce and sassy artist that keeps listeners tuned in with her nostalgic melodies, unique lyrics, and contemporary rhythms. Based in Chicago, this Afro-Latina provides the world with music that exudes the confidence and customs of her combined cultures. Her vibrant delivery allows her audience to be enamored by her raw emotion and connect to her and others. Her music is something people can relate to, that can uplift them when they’re down, and even add a spicy sense of flair to their lives when they need a little kick. She released her first single in December 2023 called “Survibing”, her second “keep it lowkey” in May 2024 and will drop an EP in October 2024. After the EP release, she plans to tour and continue to compose for a full-length album. Rani is an authentic and true-to-self artist that strives to add the spark back in a dim world. She is talented, beautiful, and passionate to expose the world to her life-altering music!
The Sonnets, The Rebel Set, The Lost Year
The Sonnets: Alcohol, Nicotine, and The Who Hailing from the dusty streets of Phoenix, Arizona, The Rebel Set offer a raw and energetic blend of garage rock, surf and punk. Their sound is characterized by catchy guitar riffs, crunchy melodies and a solid rhythm section that captivates the listener Emerging from Chicago’s vibrant musical landscape, The Lost Year is a compelling force in the indie rock genre. With their distinct blend of introspective lyricism, dreamy melodies, and subdued (but at times explosive) energy, this four-piece band captivates audiences with their authentic sound and impassioned performances.
The Daisy Heaves vs Talking Heads, What To Do, Sgt. Starling
The Daisy Heaves (nu-psych from Chicago) and friends, host a Halloween mashup show of their own songs vs. The Talking Heads. Sgt. Starling is a musical project that effectively blends a unique sound that incorporates psychedelia, shoegaze, spaghetti western vibes, and bluegrass instrumentation, resulting in an engaging and innovative experience that feels both familiar and new