Adjy, POWERPUP, Slow Riser
Adjy is the kind of band that released a 175 page hardcover book as their debut album. Musically they sound like the school marching band playing desperate indie rock hymns about a mythical summer camp love story set in the 00s; lots of voices yelling, mallet instruments, many drums and even a speak and spell from time to time. Born out of necessity, Chicago-based POWERPUP formed in 2016 with an unapologetic embrace of the full-spectrum experience of youth. With a playful curiosity through lyrical storytelling, these Pups offer up their melodic breed of pop with a tenacity that’s sure to draw you into the groove. 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). On their nocturnal-themed debut album, Midnight Talks, the duo explores the ways age, mental state, season, and location inform our ever-changing relationship with the night. Underpinning their lyrical vignettes is a tapestry of reverb-drenched guitars, soaring strings, ethereal synths, and downtempo beats. The result is an emotionally and sonically dynamic album that occupies the liminal space between genres.
Mall Drag
Let’s go to the mall! Coming all the way from New York City- Miss. Ma’amShe brings her iconically hilarious homage to days of Juicy Couture & Jeans. Come see a stacked drag show full of your favorite Chicago Drag Artists giving you exactly what you need… some mall drag! Hosted by Miss. Ma’amShe and Neutral Gena Starring Helvetikah Blak, Peeper Johnson, and Detox Music by Miss Toto
Oh My Lover, Judson Claiborne
Oh My Lover is a passionate homage to the incomparable PJ Harvey, paying tribute to the raw, unapologetic energy that defined her illustrious career. Formed from a shared love for Harvey’s groundbreaking soundscapes, Oh My Lover is more than a mere tribute band; they are torchbearers of her legacy, channeling the essence and spirit of PJ Harvey’s music with electrifying authenticity.Oh My Lover is a collective of Chicago music scene veterans, Christy Nunes (the Locals), Ripley Cane (solo), Joanna Vassilatos (The Punch), and Carlan Johnson (The Addy Janes) who meticulouslyrecreate the sonic tapestries that made PJ Harvey an icon. From the gritty, angst-laden tracks of ‘Dry’ to the evocative, soul-stirring melodies of ‘Rid of Me’ and the experimental brilliance of ‘To Bring You My Love,’ Oh My Lover flawlessly captures the essenceof Harvey’s diverse discography. Their live performances are a visceral experience, transporting audiences back to the ’90s alternative rock scene with a thrilling blend of searing guitar riffs, thunderous rhythms, and raw, emotive vocals. Each show is animmersive journey through PJ Harvey’s evolution as an artist, leaving fans both mesmerized by the authenticity of the tribute and awestruck by the band’s ability to revive the raw intensity that made Harvey’s music so iconic. Judson Claiborne is the folk-rock music project of Chicago-based songwriter and DJ Christopher Claiborne Salveter. Raised in a Missouri river town-turned suburb, his earliest musical influences were the androgynous voices on oldies radio and MTV’s 120 Minutes. The Chicago indie record labels and bands of the late 90s beckoned him to relocate there in 2000. Soon after, he started the group Low Skies, who released four records and toured as the support act for Neko Case, Explosions in the Sky, and Band of Horses. Low Skies’ final record, All the Love I Could Find (2006) received an 8.1 on Pitchfork.Salveter’s storytelling ranges from the romantic to the heartbreaking, from the autobiographical to the biographical, and from the tender to the gritty. Now eighteen years and five Judson Claiborne records in, Salveter is set to release Live Active Culture, Vol. 2 in Spring 2025.
Apres Pompeii, Jennifer Femme, Dear Jamie
Do you yearn? Are you in awe of the world around you? Do you feel sexy and a little haunted? Ask your doctors about Apres Pompeii. Apres Pompeii is a singer-songwriter known to treat these symptoms, and more. Side-effects of listening to Apres Pompeii include existentialism, falling in love with everyone you meet, and feeling like The Main Character in your life. Some listeners of Apres Pompeii may find themselves moved by the soaring vocals and poetic lyrics, genre experimentation may cause dizziness–if necessary, swoon into the arms of the person next to you. You can find Apres Pompeii on all streaming services and social media and at The Music Box Lounge in Chicago for their monthly open mic. Jennifer Femme is telling stories. Stories about love. Stories about her dramatic internal world. Stories about rain, the sun… and a man named Big Willy. With a background in jazz guitar and classical violin, she tells her stories with a voice both earthy and soaring, heart-wrenching and tongue-in-cheek. She has made a name for herself in Chicago playing countless shows around the city (both solo and with her band), hosting open mics, and founding The Purple Teapot: a DIY performance space which offers queer artists of many disciplines a place to hone their craft and make connections. You can listen to Jennifer Femme on all major streaming platforms. Her discography includes an EP, a live album and “Rain,” the newest single off her debut album which is set to release later this year. Dear Jamie is a force made up of colorful passions and talents. They are currently taking a break as a mental health therapist to explore human connection and healing through alternative mediums; music and drag. Their songwriting and performance style is heavily influenced by their unique and/or completely relatable experiences that derive from living life through the lens of a queer, neurodivergent, AFAB, Korean first-generation immigrant. They believe that their intersectionality brings a fresh perspective into their art, and with their powerhouse voice and open vulnerability, Dear Jamie aims to make their audience be unafraid to feel their emotions.
Do the Needful, Karmick, Surfing Bird
Do the Needful is a punk Bollywood ensemble that filters retro Indian pop music through the prism of ghostly burlesque, post-punk, and blues into something entirely unique. Featuring Hindi vocalists, Bansuri, guitar/fuzz organ, bass, and drums, DTN’s hypnotic beats fill the dance floor while shards of folk melodies and moody improvisation transport listeners to a different space. We evoke Bollywood’s rich past and present a powerful modern masala that is a distinct product of Chicago’s musical melting pot. Karmick is the Sikhest rock band you know. Harboring the sound of two brothers chopping up their background in Indian Classical music with loud drums and ethereal guitars – this duo knows how to rock out and when to pull back for a more intimate and personal experience. Karmick’s wide array of influences across genres colors their unique sound. Based out of their home town in Chicago, Karmick stands for the values of unashamedly living your truth and finding your authentic expression. Surfing Bird describes themselves as Charlie Parker meets the ventures! Chicago’s only surf jazz group!
Lovely Little Girls, PROBLEMS, Shrift
Lovely Little Girls (Skin Graft Records) is a theatrical art-rock band from Chicago that features members of Cheer-Accident and The Flying Luttenbachers. They specialize in odd harmonies and catchy melodies served with a histrionic flair. Started as “a chaotic and noisy one-off performance piece inspired by Johanna Went, The Kipper Kids, Henry Darger, and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”, Lovely Little Girls evolved over the years into a juggernaut of prog/punk/no-wave absurdity featuring intricate arrangements of dramatic psychodrama. PROBLEMS Has toured Europe, New Zealand, and America extensively. I have opened for Peaches, Dan Deacon, Pile, death’s dynamic shrout, Lightning Bolt, Wolf Eyes, Plack Blague, and many others. I have played at Meow Wolf in Denver, and several fests including Camp A Low Hum (NZ), Laektro (DK), No Coast Fest (TX) and the Petfest and Lincoln Calling fests in Nebraska.My new 12” LP “Enter The Annals” was released this year on The Record Machine. I have previously worked with Orange Milk Records and Geertruida (NL).I make composer driven electronic music with live vocals that is sometimes very fun and is sometimes very beautiful and is always interesting. Shrift unites the smooth bass of toxic nerd Jill Lloyd Flanagan (Forced into Femininity, Cb Radio Gorgeous), the vocals of local funnyman Carly Wicks (Dog Problem), electrical saxophone by the large-mitted Sonia Monet (Nakamura Lock) and the punishing beats of museum replicator Janice Lim (Gula Gila) into a semi-coherent sound; Shrift is the band your mom would favorite on Soundcloud and add to her Mixcloud favorites. Whether you’re a creator, a disruptor or just ruining the city for fun, get ready to nod your head vigorously to their up-tempo sound. ROLL AND ROLL 4ever!
Blucone, Jax will be Jax, Nothing But Silence, Light Blue Lines (solo)
blucone is an R&B/indie-pop band from Columbus, Ohio. They started as a group of friends from different musical backgrounds experimenting with new sounds. The first result of this experimentation was their single, “Torn”. The positive reception that followed encouraged the group to continue writing, and to take the songs live.Listeners have dubbed blucone’s music as jazzy-futuristic, noting how the group’s high-quality production and dreamy vocals interlace with its lush instrumentation; the audience is sure to sway. blucone has appeared at Summer Camp Music Festival ’23, at Solshine Reverie ’24, and on Fab Dupont’s Mix Fix Live series. Jax ‘jax will be jax’ Ovalle is a Guatemalan-American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter heavily influenced by Latinx indie and post-rock. Their music explores emotional vulnerability through lush, atmospheric textures and introspective lyrics. Jax spent the last ten years writing original material and supporting various artists, including Girl Ultra, City Mouth, and Lester Rey. In their current concept project, ‘andromeda’, Jax seeks to combine their work as a musician and filmmaker to tell stories in a new way. Nothing But Silence is Darkwave/post-punk/ mainly vibes & stuff Light Blue Lines is an alternative indie folk band
Cool Heat, Talking to Shadows, Sungaze, The Warm Fuzzies, The Shimmer DJs
COOL HEAT is the dream pop project of Chicago-based musician and photographer Eden Sierotnik. In 2024 he released his second full length album Abandon on Spirit Goth Records and subsequently went on his first tour. “Multi-faceted and effortlessly modern, the project’s name is apt; with every single track in his discography, Sierotnik proves with his highly meticulous, maximalist synth work that it is entirely possible to balance opposing ideas, sounds, and textures with finesse.” – kid with a vinyl Talking to Shadows crafts a sound that’s both heavy and hypnotic, blending reverb-soaked guitars with ethereal vocals. Hailing from the underground music scene of Baltimore, MD, the group has made a name for themselves with songs that capture the nostalgia of ‘90s grunge, but with a contemporary dreampop and shoegaze flavor. Sungaze, the dreamy genre-bending project helmed by Ian Hilvert and Ivory Snow, is hard to pigeonhole. With a sound that is simultaneously grounded and ethereal, their audiences can expect to be captivated by lush soundscapes, soaring guitar riffs and haunting vocals. Drawing from a wide array of influences, it is not uncommon for a Sungaze record to feature a heavy grunge-laden track followed by an upbeat dream pop anthem with a country lilt–no matter which end of the musical spectrum, each song is sure to pack an emotional punch. Sungaze have released three albums independently, garnering praise from the likes of CLASH, EARMILK, and more. The Warm Fuzzies is a Chicago local duo with a throwback 90s industrial alternative sound. The Shimmer DJs, the duo Scary Lady Sarah and Philly Peroxide, spin a soundtrack of sonic incandescence, warm fuzzy walls of sound, and face melting guitars. Their monthly Shimmer club night is devoted to the absolute best current and classic shoegaze/dreampop/psych & more.
Ego Day featuring Exjames12, Khari Ennui, Hitxion and more
Exjames12 is a musical artist and video producer,best known for his experimental rap and short films as a director, James brings a new Japanese indie pop flavor to the Chicago rap scene with projects like “Ego Boy” and Gold Ocean, creating a large following in Chicago, James’s creative drive to constantly produce more content has lead to his rising internet status collaborating with artist like BIGBABYGUCCI, Khari Ennui, Hitxion. And Becca First Name Given, Last Name Chosen, Khari Ennui is a dynamic alternative hip-hop artist from the South Suburbs of Chicago. In the past year I’ve performed for stages such as From The ‘Go Fest at the DuSable Museum Campus, Pride for GayBash’d Boston and Bush Babe at The Fine Line in Minneapolis, as well as recently headlining the Promontory. I’ll also be performing at the Schubas Tavern and the bookclub (FKA the Elbo Room) in the month of May. Hitxion is an alternative hip-hop artist, poet, and community organizer making waves in the Chicago music and arts scene. Known for his ability to seamlessly blend rap, singing, and poetry, his music delivers a raw yet experimental sound that challenges convention. His artistry and impact were recognized in Chicago Reader’s Gossip Wolf, highlighting his work with TOUCH ERF, the creative organization he founded to uplift and connect artists. 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, pretty gyal energy, Ifeanyi isn’t just making music—she’s making waves. VVS Gem – I sound like the weather unpredictable but there’s a part of me that everyone loves or will enjoy.People should be excited to see me perform because I offer a unique experience of music and crowd interaction something you can tell your grandkids about because they’ll ask what it was like when you’re old and wrinkled. My name is Walt From.The.Future and I’m in the “in-between” space of Hip-Hop, with a sound that could be considered mainstream but deviates into the realm of experimental and alternative. People have compared my sound to artists like: Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. Those who have seen me perform always give witness to one thing: I bring an undeniable energy and presence to the stage that makes the room shake and creates an experience that’s hard to forget. TMRW FRVR. jbreaux is an alternative R&B artist with modern and throwback Hip-Hop & Rap influence.
Inkjet, Giant Pit of Glass, Hearthands
Inkjet is a Chicago rock band that everyone is talking about and you should be very excited to see. Giant Pit of Glass describes themselves as soft and sometimes grungy emo slow core. For fans of deadharrie, duster, stove, and diiv. Hearthands is a Chicago-based musical project comprised of Madeline Haynes, Mike Higgins, Abigail Miller, and Jacob Wolf. The music blends elements of slowcore, shoegaze, and dream pop with songwriting inspired by Elliot Smith and many Numero releases.