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
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.
Nahaules Underground, Headless Mary, Central Dogma, Turn N Fire
Nahuales Underground began as a trio in the early 2000s. Now a 5 piece band known for its great energy, with its diverse way of mixing genres of Rock, Ska, Punk, Reggae with a touch of aggressive energetic flavor. Headless Mary combines gritty, distorted guitars and driving rhythms, with slower-paced songs featuring shimmering guitar, dreamy vocals, and haunting melodies. Their music has a mix of dark, brooding lyrics and infectious pop hooks, creating a blend of noise and melody. Central Dogma are a 3 piece instrumental band from Detroit with heavy inspiration from J-Rock and anime intros.
Miniskirt, The Scratch-Offs, Cam’s Jams
Miniskirt is a four piece based in Chicago, IL. The band draws on a love of 60’s girl groups, garage rock, power pop, and punk to make dreamy and energetic sound. They can inspire a raucous pit or a joint to be passed around. Their self release debut album, Paint It Rad, came out on April 23, 2024. The Scratch-Offs play rock n’ roll (emphasis on the “roll”) from Madison, Wisconsin (emphasis on the “sin”) Cam’s Jams play reverb-y vocal melodies mix with a flurry of percussion, 12-string guitar, and a slough of psychedelic effects to make an all around transcendental experience for one and all. – Midwest Action
SJOD (EP RELEASE), No Antics (STL), Ludwig Chavez ft. Charlie Barlow
SJOD is the self-proclaimed preeminent livetronica dark horse legend of Chicago. The Jod is in his element in a live setting, expect a high energy experience with a wide range of tempos, vibes, and electronic instruments. 2024 marks SJOD’s villain era with a new aesthetic of intense eldritch imagery and whimsical interludes. C U On The DanceFloor.No Antics is a premium rock experience; melting alternative, grunge, and punk genres into a contemporary array of fresh sounds. From the fray of Midwestern skateparks and basements, their DIY methodology welcomes the audience into the world of Modern Femme Grime. A new space, built on the bones of the fallen patriarchy, Modern Femme Grime is a higher realm of consciousness where the complexities of life and love in the 21st Century can be focused into a continuous beam of raw power. Come for the guitar solos and scream-along anthems, stay for community.LUDWIG CHAVEZ is a CHICAGO based collective who deliver atmospheric soundscapes and chugging rhythms that just have a way of getting into people’s bones. Jamie Clemmons (guitars/vocals); Ross Wall (synths/keys/noise/percussion); Charlie Barlow (Drums/percussion)
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.