Ryder the Eagle, Burr Oak, Bur, Hannah Sandoz
DIY hero, fallen Romeo, karaoke weirdo — the Mexico-based French balladeer is everything (and nothing) you might expect from an art-rock divorcé chasing dreams at your local dive bar. With lo-fi synthy soundscapes, lyrical melodies, poetic songwriting, and cathartic one-of-a-kind performances, Ryder The Eagle tells his history with love more than his love stories – coating romantic despair with a chiseled wit that’ll transport you straight into a Kaurismäki movie soundtracked by a caffeine-driven Leonard Cohen. Chicago-based singer/songwriter Savanna Dickhut began Burr Oak not as a band but as a personal outlet. She first picked up the guitar as an aid to express her deep-rooted feelings, as she told The Chicago Tribune, and she began writing the lyrics of her first single “Southsider” after a tumultuous break-up. Late Bloomer, released later in 2021, is a record for everyone who’s felt like they grew into themselves later in life. Paste wrote “her lyrics are frank and direct, yet maintain a near-universal relatability, a sign of a songwriter to reckon with.” And this is truly Burr Oak’s greatest strength: offering the specifics of her personal experiences to capture a universal feeling. Earlier in 2024, Burr Oak had quietly been gearing up for their sophomore release— a 5 song EP titled ‘Annabelle,’ released via Easy Does It Records on September 20th. Departing from their previous album, ‘Late Bloomer,’ which showcased a more personal approach to songwriting, Savanna Dickhut (vocals/guitar/bass) crafts a conceptual piece centered around the character of Annabelle. Through poignant storytelling and emotive melodies, ‘Annabelle’ evokes themes of love, loss, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection—a fictional story inspired by the chilling and very real overturning of Roe v. Wade. Bur- Top 5 bands of all time. British invasion wanna-be’s Music that holds you while you cry: Hannah Sandoz’s arrangements weave tender lyrics and lush soundscapes for guitar, vocals, and laptop. Their use of real-time processing renders universal stories of day-to-day life into complex worlds which coax and stir even the most skeptical of audiences.
Why DOMS, Mr. Phylzzz, Nude
Why DOMS- The undisputed tag team champions of the Louisville rap scene Mr. Phylzzz- A two piece well dressed mess from Chicago. 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.
Linnea’s Garden, Oddysseys, Sex Dream
Linnea’s Garden plays glam punk rock you can dance to. Imagine the angular guitars of Television, primal bass lines of The Clash, danceworthy grooves of Blondie, and otherworldly songwriting and stage show of David Bowie, fronted by a queer singer/songwriter/scientist. Loud, shiny and full of distortion: they do it cuz they like to do it. There’s no such thing as taking it easy when it comes to Oddysseys. The Boston born and Chicago-based trio has always operated under a strong DIY ethos and work ethic. The band has forged their own organic growth in the underground music scene, leaving their impression on basements, warehouses, and legendary venues across the U.S. and Canada, offering dynamic performances that take their audience on a journey through a sonically diverse discography – leaving plenty of room for moshers, dancers, and arm-crossers alike. Sex Dream is a 3 piece female fronted punk band from the suburbs of Chicago, highly influenced by the Ramones, 90s pop punk, twee pop and Britney Spears who describes themselves as hello kitty punk
Annabel, Joie De Vivre, Lettering
Annabel has spent the last 20 years quietly building one of indie rock’s most heartfelt and enduring catalogs. On Worldviews—their first album in nine years—the Ohio band returns not with a comeback, but with a natural evolution. Anchored by brothers Ben and Andy Hendricks, Worldviews finds Annabel confronting time, memory, and meaning with the clarity that only comes from growing older together. From jangly midwestern rock to spectral piano ballads and ambient textures, they sound both wiser and more energized than ever. In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, Annabel’s steady presence feels like something to believe in. Joie De Vivre Emo band from Rockford Il. One time someone said we sound like a combination of Mineral and Pavement. Another time someone said we sound like The Get Up Kids but shittier. We don’t agree (or disagree) with either of these descriptions. Lettering Loud. Blu-ray core.
Frotted, Future Nest, Celebrity DUI
Frotted makes noisy industrial music composed of blood and guts. Future Nest creates Industrial Dance music for the end-times. Give in to the sacred pull. Celebrity DUI- trans rock music
v1r1s, NO.AH, ÅNGEL 004, Klypi, avas
Birthed online in the digital realm, V1R1S is a high-tech musician, visual artist, and experience. Programmed around early internet culture and life online, V1R1S augments and morphs together mutual chaos of anxiety inducing atmospheres, nightcore bubble gum melodies, and computerized vocals, to create her own new world of ‘cyberpop’. Self proclaimed Earth-pop artist NO.AH [no.dot.ah] from NYC, conjures queer catharsis through their performances of original compositions. NO.AH intends to carve space in the music industry through the creation of their own “genre” — inspired by the uninhibited and limitless imagination of childhood, the vitriol of darkness and horror, and the untapped natural world around us. NO.AH stakes their claim as a singular artistic voice to pay attention to in these oversaturated times. (@no.ah) ÅNGEL 004, currently based in Brooklyn, NYC graces Earth with an expansive Pop Performance spanning genres like Electronic, Club, HipHop, and Eurodance. More aptly labeled as ‘Freak-Pop,’ their multidimensional sound and vision seamlessly blend disparate elements into a cohesive and entertaining experience. Whether performing solo or with a fleet of dancers, ÅNGEL 004 operates within a quasi-Pop-and-Techno framework with performances that feature costumes, props, and choreography. Klypi (pronounced like the Windows paper clipoffice assistant) is the “pop-star” avatar of AC Carter, a multi-disciplinary artist from Birmingham, Alabama. Klypi is part electropop – part performance art. Now in LA, Klypi released their first self-produced LP in fall of 2024 (formatted to appear to be a giant floppy disk) through Lolipop Records.Klypi is described as an alien who travels to Earth in search for a better life, only to realize that what they were looking for was a myth in itself. Klypi quickly recognizes that the only way to survive as a human is to become a successful businessman (as well as to learn how to tackle a wide range of human emotions and experiences). Isolation and unrequited love are just a couple of themes that run through Klypi’s work.AC’s creative journey comes from the lineage of artists-turned-musicians past: DEVO, Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, and Suicide. AC is interested in the immediacy of pop music, while simultaneously digging for something deeper and experimenting with those boundaries. Previously a painter and sculptor, AC has harnessed those skills to construct their sonic, visual, and conceptual world, while their songs have even been described as painterly: layered, vibrant, and textured. avas- Re-imagining the pulse of club music, Chicago-based producer and DJ Avelina DeCandia emerged into the spotlight with her track DUO and a number of ear-catching remixes on SoundCloud. With a penchant for stripping back compositions to their core element, avas brings her unique vision of electronic music, evoking imagery of a 909 drum machine that’s taken a fall down too many stairs, yet somehow still keeps perfect rhythm.She released her debut ep data in 2024 which included collaborative efforts with jhl and plastic pet. she has gone on to run Chicago-based club night and label xlx and has worked with artists such as Jane Remover, BABii, Gaszia and more.
Ira Glass, Gash, Crisis Actress
ira glass is a post-post-hardcore band from chicago, il. Gash makes Interesting rock music from Eau Claire, WI Chicago-based Crisis Actress crafts noise-pop that exists in perpetual evolution. At the heart of their sound are swirling keyboards, vocal stacks, loops, drums, and wires. Fresh off their full-length debut, Return of the Puppet King captures the band’s shared musical obsessions and commitment to experimentation. Recorded at the hallowed Electrical Audio last fall, each track is a testament to their collective journey- a dream realized through collaboration with countless talented friends who helped shape their vision.
Shotgun Funeral (release show), Woonds, Won’t Stay Dead, Boybrain
*Fever-dream core *SHOTGUN FUNERAL is a 3-piece alternative, emo, punk band from Chicago with post-hardcore elements. Three writers/vocalists, two guitarists, one bassist, & one firey drummer, who experiment and ultimately have fun bending genres to leave listeners feeling nostalgic for the past, yet ingrained in the present. Woonds is a mixed bag of music, with upbeat melodies, heavy tunes and happy go lucky vibes. Hailing from Chicago, they’re influenced by alt rock and jazzy outfits alike. Won’t Stay Dead is a horror-themed punk band from Chicago, IL that blends catchy hooks and harmonies with macabre lyrics. The band formed in 2017 in and has been playing with the current lineup since late 2024. They have drawn comparisons to Alkaline Trio, The Bombpops, My Chemical Romance, and Veruca Salt.In 2024, Won’t Stay Dead’s cover of the Enemy You track “Ex Machina” was featured on Red Scare Industries’ 20th anniversary comp.The band is looking forward to releasing their sophomore album and making their Gainesville Fest debut in 2025. When you hear Boybrain you’ll wonder how a voice that sounds like it’s been gargling razor blades and whiskey can come from such a compact package. Patti (The Dials, New Black, Ratattack) returns with her new baby; a snarling pissed off baby reminiscent of 1980s Punk with a touch of woven in melody. Joining her on lead guitar is Inga (Wanton Looks) folding in a string of catchy virtuosic leads that she has become so well known for. A man in demand, drummer Colin of Propane! Propane! and formerly Boys on Trial has found his home in this band of piss and vinegar. On bass, Jonny, originally from Detroit and formerly of Lost Sounds adds energy with the perfect amount of grit. Boybrain’s debut EP “In The Company Of Worms” was released 2/22/22. Boybrain’s single “Cayo Hueso” dropped 6/28/2023 followed by their next single “Ratmouth” 10/15/2024 and their newest single “Nailbox” 2/14/2025.
Karass, PDA, Luck of the Draw
Karass is an alternative rock band that draws influence from the Smashing Pumpkins, Peach Pit, and more. We sound like leaving for college, starting a new job, and dumping an old shitty boyfriend. We’ve been a band for three years and are thrilled to finally be releasing music– as our relationships as bandmates and friends have grown over the years, so has our sound. Fresh off the release of their debut EP, Public Display of Affection, PDA has shown they’re not here to blend in and wash away into the murky waters of the Chicago music scene. Their mix of in your face vocals, destructive guitars, and heavy hitting drums makes a stand in the face of mediocrity, and leave your ears ringing with the sound of amps turned up to 12. Luck of the Draw is a fresh new ensemble dedicated to performing original music inspired by legendary artists from the worlds of Jazz, Blues, and Rock—such as Eddie Harris, Johnny Griffin, Muddy Waters, and Jimmy Page, just to name a few. Each band member brings their own compositions to the group, crafting a dynamic set that promises a fulfilling musical experience. Rufus Parenti – SaxophonePark Dendy – GuitarConnor Sullivan – BassMason Lampa – DrumsSpecial Guest Vocalist? Maybe?!?
The Living Head, Seek Hell, Dog Guitar
Named after an infamous, clandestine doomsday cult from the 1960s, The Living Head is an apocalyptic post-punk band from Chicago, IL. Dog Guitar has been called Egg Punk, Art Rock, and Nu Metal, but no matter WHAT you call us… Dog Guitar is a good time! Dog Guitar is like if The B-52’s and Korn had a baby and that baby was a transsexual. Dog Guitar is here to rock your world, funk you out, make you smile, and make you thrash. Coming to you live from several local homo and/or trans sexuals, WOOF WOOF WOOF!! AROOOOOO!! Seek Hell is grungey indie alt made by gay people