In The Crates: Greyhound
On this edition of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Greyhound, who has made a name for himself DJing throughout the city.
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In The Crates: DJ Megadon
You can catch Megadon spinning regularly on Fridays at Boone and Crockett, but he’s also in the mix everywhere from Cactus Club to Quarters and beyond.
Read moreIn The Crates: Wendy Norton
On this episode of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Asher Gray to discuss how he got his start, what ultimately led him on his journey to become a DJ, and the experience of playing out live.
Read moreARTIST SPOTLIGHTS: Sludge Hawking, Logan Scott, Violet Wilder
A delightful evening of local music took place at Falcon Bowl on Saturday evening featuring acts Sludge Hawking, Logan Scott, Ben Mulwana & the Village and Violet Wilder. Sludge Hawking is a singer-songwriter who describes his style as “hard folk.” Formerly of the garage rock act Warden, Hawking began his project upon the band’s dissolution during COVID times. He played
Read moreAUDIO: Alyssia Dominguez – “Chasin’ the Wild”
Latin country artist Alyssia Dominguez released a new EP earlier this month. Gathering the spectacular singles she dropped earlier this year, this EP finds Dominguez leaning into bold pop hooks and explosive melodies that branch her style into contagious new directions. Tales of euphoria, infatuation and reclaiming your power are all part of the picture. Get into summer mode with
Read moreAUDIO: MIZZY – “Al-Nakba Al-Mustamirra”
MIZZY’s latest single they released on Nakba Day to honor Palestinian liberation. “Al-Nakba Al-Mustamirra” brings a thundering shoegaze approach to recognition of the collective pain and mass organizing of Palestinians as they fight for their right of return. It’s the first single of a bigger project MIZZY is working on about US imperialism in the Middle East. Stay tuned.
Read moreAUDIO: Ladybird – “Amy Come On Home”
Ladybird have released their highly anticipated debut album. The country rockers deliver ten songs chock-full of scraped up knees, booze-soaked adventures, taking leaps of faith and falling in love with the people and places around you. A lyric in the third track “My Worried Heart” goes “you can’t help where you feel like home”, and that so earnestly captures the
Read moreAUDIO: Allison Mahal – “18 Moving South”
Singer-songwriter Allison Mahal released a new single this month. With a textural folk pop flavor, this tune tackles the inexplicable grief of young adulthood and contemplates the ways in which one escapes it. From a humble lens, Mahal reflects on friendships that have dissipated with time, thinking about what she’d say now to those of the past. “18 Moving South”
Read moreAUDIO: Sarah Fierek – “Mustang”
Singer-songwriter Sarah Fierek’s latest single is about setting yourself wild and free. Written after her father’s passing, “Mustang” powerfully swells into a piano-driven country anthem that touches on loss and heartbreak, with Fierek letting her heart sing with poignant sincerity. Proceeds from the song benefit Center for Veterans Issues; visit Sarah Fierek’s website here to learn more.
Read moreAUDIO: Phif – “Potion No 5”
Camp Shuttlesworth artist Phif released a new album earlier this month. His first full project in a few years, this album incorporates the string of great singles Phif dropped back in 2022 into a fully realized vision. Combining conscious lyrics with irresistible hooks, Phif executes a spectacular installment of tunes that navigate relationships, acknowledge his imperfections, dig him out of
Read moreIn The Crates: Asher Gray
On this episode of In The Crates, Ben Slowey sits down with Asher Gray to discuss how he got his start, what ultimately led him on his journey to become a DJ, and the experience of playing out live.
Read moreARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Lightninging
Lightninging consists of vocalist-flutist Ira George Jackson, guitarist-sampler Eli Smith, guitarist-trumpeter-synthesizer John Larkin, bassist-alto saxophonist Steve Gallum, keyboardist Pedro Gutierrez and drummer Juan Camacho. The band’s sound blends elements of experimental pop and art rock, featuring (mostly) improvised lyrics and patiently layered soundscapes. Lightninging played first on a wonderful bill at Cactus Club Monday night featuring Milwaukee bands Dogs in
Read moreAUDIO: Wire and Nail – “Barstool”
Wire and Nail have been releasing their first new music since 2019, the most recent of which being the single “Barstool.” The honky tonk rockers bring lovelorn energy with this one, detailing a romantic encounter at bar closing time. Coupled with their other new tune “Devil in Angel’s Wings”, Wire and Nail sound more polished, fresh and dynamic than ever
Read moreAUDIO: Yo Shorti – “Rockin’ With Me”
Hip hop artist Yo Shorti dropped a new single where she’s looking to know if you’re on her side. Directed at someone interested in her, she lays down subtle flexes about living comfortably and cherishing her peace, so the ball is in their court to prove that they’re faithful to her. “Rockin’ With Me” has a no-nonsense attitude with zero
Read moreAUDIO: Vanity Plates – “Old News”
Vanity Plates have a new single out ahead of their forthcoming record “Good Grief.” The surf-indie rockers channel feelings around a long-lost friend reentering your life and not being quite sure how to feel about it. “Old News” has a jovial bounce that amplifies the conflicted sentiments by way of catchy melody, perky guitar licks and blaring trumpet and baritone
Read moreAUDIO: 22Maurii – “BaeWouldYa”
22Maurii’s latest single gets sentimental. The eclectic, fantasy-savvy artist leans into a mellow, soulful hip hop side seeking reassurance from a lover that they’re there to stay. With a heartfelt vocal performance, lush harp samples and dreamy synth production, 22Maurii has a way with words with “BaeWouldYa”, determined to give all his love in romantic paradise.
Read moreAUDIO: Old Pup – “Lion”
Old Pup did something a little different with his latest EP. This conceptual, instrumental four-track project is written from the perspective of the big cat, who awakens into another day of drab everyday life and roars out of frustration. The metaphor for working-class monotony is conveyed by way of gentle acoustic guitar, droning pedal stell, windy sound effects, gongs and
Read moreAUDIO: Adam Blackwood – “Pessimistic Jellyfish”
Singer-songwriter Adam Blackwood released a new album at the end of April. Encompassing a multitude of styles ranging from funk to new wave to piano rock, Blackwood delivers 11 tunes rife with plainspoken pop sensibility and charm. There’s an overarching theme here of anxiety’s devastating visits and physical manifestations, illustrated by Blackwood’s charismatic, theatrical vocal performances and forthright lyrics that
Read moreREVIEW: Julia Holter at Cermak Hall
Julia Holter arrived in Chicago on Saturday evening as part of her “Something in the Room She Moves” tour, playing at Cermak Hall with Discovery Zone opening. It was Holter’s first performance in Chicago since pre-COVID times. New York/Berlin-based Discovery Zone is the solo experimental pop project of JJ Weihl. A multimedia operation, Discovery Zone juxtaposes 3D visuals with vibrant
Read moreAUDIO: The Daniel James Gang – “Misery”
The Daniel James Gang released their debut single on the 1st of the month. The lively, sturdy tune brings a fresh power pop flavor while tackling the uninvited woes of depression and despair. You can always expect mighty hooks and endlessly catchy guitar melodies from Daniel James (previously of Indonesian Junk), and “Misery” is an exciting launch to this new
Read moreAUDIO: DaveKevinAdam – “NEW LEVEL”
The power duo of hip hop artist DaveKevinAdam and producer Max Mroz strikes once again with latest album “NEW LEVEL.” Bringing his trademark straightforwardness and riddling demeanor, DaveKevinAdam delivers eclectic bars that touch on matters such as exes (“FRIENDS FROM A DISTANCE”), people switching up on him (“ANYWAY”) as well as humility and gratitude (“GIVE EM YOUR ALL”). Meanwhile, Mroz
Read moreAUDIO: Restraint Malfunction – “Mordantorrent”
Noise act Restraint Malfunction recently released a new tape. Walls of harsh, strident cacophony engulf us over 20 minutes in the latest installment of Michael Jurek’s discography. In track two, the industrial clamor begins ballooning about halfway through like we’re experiencing system overload, building an alarming tension in the soundscape. Then the third track goes bonkers with discordant static that
Read moreVIDEO: Mike Mangione – “Gone Once Again”
Singer-songwriter Mike Mangione recently unveiled a video for his song “Gone Once Again” off 2023 album “Blood & Water.” The animated visual by David Leiberg depicts the song as a Western-themed graphic novel, where the protagonist (presumably Mangione) is on the run from trouble before he’s caught up with and forced into a showdown. The song features Larry Campbell on
Read moreAUDIO: H1Z1 – “Roads”
H1Z1 dropped their first single of the year a few weeks back. The heavy metal act bring a roaring inferno of shrieks and riffage with a song about reaping what you sow and being haunted by the past. “Roads” would fit perfectly as the theme for a boss fight in a video game. Don’t miss H1Z1 opening things up at
Read moreAUDIO: Hi/Jack – “Everything You Know Is Yesterday”
Celebrating a decade of being a band, rock and roll duo Hi/Jack have released their third full-length album into the world. The 12-song project encompasses a broad range of rock flavors including punk, classic and grunge, reflecting the band’s ambitious vision in spite of just being two guys doing it all – with the exception of hip hop artist Shle
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