AUDIO: NileXNile – “Chicago”
NileXNile reinvents his flow on a new single.
Read moreTag Archives: chicago
CONCERT REVIEW: The Microphones at Thalia Hall
I came down to Chicago with two friends to see The Microphones at Thalia Hall on Wednesday. I got into The Microphones and Mount Eerie (Phil Elverum’s other project) a few years back but hadn’t listened to them in some time before recently revisiting them and deciding “I don’t want to miss this” when I saw The Microphones were coming
Read moreREVIEW: Dan Deacon at the Metro
I went down to Chicago this weekend and saw experimental electronic wizard Dan Deacon at the Metro on Saturday night. I got into him during college as I explored the weirder side of indie music on Spotify; his cartoonish, fantastical sound is ever-so intriguing. Originally I had planned to see him in 2020 in Madison but when his rescheduled tour
Read moreREVIEW: Black Dice at Co-Prosperity Sphere
Experimental psychedelic band Black Dice came to Chicago Sunday night and played the art gallery Co-Prosperity Sphere, which is located in the heart of the Bridgeport neighborhood. I got into Black Dice right at the beginning of quarantine at the recommend of a few friends; spring 2020 in retrospect was the perfect time to get into a band like them
Read moreREVIEW: My Morning Jacket at Auditorium Theatre
Psychedelic indie rockers My Morning Jacket came to Chicago for a three-night endeavor at the Auditorium Theatre this past weekend. I’ve been a fan of theirs for some years now and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go down to Chicago and catch them on Saturday night. I bought a general admission ticket that put me on the top row
Read morePHOTOS: A$AP Ant at Subterranean
The Marino Infantry invaded Chicago’s Subterranean.
Read moreAUDIO: Hundredbucks & Julius Dolls – “Fall Pack”
Chicago’s bedroom pop artists Hundredbucks and Julius Dolls teamed up for a two-piece this past week. The first track has a shoegaze-flavored melody accompanied by electronic rhythm while the second track is a midtempo jam with an watery, chugging riff. Both feature vocal parts from each; Bucks and Dolls sing about missing someone but not putting up just yet, growing
Read moreCONCERT REVIEW: Pitchfork Day 1 (Armand Hammer, Dehd, Hop Along, Black Midi, Animal Collective)
This year I had the pleasure of attending day one (of three) of Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. It was my first time seeing a large-scale live music event with thousands of people in attendance since the pandemic. Pitchfork thankfully required proof of vaccination and many showgoers wore masks, so despite the readjustment anxiety of navigating crowds again, it felt
Read moreAUDIO: Julius Dolls – “Glamorize”
Chicago-based indie pop artist Julius Dolls has a new single out. This one kicks things off with a disco feel, gradually introducing Dolls’ ethereal vocals and swelling into an uplifting dance jam that folks of all tastes could enjoy. The production and lyrics together make you feel young and want to bide your time with the people and good times
Read moreAUDIO: Justin Armonia – “The Universe Sent You to Destroy Me”
Chicago-based alternative hip hop/R&B artist Justin Armonia just dropped his second album. He delivers an inventive, forward-thinking exhibition of atmospheric textures, bringing lyrics of faded states of mind and unearthing pathways to loving oneself. Features from fellow artists Handofjade, Julius Dolls, and Nate Barksdale land in the mix too. It’s been a monumental month for Justin Armonia, considering his release
Read moreAUDIO: Nu-Jaunt – “Life is A Trip”
Nu-Jaunt is the Chicago-based alternative R&B duo of Nate Barksdale and Justin Armonia. With post-punk and neo-soul sensibilities, Nu-Jaunt push musical boundaries with avant-garde self-awareness. Their lyrics encompass the sensationalism of trendy modernity, which effectively strips the self from authentic wonder. Music was never meant to be so stratified in the first place, and the duo work beautifully to dispel
Read moreRECAP: Lollapalooza 2021, Day Four
The Chicago festival closed with a bang on Sunday night.
Read moreRECAP: Lollapalooza 2021, Day Three
Day three of Lollapalooza featured a vast array of sounds spanning generations.
Read moreRECAP: Lollapalooza 2021, Day Two
A trip of hip hop heavy hitters were the focal point of day two in Grant Park.
Read moreRECAP: Lollapalooza 2021, Day One
Thousands flocked to Grant Park for a star-studded first night of the festival.
Read moreVIDEO: Mr. Nice Guy with Annie Grizzle
Ben Slowey talks to the experimental artist and poet.
Read moreVIDEO: Mr. Nice Guy with Die by The Sword
Ben Slowey talks to the Chicago based producer and DJ.
Read moreAUDIO: Nile Featuring Supa Bwe – “Flex Up”
Nile and Supa Bwe turn all the way up for a new single.
Read moreAUDIO: Grace Weber – “Thru the Fire (Feat. Chance the Rapper)”
R&B artist Grace Weber worked with Chance the Rapper on her latest single. It’s a song about resilience against all odds; Weber sings of “waiting through the fire” and “using it as fuel” as metaphors for keeping a good head on her shoulders. Chance comes in with a verse about getting picked for things last when he was younger, but
Read moreB&E Podcast Episode 39: CMoneywave & Hooligan
We talk to the Chicago duo behind “Silent Giant”.
Read moreAUDIO: Hundredbucks – “EP3”
Chicago-based dream pop artist Hundredbucks has the final edition of his trilogy of EPs out. A collage of sonic delights, this body of work reflects the variety in style Hundredbucks feels inspired by. From electronic dance to hip hop to ethereal pop, he embodies an artist not putting himself in any one category. Hip hop artist Fanetic hops on a
Read moreAUDIO: Motel Breakfast – “Irish All the Same”
Indie rockers Motel Breakfast are here with an Irish folk-inspired album. The band has had an affinity for such music since their inception, and they decided to recreate the energy of dance, drink, and delight with this record in place of the holidays we’d normally be celebrating Irish culture this time of year (Wren Day, SouthSide Irish Parade Day, St.
Read moreAUDIO: Hundredbucks – “EP2”
Chicago-based lo-fi artist Hundredbucks has a second EP out, following the first that came out last month. He continues building on the dream pop foundation with soulful vocals, ethereal synths, and luscious guitar. “$enior Year” feels like the soundtrack to having come a long way while sticking with the same people; “Don’t Be Sorry” features a heartfelt sample about restraining
Read moreAUDIO: Core REX – “Gemini+”
Chicago-based hip hop artist Core REX has his highly-anticipated new album out. Corresponding with the striking artwork, REX shares an elegant exhibition of artful rap cuts that convert broken emotions into cries for love. He expresses in the intro that creative expression is all we have to cope with the internal and external evils of consciousness, and he elaborates on
Read moreAUDIO: 5PM to Nowhere FT. Cosmic Sleepovers – “Emerson”
Pop artist 5PM to Nowhere teamed up with Chicago-based collective Cosmic Sleepovers for his latest single. It’s a song about finding peace and serenity, opening with a hazy lo-fi interlude, and then making use of a jazzy bass line and atmospheric keyboards under Auto-tuned vocals. 5PM to Nowhere brings a delightfully tranquil mood with this one, and we look forward
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