It can be embarrassing listening to previous generations of artists create songs they envision as teenage anthems. Not only is it impossible to create that intangible feeling of what it’s like to be a teen when you’re so far removed from it, but who honestly wants to be a teen again after you’ve lived through it once? That question is quickly answered by indie-pop wunderkind Harrison Li, who performs under the Harry Teardrops moniker. Many of Li’s songs operate within very traditional realms of pop, dreaming of idyllic scenarios in the city with your crush, going on drives and truly living life. These themes may sound trite on paper, but it’s the modern production flourishes that make these vicarious adolescent excursions so intoxicating. The newest release from Harry Teardrops is titled “Mercedes Benz” and it perfects this unique formula. Bedroom pop never sounded so glamorous in its youthful longing; stylish guitar riffs and trap-inspired drum patterns create a snapshot of what it’s like to be young through the morose and crystalline prism of Li’s summery hooks. “Mercedes Benz” is a wistful digital collage of exuberance and heartbreak and arguably the best Harry Teardrops song to date; you can catch him performing at Baby’s All Right on August 2 and stream his music below. -Tucker Pennington
Kweku Collins Shares The Love and The Stage at Pitchfork
Pitchfork Music Festival – Sunday – Green Stage 2:30pm
Kweku Collins may be only 21 but he has been on the rise for several years. The Evanston-based rapper made clear the distinction between Chicago and Evanston, but shared the love and acceptance he has received from Chicago musicians and fans.
His set was one of the most energetic of the day and the crowd followed suit. The excitement peaked twice throughout the set, first when Collins was joined on stage by Milwaukee’s WebsterX to perform a new song called “Banz”. The second was when Chicago’s Anaji Jones took the stage to perform Kweku’s latest single, “Sisko and Kasidy” with him.
Kweku closed by saying he had been coming to Pitchfork for the last five years and was so gratefully to be performing. Showing he is and always will be a fan, he was later seen dancing with his girlfriend and Jones in the crowd during Chaka Khan’s set.
Debut Total Whine EP Available for Streaming & Download
Demo of the Century, the first release from punk trio Total Whine, exhibits the raw, catchy, hybrid tone that piques one’s interest. On these intial recordings, you’ll find a band in its fledging state, welding fun and fury in succinct snippets. It’s a sweaty, searing rumble that’s not ironed out. And you wouldn’t want it any other way.
Nnamdi Ogbonnaya Shows Patience at Pitchfork
Pitchfork Music Festival – Sunday – Green Stage 1:00pm
When Ms. Lauryn Hill requests a closed sound check, and needs more then her alotted time, you allow her to have it without question. She is Lauryn Hill after at all. Even if you are a label owner and one of most promising new artists in Chicago.
By the time Nnamdi and his full band, which included Sen Morimoto on Sax, were allowed to take the stage they were already 15 minutes past their start time. They quickly ran through sound check and launched into “Hop Off” from Nnamdi’s latest album, Drool, at a full 25 minutes into their set time.
Despite having to cut their set short the band and Nnamdi performed with energy and excitement. The set ranged from straight hip hop to funk to soul to an all out rock onslaught. After thirty-five minutes the band graciously left the stage and left the modest sized crowd wanting more.
New Music Video: “Rollercoaster” – Ivy Sole
Directed by The Brothers Ed, the new video for “Rollercoaster” by Ivy Sole immediately catches your eye. The song exhibits the soulful R&B that one has grown to expect from the Philly songwriter. However, the coupling of smooth choreography and the dangerous/graceful bike & ATV stunts depicts the high-levels of ups and downs described in the song through a different context. Lock into the groove, and hold onto your seat. (Photo by Araba Ankuma)
Circuit des Yeux Channels Something Deep at Pitchfork
Listening back through the catalog of Haley Fohr (aka Circuit des Yeux) you can appreciate the vocal range and the emotional nature of her songwriting. However, until you witness her live performance you don’t realize the magnitude of both of those factors. As she prepared to let the opening song, “Brainshift” (also the opening song from her 2017 album Reaching For Indigo), she approaches the mic, eyes closed, arms extended, perfectly still. Is she centering herself or is she channeling some force deep within herself?
Throughout the set, the five members of the Circuit des Yeux stage band which included violin, cello, Taylor Damon on Drums, Cooper Crain (Cave, Bitchin Bajas) on keys and Bass and Rob Frye (Cave, Bitchin Bajas) on Percussion, matched Haley’s vocal dynamics perfectly bring the energy up and down as needed. Each member seemed to almost entranced as they performed the cinematic set that was equal parts beautiful, intense, and scary. The entire set was beautiful and powerful and one of the standout moments of Day two of Pitchfork Music Festival.
Paul Cherry Performs Flavour in Full
The music of Paul Cherry is intristically romantic, but as he kicked off day two of Pitchfork Music Fest it felt like he was singing right to me. I mean he kept looking over, smiling, I think he even winked once. I soon realized I was standing next to his girlfriend!
Despite the small crowd partially filled with family members (and girlfriends), Paul Cherry and band were genuinely thrilled to be performing and set the tone for a day filled with funk, soul, and R&B. Cherry’s take on soul is tinged with a little Yacht Rock, a little ’80’s Pop, and a lot of fun. The band treated the crowd by performing their latest LP, Flavour, in full for the first time. They even threw in a cover of “Couldn’t Love You More” by John Martyn which fit their set perfectly.
Overall, the mellow nature of his music was the perfect way to ease into a great day of music.
Saba Performs His First Chicago Show of 2018 at Pitchfork
Since the release of his latest EP, “Care For Me”, back in April Saba has been touring the country making yesterday’s performance at Pitchfork his first Chicago show of 2018. He started it off by vowing to make it a special show and he certainly did. The first half of the set featured songs from “Care For Me” which are emotional for Saba to perform and helped him to connect with the massive crowd.
As the set built to his older material the energy level of crowd built and clearly feed Saba’s energy level. By the time he got to “Church/Liquor Store”, from his 2017 "Bucket List EP", the crowd was bouncing and Saba was going wild on stage. Chicago hip hop was done proud today, and folks all around the fest were left buzzing about Saba.
Melkbelly Brings The Force To Pitchfork
It is the contrast of loud and quiet that some band’s use show dynamics, but for Melkbelly that is only found in their stage banter. For Miranda Winter’s that contrast is sharp as she shyly announces that they are Melkbelly and they are from Chicago. The four-piece then launches into an explosive song and you see a whole new side the remarkable lead singer. There is an angry energy that bleeds through as screams and snarls through a fast paced set in front of an ever growing crowd.
Rain continued to fall, but Miranda told the crowd “Welcome to the Midwest” as chants of “No Coast” rolled through the crowd. The band blazed through the highlights of 2017 album No Valley with forcefulness that could not be captured by even the best engineer. What shown through the strongest in this set is the powerful drumming of James Wetzel. His steady but driving backbone was like a helping hand through the chaos that Winters’ create. This is a band that needs be seen live and what better a place than Pitchfork Music Festival.
The Curls Play Through The Tidal Wave
Day One opening act is never easy, but for The Curls it was complicated even more with moments of heavy rain. The local group with a core of five members expanded to 11 at times as they quickly got the growing crowd moving. It was fun to Maria Jacobson of Fran join the band on stage to sing backing vocals and dance. Every one on stage wore shirts support the local non-profit No Cop Academy and their message was well received by the crowd.
As they hit the first few cords of their latest single, “Tidal Wave”, the dark gray clouds opened up. Despite the rain and their instruments getting wetter and wetter they played on.
The entire band played with extreme energy, but Jenny Marshall really stood out as she played synth, trumpet, sax, and rarely stopped dancing.
Their set included “Slice of Life”, “Prickly Feelings”, “Do It Right” and more, but closed perfectly with chants of “fame, fame, fame”. The Curls definitely gained hundreds of more fans today.
Same Girls catch lightning in a bottle with instant-hit “Domino,” play Café de Nord (7.21)
“You’re just my type, everything’s so nice,” drawls the melodic first line of “Domino” (streaming below), the newest single by Bay Area moody indie rock outfit Same Girls. The rest of the track follows in the same carefree, fuzz-filled style, relying on the punchy guitar riff to build into an explosive chorus. It’s obvious from the first few seconds that Same Girls have ensnared a bolt of lightning in a bottle here, and made an instant hit. If this is any indication of what’s to come on their forthcoming album Young Minded, then prepare to add a new favorite album to your list. See them live at Café du Nord on July 21, and then again at the Throwin’ Bo’s showcase at the Elbo Room on August 2. – Lilly Milman, photo by Amy Lombard
A Q&A With Justine Bowe of Photocomfort, playing Music Hall Loft (7.28) & Great Scott (8.16)
After spending a few years touring with the indie-pop darlings Magic Man, Boston-based Justine Bowe decided it was time to take a step back and focus on herself — a decision that manifests itself most clearly in her solo project Photocomfort. Although she’s been working on music under the moniker for years, she only recently released her official debut EP, a triumphant five-track project called Understudy. Not only does this release showcase Bowe’s skills as a lyricist, producer, and vocalist, but it is also provides a nuanced portrait of the artist as a young woman. It’s thought-provoking, dynamic, and vulnerable — and yet, it’s light and easy to listen to. All in all, Understudy is required listening for anyone who has dealt with imposter syndrome, struggled to find a voice for themselves, or even just had a really bad day. Justine Bowe has finally taken center-stage, and it’s exhilarating to watch. – by Lilly Milman, photo by Andrew Janjigian
You can catch Photocomfort playing live at Music Hall Loft in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 28, as well as at her record release show at Great Scott on August 16.
Read a Q&A with Justine of Photocomfort and stream Understudy here.