New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Experimental Pop trio Drama Moth has released a new single called "I Can’t Fall Asleep". This is the first new music from the group since their 2019 full-length In My Dream You Thought You Had More Time.
You can catch Drama Moth at Cairo Pizza and Grill in West Chicago on February 23rd.
Psych Rock trio Jack Bodie released debut debut album, Inside, back in 2018. Last month the trio released a playful but rocking video for the song "Deep Space" for that album.
This is the work of Zak Kerkhoven (Guitar/Vocals), Marty Arneberg (Bass/Vocals), and Charlie Williams (Drums).
ums You can catch Jack Bodie tonight, February 19th, at Tonic Room with The Concrete Roots and Honeydew Squeeze.
Pop-Rock Trio James Blonde are back with a groovy, inspirational tune “Hundred Bucks”. This track is their personal explanation on money not buying happiness. In their words the story goes through “different situations in which you may find yourself looking for fun or comfort.” Their excellent harmonies are in full effect in this one as well. James Blonde will be playing The Garrison on March 11th along with Courage My Love. – Kris Gies
T.V.O.D. (short for Television Overdose) detail generational sins and derail American exceptionalism on single “Wallmart,” infusing their patented brand of “disco-punk” into a white knuckle introduction. A post-punk vocal delivery by frontman Tyler Wright helps to establish the outfit’s raw bona fides, a raw sound made danceable (and moshable) by bright electric guitars and rapid-fire drumming. Sardonic one liners abound (“All hail the Burger King” / “Would you like a cheeseburger, I think I’m gonna black out”) to make this single the groovy protest anthem it is, one that’ll be right at home with fans of LCD Soundsystem and Franz Ferdinand. Listen below, and catch T.V.O.D. at Our Wicked Lady’s Winter Madness on February 22nd. —Connor Beckett McInerney
“Mermaids (Hafgua),” the latest single by New York artist (and erstwhile Deli NYC contributor) Susan Moon finds its niche in the space between minimalistic electronica and sound collage, a disparate collection of textures electronic and analogue. Solitary synths intertwine with the sounds of an ocean tide as Moon’s haunting vocal performance drifts through the scene, contributing to a melancholy, lonely final product. Susan Moon’s stumbling melodic phrasing, alongside her choice to incorporate field recordings embeds this track with a disorienting energy; with no percussive backbone tethering it to a familiar structure, one can’t help but feel lost at sea while listening, themselves at the whim of the artist’s winding, accessibly avant-garde craft. Stream it below, and catch Moon at the Well on February 19th, opening for Renny Conti.
James Elkington has shared the lead single, "Nowhere Time", and its accompanying video from his forthcoming album. The album will be called Ever-Roving Eye and is due out April 3rd via Paradise of Bachelors.
The album features contributions from some of the City’s finest including Nick Macri, Macie Stewart, Lia Kohl, Spencer Tweedy, Tamara Lindeman, and Paul Von Mertens.
You can catch Elkington on April 16th at The Hideout.
Jeff Swanson & Case-fitter has released a second single, "Färvel", from their forthcoming album, Fathoms, which will be released on February 28th via Bace Records.
Swanson, an accomplished jazz guitarist, is joined by Paul Bedal on keyboards, Matt Ulery on electric bass, Greg Artry on Drums and percussion with Dustin Laurenzi on Tenor Saxophone and Greg Ward on Alto Saxophone for this project.
You can catch Jeff Swanson & Case-fitter on March 1st at Sleeping Village with Miss Remember and the Stu Mindeman/Juan Pastor Duo.
SiP (aka Jimmy Lacy) is preparing release a new album called Leos Naturals on April 24th via Not Not Fun Records.
SiP is blend of ambient lounge music and deep space grooves, and you can currently hear three of the album’s tracks below including our favorite "Chicago Dream Center".
Alex Johnson of power pop project Why Dogs Why has collected a mass group of indie and DIY friends to celebrate 25 years since Green Day released Insomniac, one of the band’s seminal albums. The compilation record, Jesus Christ Supermarket: A Compilation to Celebrate 25 Years of Green Day’s Insomniac, contains covers of every song on Green Day’s 1994 record, including The Rare Occasions covering "Armatage Shanks", Cheekface taking on "Walking Contradiction", and Kid Carrion mixing up "Brain Stew". Folks outside of LA take on some tracks as well, including Tulsa-based Team Chino’s take on "Jaded". Take a listen to the compilation album below, and enjoy one of Green Day’s best all over again. – Will Sisskind
As the crowd began to fill Mohawk indoors for Texas psych-rock staple Holy Wave, Mosaic Sound Collective founder Dan Redman took the stage. He spoke on the mission of the organization, the growth they’ve seen, and plans for the future. In almost opposite energy, attention was directed to a live mural painting by Kengo Hioki, aka “Yellow” from comic punk act Peelander-Z. Hioki, who performed music later in the night, screamed “I don’t know how to paint!” and began to attack a huge yellow tarp with giant pink brush strokes and blue splatter. The mural quickly became fully realized, colors dripping down and seeping into one another, and as “Yellow” yelled his adieu and focus was shifted back to the stage.
Holy Wave took their places behind their instruments and began their first tune. The 5-piece seemed to breathe the same breath, interlocked drums and bass grounded sprawling synths and woven guitars creating a thick aura of tactile motion. Many of the song’s arrangements seamlessly grew from their initial grooves into denser, more intricate resolutions. Each of the band’s singing voices were so distinct, fresh vocals and lush harmonies ebbed and flowed from track to track. A multitude of sounds criss-crossed through the audience’s ears as effects pedals and samplers were utilized to distance the group from more tiresome rock groups. Evoking Pink Floyd and Spaceman 3, these compositional choices make the band truly psychedelic.
Towards the end of the set, center stage guitarist/keyboardist/singer Ryan Fuson told the crowd the set had been entirely new songs. With their last album Adult Fear being released early 2018, a new record seems just on the horizon.
Back in December of last year, an artist from Burlington, Vermont called Roost released a groovy post-punk record titled Basic Phases. The album kicks off with the dance track “Developments,” which fuses brilliantly the gritty spirit of punk with the gloss of electronica. The album’s second track “Winners” has a lounge feel to it that is sharpened by a spitfire drum rhythm that never lets up. The dance theme continues with “New Face” as the song sends out colorful retro vibes that are quite infectious; Roost’s vocals are entrancing, and the sustained synth notes rich. “Gated Beach Community” closes out the ride at a similar pace than the previous track, and you are free to start the EP all over again. Roost is having a good time, and it shows; the record is delicious 20th century decadence with a pinch of today. Stream the new album below, New England. – Rene Cobar
Young Man In A Hurry has released the first single, "Give Me Patience", from their forthcoming debut full-length, Jarvis, which is due out March 27th.
This is the project fronted by longtime Chicago Music Scene supporter and contributor Matt Baron along with Meyer Horn, Nick Harris and Teddy Rankin-Parker.
Baron has this to say about "Give Me Patience"; "This song poured out in a few short minutes, about wanting things to be different even though I worked so hard to get to where I was at that moment. Though so much in my life has changed, the central message of the song’s refrain applies to me as much today as ever."
You can help YMIAH celebrate the release of the album on March 28th at Schubas.
