New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Pivot Gang announced this week that their debut album, You Can’t Sit With Us, this Friday, April 19th. The album features the first three singles that have been released in 2019, “Jason Statham Pt. 2”, “Studio Ground Rules” and ”Bad Boys” along with 10 other new tracks.
The album also features contribution from Femdot, Smino, Mick Jenkins, Kari Faux Sylvan LaCue, Benjamin Turner and Jean Deaux.
Below is only new single, “Bad Boys” (featuring Smino), that we had not previously shared.
If you’re a longtime Band of Horses fan, take note of this last minute notification that former lead guitarist and co-songwriter Tyler Ramsey will perform solo at The Basement on April 18th. Ramsey released his latest album For The Morning at the beginning of April; tracks like "Firewood" and "A Dream Of Home" have the same pensive folksiness that helped Band of Horses skyrocket to fame. In fact, "A Dream Of Home" took shape on a day off from a Horses tour, and "Evening Country" is a country version of the Horses’ track "Evening Kitchen". But there’s plenty of original Ramsey composition on this album: Guitars, piano, drums, and droning synths and strings create a lush soundscape that will draw you into his world. Take a listen to "Firewood" below, and check out Ramsey and his new tracks when he comes to The Basement on April 18th. – Will Sisskind
Wyatt Flynn recently shared a new EP Moving Day. An open-book, folk honesty shines through as Flynn tries to find footing in a world that is continuously in flux. Exploring one’s identity and how and where one fits in the grand scheme are not easy tasks. We all have a voice that needs to be heard and supported by others.
NYC pop masters Modern Diet are back with a new EP that serenely lays out a sonic tapestry of colorful compositions that are brushed with indie rock, R&B, and psych-pop influences. Sit Down and Dance is an appropriate title for a record that grooves and entrances at once with waves of flanged guitar chords and synth embellishments that linger regally. There is a poise to the record that shows the band’s ability to mold its music: while the group’s 2015 self-titled debut album had a more aggressive approach of alternative rock with a tinge of mellow jazz, this second release expands on the latter and adds some rich harmonies to boot. The band is preparing for a string of shows, and one of the stops will be at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on May 1st. We have a track from the new EP here for you. – Rene Cobar
Jazz Vocalist Morgan Pirtle will be releasing her debut EP, “Muse”, tomorrow, April 18th. Sofar Chicago recently released a video of her performing “Not For Me” from the EP live, and it captures perfectly the way Morgan blends Jazz, Pop, and Folk.
You can help Morgan celebrate the release of “Muse” on April 19th The Red Room with Jimmie “JJ” Jeter.
Photo by Orel Cholette
“Eden Vision,” the new single from Pleasure Systems, invites from an ascending, ethereal point of entry. The rhythm gradually awakens, ushering the narrator out of bed. Coming to grips with one’s reality in a forthright manner, there’s a nostalgia for the past as one experiences the aftermath of grief. The weight of those moments often is self-contained as the exterior world breezes by.
Reggae and Funk influenced band of brothers Vision In The Rhythm released their latest single, “Breathe”, last month. This is the band started by brothers Pat Williams (Vocal/Guitar), John Williams (Bass), and Mike Williams (Drums) a few years ago. They are now joined by Tim Williams (Saxophone) and Connor Marks (Guitar).
You can catch Vision in the Rhythm on April 19th at House of Music in Orland Park with The Syndicate, Bongo, and House of Music Rock-Band. They will also be performing on April 20th at HVAC Pub (3530 N. Clark) with The Concrete Roots, Dead Lucid, The Fundamental KiNk, and Chicago Loud 9.
Nikki’s Wives released their uplifting alt-rock song “Lemonade” this past February, and now it has a music video to accompany it. The hilariously yellow-themed video stars the band and – as you one might expect – lots of lemons. The comedic interactions between the band members add an exciting layer to the already anthemic choruses and hard pounding drums driving the song forward. The band recently spent time recording at the Hollywood Hills home featured in the video and promise to release more music soon from these sessions. The band’s 2018 debut EP Motor Court can be streamed now on all major platforms and, if their upcoming music is anything like it, the odds are good that they will continue their rise. – Rene Cobar
-By Avril Carrillo
The Unlikely Friends dropped their debut EP, "The Library”, yesterday. This is the Hip Hop duo of emcee Honest and producer Dylan Assmann. The EP’s lead single is the downtempo gem “Clarity”.
You can catch The Unlikely Friends at Record Breakers (2935 N. Milwaukee) on April 19th.
Young Americana band Free Range has released their debut single, “Want to Know”. This is the work of Sofia Jensen (guitar & vocals), Ian Hammond (guitar), Thomas Douglas (bass), and Jack McDermott (drums). The group is fronted by Sofia who is credited as the songwriter on this first track, and is clearly someone to watch in the coming years.
Hardcore quartet BLUEPRINT recently dropped its debut EP The Asterisk Era. Bristling with intensity, snarly vocals are compounded by a relentless, instrumental aggression. Unflinching conviction stares you in the face, as pummeling, noise-fueled sonics tumultuously march forward. You can catch the band at Super Wimpy HQ on Saturday, May 18, with Controller, Instinct?, and Enforced.
