New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
The Edwards have released a new single, "Slow Fade" b/w "Giddings", and are donating all proceeds to fundraising campaigns to support the staffs of local Chicago businesses currently closed due to the Coronavirus. This is the groups second single and first since 2018’s "Nothern States".
This is the work of Kyle Maurisak, Chris Murphy, Stuart MacFadyen, Emma McCall, and Chris DePorter.
Wildered is the atmospheric rock of Nate Bjorge. He recently released a new single called "Deep March Frost", the first new music from him since 2019’s single "Your Ghost".
Bjorge recently released a video where he breaks down the writing and production process of this single.
Dav Paris recently released his second single of 2020, the Hip Hop influenced "Somedays (I Got Issues)". The song is accompanied by the Michael Kettenbeil directed video below.
Back in February Paris dropped an introductory track called "Hello World" and made it clear that he is approaching music in a new way this year. Both tracks follow-up his 2018 debut EP "Lost" and demonstrate a more introspective approach to songwriting.
When I first saw Shade live I was taking a leak after the set when the singer walked in. I said hey what was the fourth song you played? He said “Combat Rave”. I knew that was the tune. This riff is top notch. The whole song and video oozes 90’s. It hits the spot for sure. This is the title track of their debut LP which is set for release May 1st. Stay safe, clean and tuned into Shade for details on the eventual LP Release Party. – Kris Gies
International Anthem has released a new and timely single, "Stay Beautiful", from Damon Locks & The Black Monument Ensemble. The track was recorded live in 2018 at Garfield Park Conservatory and is accompanied by the video of that performance below.
The musicians featured on this song are Angel Bat Dawid (clarinets), Dana Hall (drums, percussion), Damon Locks (electronics, bells, voice), and Arif Smith (percussion).
The label and Locks felt that this song was more than fitting for the times we find ourselves in and felt it needed to be shared.
Here is what Locks had to say about this song; "An ode to Chicago: In a hospital room, doctors and nurses come in and out, evaluating, recommending, prepping, and testing. But once visiting hours are over the patient is left alone with their thoughts, ruminating on the intimidating lack of agency and loneliness of losing control of their own circumstances. Drifting towards despair, they discover flowers in the room. There is a note attached that expresses what I would say to Chicago in its most precarious condition. We see you. We love you. Stay beautiful. I am very happy to be able to share this song at this time. It is a fitting message for this moment we are living through. I hope you all stay safe."
Netherfriends (aka Shawn Rosenblatt) has released a pandemic-theme new album called Stay Safe. Shawn really found his footing in the Chicago music scene years ago before leaving for Austin and eventually setting up camp in LA. He is currently based in Florida after having to cancel the majority of his 2020 Fifty States Tour. To coincide with the tour he had launched a road diary podcast called "Tessie Talks" with Kannabis Kat that you can find on all podcast platforms and on Youtube. It will be interesting to hear how the podcast evolves now that the tour has been cancelled.
On this new album, Stay Safe, he has enlisted rappers from around the country, including Chicago’s Iowa Rockwell, to share insight and humor about the times we find ourselves in.
Portland, Maine’s Kidhimself is quite serious about his feelings in his latest track “Hooked On You” which is a cool, laid-back pop song that is gooey with dreamy thoughts sprung from love and recreation. The atmospheric song recalls amid its swelling ambiance and snappy rhythm someone worth remembering, in a haze or otherwise. If love is fleeting, the music of Kidhimself is forever ever, mostly because its chill/wavy vibe is a keen sonic translation of the coastal New England winds that surely inspired it. For something to get lost in, for someone to remember, “Hooked On You” is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
Last week The Inventors released a new EP aptly named Alone Together. The band has made it available for purchase for whatever amount your feel compelled to give them, but have vowed to give all money received to a few of the establishments listed on Chicago Service Relief.
This is the work of Joe Mango (Vocals/Guitar), Ray Skamay (Guitar/Vocals), Nick Kieta (Bass/Vocals), and Tommy Mendoza (Drums).
Take an ambient drive in your mind with My Empty Phantom by viewing his “Quarantine Meditation Music Sessions.” Like many, this artist lost his upcoming tour dates overnight due to the upending effects of the coronavirus. The artist is hosting at home sessions to continue creating music and disseminating positive vibes. Music is an essential magic that connects in these strange times that require our separateness.
“These trying times call for the healing power of music. I have decided to bring an intimate bedroom version of my tour to you all via the internet! I will be performing a video series of my most ambient works for you to meditate, read a book, breathe, do slow body movement, make art, sleep or to just sit back and relax.” – Jesse Beaman
Press play, and allow the ambient sounds to attach themselves like molecules to the atmosphere of your room. The calming, haunting reverberations gently wash over you as the sound waves trigger a trance, confusing real noise with white noise, but altogether drowning out the mental noise. As the whole world is paused, this time welcomes reflection and introspection. Thank you, My Empty Phantom, for blessing our restless ears.
His first home session is about 12 minutes – the perfect length to induce deeper meditation, light up and smoke one, or set up your space for a creative project. Now, that half the world is under some order to stay at home, join me in looping this track and inviting the sweet notes to drip drip into our watery collective consciousness. We have hope that we will be together again one day, we will see live music, we will throw our sweaty bodies on strangers, we will accidentally spill beer on our new shoes again. Until then, we show our support for artists by listening to their home sessions, buying their merch, washing our hands, and shining lights in our hearts for our loved ones and our communities around us.
-Mel Green
You may not be allowed to go outside now, but you can live vicariously through A.O. Gerber and her new track "In The Morning". The songwriter’s spirited voice and layers of airy instruments will make you feel like you’re walking through the city at dawn. In the music video for the song, Gerber does just that; she meditates above the water before taking a dip, takes a stroll down the street to greet some dogs, and grabs breakfast at a local hole in the wall. The song and video together are a testament to freedom, which right now seems in short supply. "In The Morning" comes from Gerber’s debut album Another Place To Need, which drops on May 22nd. Take a look at the music video for "In The Morning" below. – Will Sisskind
Techo Producer/DJ Patrixia has released her debut single "1541". Her music and DJ sets tend to explore the darker elements of EDM, and both "1541" and it’s B-Side "X" fit that mold perfectly.
Patrixia is currently scheduled to perform at Simone’s Bar (960 W 18th St) on May 30th.
The BLK Cinema dropped their self-titled debut album on April 1st. This is the experimental Hip Hop of Kelvy and Lenny Virgo. The album’s lead single is called "Thoughts" and find Kelvy going all in on some heavy topic while maintaining a laid back flow that is sure to hypnotize the listener.
