Raised in the backyards and basements of Chicago’s music scene, Side Hug got their start with late night songwriting and intimate jam sessions, laying the foundation for their debut EP, Also (2017). A nostalgic fusion of folk and indie rock, the EP’s anchor is “Velvet,” a song that balances upbeat rhythms with reflective, slower moments.

The addition of Allan Cardenas on lead guitar and Jon Reyes on bass began a new chapter for Side Hug, and saw the release of their sophomore EP, Wasted Summer (2019), via Chicago label Midwest Action. Exploring dreamy, reverb-soaked textures and driving rhythms, moodier tracks like “Blue Line,” “New York” and “Birthday” reflect on the complexities of love and loss – a showcase of Side Hug’s evolution as a band. Between 2020 and 2024, the band also experimented with a blend of indie rock and Americana, releasing a series of singles that captured an era of isolation.

Side Hug’s debut LP, recorded at Palisade Studio (2024), promises to be a bold exploration of post-punk, shoegaze and art rock – mirroring the despondent, emotional subject matter of singer Lyd Landor’s inner world. With a DIY ethos and a commitment to authenticity, Side Hug is unafraid to embrace the plurality of their sound as they set the stage for their new release.

Formed in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the suburbs of New York, 4 kids went into a basement, picked up instruments and formed a band. The lineup changed once or twice but they soon found themselves in the groove. Starring: Matthew Quirk on Rhythm Guitar & Vocals, Alex Lo Pinto on Lead Guitar, Luke Uppenbrink on Bass and John Miele-Herndon on Drums. Called to action by bands such as The Strokes & The Arctic Monkeys as well as modern contemporaries such as Sam Fender & Nothing But Thieves they started writing original music and couldn’t stop! Writing over 150 songs (and counting) since they started! Be sure to check out their catchy tunes with stadium filling choruses that will make you want to scream till your voice goes!

Since 2023, they had the pleasure of being able to record their tunes at Golden Girl Sound. Featuring the singles: Karma, Silver Tongue & Chasing After You, which show the band in peak form writing indie anthems. Showcasing solid musicianship as well as ranging lyrical themes.

Since playing live in 2022, they have had the privilege of playing some historic venues including The Stone Pony, Mercury Lounge & WXPN’s: World Cafe Live. With their non-stop gigging ideology and their hardworking attitudes it’ll not be a long wait for these boys to blow up on the charts.

Deep Cricket Night has come out of the pandemic with a sonic – style shift through the wormhole. We used the roots at the portal’s gate as a ladder, climbing out of our past sound. The present sound regards fulfilling the new, post-pandemic range. For practical cliches, our sound is now akin to Joy Division meets 1970 Pink Floyd with Syd still in the room. The band is comprised of Lance Drake (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Greg MacAyeal (Bass), Dave Buoscio (Piano/Organ), Michael Ressler (drums).

​Musically, DCN builds their original sound highlighted by the lead bass hooks of Greg MacAyeal and the vocal-lyrical strength of the band’s primary songwriter, Lance Drake.

Mak and Jamie have been making music since the summer of 2023. Jamie responded to a flier that Mak put up in a Northwestern building which said something like “Looking for Bandmates that like Big Thief,” and Jamie likes Big Thief. The rest, needless to say, is history. They started writing together and performing around Chicago; their voices and brains seem to just fit. Lily (drums) joined in December—she responded to the same flier that netted Jamie. Levi (bass) responded to a different flier, but a flier nonetheless. They are having a lot of fun, playing their songs for people, and are excited to keep doing it.