Vapor formerly known as VX36 is a powerhouse mix of thrash, death, and speed metal mixed with a newer kind of vocal and drumming. Their musicianship, uniqueness, and dedication make for awesome riffs, crushing lyrics, and an energy explosive live show! Exploding onto the metal circuit in 2004. With the release of their first demo in 2005 entitled “DEMOlition” they started playing shows around the Bay Area and Sacramento gaining notice from many.
This electrifying Chicago punk rock band that is taking the music scene by storm! Formed in early 2023 by the talented quartet of Tone Bonezz, Ms. Lynch, Boe Jangles, and Rev. Dracula, x.ORACLES.x brings a fresh twist to the genre by infusing it with the early sounds of 1st wave punk.
Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like CBGB era punk rock, x.ORACLES.x delivers a brutal and bluesy sound that will have you headbanging and moshing in no time. With their thunderous pocket drums and infectious guitar riffs, they create an energy on stage that is simply unmatched.
But what truly sets x.ORACLES.x apart is their supreme female vocals. With raw power and emotion, their lead singer commands attention with every note she belts out. Her captivating presence adds an extra layer of intensity to their already electrifying performances.
If you’re a fan of punk rock or simply love discovering new music that pushes boundaries, x.ORACLES.x is a must-listen. Their electrifying stage presence and infectious tunes will have you jumping up and down in no time. So get ready to experience the rebellious spirit of Chicago’s very own x.ORACLES.x. Get ready to be blown away by their unique sound and unforgettable live shows. Don’t miss your chance to experience this rising star in the Chicago music scene! High-Octane Punk Rock that Pays Homage to its Roots While Pushing Boundaries.
DJ Bink will be spinning classic and obscure Punk/Alt rock hits for a hour before the bands go on.
Tuk Smith is the kind of rock’n’roll ambassador you didn’t think existed anymore. Punk maverick from rural Georgia, Biters frontman, producer and solo artist, he’s seen the best and worst of a music industry in constant flux. By turns it’s left him critically acclaimed, poised for stadiums, dropped, burned out, back in the game and beloved by those for whom rock is still everything. Now based in Nashville, and with his own label Gypsy Rose Records, he creates from a more real place than most.
“I want to do something that means something to people,” Tuk says, “because a lot of shit nowadays is so disposable and so plastic. I just don’t connect with that. I’d like to do things that impact people positively. It’s a weird time on the planet, so to have songs about hope, but not be cheesy about it, it’s something I think we need with songwriting. That’s the kind of music I want to hear.”
The result is Rogue To Redemption, Tuk’s second album with solo project The Restless Hearts. The sonic lovechild of Thin Lizzy, 90s power pop and melody-driven punk, it shows an artistic peak born from adversity. The sound of a man bottling a lifetime of experiences, stories and characters from working class America. A hero’s journey, picking up from 2022’s Ballad Of A Misspent Youth. And it’s all on him.
“I was dropped from a label, nobody would sign me” recalls Tuk, who wrote the album in solitude, mostly at a piano. “No booking agent would touch me. I had to figure out how to make my own records. I’ve always worked with other mentors, writers and producers, so for me to make this myself was a big leap of faith, because… you know, you might screw it up.”
Produced by Tuk and mixed by Chris Dugan (Green Day, Iggy Pop, U2), Rogue To Redemption was written over the last three years but recorded down to the wire – right up to the summer of 2024. Joined by long-term Restless Hearts compadres, drummer Nigel Dupree and bassist Matthew ‘Ponyboy’ Curtis, he cut the bulk of it at home. Six drum tracks were recorded locally, and the other four with Biters collaborator/mentor Dan Dixon in Atlanta – Tuk’s previous hometown.
“Nashville’s very different from the scene I grew up in,” he observes. “Atlanta’s very East Coast working class, Nashville’s more like L.A. But it pulled me back into focus, because if you’re going to be an artist in Nashville there’s so many great singers, writers and guitar players that I have to rely on my personal strengths. So that was the mentality, making this record.”
It also brought him back to the music he loved the most, which comes out in the modern and classic flavours of Rogue To Redemption. The melodic powerpop and punk likes of Jellyfish, Material Issue, Generation X and Buzzcocks filtered into his writing, complimenting the 70s richness that’s long permeated his work. You’ll hear it in Take The Long Way, the album’s rollicking yet deeply personal opener. An ode to persistence in the face of self-sabotage, Tuk wrote it in a fiery 15-minute burst.
“Rock’n’roll has this underlying theme of self destruction,” he says. “And this one is kind of like that, but there’s hope there. It’s been a common theme, being a musician. The fuck’s been beaten out of me.”
Lyrically, inspired by storytellers like Tom Petty, Phil Lynott and Bruce Springsteen, Rogue To Redemption comprises a Born To Run-esque series of vignettes – observation sprinkled with Tuk’s own experience. A song like Glorybound might be interpreted as a reflection on his life, but it could also allude to numerous lost, disenchanted or overlooked souls in society.
“Those are the kind of characters I like,” he says, “the underdogs of the world. I’ve always been attracted to those. When I was a teenager in my hometown, the way I felt then, I would want to hear a song like that. Sometimes I write songs that I want to hear, and that was one of them.”
Raised in Griffin, GA, Tuk always felt like an outsider. The androgyny of his early heroes like New York Dolls clashed with the macho, blue-collar backdrop of ‘Tuck’s Powerdome’ – his father’s weights gym, its walls adorned with slogans like ‘Shut Up And Train’. Emblems, perhaps, of a tenacity that’s stayed with Tuk (Joshua until he was 17, when a local tattooist gave him the name he still goes by) ever since.
You’ll hear it all in a song like Little Renegade, which mixes the bite of Bon Scott-era AC/DC with gorgeous pop nuances and Mott The Hoople twists. “Isn’t that rock’n’roll, the dichotomy of it all?” he suggests. “The dudes I liked in bands would wear girl clothes, but they were wild motherfuckers.”
Right now Tuk’s wild days are behind him, replaced with “workaholic” hours in front of ProTools, producing other bands and running his label. But that old tearaway streak – the fire that makes him such a commanding prospect – lives on in anthems like End Of An Era. A bittersweet “drunken sing-along” with shades of Oasis and glam rock glitter, it could be read as a meditation on the changing rock landscape, the wider world, or even a relationship.
Again, there’s that dichotomy he speaks of. “Rock’n’roll is essentially the illusion of not giving a fuck, right? Like, you know Axl Rose was doing sit-ups and jump rope, and Paul Stanley was on a cardio machine, and they come out and act like it just happens. The point is I sit at that piano many hours, working on this stuff.”
Now with gigs coming up in Europe, the UK and Japan, Tuk has the sort of mental clarity afforded by the perspective of time. Less frustration, more gratitude. “I’m hyper-focused on trying to be a good person. It [Rogue To Redemption] came from a totally different spot, as opposed to like ‘I gotta get a hit!’… It had some piss and vinegar, but it was different. It’s kind of a weight off my soul. I’m just grateful that I’m still doing this.”
So if any of this resonates with you – if you crave rock’n’roll with substance, an edge, 21st century eyes and an old soul’s heart – you’ve come to the right place.
The Pendulum Hearts conjure up a hip-shaking, two-stepping cocktail of Western Swing, Honky Tonk, and Jazz Manouche. Whether they’re at a swanky night club, a sweaty honky-tonk or a rowdy backyard barn dance, the band pour their souls into every single performance each and every night.
Hardcore Soul, One Man Rock & Roll Outlaw
Fiction is an Alternative/Pop Punk Band from the suburbs of Chicago.
WHEN THE SUN SETS BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN MODERN AND CLASSIC POP PUNK. THE GROUP PULLS INFLUENCE FROM BANDS LIKE A DAY TO REMEMBER, FOUR YEAR STRONG, FALL OUT BOY, AND REAL FRIENDS. THE CHICAGO NATIVES USE STRONG AND RELATABLE LYRICS PAIRED WITH DRIVING RIFFS TO GRAB AND HOLD THE ATTENTION OF THEIR LISTENERS. WITH PURE ENERGY ON AND OFF STAGE AND A MISSION TO BRING AWARENESS TO MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THEIR MUSIC, THEY AIM TO MAKE A MARK ON THE SCENE.
THE BAND RELEASED THEIR HIT SINGLE “FEBRUARY” AT THE END OF 2019 WHICH PUT THEM ON THE RADAR OF MANY IN THE SCENE WITH OVER 825,000 PLAYS TO DATE. NOW FULLY INDEPENDENT, THE BAND IS CURRENTLY GEARING UP TO RELEASE A FULL-LENGTH ALBUM AMONGST A STRING OF SINGLES. THE RELEASE WILL FEATURE ARTISTS SUCH AS: 408, BLUPRINT, L E A, + DEFINITELY MAYBE TO SHOWCASE SOME OF THEIR TALENTED FRIENDS IN THE SCENE AS WELL AS DISPLAYING THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THEIR CAREER. THEIR MOST RECENT EP “YOU + ME 4 NEVER” HAS YIELDED OVER 400,000 STREAMS ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS.
WHEN THE SUN SETS HAS PLAYED ALONGSIDE MAJOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS SUCH AS: BEARINGS, THE HOME TEAM, 408, SLEEP ON IT, EVERY AVENUE, CAROUSEL KINGS, BOYS OF FALL, MAKEOUT, STORY UNTOLD, AMONGST MANY OTHERS AND ARE READY TO BRING THE ENERGY ON THE ROAD. THE BAND HAS CONSTANTLY DONE WEEKEND RUNS WITH ON-THE-RISE BANDS SUCH AS: FRND CRCL, ALONE I WALK, YEARS LATER, AND GOLD STEPS TO BRING THEIR MUSIC TO THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. WITH THEIR EYES ON THE PRIZE, THIS CHICAGO POWERHOUSE ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE BUT UP. TAKE A FEW MINUTES, GET TO KNOW US, AND REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE NEVER ALONE.
Spicy 4-piece psychedelic-blues Boogie from Texas.
Hailing from Valparaiso, Chile, singer-songwriter Pascuala Ilabaca is a unique and treasured voice in both the Latin American and World Music scenes. In little over a decade, she has released six albums and performed on multiple world tours. She is known for her flamboyant and refreshing performances.
Ilabaca’s debut album, Pascuala Canta a Violeta, was released in 2008 featuring her arrangements of legendary singer-songwriter Violeta Parra’s songs. In 2010, Ilabaca receives the Guitarpin de oro prize at the Festival del Huaso de Olmué, and by 2012, she had completed her first two European tours, which included two nights of performance at the German TFF Rudolstadt Festival. She also released her second album, Busco Paraiso, that same year.
In 2013, Ilabaca and her band Fauna were the Audience Award winners for Best World Beat Album at the Independent Music Awards. They also performed at the Music and Politics Festival in Berlin and at the Barnasants Festival in Barcelona.
In 2014, Ilabaca released her third and fourth albums: the solo project Me saco el sombrero and her second album with Fauna Diablo rojo, Diablo verde. That same year she returned to the Barnasants Festival and also performed at the Pirineos Sur Festival in Spain and at Fusion Festival and the Berlin Philharmonic in Germany. In addition, she completes an 11-concert tour in England that includes a performance at the London Jazz Festival.
Exciting 2015 brought the release of Ilabaca’s fifth album Rey Loj and performances at Shambala and WOMAD in the UK, Circulart in Colombia and La Mar de Musicas and the Bidasoa Folk Festival in Spain. Then 2016 brought an official showcase at WOMEX and a tour of Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Mexico. She also received the Pulsar Prize, the most important Chilean music industry award, and she was named Best Artist by Songlines Magazine in the company of Mariza, Seckou Keita and Lura.
In 2017, Ilabaca performed 22 concerts in Europe that included stops in Belgium, Holland, Germany and Spain. This European tour was followed by her first US tour with concerts in 12 cities across 9 states and performances at such festivals as ¡Globalquerque! and the Chico World Music Festival. In 2018, Ilabaca released her sixth and most recent album El mito de la pergola. She spent the next two years touring Chile, Europe, Colombia and the United States.
Pascuala worked remotely throughout the COVID pandemic, performing multiple internationally streamed concerts with her band for the likes of such organizations as the Americas Society. She also wrote a trove of new music, including collaborations with other Latin American women artists, and she continued her work leading creative musical workshops with school children from remote villages across Chile, bringing the classes online. In 2021, Pascuala also released her EP “Amatoria” recorded with an all female string quartet.
Upon the world’s reopening Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna began touring South America, North America and Europe immediately. Some of the standout concerts include the mainstage of the Montreal Jazz Festival in front of 26,000 people, Lollapalooza Chile, and the closing ceremonies of the 2023 Pan American Games. Additionally, in 2022, Pascuala was named 1 of 12 Spotify Equal Artists and was featured on billboards in Times Square, and in 2023 she was invited to perform on Chinese National Television.
Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna are currently signed to Warner Music Chile and released the albums “Lucero” in 2022 and “Alegriste” and “Portena” in 2023.
A current 3-piece alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Vicente Zarazua (vocals, guitar), Eric Esquivel (guitar) and Austin Lopez (drums).
Pepper Said is an indie rock band that specializes in sharp lyrics & storytelling through emotive, dance-inducing hooks. This is accomplished due to the artistic collaboration & dramatic performances by Pepper, Brian Zellmer, Thomas McCollum & Ben Proctor. Born in Nashville, but Chicago based as of late 2023.
Their live show is electric, authentic & dynamic. Pepper, was raised on Blondie, Paramore, Cage The Elephant & sarcasm – it shows. Through vulnerable yet relatable stories, humorous authenticity between songs, & addicting melodies, it’s a show you always want to see again.
Pepper Said has played classic venues and events like The Basement, The East Room, The End, Sofar NYC, Festival of Ghouls, Muscian’s Corner Nashville, Mile of Music and more. In April 2021, they opened for Nashville locals – The Criticals – at Schuba’s Tavern in Chicago, which they sold out. Their music has been featured on local radio around the world;102.9 The Buzz and Lightning 100 in Nashville, CCR in Chelmsford, UK and 91.9 KSOIFM in Iowa.
Their 2021 debut EP, So Dramatic, is an anthology about discovering yourself through pain & reflection as well as fun & nonsense.
Hotel Burgundy is a high-energy alternative rock outfit, formed in 2021 with aspects of post-grunge and psychedelia, in the likes of Cage the Elephant, Naked Giants, and Arctic Monkeys.
Jon Dell is an American songwriter, guitarist, and music educator. Currently based in Brooklyn, his upcoming release “I Love You & Wish You The Best” explores weighty topics such as terminal disease, lost love, second chances and most things in between. All this, while still maintaining his trademark gallows humor. The fact that his songs tread the line between dolor and blissful jubilance so well is a testament to Dell’s deftness as a storyteller and his uncommon sensibilities as a songwriter. Having played in bands since his early teens, he has played hundreds of shows coast to coast, sharing the stage with artists such as Charley Crockett, BJ Barham, Justin Wells, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, and many, many others.
There’s a sound the Shenandoah River makes as it rumbles over old stones in the shallows. It sings songs the way they used to be – plain and honest. No frills, buckle that belt before you head to the hills and hollers. It’s there under a Virginia moon that you’ll find the Low Water Bridge Band.
Forged by firelight picking, the band’s romping, stomping, country-grass Americana ain’t for the faint of heart. Since their founding in 2020, they’ve gone from barnstorming the Shenandoah Valley to festival stages along the East Coast. Venues from the Carolinas to Kentucky and, yes, Nashville, Tennessee ring with their sound and are asking for more.
They’re led by guitarist and lead singer Logan Moore’s searing melodies. The precision thump of brothers Alex and Riley Kerns’ bass and drums and their pitch-perfect vocal harmonies fill out the sound. Justin Carver’s pedal steel and banjo swirl through songs like smoke from the campfire. And it’s all brought together with the crunch and crackle of James “Chainsaw” Montgomery’s electric guitar riffs.
From the first time you see them, your boots will be worn from kicking up dust. By the time a second chorus comes around you’ll be hooting and hollering their memorable originals alongside their die-hard fans. You’ll join a crowd who travels far and wide, bringing the party to your town. If you’re a fan of good music done right, be sure to keep a lookout for this fast-rising outfit from Clarke County, Virginia. Chances are, they’ll be blowing through your way one of these days soon.
You can check out the latest Low Water Bridge Band news, information, and merchandise at www.lwbbmusic.com. And give them a like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Tinder, and Tik-Tok. Their music is also available everywhere you stream or download your favorite music.
Songwriter and producer yung van has been steadily making waves in the underground. The Kentucky-based alternative singer has built a strong and loyal fanbase by being vulnerable in his lyrics and staying true to himself on social media.
With the underground success of “I waited on you, you never came” released in 2017, yung van followed up with 2021’s “Goblin Kid” Album. Including features from guardin, demxntia, and Powfu, this project is packed with genre-bending tracks that push the boundaries of yung van’s already massive catalog. After a successful release, yung van dropped “don’t change the channel”, an alternative album he started working on shortly after Goblin Kid.
With over 50M+ streams worldwide on Spotify alone, yung van’s impact on the underground music scene is immense. Battling with the trauma of losing his best friend and the ever-changing emotions of growing older yung van delivers a message that is both simple and honest. Using music as his emotional outlet the motivation for each song comes in the moment.
thanks for listening to my music, I love you ❤️
You’ve got it all wrong.
The Insomniac isn’t unable to sleep, the Insomniac CHOOSES to evade sleep. We all fall down at some point, but between the waking world and our dreams exists the surreal.
In pursuit of that space between, some of history’s most prominent visionaries would hold a physical object, like a spoon or a ball, while sitting in a chair, and allow themselves to succumb to sleep. As they drifted off, the object would fall, and the sound would awaken them at the periphery of unconsciousness. Now more alert than ever, their work could begin.
Such is Insomniac. A band that exists between this world and the next. A bouncing ball on the sound and rhythm of the universe. An aural guide. Writing their songs in the frequency of the earth, the Atlanta-based quintet’s sound casts the light on the magic and strange beauty in the balance between unconsciousness and dreams.
On their debut record, Om Moksha Ritam, to be released September 2025 via Blues Funeral Recordings, Insomniac delivers a brooding, heavy, and psychedelic journey, both physical and abstract. The duality of the experience is for you to experience. Every trip is different. Every spin reveals another layer.
Here exists something new, unique, and incomparable. A band that made the music they wanted to hear because it needed to exist. What you choose to do with this information is your choice alone – but don’t sleep on it.
Insomniac is…
Alex Avedissian – Guitar
Van Bassman – Vocals
Juan Garcia – Bass
Mike Morris – Guitar, Vocals
Amos Rifkin – Percussion, Vocals
A trio of psychedelic doom metal deviants, here to take you on a wild ride.
Death Doom, Columbus
Nashville recording artist and television host, Julia Cole, encourages empowering self-worth and good vibes to her growing #ColeTeam community. Julia has amassed well over 200,000,000 streams, is a CMT Next Women of Country, made her GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT, and has been featured on CMT, SIRIUS XM, CIRCLE TV, CBS, Audience Network, The CW, and more. Julia is hosting festival lifestyle series “Circle’s Ultimate Fanfest” on Circle TV as well as appearing on Circle’s 2023 “My Opry Debut” series and CMT’s 2023 “Viral to Verified” season.
Influenced by the genre-crossed locker room playlists she and her Texas volleyball teammates blasted, Julia’s musical style blends authentic country storytelling with a little Houston rhythm and attitude. Julia got her start performing the Star-Spangled Banner before her own high-school volleyball games, and was soon performing for NFL, MLB, MLS, NASCAR, and ESPN events before crowds of 75,000. She’s since toured globally in over 10 countries opening for acts like Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, The Chainsmokers, Dierks Bentley, Chase Rice, Lee Brice, Eli Young Band, Chris Lane, Michael Ray, Jake Owen and more. Julia brings her love for music and sports full-circle by advocating for women’s athletics and empowerment and collaborating with the Boys and Girls Club and Mizuno athleticwear.
Comedian • Writer • Producer • Dad • Husband • Chicago
Rock’s played out, dog.
Formed in 2016, Rust Ring is a “Drop C Emo Band”, blending emo punk with hints of shoegaze and math rock. Led by frontwoman Joram Zbichorski, and backed by long time drummer William Covert, they are now joined by fellow Chicagoans Jaclyn Nora (guitar/vocals) and Ian Terry (bass/vocals).
Jazmyn W is a Stand Up Comedian, Content Creator, Host, Actress & Influencer with over 2 million supporters across social. She was one of BET’s 2021 “Influencers To Watch,” a part of Martin Lawrence’s 2021 Lit Tour & she has been called by the actual white house after snatching trump’s paperwork in a series she created on tiktok called white house hr! Her sense of humor is totally practical (and sometimes inappropriate) as she finds humor in awkward life moments, dating, professional relationships and work microaggressions. Jazmyn quit her corporate HR career in tech in 2019 to pursue comedy full time. She is passionate about telling stories that keep women (especially black women) laughing.
Scott Cortez solo bedroom 4-track noisepop begun in the summer of 93. a lullaby over a jet engine roar.
Shoegaze artist from San Francisco, CA
HANABIE. is a completely new-sense, hybrid-girl-band with their original genre, “Harajuku-core”, which is a sublimation of metalcore and hardcore with Akihabara culture.
Already achieving deep fans overseas through YouTube and TikTok, HANABIE. will finally make their major debut on July 26th! They will also do a US / Europe tour from August!
With YUKINA’s screams that you can’t ever imagine from her small and cute looks, their all-genre pop musicality, and their fashion that show off Japan-culture in HANABIE. style, they will take a big step forward from Harajuku-core to the world to make full bloom!
Survive Said The Prophet commonly known as “SABAPURO” is formed in Tokyo, Japan in 2011. A native English speaker / bilingual vocalist, Yosh’s overwhelming singing ability and charisma at the head, it’s a miracle international rock band that consists of talented, musicianship, and original characters. Their outstanding musicality is based on the wide background not limited to rock but also pop, electro, hip hop, and R&B to place their field of activities in various fields using its diversity as a weapon that doesn’t fit in the frame of an existing scene and continues to evolve every day.
The Arcade Hustlers are a musical collective that spans multiple cities, but the core members began in South Texas. The band’s wildly original music combines elements from many genres including funk, jazz, Latin, hip-hop, and many more. The members of the Chicago chapter of the band include Ryan Garza (lead singer and ukelele), Justin Cavazos (lead guitar), Paulo Grieder (bass), Tyrus Tucker (drums). And the original band members include Ryan Garza (lead singer and ukelele), Matt Martinez (bass), Sauce Rodriguez (keyboard), Ryan Garza (lead singer and ukelele) Zak Kaszynski (trumpet, keys, auxiliary), and Matt Perez (percussion).
Mozey is a new queer, indie-rock band based in Chicago. Zoë DePreta, Em Modaff and newest addition Alissa Wolff bring searingly honest lyrics together with dynamic melodies and dreamy harmonies. Mozey recently released their first single “Prague (I Can’t Win)” on all streaming platforms.
Dark Ambient Drone duo. Stephen Reichelt: Double Bass, Erik Oldman: Guitar
Master Plan Inc, a band from Chicago led by Fred Shorts. With just one single to their name – an uber-rarity rated at over $2000 – nobody had any idea that within the confines of a studio archive and Shorts’ private residence there would be a wealth of other recordings on acetate, reel-to-reel tape and cassette.
NETWORK | PERFORM
How It Works:
His playlists Rock. No Doubt About It!!!
Metal Head
Martin “El Cochino ” Schirenc plays Pungent Stench and pays tribute to the music of Austria’s finest!
Banshee Tree is a high-energy quartet that blends modern indie, trance, and psychedelic rock with old school Django-inspired jazz. Using traditional instruments through a range of pedals, Banshee Tree ties the styles and sounds of modern music to the earthy roots of acoustic music in a whole new way. Their live show is a wild dance party with a great deal of improvisation while remaining grounded in indie-style songwriting. There is nothing quite like it on the scene.
Notable contributions: Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket); Todd Roper (Cake); David Hood (Swampers; Muscle Shoals Sound)
Recently awarded Artist in Residence Spot by the Studios of Key West to develop the MicroPARTY Stage Show this winter
*MicroPARTY Festival Performances: Coast is Clear, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Flimp Festival, Llano Earth Arts Festival
EBY Support History: George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Black Pumas, Neal Francis, Liz Cooper, Rayland Baxter, Proxima Parada, Early James and the Latest
Aaron McDavis got his start in comedy performing in Dallas and Austin before moving to Chicago in 2014. His stand-up credits include Don’t Tell Comedy (Chicago-2022), Altercation Comedy Fest (Austin-2021, 2023), Comedians You Should Know (Chicago- 2020, 2023), and The Fringe Fest (Edinburgh, 2017).
Mohammed Abbed is a Chicago-based comic. He co-founded, produced, and hosted a show at the Lincoln Lodge called, “Campfire Stories,” which was nominated two years in a row for best story-telling series by The Chicago Reader. The show had the honor of having Sam Tallent, Jeff Dye, and Geoff Asmus perform on the show. Mohammed has performed with Aaron Weber at Don’t Tell Columbus. You may have seen him perform at The Den Theater, Zanie’s, Laugh Factory, The Lincoln Lodge, The Second City, and The Comedy Bar. He has performed all of the country including The Helium Comedy in Indianapolis, Austin, Cincinnati, Columbus, Janesville, LA, Madison, Milwaukee, Omaha, and more. Mohammed was selected to perform at the World Comedy Expo in 2022, and the Madison Comedy Week 2023.
Daniel Cassilagio (Dan Cass), is a Chicago based comedian/actor that features, headlines, and hosts all major clubs in Chicago and throughout the United States. His favorite spots are The Laugh Factory, The Paper Machete, and Zanies Chicago. Dan has opened for comics including Moses Storm, Joey Villagomez, and Billy Wayne Davis.
He is also a co-producer and co-director of “Lowkey Funny” at The Laugh Factory in Chicago. Dan studied at the Moscow Art Theater in Russia, and was a feature comedian for the first annual, “Boom! Chicago” comedy festival in Amsterdam for 2021, then returned as a Host and Headliner for 2022. Dan’s comedy dabbles in surrealism as he seeks connection and joy with his audiences. Serving strangers and turning them into new friends is the reason Daniel loves to perform.
THE IRON ROSES Nathan Gray – Vocals Becky Fontaine – Vocals Pedro Aida – Guitar & Backing Vocals Philip “Eugenius ” Smith – Guitar & Backing Vocals Michael Espinosa – Bass & Backing Vocals Steve Cerri – Drums
The Iron Roses are a passionate, unique, and beautiful group of people making music that we hope will change the world. Fueled by the injustices of our current times – their songs are the kind of protest anthems that only a group of seasoned musicians could make. Still angry, still driven, and still screaming – this is a band that will never give up the fight.
The beauty of seeing these six individuals singing their truth is astounding. Watching them grow from strength to strength in the last few years it is unsurprising that this record is the outcome. They, and their songs, represent such power, love, and passion – something that we need more than ever in this world today.
Chicago’s very own rapper & songwriter, CRYBBY aka KYLA AUSTIN encapsulate today’s sound while still being able to incorporate a clever blend of real stories, unapologetically, braggadocious, anthems and nostalgic. Utilizing the pockets of melodic trap beats and nostalgic samples to craft a tale of witty wordplay and familiar sentiments, chanting, polarizing anthems over blaring, glo inspired, horns and hypnotizing drums, or simply riding the melody of a dreamy hyperpop miniature. With only a handful of singles out on streaming platforms, she has been able to showcase an array of sonic and visual versatility and prowess privy to only few in today’s music scene!
King Melik’s musical odyssey commenced in the unique setting of homeschooling, fostering an unwavering dedication to music. A graduate of esteemed institutions such as Merit School of Music, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), and the Musical Art Institute, Melik’s solid foundation paved the way for his extraordinary musical prowess.
A pivotal moment in King Melik’s narrative was the mentorship he received from none other than Chance the Rapper. Their connection ignited at one of Chance’s renowned ‘Open Mike’ events, where Melik showcased his talent by seamlessly blending rap and violin. This mentorship laid the groundwork for Melik’s evolution as a recording artist.
Further honing his skills through the Chicago Public Library’s ‘YouMedia’ program, King Melik delved into the realms of producing, mixing, and mastering.
Identifying himself as an alternative artist, with mainstream and psychedelic overtones. Melik’s genre-blending music dives into the
complexities of love, his untraditional upbringing, his ever-growing confidence , and an unwavering determination for musical excellence.
His love for orchestra permeates the majority of his self-produced and mixed releases, underscoring the importance of the conductor’s control in shaping the final product. Melik, also known as Bryce Melik Thompson, positions himself as a multifaceted artist with a keen involvement in the production process.
BBSUBI is a songstress of multiple genres hailing from Chicago. After releasing her debut album in October 2023 she has been on a tremendous run from having multiple shows to even being ranked #5 on What’s the Words hottest upcoming artists in Chicago.
Sydny August is a singer, songwriter, & producer hailing from Chicago’s north side. She meets R&B with a stylistic, no limit approach. August remains consistent and truly the one to watch.
JACK OF ALL TRADES, A MASTER OF ME.
Tomb Mold are a Canadian extreme metal quartet with a neck-snapping style that pairs the uncompromising attack of American death metal with the doomy vistas made popular by iconic Finnish death metallers like Demilich and Convulse. The band adhered to this blueprint on acclaimed efforts like Primordial Malignity (2017) and Planetary Clairvoyance (2019). They expanded their sonic purview on 2023’s Enduring Spirit, adding jazz fusion elements, ’70s prog, and 4AD-style dream pop to the mix.
Founded in Toronto in 2015 as a duo by drummer/vocalist Max Klebanoff and guitarist Derrick Vella, the group, who took their name from the popular horror RPG Bloodborne, released a pair of demos, The Bottomless Perdition and The Moulting, independently in 2016, with the full-length Primordial Malignity arriving the following year. Second guitarist Payson Power and bassist Steve Musgrave joined the group for the 2017 demo Cryptic Transmissions, and in 2018 the band inked a deal with 20 Buck Spin and released the unrelenting Manor of Infinite Forms. 2019’s punishing Planetary Clairvoyance saw the band fully embrace their American death metal roots on a kinetic and technically sound set of songs that elicited praise from underground and mainstream metal audiences alike. An unofficial hiatus resulted in bandmembers working on various other projects, including Dream Unending and Daydream Plus, before reuniting in 2022 for the three-song EP Aperture Body. In 2023, Tomb Mold unveiled their most ambitious project to date, Enduring Spirit, which borrowed facets from multiple metal, pop, jazz, and rock subgenres. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi
Lopaka Rootz is a singer songwriter & musician creating Reggae music from Hawaii. Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Moku o Keaw to be precise.
Known for his KWXX #1 Hit songs “Living My Best Life” and “Blue Clear Sky”, “Lemon Pie”, “Ganjaprenuer”, “The Three L’s”, the “Irie Hawaii Radio Ad Jingle”, “Eddie”, “The Ocean”, and “Takin It Easy”.
He has gotten frequent radio play on KWXX, KAPA and Q103 in Maui and Kong Radio in Kauai.
He was just recently featured on KHON’s living 808 as one of local reggae’s upcoming stars and has opened for such headlining acts as Leilani Wolfgramm, Soul Medic, Black Uhuru, Through The Roots, Tomorrows Bad Seeds and Mike Love at the sold out Kahilu Theatre.
His music is a unique style of positive original upbeat reggae with a message of gratitude and positivity.
From the bowels of The Alley in Chicago, Tÿre Fÿre has risen through the mucky muck to aurally assault your earholes with the truth. While smelting punk, post-punk, and a touch of hardcore, Tÿre Fÿre have forged their own voice and intend to shout down the demons that plague society.
Old school punk from kenosha wi
Tom the Mail Man is from Monroe, Georgia – a country town about an hour outside Atlanta. He’s a multi-genre artist who emphatically avoids putting a label to his music, instead focusing on creating a world for his fans to come together as one community. Recently, he’s been featured in PAPER magazine and Pigeons & Planes, performed at Life is Beautiful, partnered with Trojan Magnum and UPROXX for a documentary feature, and racked up more than 65 million streams across DSPs.
Giuda is a five-piece band from Rome, Italy, that play an air-punching mix of anthemic ‘70s rock hooks delivered with the brutal force of early UK punk, all interpreted in a contemporary and original way with relevance for today’s discerning listener.
The story of Giuda begins in 2007 and is inextricably connected with that of Rome’s seminal punk rock band Taxi. When Taxi’s career was cut short by the tragic passing of their drummer, singer Ntenda, lead guitarist Lorenzo and bassist (then drummer) Danilo regrouped as Giuda. The lineup is completed by guitarist Michele, adding a second layer of boogie sparks to the mix, and new drummer Alex, who recently replaced Daniele.
Fuelled by the sounds of bands like Slade, Glitter Band, Hector, Third World War and Slaughter & The Dogs, Giuda offer fresh, powerful rock and roll with attitude in spades.
Their debut album “Racey Roller”, famously described by Robin Wills (The Barracudas) as, “Cock Sparrer twinned with the Equals”, was graced with iconic cover art courtesy of French designer and glam fanatic
Tony CrazeeKid, and quickly became an underground sensation. Highly praised by publications as diverse as Mojo, The Guardian, Uncut, Rolling Stone, Vice (album of the year) and Maximum Rock’n’Roll, the album remains a true cult classic and an inspiration to the numerous hordes of bovver rockers currently following in Giuda’s wake.
From their debut album release up until the present day, the band has completed several European tours and five USA/North American tours, playing around 400 gigs in total, including triumphant appearances at many major festivals such as Rebellion (Blackpool, UK), PunkRock Bowling (Las Vegas, USA) and Hell Fest (France).
There’s a delicate intimacy that Samuel Aaron brings to the Chicago indie music scene. The Portland-born artist is difficult to categorize, as he weaves between singer-songwriter and producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist. His soulful, vulnerable music sits somewhere between folk and alt rock, and continues to evolve with every release. In his recorded music, he lands at the crux of new and old, synthesizing his core influences with innovative sound design and production techniques. Aaron had his first official release in late 2020 with his first EP entitled “ALL I AM IS ALL I HEAR,” exploring themes of nostalgia and wanderlust through a minimalist bedroom-pop lens. The road to his next project, the critically acclaimed “Versions of Love Songs,” began in 2021 with the release of singles “Anything Left” and “Keep Me Around,” and their accompanying music videos, before the EP was released in full on October 14, 2022. “Versions of Love Songs” was listed as one of the best Chicago projects of 2022 by local publications Lyrical Lemonade and These Days, who called the project “truly homegrown, encapsulating Aaron’s raw approach to creating art and sharing it with others.” Second Street referred to the ambitious EP as “a chill listen, but not without depth; a romantic album, but not without pain”. ~ Justin Corp
Within the realm of Indie Folk Rock, our unique sound features expansive horn and string arrangements complemented by a deep hitting rhythm section to create a rich and layered sound. Our live concert experience intertwines intimacy and raw energy to create a one-of-a-kind show. Our music has drawn comparisons to artists like Black Country, New Road; Bon Iver; and Big Thief. The band consists of Sam DuBose (vocals, guitar), Casey Cheatham (drums, vocals), Tyler Thenstedt (bass, vocals), Connor Hoyt (alto sax), Sam Uribe Botero (tenor sax, electronics), Callum Roberts (trumpet, guitar), and Kaysen Chown (strings, guitar).
After releasing our debut album, “Grip Your Fist, I’m Heaven Bound” in 2021, we are currently working on our second studio album, set to release in the Fall. Kingfisher has garnered significant attention and support on various streaming platforms. On Spotify, Kingfisher has over 1 million total streams, attracting a dedicated fanbase of over 180k listeners. Kingfisher has also played numerous live shows at established venues and DIY spaces across the Midwest and East Coast. Notable venues include The Hideout, Chicago and NPR’s WDET, Detroit.
Death Metal from Cleveland, Ohio Merchandise available at: Noxisdeathmetal.bandcamp.com
Noxis Lineup 2024 (ft members of Nunslaughter and Sarcoughagus)
Dylan Cruz – Lead Vocals and Guitars Ray Conde – Vocals David Kirschenbaum – Bass, Noise Joseph Lowrie – Drums, Cold Brewist
Brutal gruesome food porn with a beat.
this is how the world ends…
New York Metalcore. New EP “Let This Life Devour You” out now via Bloodblast Distribution
Born from the ashes of defunct bands in Maryland & Virginia, Savage Hands might be a young band, but they certainly don’t lack experience. The collective members have ample experience in writing and playing their music to audiences in support of several noteworthy nationwide tours—experience enough to write and record an album with Andrew Baylis (My Enemies & I, Sylar) which garnered the attention of SharpTone Records. Filled with catchy hooks that weave in and out of blood-pumping, adrenaline-spiking verses and visceral, gut-busting breakdowns, Savage Hands’ debut effort is one that makes the ground shake and inspires an emotional, energetic uproar within the listener. Never sacrificing a sense of poetic wit and sharp-tongued flair for their equally engaging punchy musicianship, Savage Hands’ debut effort in early 2018 is just the first of many things bound to craft a stellar—and savage—future.
Post-hardcore Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (D.R.U.G.S.) is back with a new full-length album, ‘DESTROY REBUILD,’ their first release since 2011’s acclaimed self-titled debut album. Craig Owens is once again at the project’s helm and has again orchestrated a band and record that is sure not just to catch your attention but also keep it. The new release, ‘DESTROY REBUILD,’ offers listeners the uniquely nostalgic D.R.U.G.S. sound they have been craving while also exploring new territories making ‘DESTROY REBUILD’ the perfect progression and exciting new chapter.
When Owens got to writing, he described Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows’s signature sound as “fast, to the point, syncopated rhythms with a melody on top.” The aggressive melodies are paired with low-tuned guitars and introspective lyrics to create the nostalgic alternative rock sound that we all grew up with and have come to crave. To capture this sound, Owens connected with A-List producer Howard Benson whose past work with My Chemical Romance and The All American Rejects heavily influenced the modern alternative rock world. Benson’s raw talent for recording helped shape the structures and harmonies of the album. Owens found this collaborative process cathartic and embraced his newfound flow of creativity.
Owens’ knack for creating sincere lyrics shines through while touching on topics like destiny, perspective, and redemption on ‘DESTROY REBUILD.’ It is a physical manifestation of the course he has taken in his musical career and encapsulates each step along the way. “Everything that we are today is because of yesterday, and this depicts where I have been, but also where I’m going.” It is a bright reflection of one’s life and actions, and it encourages the listener to do the same in their own life.
“DESTINY,” the first single off of the record, is a solid bridge between the first D.R.U.G.S. self-titled record and ‘DESTROY REBUILD.’ Is it a hard-hitting track that expertly blends the nostalgic alternative rock sound with enough modernity that’s sure to appeal to many different listeners. Another track off the album, “The Arm,” is a collection of melodies, lyrics, and hooks eloquently constructed together. It is known as the “anomaly” of the album due to its organic nature of origin and leans toward the band’s future.
‘DESTROY REBUILD’ is an exciting new beginning for Owens. It is a way for him to connect with fans to share life experiences, and he is hoping the album will help them cope with whatever they are dealing with and experiencing. “This album is my first step forward without thinking of running back,” Owens stated. “I hope it can leave a mark and grow with people.”
Music for the hungry ear!!
American Singer-Songwriter It’s pronounced “awe-ghee”
Chicago. In a city brimming with classic blues and jazz divas, Lynne Jordan stands apart. Not only do her soaring vocals dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk, rock and even country but her bawdy personality wins over any crowd. Her talent so dazzled the Second City that the late Chicago film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.” Backed by her sizzling band The Shivers, Jordan quickly developed into a Chicago institution, playing jazz and blues clubs, swanky lounges, and even the charity circuit throughout the country. She brought her special brand of storytelling, raw humor, and performance to New York, DC, and Atlanta with her sold-out show, “A Musical Tribute To Nina Simone.”
She has recorded with Tom Waits; The Punk group Urge Overkill; Alligator Records Blues artist Toronzo Cannon; featured amongst Taj Mahal, Etta James, and Koko Taylor on Blues Down Deep: A Tribute to Janis Joplin and her own CD’s: Bit o Fun and Holiday Shivers. Lynne performed in Jazz Operas in Europe, performed her own one-woman show, and is a featured vocalist with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues.
Lynne has traveled the world with her band the Shivers including a life-changing performance in Kyiv, Ukraine in Freedom Square before an audience of 250,000. Jordan has performed her works at numerous Live lit (storytelling) shows in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Moscow, Rio, Riga, and Paris and is featured in the book: Chicago Storytellers, From Page to Stage. Because she is a popular entertainer in Chicago, she has honed her storytelling skills with every song, in every concert and event, and created a one-woman show “A Great Big Diva” that includes her wonderful stories and music.
Lynne is a 3Arts Make a Wave Artist, and recipient of the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago: Outstanding Achievement in Music – Rhythm & Blues award in 2017-2018. She is currently enjoying a “Diva Residency” as an artist in residence at the Raue Center for the Performing Arts in Illinois. Lynne is presently working on two new recordings: one includes original material from Corky Siegel, Toronzo Cannon, and John Cameron Mitchell and the other is exclusively classic blues tunes from the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s.