Profile: Wild Skies

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged Americana, band profile, Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, country, Far From Below, folk, folk music, Glory, GMan Tavern, I.V. Lab Studios, Mile of Music, Please Take Me Back, pop, profile, Rax Trax, Wild Skies.

The Midwest’s largest city may not seem like the ideal hotspot for up-and-coming folk bands but through the thicket of Chicago’s noise, Wild Skies is making an impression on the city’s local music scene. Just months ago, the four-piece band buckled down at I.V. Lab Studios with Chris Harden to record their debut full-length album Far From Below. It’s a compilation filled with rich folk instrumentation, lyrical hooks, catchy grooves and vocal harmonies; a creative step forward from the band’s 2015 self-titled EP.

Q&A: The Just Luckies

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Americana, Bottom Lounge, Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, listen live and local, local music, music release, new album, New Music, q&a, The Just Luckies, twang punk.

Members of The Just Luckies have a hard time describing their sound. With various musical influences flooding their creativity, they’ve settled on the label twang-punk. Sonically, their instrumentals and vocals fall within the realm of Americana. A hint of a southern accent can be heard in the lead vocals, backed by touches of ukulele and uplifting beats. Their lyrics and individual personalities, however, are the epitome of punk. They embrace their uniqueness and use their music as a tool to comment on various types of relationships and today’s political culture.

Gathered in a glass conference room in the back of Portage Grounds on Chicago’s northwest side, vocalist KC Weldon, drummer Shea Briggs, guitarist Nat Greene and bassist Lucy Diavolo share the ins and outs of creating their latest album Lovesick Politics and discuss what it’s like growing within Chicago’s music scene.

Show Preview: Railway Gamblers (1/9)

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Show Previews and tagged Americana, Charlie Hirsch, Chicago, Chicago music, folk, music, Railway Gamblers, show preview, singer songwriter, The Way Down Wanderers.

Who: Railway Gamblers

When: Saturday, January 9th @ 9PM

Where: Martyrs’

Price: $10 adv/ $12 door

Railway Gamblers will be starting 2016 with a release show this Saturday at Martyrs’ for their second full-length album, Shadow of the Moon. The band has once again partnered with engineer Mike Hagler of Kingsize Sound Labs, producing an album that blends the band’s signature melodic vocals with a punch of rock and roll; which can be hear on their first single from their sophomore album, “World on Fire”.

Learn more about Railway Gamblers and their newest music by checking out our Q&A with the band.

The night will also include performances by two fellow Chicago-based acts; The Way Down Wanderers and Charlie Hirsch.

Q&A: Railway Gamblers

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Americana, Chicago music, folk rock, interviews, kingsize sound labs, Martyrs', music, q&a, Railway Gamblers, shadow of the moon, world on fire.

Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Railway Gamblers is a predominantly Americana four-piece consisting of vocalist and guitarist Brendan Folliard, guitarist Matt Fricks, bassist Joe Sexton and drummer Sean Wilmsen. After the success of their first album Heart of the Sun the boys have once again partnered with engineer Mike Hagler of Kingsize Sound Labs to record their second full length album Shadow of the Moon, which is set for release in early January 2016.

Live Review: Wild Skies, Dead Horses, Midwest (12/10) @Subterranean

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Live Reviews, Music, Reviews and tagged Americana, Chicago, Chicago music, Dead Horses, folk, Harmonica Dunn, live music, live review, local music, Midwest, music, Subterranean, Wild Skies.

Chicago is known as the home of jazz, punk and hip hop, but the Americana talent in this city is just as strong and well-developed of a genre. This notion was apparent through the performances of three semi-local bands at Subterranean on December 10th during a night of folk and Americana presented by Harmonica Dunn.

Thursday night’s show opened with Chicago folk band Midwest. Aesthetically the band was a picture perfect model of folk, filling out the stage with orchestral strings, acoustic guitars and an occasional tambourine (not to mention the physical adorableness of each member). Their hauntingly beautiful lullabies showcased the near pitch perfect harmonies between vocalists Heather Bodie and Nicolette Fendon. Paired with the violin, upright bass and pared-down drums, the music had a rustic element, perking the ear for a backwoods sound.