Profile: Like Language

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged Aaron Green, alternative pop, band interview, band profile, Bandcamp, Chicago, Chicago music, dark pop, Ego Mechanics, Elbo Room, Kristen Donnelly, Like a Drug, Like Language, listen live and local, live band, live show, local music, Marc McClusky, Matthew Murray, One More Moon, pop, Pretty Beggar., profile, Spotify, Wilder.

Major changes for bands, such as a new name, often mark a step in rebranding. It’s a chance to set new goals, build a new foundation and prepare for a new adventure. While new endeavors are definitely a desire for Like Language, formally known as Wilder, their name change had less to do with an extreme evolution and more to do with differentiating themselves from other artists.

“We changed our name because there are too many Wilders,” says Matthew Murray, one half of the Chicago-based pop duo. “When we chose the name [Wilder], we wanted one word, something simple. As time went on, I was on Spotify browsing an indie new artist playlist and I saw Wilder was on there and I was like, ‘Oh man, this is the best day of my life. People are noticing us!’, and then it ended up being the another Wilder.”

Q&A: Matthäus

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged band interview, Chicago, Chicago music, contemporary classical music, independent music, listen live and local, live band, live show, Matthaus, New Music, q&a, Schubas.

Forming an 8-person band with members in two states whose music blends pop, folk and contemporary concert music may not sound like the most logical road to successful, but so far, the nontraditional approach has been working in favor for Matthäus. The band, with members in both Chicago and St.Paul, started as a small project from composer Ben Montalbano, adding bold horn sections, piano lines and other intricate instrumentations to a variety of folk-rock tunes. The group has since grown into a collaborative chamber collective made up of Ben Montalbano, Joe Meland, Justin Peters, Lars-Erik Larson, Samuel Peters, Alex Blomarz, Hugo Seda and Chris Shuttleworth.

With a new music in the works and a December 14 show at Schubas just days away, Montalbano, Peters and Meland gathered in a cozy window seat at Wicker Park’s Wormhole to discuss the band’s plans for the rest of the winter and the new year.

Q&A: Honeystone

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Beat Kitchen, Big Jon & The Mattress Factory, Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, Honeystone, Kickstand Productions, listen live and local, live band, local band, q&a, rock, Scout's Honor, Sofar Sounds Chicago, The Stone Foxes, Tides of Time.

A residential rooftop in Chicago’s South Loop became the latest stop in Honeystone’s collection of intimate showcases this week. The four-piece rock band, who has regularly been performing private parties, charity gigs and Sofar Sound shows throughout the city, says they enjoy smaller performances because it allows them to interact with fans. They make sure to take time before and after sets to speak with audiences and show their appreciation, knowing their support system plays a role in their success.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate with a lot of good friends and fans helping us out, [letting us know when someone] is looking for new bands for an event,” says lead guitarist John Nordquist.

The boys may be too humble to admit it themselves, but their success doesn’t solely lie with the word-of-mouth marketing of their friends. Honeystone has spent the past year creating a sound that brings together the best of old and new rock. Their well-crafted tunes along with their level of professionalism on stage have brought them to a number of musical milestones. With their summer tour complete and a batch of singles almost ready for release, Nordquist, bassist David Koslovsky, drummer Nathan Taylor and vocalist Justin Honigstein share what’s next for the band.