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.”

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: Elle Casazza

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Bummer Camp Media, Chicago, Chicago artists, Chicago music, Elle Casazza, Harvest Moon, jazz, Jeff Breakey, Jennifer Hall, Layla Frankel, listen live and local, local music, pop, Proof, q&a, retro pop, Sara Bareilles, Sarah Marie Young, singer, singer songwriter, Sofar Chicago, The Fox & the hOUNDS, Too Bad, tour, You.

Ella Casazza is nothing short of energetic. The Chicago singer-songwriter bounces about her Bucktown home, preparing French press coffee in excitement for the completion of her first full-length album. With its catchy lines and pop melodies backed by her signature full band sound, Proof is everything fans love about Casazza. It’s sassy, organic and unapologetically authentic to the modern retro-ness of Elle.

Of course with a new album comes a variety of other projects for the young musician. In the upcoming months, Casazza has planned an extensive tour, new music videos and the formation of a songwriters’ circle. There seems like so much to do, but Casazza reminds herself to “just keep on keeping on”. At the end of the day, things may feel overwhelming and hectic, but that’s all part of this crazy life of music.

Album Review: Leo Kidd- Marion

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Album Reviews, Music and tagged album-review, areview, Chicago, Chicago music, dark pop, Leo Kidd, listen live and local, live music, local music, Marion, pop, rock.

Musical medicine is the best cure for an emotional breakup. As a woman, sometimes nothing assists with coping more than good music from a badass woman. This is exactly what Leo Kidd delivers on her debut EP Marion with a blend of powerhouse vocals and charging piano chords. Each song feels full of heartbreak, but also strength and the boldness to move on.

The EP opens with a simple piano melody quickly followed by a steady beat and the theatrical vocals of Leo Kidd in “Fool Me Once”. The song tells the relatable story of learning the true colors of a former mate as the start of the chorus poses the questions, “Who do you think you are?/ What happened to the man I knew?” What makes this song great, from a storytelling standpoint, is the strength of the female character. She is not pleading, but instead asserting confidence with lines such as “Why can’t you see I’m the baddest bitch you’ll ever know.”

Profile: Even Thieves

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged alternative, Chicago, Chicago music, Even Thieves, listen live and local, live and local, live music, local artists, local music, music, pop, profile, rock, Subterranean.

The lights are lowered in a back room of Music Garage with only a faint glow projecting from the back wall to illuminate the faces of Chicago’s alternative pop-rock group, Even Thieves. Vocalist Adrian Day removes his cap and pulls on the hood of this gray sleeveless hoodie, walking from wall to wall, microphone in hand, as the rest of the band prepares for rehearsal. Slowly, each member falls behind their instruments; Vincent DePierro on guitar, Jeremy Atwood on keys, Tyler Leninger on drums and Joseph Paul Chouinard on bass. A spot among the members remains open for guitarist Olivia Garza, who was unable to make rehearsal.

Each member silently acknowledges one another, signaling their readiness before the room erupts with sound and commotion. This may be only a rehearsal, but to an outsider, the performance is as riveting as any legitimate concert.