Q&A: American Grizzly

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged American Grizzly, Blank Range, Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, Dennis Wilson, EP release, folk music, folk rock, Jack Doyle, Marty Funk, Pilsen, q&a, rock music, Schubas, Shirk Studios, Tim Nagle, V.V. Lightbody.

American Grizzly bassist Marty Funk and guitarists Jack Doyle and Dennis Wilson rumble about their Pilsen rehearsal space with their friend and photographer Tim Nagle. With only a few weeks until the release of their third EP, a self-titled folk-rock compilation out on February 14, the Chicago-based rock band works to finish their album photo shoot.

They’ve hung a tapestry along one of the ways directly over a wooden piano. To the left are two amplifiers. To the right, a white electric guitar. The scene feels vintage; a perfect old southern rock setting, but what really sets the vibe is what’s front and center: a lamp with a cowboy boot base. The look is laid back and in a way may seem out of character for American Grizzly, but Funk, Doyle and Wilson explain, the music found on their new EP American Grizzly is as genuine as the rock-infused tunes fans are used to.

Q&A: Capital Soirèe

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Beat Kitchen, Capital Soirèe, Chicago, Chicago music, EP release, Hardcastle, James Kourafas, Max Romero, Owens Room, q&a, Steven Rejdukowski, The Wldlfe, Waves of Change.

Three best friends start a band, record some tunes and play shows around their city until they make something of themselves. It’s a story told time and time again, but no matter how many bands the boys of Capital Soirèe find themselves among, the Chicago-based trio continues to strive, most recently with their new 3-song EP Waves of Change.

The new release exhibits a different side of Capital Soirèe. The band has taken on a new approach to writing and recording, maturing their sound as they explore different vibes, tones and instrumentation. Multi-instrumentalists James Kourafas, Max Romero and Steven Rejdukowski gather in their recording basement to discuss their latest music and other upcoming projects.

Q&A: Dead Harvest

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Andrew Palmer, Cabin Noise, Chicago, Chicago music, Clan Adam, Dead Harvest, Drew Garnaut, Elbo Room, Gerard Rapp, John June Year, Jonathon Wilson, Leave It Alone, live shows, q&a, rock bands, Wasted Love.

For a band built on drive, things come together quickly. Proof lies with the Chicago-based rock trio Dead Harvest; a band that has not only successfully self-recorded a 4-song EP but has also built a notable following and an online presence in only a few months. Vocalist and bassist Jonathan Wilson, drummer Drew Garnaut and guitarist Gerard Rapp are continuing on the fast track with a number of new songs, recording plans and a list of shows scheduled for 2018.

Q&A: Zoofunkyou

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Andy Boyd, Austin, Bottom Lounge, Bowling Green, Bryan Scheinkopf, Captain Coopersmith, Cassidy Kapson, Chicago, Chicago music, Chop Shop, Cleveland, Derek Dare, DJ Soul Candy, funk, Funk Vendetta, House of Blues, Iowa City, Island #36, jam bands, Kung Fu, Les Claypool, listen live and local, live music, live show, Lush, Marshal Towsky, Matt Mitchell, Michigan, Midwest, Milwaukee, MOE Chuck and Vinnie, Mungion, New Orleans, No Keeper, North Coast, Peach Fest, q&a, Snoop Dogg, south, Starkville, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Sublime, Tesheva, The Main Squeeze, The Peach Festival, Toast of the Coast, tour, Tupac, Wanyama, Willy Waldman Project, Zoofunkyou.

The new year has only just begun, but Zoofunkyou has already entered 2018 in full swing. On January 19th, the Chicago-based jam band will be embarking on their first extended tour starting with a hometown show at Chop Shop. The tour covers most of the Midwest and a number of funk-infused cities across the south and follows their first 2018 release; a live album recorded during their October 27th show at Bottom Lounge.

Vocalist and guitarist Derek Dare, guitarist Bryan Scheinkopf, bass guitarist Matthew Coglianese & the band’s manager Andy Boyd gathered in their practice space at Kildare Studios to share their tour details and to discuss the rest of their plans for 2018.

Q&A: Temporary Pharaohs

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged 50s pop, Chicag, Chicago band, Dark Circle Records, Hard Chardonnay, Highland Park, Highland Park whiskey, Narcissus and Goldmund, q&a, South by Southwest, Teleporter, Temporary Pharaohs, The Four Freshmen, Treehouse Records.

Bands come and go, and in the case of Chicago’s retro psychedelic pop rock band Temporary Pharaohs, sometimes they come back for a second round. After taking a few years off from their original start in 2012, Cody Carpenter, Chris Kulwin, Nick Tumminello, AJ Hitmar and Elliot Gitter came together late this summer to record two new singles and reintroduce themselves to the Chicago music scene.

So far, the new beginning is running slow as the band approaches what will be only their second live show on Saturday, December 26 at Lincoln Hall. But it’s not for lack of material the boys assure as they gather at The Nook in Chicago’s Edison Park to discuss the collection of new songs they’ve been working on as well as plans for new merchandise, touring and a South by Southwest showcase.

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: Honey & the 45s

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, Honey & the 45s, Honey and the 45s, listen live and local, q&a, Speak.

It’s not easy to make a name in a music scene as large as Chicago’s. With so many talented bands, solid music and a strong lineup simply aren’t enough to push through the noise. On top of delivering unique works, a band needs dedicated members who are constantly pushing boundaries, an important quality that members of Honey & the 45s know all too well.

Five years and three albums later, drummer Dave Brandwein, lead vocalist Kristina Cottone, guitarist Jon Gould, keyboardist Sonya Major and bassist Sean Tatum are continuing to find success in their blend of R&B, soul and rock with their latest EP Speak, a collection of four empowering songs exploring connection and authentic relationships.

Q&A: Sunjacket

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Bassel & The Supernaturals, Chicago, Chicago band, Chicago music, indie rock, listen live and local, Mantra, q&a, rock, Schubas, Slack, Sunjacket, synth.

For a band who thrives on the dark and heavy synth sounds found on their 2016 debut album Mantra, the four men behind Sunjacket are surprisingly upbeat and goofy. Their banter flows like a well-rehearsed comedy act, no one missing a beat as they play off each other’s comments to poke fun at one another. Even when discussing shared passions, such as their music or love of foosball, Garret Bodette, Carl Hauck, Bryan Kveton and newest member Jeff Rukes can’t help but turn lighthearted conversations into subtle roasting sessions. Even through the malicious giggles, the 4-piece successfully shared their journey of the last year along with their plans for new music and shows.

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.

Q&A: The Shades

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged acoustic pop, American SongwriterMagazine, Chicago, Chicago music, Elbo Room, listen live and local, live music, local music, NBC's The Voice, NewSong Music’s International Songwriting Competition, pop music, q&a, Team Adam, The Shades, vocal harmonies.

Only two years of writing songs together and the trio behind The Shades have already established an impressive musical resume. Their song “Take You Home” has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine and was chosen as one of ten finalists in NewSong Music’s International Songwriting Competition. They’ve performed on local morning shows such as WGN and have even gained national recognition when vocalist Andrew DeMuro was selected as a member of Adam Levine’s team on the eleventh season of NBC’s “The Voice”.

Now, after spending time perfecting their acoustic pop sound built on 3-part vocal harmonies and rhythmic guitar lines, The Shades will be able to add an official release to their list of accomplishments with their debut EP out Thursday, October 5th after their release show at The Elbo Room.