{"id":3766,"date":"2024-06-14T23:25:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T22:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/14\/chicago-music-scene-is-rocking-again-and-its-getting-national-attention\/"},"modified":"2024-06-14T23:25:15","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T22:25:15","slug":"chicago-music-scene-is-rocking-again-and-its-getting-national-attention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/14\/chicago-music-scene-is-rocking-again-and-its-getting-national-attention\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago music scene is rocking once more, and it is getting nationwide consideration"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

In August 1993, Billboard printed a canopy story declaring Chicago the \u201cCutting Edge\u2019s New Capital.\u201d<\/a> On the time, all eyes have been on the town\u2019s rising rock scene, positioning it to be the subsequent to interrupt out after Seattle\u2019s grunge revolution. <\/p>\n

Artists just like the Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Urge Overkill, Liz Phair, Materials Situation, Fig Dish, Triple Quick Motion and Native H led A&R label reps to mainly arrange a basecamp in Wicker Park. The bands have been reserving main excursions, changing into the darlings of rock radio and the faces of MTV.<\/p>\n

Now, 30 years later, might it’s occurring yet again?<\/p>\n

Whereas rock might sound completely different in 2024, the sensation is again. For those who tune into WKQX (101.1 FM) or WXRT (93.1 FM) at the moment, you\u2019re prone to hear new Chicago acts like Brigitte Calls Me Child, Friko, Honest Engineer and Dehd taking the airwaves in common rotations alongside nationwide movers and shakers. Revered tastemaker labels have additionally been signing them in a feeding frenzy. Friko and Brigitte Calls Me Child are the newest to affix ATO Data (simply behind one other native expertise, Neal Francis) and Lifeguard and Horsegirl are actually a part of the roster at Matador Data. To not point out Dehd on Fats Possum and Seaside Bunny on Mother + Pop (and numerous others climbing the ranks).<\/p>\n

\"Emily<\/p>\n

Emily Kempf with Dehd performs on the T-Cellular stage, throughout Lollapalooza at Grant Park in 2023. The band is among the many newest wave of native artists placing a brand new highlight on Chicago\u2019s music scene.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Solar-Occasions<\/p>\n

The rebellion can be evident on this summer season\u2019s competition lineups. Friko and Brigitte are each enjoying Lollapalooza, Lifeguard has a spot at Pitchfork and Honest Engineer is enjoying Riot Fest. Some acts can even grace phases at Newport People Pageant, Summerfest and even so far as Japan\u2019s Fuji Rock this yr. And all of it has Chicago trade insiders \u2014 and past \u2014 excited.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what it was like again within the day with the Pumpkins, Liz Phair, Materials Situation \u2014 when Chicago exploded onto the nationwide scene,\u201d says Metro founder and proprietor Joe Shanahan, a key participant within the \u201890s rock motion right here. He not solely sees the similarities \u2014 younger, artsy twentysomethings working in tandem to construct a scene \u2014 but additionally the potential. As Shanahan provides, \u201cI hope this [becomes] the identical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[The scene] is completely having a growth,\u201d confirms Molly Mobley, lead expertise purchaser at Empty Bottle since 2019. The membership has lengthy been floor zero for a lot of rising Chicago artists to chop their tooth, and Mobley has had a entrance row seat to see all of it unfold. She theorizes that the rising nationwide pull of Chicago\u2019s scene is coming from \u201clabels hungry to search out new bands and assist foster this new era of music. \u2026 And, if we’ve got the attention on us, it\u2019s not exhausting to search out numerous bands right here who’re actually proficient.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Joe<\/p>\n

Joe Shanahan, proprietor of Metro, stands close to the Metro Retailer on this 2022 file picture.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Solar-Occasions<\/p>\n

One one who has had that tunnel imaginative and prescient is Matador president Patrick Amory. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe actual Chicago youth scene \u2026 is certainly having a second,\u201d he says. Although he and the New York-based label\u2019s different executives reside on the East Coast, Amory says all of them \u201chave a deep affection for [Chicago] and its music going again a long time\u201d (the label can be house to Liz Phair).<\/p>\n

Via their scouting, Matador rapidly signed the younger fuzz post-punk act Lifeguard (\u201cthey\u2019re one of many best reside bands on the planet\u201d proper now, Amory staunchly declares) and likewise vied for indie rocker Horsegirl after being impressed by its \u201ccomplicated tune constructions, mysterious lyrics and vocal harmonies.\u201d To his level, Lifeguard will quickly embark on their first-ever European tour, whereas Horsegirl continues to be using excessive off the acclaim of its 2022 debut, \u201cVariations of Fashionable Efficiency\u201d that options members of Sonic Youth and has been gushed over by the likes of The New York Occasions.<\/p>\n

The identical ascent has been seen with Brigitte Calls Me Child, one of many greatest standouts within the new rock league whose retro-meets-modern swagger appears like The Smiths, Roy Orbison, Elvis and Interpol mingling collectively. Earlier than forming the band, frontman Wes Leavins (a Texas native) was forged in a \u201cMillion Greenback Quartet\u201d run and labored with Baz Luhrmann on the \u201cElvis\u201d biopic due to his dead-ringer vocal model. The quintet made their nationwide TV debut on \u201cCBS Saturday Morning\u201d in February, have loved worldwide press in rock bibles like NME, and logged tour dates with the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.<\/p>\n

However again in 2023, Brigitte Calls Me Child (named for Leavins\u2019 teenage pen pal reference to actress Brigitte Bardot) was booked for one among Empty Bottle\u2019s long-standing Free Mondays, the collection that options free reveals by Chicago bands each week. One of many individuals at that showcase was Chicago native Tom Schmall, director of selling and promotion at ATO Data and Purple Gentle Administration. A SXSW showcase that month inked the deal and ATO quickly signed the band.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Schmall, Purple Gentle Administration\/ATO Data.<\/p>\n

Anthony Vazquez\/Solar-Occasions<\/p>\n

Schmall says the New York-based label, began in 2000 by Dave Matthews and his supervisor Coran Capshaw, has widened its mindset lately, after seeing signees Alabama Shakes take off, believing that there was advantage in \u201c [artists] that aren\u2019t probably the most industrial however have potential to be\u201d and setting their eyes on the Chicago buzz acts. Whereas Friko launched its ATO debut, \u201cThe place we go from right here\u201d to a maelstrom of press in February (see our previous conversation with them here), Brigitte will release its own album, \u201cThe Future Is Our Way Out,\u201d on Aug. 2, during Lollapalooza weekend. Ahead of that, it has two sold-out shows at Lincoln Hall June 21 and 22.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying radio has been a huge part of their rise. In November 2023, Brigitte\u2019s lauded EP, \u201cThis House Is Made of Corners\u201d garnered them a Top 10 radio hit with the crooner track, \u201cImpressively Average.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two of the local stations that have been playing that song regularly have been XRT and Q101. In March, the latter was at Brigitte Calls Me Baby\u2019s first sell-out show at Schubas, posting on social media, \u201cThe Chicago music scene is alive and well.\u201d The band was added to the station\u2019s regular daily rotation, which was a bit of a change of the guard. But, says Program Director James Kurdziel, a Minnesota transplant who credits longtime DJs like Lauren O\u2019Neil and Brian Phillips for bringing the band to his attention, \u201cThey\u2019re objectively good. \u2026 Chicago right now has so many bands that fit Q101, and we thought, rather than just play them on Sunday night when we support as much local music as we can, let\u2019s play them for real.\u201d He\u2019s also booked several bands to play Q101\u2019s annual Piqniq summer fest (this year at Taste of Randolph June 14-16).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Friko<\/p>\n

Friko features Drummer Bailey Minzenberger (left) and singer-guitarist Niko Kapetan.<\/p>\n

Long-time XRT evening DJ Ryan Arnold, who has hosted and produced new music and local music programs for the station over the last 11 years, says it\u2019s long been \u201cin the DNA, the fabric of [XRT] \u2026 to embrace local music,\u201d though he believes the reason many of the bands are now elevating beyond the city is not just because the music is good, but you can chalk of it up to Chicago\u2019s innate work ethic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s something to be said about people from Chicago. We work. \u2026 And for these bands, these aren\u2019t hobbies. You\u2019re never going to outwork someone from Chicago with the determination like some of these young bands have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amory sees it, too: \u201cThey\u2019re playing locally every week, promoting all-ages shows in unusual venues or private parties in people\u2019s living rooms and attics; they\u2019re publishing print fanzines; they\u2019re releasing cassettes; and designing artwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[The Chicago scene] is absolutely having a boom. \u2026 And, if we have the eye on us, it\u2019s not hard to find a lot of bands here who are really talented.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Molly Mobley, lead talent buyer at Empty Bottle<\/p>\n

Lifeguard, who formed in 2019, says the pandemic pause was paramount in bringing back that DIY aesthetic, long rooted in the Chicago arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like there was a need for young people to start pushing their art and Chicago succeeded in a lot of ways because of the culture \u2026 and supportive environment. It allowed us to push ourselves more,\u201d says guitarist\/vocalist Kai Slater. <\/p>\n

The lockdown also made Chicago artists settle in, rather than leave for the coasts, says Lifeguard\u2019s bassist\/vocalist Asher Case, whose father is Chicago musician Brian Case (The Ponys, 90 Day Men, Facs). \u201cThat\u2019s the nice thing, it\u2019s not like people are trying to leave once they\u2019ve found their thing,\u201d says Asher. \u201cI think more people are moving here actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

And some of those people who are staying in the city are a highly influential pack who are spreading the gospel of these new acts far and wide. Shanahan first heard about Friko from local musician Matt Walker, the venerable drummer who\u2019s been a part of the Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey and Garbage. Shanahan then booked the band for Gman Tavern, and a sold-out record release show in February followed. Kurdziel also notes seeing Rise Against come out to support fellow local punk rockers Sincere Engineer at a recent show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the scene again,\u201d Kurdziel says. \u201cWith the digital world, the first thing that died were scenes. And it seems like now it\u2019s coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Molly<\/p>\n

Molly Mobley is lead talent buyer of the Empty Bottle at 1035 N. Western Ave. in Ukrainian Village. Peg is the bar cat.<\/p>\n

Of course, another huge contributor to the scene\u2019s strength is the investment of the \u201cdeeply independent venue-owned\u201d spirit of the city, says Mobley. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s so many spaces for people to really grow as musicians and have the space to spread their wings without feeling like they\u2019re being clipped by competition,\u201d she says. Plus, the difference of having in-house buyers and promoters, prominent in Chicago, is that \u201cwe are real people, we see our friends doing real things and we couldn\u2019t be prouder and want to put a spotlight on them more.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s this kind of infrastructure and support that has been key to the rise of Chicago\u2019s rock scene we\u2019re seeing now, says Schmall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere seems to be an ecosystem once again. You have the clubs that are extremely active \u2026 Agencies have offices here now like Wasserman and Rival Artists (which used to be part of Paradigm), even Ten Atoms Management,\u201d he shares, also a prime example as a local rep for ATO. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis wasn\u2019t the case before. A lot of times these bands had to go outside to find it or do it on their own. It just feels like all the gaps are starting to fill in.\u201d<\/p>\n

For many of these reasons, says Leavins, \u201cChicago has been the most important place in my life and I don\u2019t know that I could\u2019ve made [Brigitte Calls Me Baby] happen anywhere else.\u201d Hailing from a smaller town in Texas, he didn\u2019t know too many musicians. But he did connect with several in Chicago over social media and soon realized, \u201cThere\u2019s something happening and I want to be a part of it.\u201d He adds, \u201cAs much as I love L.A. and New York, there\u2019s a lot of boxing in there. Like, okay here\u2019s this trend, and now that we\u2019ve signed you, try following it. But, I think in Chicago, we\u2019re the ones starting trends now.\u201d<\/p>\n


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In August 1993, Billboard printed a canopy story declaring Chicago the \u201cCutting Edge\u2019s New Capital.\u201d On the time, all eyes have been on the town\u2019s rising rock scene, positioning it to be the subsequent to interrupt out after Seattle\u2019s grunge revolution. Artists just like the Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, Urge Overkill, Liz Phair, Materials Situation,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3766"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3766"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3767,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3766\/revisions\/3767"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/popandedm.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}