Chicago

North Park University Football Seeks Return to Winning Ways of Old, by Mark Erickson

In October 1968, the Viking football team fielded by North Park College (Chicago, IL) highlighted its season with a Homecoming pasting of the North Central College Cardinals (Naperville, IL) by a final score of 104-32!!  (See Homecoming pin) The Vikings finished the season with a winning record of 6-3, and three players from the team …

CHICAGO BASED EMERGING ARTIST STAR BANDZ UNLEASHES FIERY NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FOR “4 DEEP” OUT NOW

August 30th, 2024 – Chicago’s rising drill rap prodigy STAR BANDZ is back with her latest single and music video for “4 Deep,” out now on Priority/ Capitol Records. The video is directed by Sergio Esparza and Kane Fields and showcases her sharp, fearless lyricism. In case you haven’t heard, STAR BANDZ continues to redefine drill …

KB MIKE RELEASES NEW EUPHORIA EP & “ADDICTED 2 YOU” SINGLE

LISTEN HERE “ADDICTED 2 YOU” MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW – WATCH HERE NEW YORK, NY (July 12, 2024) – Flexing a rare level of versatility and undeniable vibrancy, buzzing Chicago phenom KB Mike presents his anxiously awaited new Euphoria EP out now via Republic Records.  Listen to Euphoria EP: HERE This time around KB Mike amplifies the scope of his talents on tape. He showcases the sky-high vocals audiences …

The Mysterines release whirring new single “The Last Dance”

Press photo by Steve Gullick THE MYSTERINES RELEASE SINGLE “THE LAST DANCE” AHEAD OF NEW ALBUM THIS FRIDAY — STREAM / WATCH THE VIDEO AFRAID OF TOMORROWSOUT ON JUNE 21 VIA FICTION RECORDS — PRE-ORDER BEGIN TEASING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES AHEAD OF RIOT FEST PERFORMANCE UK alternative rock band The Mysterines have today released their whirring new single “The Last Dance,” …

Disruption or Mindistry? Which Swedish Metal Band Will be Welcomed into My Personal 2024 Valhalla? by Mark Erickson

In my mind, I have created a (hoped-for) North American tour comprised solely of Swedish metal and musical performers.  This order does not reveal author’s order of preference or affinity status. We’ve got GOAT, Soen, Meshuggah, Katatonia, Opeth, At the Gates, Neneh Cherry, and Salem’s Pot currently on the bill.  Who will be the last to …

Watch Portlandia’s Fred Armisen chill and enjoy Joshua Moshier’s incredible new album, ‘Semipermanence,’ in what appears to be a refurbished church

Film/TV Composer Joshua Moshier Releases Album Semipermanence Releases New Video “Un Gyrophare” feat. Sabina Sciubba  [Ed. Note – ‘Semipermanence’ is beautiful beyond words. Everyone will dig it, not just famed sketch comic and musician, Fred Armisen.] Twice Emmy-nominated composer Joshua Moshier releases Semipermanence, a debut solo album that knits together more than two dozen collaborators from his 15 …

Pour an “Expresso Martini” and Get In Your Feels with BJRNCK on New Single

Born in the vibrant, easy-going city of Los Angeles and raised in the angry cultural tapestry of Chicago, rising R&B singer/songwriter BJRNCK has intricately woven together the rich experiences of both worlds, creating a unique and unparalleled musical fusion. With an unapologetic style, fearless demeanor, and an edgy vibe that resonates in every note and …

Corey duBrowa Announces New Book: An Ideal For Living- A Celebration of the E.P., Out May 31 via Hozac Books

An Ideal For Living Cover Art, credit: Joan LeMay  Pre-Order Available Here First Book To Highlight The Format Features Contributions By Nearly 50 Music-Industry Veterans Including Britt Daniel (Spoon), Molly Neuman (Bratmobile), Chris Slusarenko (Guided By Voices, Eyelids), And Many More Today, author and veteran music writer and editor Corey duBrowa announces his first book, An Ideal For Living – A Celebration of …

SLOW PULP SHARE THEIR TAKE ON LIFEHOUSE’S CLASSIC 2000 ALT-ROCK ANTHEM “HANGING BY A MOMENT”

TOUR WITH DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE & THE POSTAL SERVICEBEGINS NEXT WEEK, CONFIRMED TO PLAY LOLLAPALOOZA Fresh on the heels of last week’s performance of “Doubt” on Colbert #LateShowMeMusic series, Slow Pulp are sharing a fun, crackling cover of Lifehouse’s double-platinum 2000 single “Hanging By A Moment” today. Originally released as a part of The Fader’s transgender charity compilation, Slow Pulp …

Beloved Pop Punk Band MEST Debuts Music Video For New Single “When We Were Young” (ft Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup); New Album ‘Youth’ Out May 31st

Beloved Chicago pop-punk band MEST have dropped the music for their brand new single “WHEN WE WERE YOUNG” (feat. Jaret Reddick from Bowling For Soup). Watch the video HERE: https://youtu.be/w8wUlQsfdDI?si=Dibcx-vNy-UCH5Y6 Stream “When We Were Young” HERE: https://orcd.co/mestyouth

California Dreamin’ – Marisol La Brava & A Flor de Piel (feat. José Alfredo)

A Flor de Piel Music, the acclaimed Chicago-based family band renowned for their dynamic fusion of Latin and world music, is thrilled to unveil their latest single, a captivating rendition of “California Dreamin’ “. Led by Renato and Marisol Ceron, the husband-and-wife duo, along with their child Sage Ceron, the band collaborates with special guest …

DAVID KUSHNER RELEASES NEW SONG “SKIN AND BONES”

Today, certified-platinum indie folk musician David Kushner releases his long-teased new track “Skin and Bones.” Kushner shares, “Skin and Bones captures the electric tension of desire and redemption, exploring the thin line between ecstasy and salvation in the duality of love.” An accompanying music video will follow the track’s release. Listen to “Skin and Bones” David …

Disturbed Join Forces With Heart’s Ann Wilson In New Video For “Don’t Tell Me”

January 12, 2024 (Los Angeles, CA) – Today, multi-platinum rock band Disturbed share the highly-anticipated video for “Don’t Tell Me” featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee and Heart co-founder Ann Wilson. Watch it HERE. The song – which continues to climb the Top 15 at Rock Radio – soars as the emotional climax of the band’s acclaimed album, Divisive, out now via Reprise Records. …

Rolling Stone by Chicago’s Kelsey Montanez RELEASED TODAY

On November 24th, Kelsey Montanez unveiled her latest single, “Rolling Stone,” a scorching ballad showcasing a unique blend of rock and roll, blues, and R&B. In this enigmatic composition, Montanez skillfully weaves a mysterious coming-of-age narrative, vividly recounting the experience of leaving home at 17. With impeccable production and an explosive backing band, “Rolling Stone” …

CHICAGO PHENOM KB MIKE DROPS NEW SINGLE “WISH YOU WELL” 

NEW YORK, NY (October 20, 2023) – Primed for a major moment, buzzing Chicago phenom KB Mike serves up his new single “Wish You Well” out today via Republic Records. Listen to “Wish You Well”: HERE On the track, strings accent a mesmerizing acoustic guitar melody, while KB Mike drops introspective bars. He opens up once again, bidding farewell to an ex. The momentum accelerates on …

Finom rerelease OHMME ep with new remixes by NNAMDÏ, claire rousay, Yuka C Honda

Shape-shifting Chicago duo Finom (fka OHMME) announces the re-release of their somewhat eponymous record, OHMME. Founded in 2014 by multi-instrumentalists/songwriters Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, the music of Finom is an exploratory journey filled with gritty guitar madness, experimental vocal harmonies, and some pure, heartfelt songwriting. Recorded at the band’s Fox Hall home studio and self-released in 2014, OHMME launched a career …

AMERICA’S GREATEST NOVELIST, MONTANA KANE, RELEASES NEW WORK, “BOOM DAYS,” TO UNIVERSAL CRITICAL AND POPULAR APPROVAL

Amid the exciting pages of “Boom Days,” readers follow breathlessly as former Chicago detective turned small-town PI, Brandy Martini, teams up with hunky local law enforcement in the edgy mountain town of Boomville, Colorado, to track down evil forces blowing up vacation rentals and the occasional sad sack tourist inside them.  Shaken, Martini must pour …

Bring Back WGN, Chicago’s Very Own, by Mark Erickson

Television content creators have had coverage/payment disputes with cable providers for a few years now.  My first  memory of such a standoff was connected to the Big Ten Network demanding more money for its content than cable operators wanted to pay.  Currently, the nation’s second largest cable operator, Charter, has reached an impasse with Disney. The …

LOUIS THE CHILD RELEASE BRAND-NEW SINGLE “STAY WITH ME” WITH ABSOLUTELY TODAY

[Santa Monica, CA – September 8, 2023]—Today, Chicago-bred production duo, Louis The Child, release their brand-new single “Stay With Me” with UK singer-songwriter, Absolutely. The melodic track is driven by Absolutely’s powerhouse pop vocals as they float seamlessly over Louis The Child’s shimmering beats. The pair premiered the song during their recent Lollapalooza set where Absolutely joined them on stage and performed the vocals live. “Stay With Me” …