While spring may have technically started last week, there’s no denying it still feels like winter in Chicago. It might be cold outside but we’ve compiled an upbeat playlist to warm you up and put you in the spring spirit. The sun will be shining in no time.
Give it a listen: Sorts of Spring
You might have walked around the city and noticed some mysterious street art plastered on the walls. An ice cream cone, a handgun and the Chicago Bulls logo accompany the phrase “Summer in Pain.” The street art served as an introduction, almost three years in the making, for artist Jimmy Whispers. So, how does one man not only grow a fan base and keep them in anticipation for his debut album, but also get a call from Pitchfork Music Festival?
On February 25th, Schuba’s Tavern hosted RCRDS, Strange Faces and the main act Cassettes on Tape as a part of their AWESOME “100% Off” series. The series is an innovative idea that allows Schubas to showcase local bands for free. It’s a great way to discover new artists without tapping into your funds. Best of all, the atmosphere is more fun because people are there to support local music rather than to punch you in the nose to get a glimpse of the band. If you ever are looking for something to do, consider checking out a local band at Schubas. I promise, if you try hard enough, you can come up with the funds to get in.
Continue reading 100% Free, 100% Fresh: Why Schubas is Doing Concerts Right
Missed your chance to go to SXSW this year? Don’t worry your pretty little head, because White Noise has the playlist for you. We’ve compiled our favorite songs from all of the Chicago bands present at this years SXSW event just for our readers! Check out our selections and tell us what you think!
Spotify Link: Chicago Does SXSW
In order to gain some more insight about the Chicago underground music scene, we thought it would be best to talk to someone who not only listens to local bands in Chicago but has grown up with them as well. Sam Kociak, a 20-year-old DePaul student comes from Elmhurst which is home to some incredible musical talent, including Modern Vices, The Orwells, The Symposium, and more. As someone who is familiar with Chicago-based bands, we asked him a few questions to find out more information.
Continue reading Why You Should Give Local Bands Your Loyalty
The Orwells, a five-part band that hails from Elmhurst, gave an off-the-wall performance at The Revolution Brewing 5 Year Anniversary Party on Friday, March 13th at The Riviera. Located directly off the Lawrence Red Line stop, The Riviera is conveniently set for anyone looking to see a show at an open, old-style venue.
While The Orwells were the second act to go on, there was no doubt they stole the show from the opener Beer Nuts and headliner Andrew W.K. With their melodic, carefree and dirty vibe, the crowd was instantly transfixed by the garage-rock sound. From mosh pit circles up front to dancing and head nodding in the back, the eccentric performance brought all eyes to the stage.
Continue reading The Craziest Band We’ve Ever Seen and You Can’t Miss
Our ChIRISH playlist features songs from hit alternative bands from Ireland including favorites like Kodaline, Hozier, and Little Green Cars. You can link to all of our playlists on our Spotify in the link below. Give it a listen and tell us what you think!
Spotify Link: ChIRISH Playlist
Student: Max Whitehead
School: DePaul
Age: 21
Favorite Chicago music venues:
Lincoln Hall, Coles Bar, and The Observatory
Favorite Chicago-based bands:
Smith Westerns, The Orwells, Flesh Panthers, Modern Vices
WN: How do you go about finding shows?
Max: I follow various music blogs like DIY Chicago and OMR Chicago. I also go to record store and different DIY shows which helps me get a feel for what’s going.
WN: What is your favorite part about smaller venues?
Max: Not having to show up early and the music is a lot more real. It shows that the musicians are just normal people too because it is so intimate. It is also a lot cheaper.
Do you feel as though your cliche music venues have been missing something?
To be quite frank, they probably have. The United Center can hold a big crowd but it lacks the intimate vibes and local flavor that some of our not-so-well-known venues offer.
Luckily for us all, such a thing as Schubas Tavern exists.
If Urban Outfitters, your grandpas sweater and a record store decided to create a performance hall, it would be Schubas.
Whether you’re from here or not, it comes as no surprise that Chicago has been a significant music hub for the past decade. With so many bands spawning from one location, it has become a personal quest for college music lovers to find the next big thing, and I think I’ve found it. Lost At Land, a versatile punk band made up of local Chicago college students, has been playing shows all over the city for the past few years. I got a chance to catch up with Keagan Potts, the band’s bassist, and he gives you 4 reasons why you should make a trip to one of their next concerts.
