How Far to Austin
After a number of years, and a few personnel changes, How Far to Austin have settled in and focused on making positive mark on the Midwestern music scene with an infectious musical styling they have dubbed "rock 'n soul" Producer Stuart Epps (Oasis, Led Zeppelin) remarked that the band "sounds a bit like Fleetwood Mac . . . with a heavy helping of soul". Throw in a blend of The Hold Steady; Billy Joel; Elvis Costello; and you start to get the idea - songwriting with an emphasis on big hooks, insightful lyricism, and a pop sensibility that has earned the ...
Molehill
Chicago based rock group Molehill combines raw energy, catchy hooks, and explosive live performances. Formed in Champaign, IL in 2004 lead singer and guitarist Peter Manhart moved the group to Chicago in 2006. After releasing the debut album Rock & Mole in late 2007 Trevor Jones (bass), Greg Van Zuiden (keys) and Devin Staples (drums) joined the group. Molehill’s sound can best be defined as “rock and roll,” but to compare them to a single band is difficult. Their influences include Spoon, Muse, Hot Hot Heat, Arctic Monkeys, and the Beatles. They have a sound that is both classic and ...
The Future Laureates
The Future Laureates (known to fans as TFL) are a pop/folk/rock band characterized by a fun and aggressive live show. People who have seen and heard The Future Laureates have been struck in very different ways by their music. But don't take their word for it. Here is what some audience members had to say (for the record, these are real quotes): "Oh I really liked you guys. You sound like the Mars Volta...but happy." "Good set. You know, I listen to String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain. I can dig that sound." "I sing in an ...
The Shams Band
Music is supposed to be fun, exciting, thought provoking and daring. On every live performance, The Shams Band makes sure that their ever-growing audience leaves each event with a personal feeling of satisfaction. Drawing heavily on their Wilco, Stones, Smokey Robinson, and John Lee Hooker influences, singer/songwriters Biggins/Gulyas/Patterson create distinct, personal songs. Once united with the full group, the songs come to life, tell stories, and send audiences singing all the way home. Listen to "Working Man" from the Self-Titled EP [audio:http://www.chicagorootscollective.com/wp-content/uploads/01-Working-Man.mp3|titles=The Shams Band - Working Man] Within a year, The Shams Band have opened for national touring acts: six-time Grammy winner Bela ...
Mike Mangione & the Union
Mike Mangione & the Union is a group of six musicians involving cello, violin, electric upright bass, trap kit and guitars. Mike has been known to play solo but prefers the company of the others on stage. The band combines acoustic soul with orchestrated strings, some folk, some pop and a lot of love. Listen to the title track from Offering [audio:http://www.chicagorootscollective.com/wp-content/uploads/01-the-offering-M.mp3|titles=Mike Mangione and the Union - The Offering] The band has been touring the country as well as other parts for the past three years and has released two albums, "There and Back" 2005, and "Tenebrae" 2008. The band just completed its latest, "Offering" and ...
Goodbyehome
It takes timing, dedication and hard work to realize a dream. The biggest ideas take both Time and Sacrifice. Mountains must be moved stone by stone. It takes dedication and hard work to fully achieve a dream, Sometimes you have to say Goodbye to everything you ever called home to finally find yourself where you want to be. So begins the story of Goodbyehome, founded by fast friends Greg Jackson Combs (Guitar,Vox) and Jeff Brown (Guitar,Vox) both had said goodbye to there respective homes, who after realizing an immediate musical chemistry decided to form a band using inspiration from Chicago's thriving ...
Cobalt & the Hired Guns
Cobalt & the Hired Guns is a boot-stompin’, tambourine-shakin’, irresistibly genuine good time. Seamlessly blending upbeat genres from Americana to PopPunk, this dynamic four piece puts on a rambunctious show filled with emotion and sharp musicianship. This band is about love and guts, energy and enthusiasm – refusing to pretend they aren’t having fun. 2008’s Jump the Fence saw the band getting serious about art and environmentalism – the album was a carbon neutral project – and the new Double Single (“You Left Your Sweater” & “Of Summer”) aims for the rafters with a one-two punch of rip-roaring cow punk! Listen ...
Jackpot Donnie
Jackpot Donnie began as a group of musicians in search of a sound. In 2003, when Matt Love (guitar/lead vocals), Brian Wise (guitar) Dave Langley (bass) and Adam Campbell (drums) played together for the first time, their search was complete. For over seven years, Jackpot Donnie has been playing some of the best rock-reggae this side of the Chicago River! Listen to "New Mode" [audio:http://www.chicagorootscollective.com/wp-content/uploads/03-New-Mode.mp3|titles=Jackpot Donnie - New Mode] In March of 2010, Jackpot Donnie is releasing their second official recording in the form of their “New Mode” EP. Recorded over six months at Mammoth Studios, “New Mode” is the latest chapter ...
Band Called Catch
Band Called Catch is acoustic rock with a dynamic folk influence that will make you want to take off your pants and dance... Listen to "Free Gumball Machine" from this...[audio:http://www.chicagorootscollective.com/wp-content/uploads/01-Free-Gumball-Machine.mp3|titles=Band Called Catch - Free Gumball Machine] The band is Tim Frank (vocals/guitar) a semi-professional unicyclist; Jessica Lyons (back-up vocals) owner of the only hot-air balloon in Lakeview; Doug Waxman (lead guitar) 3rd runner-up in the 2007 Flint, MI Kids & Animals Photography Contest; Blake Wells (bass) author of "Sea-Monkey See, Sea-Monkey Do"; and Eli P. (percussion) who survived a 10,000 volt shock while retrieving a nickel. Listen to "For the Sake of ...
Todd Kessler & the New Folk
"If you are looking for some new and differet tunes, you should definitely give Chicago based singer/songwriter Todd Kessler a listen! His mix of pop-country-melodramatic melodies and melancholy, yet catchy lyrics gives faith to those that are lost in love or going through heartache. " - www.musicbleep.com [Los Angeles, CA] Listen to "Hoping Tomorrow is Better than Today"[audio:http://www.chicagorootscollective.com/wp-content/uploads/03-Hoping-That-Tomorrow-Is-Better-Than-Today-feat.-Allison-Kral.mp3|titles=Todd Kessler - Hoping That Tomorrow Is Better Than Today (feat. Allison Kral)] "With music you know you’ve got something good within 20 seconds of hearing it. Todd Kessler’s song, “Golden Bird” has a Led Zepplin like melody at the beginning....probably the best combination of ...
Upcoming "CRC Presents" Shows
The Square Affair @ Logan Square Auditorium
A concert and celebration of Logan Square’s vibrant history, residents, businesses,...
Chicago Roots Collective Lincoln Hall Showcase VI
Chicago Roots Collective Showcase VI with Deanna Devore …http://www.myspace.com/deannadevore Cole...
Chicago Roots Collective featured on Windy City Rock
Check this out: The Chicago Roots Collective One year ago in this fine city, several...
MORE Upcoming "CRC Presents" Shows
Recent Buzz
The Square Affair @ Logan Square Auditorium
A concert and celebration of Logan Square’s vibrant history, residents, businesses, and artists focusing on it’s surging and eclectic music scene. JON DRAKE & THE SHAKES The Shams Band The Minneapolis Henrys Derek Nelson & the Musicians DJ set by the Dirty Diamonds -Presented By Grape Juice Presents, Drake Productions, Empty Bottle Presents... [Read more of this post]
Chicago Roots Collective Lincoln Hall Showcase VI
Chicago Roots Collective Showcase VI with Deanna Devore …http://www.myspace.com/deannadevore Cole DeGenova & The People’s Republic http://www.myspace.com/thepeoplesrepublicmusic Harris & The Mood http://www.myspace.com/harristhemood Paper Thick Walls http://www.myspace.com/paperthickwalls Funk & Sould DJ sets by DJRC http://funkandsoulrevue.blogspot.com/ Art... [Read more of this post]
Molehill returns to the East Coast
Molehill returns to the east coast for a set of dates in Harrisburg, PA and Washington DC. This will be Molehill’s 3rd show in in 2010 and 2nd as a headliner since they played at the Millennium Music Conference in February. The weekend will also include a show at the Red and the Black in DC. Read More →
Chicago Roots Collective featured on Windy City Rock
Check this out: The Chicago Roots Collective One year ago in this fine city, several musicians got together with the common goal of supporting each other and each others’ music. The idea emerged among them that perhaps they could further their progress, professionally and creatively, while traversing Chicago’s music scene in a unique... [Read more of this post]
The Shams Band at the Taste of Chicago
Credit to: http://www.ishootrockstars.com/ TASTE STAGE – FRIDAY JUNE 25TH – TASTE OF CHICAGO Americana & Folk Friday 12:00 – 1pm Ditchweed Diesel http://www.myspace.com/ditchweeddiesel 1:20pm – 2:20pm Derek Nelson http://www.myspace.com/derekchristophernelson 2:40pm – 3:40pm Will Phalen & The Stereo Addicts http://willphalen.com/ ***4pm-... [Read more of this post]
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