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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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] BCC has traveled the barren hot roads of the south to the beaches of the east and deserts of the west. From the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois to SXSW in Austin, Texas. Within there nearly 3 years as an independent band, BCC has been honored to share bills with such folks as Edward Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros, ...
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 ...
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
Press is coming in for the CRC Fest!
The Chicago Roots Collective Festival has been getting some attention around the...
CRC 3rd Annual Festival Announced
Our 3rd annual Chicago Roots Collective Festival will be held on Friday, November...
Molehill @ Beat Kitchen
CRC band Molehill will perform this Saturday, 8/20 at the Beat Kitchen with a band...
MORE Upcoming "CRC Presents" Shows
Recent Buzz
CRC Fest-Makes best of 2011 Chicago Concerts
The 3rd Annual CRC fest at Elbo Room in November 2011 came in at number 7 for top concerts in Chicago as picked by the Chicago music blog Music. Defined. You can check out the full list HERE Read More →
Molehill on Tour-December Edition
Molehill at CBS Studios- ChicagoCRC’s Molehill will be on tour this week. Here are the dates: Thursday, 12/8: Columbus, OH-Rumba Cafe Friday, 12/9: NYC-Arlene’s Grocery Saturday, 12/10: Shippensburg, PA-The Thought Lot Share this video with your friends and tell them Molehill is coming to town! Read More →
Press is coming in for the CRC Fest!
The Chicago Roots Collective Festival has been getting some attention around the great city of Chicago! Check out the stories here. In addition to these stories the Chicago music blog Music. Defined. will be hosting a round table discussion with members of the CRC on Friday night before the show! Look for that discussion in the future. The Total... [Read more of this post]
CRC 3rd Annual Festival Announced
Our 3rd annual Chicago Roots Collective Festival will be held on Friday, November 18th and Saturday, November 19th at The Elbo Room. Over 25 amazing local acts will play on both floors of this nifty room. Oh and get this: 25% of festival proceeds will benefit the Old Town School of Folk Music. Both nights of the festival are 21+, doors open at 7 pm,... [Read more of this post]
Molehill to Showcase at House of Blues Chicago
CRC band Molehill has been invited to showcase at the House of Blues Chicago-Foundation Room on Thursday, October 27th. The Chicago-based licensing Company Music Dealers. Read about a recent Music Dealers/Coca Cola deal HERE To attend please send an email to molehill@molehillmusic.com . Space is limited and RSVP spots are going fast. Also performing... [Read more of this post]
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