Chicago – Despite it being a cold and snowy Wednesday night, fans packed Bottom Lounge in Chicago’s West Loop to see Kaleo. After witnessing the Icelandic band live, I completely understood why. The four-piece indie-folk band, comprised of Jökull Júlíusson (vocals and guitar), Davíð Antonsson (percussion and vocals), Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson (bass), and Rubin Pollock
Chicago – Canadian musician Jon Bryant has amassed a dedicated fan base through constant touring and the creation of beautiful, modern folk music, layered with rich textures and stirring vocals. In 2009, his critically acclaimed debut album, Two Coasts for Comfort, was the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Album of the Year in Canada. It was also nominated
Chicago – L.A. trio LANY played two back-to-back shows at the House of Blues in Chicago, supporting Troye Sivan on the Blue Neighbourhood Tour. Best New Bands was at the second sold-out show on Tuesday night, to catch LANY – our Featured Artist – perform for a packed room, full of screaming fans. Although Paul
Chicago – Australian rockers The Rubens are set to release sophomore album Hoops this March, in the U.S. In 2012, the five-piece, comprised of the three Margin brothers, Zaac (guitar), Sam (vocals/guitar), and Elliott (keyboards), and long-time friends Scott Baldwin (drums) and William Zeglis (bass), earned critical acclaim with a chart-topping, self-titled debut album. The Rubens’ marvelous mix
Chicago – Back in 2014, Best New Bands had the privilege of getting to know an up and coming band from Milwaukee by the name of Vinyl Theatre. VT was then a four-piece, comprised of Keegan Calmes (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Senner (keyboard), Nick Cesarz (drums), and Josh Pottier (bass), and had recently signed with
Chicago – LA trio LANY creates catchy electro-pop with 80s vibes and hints of R&B. Catchy is perhaps an understatement; LANY is set to be your latest obsession! That is, unless you’ve already discovered the sexy, seductive tunes of LANY. Then you know and are in the know. When LANY first began releasing music online, in
Chicago – L.A. indie rock band Harriet recently released the fabulous debut album American Appetite via Harvest Records. The album was produced by Sean O’Brien (The National) and Tony Berg (The Replacements) and “touches on themes of money, greed, power, and corruption.” Harriet was formed in 2011 by singer, song-writer, and keyboardist Alex Casnoff, after leaving
Chicago – San Francisco indie rock band Finish Ticket had a pretty great 2015. The five-piece released the EP When Night Becomes Day and hit the road with Twenty One Pilots, for two months, on the sold-out Blurryface Tour. 2016 is set to be just as amazing for the members of Finish Ticket. Vocalist Brendan Hoye, bassist
Chicago – Awhile back, I came across an email containing the EP Intoxication, by an Austin soul singer named Max Frost. I glanced over the press release, and honestly thought, “Another white boy singing soul music?” Despite my reservations, I took a listen. I’m incredibly thankful I did. I cringe at the thought of a world without
Chicago – Earlier this month L.A. based electro folk-pop band Grizfolk released their highly anticipated debut album Waking Up the Giants, via Virgin Records. The band formed in 2012 when Swedish producers Fredrik Eriksson (guitar) & Sebastian Fritze (synthesizer, backing vocals) teamed up with guitarist and vocalist Adam Roth. Later bassist Brendan James and drummer