Chicago Musician March for Equality and Change / đź“· : Tina Mead
Welcome to Chicago Crowd Surfer 3.0. We’ve updated a bit of our look, added a few new sections to aid in our music reporting as live shows are still on hold. We have a new Resource section on our top menu that contains links to organizations and research lists to help our fellow Chicagoans understand and embrace the struggle. Black Lives Matter. No Justice No Peace.
Check out our new Amplify Feature that highlights Black Chicago Artists. Our current artist is rapbrarian Roy Kinsey who put out one of the best hip-hop records of the year. Tune in each and every Friday for a new Amplify.
Finally get your local music news from our new Quick Cuts and Coming Soon sections. Giving you a preview of what’s on the horizon in Chicago music, and what singles have just dropped.
As the city opens back up, we hope you stay safe out there! Wear your mask, keep up the distance, and support local music!
Features
CHICAGO MUSICIAN MARCH FOR EQUALITY AND CHANGE
Chicago Crowd Surfer, being an active member in the local music scene, attended the Chicago Musician March for Equality & Change on June 21st. Our message recently has centered on Racial Equality but we still stay solidly true to our roots and that is the Chicago music scene and all that it supports.
Read The Feature!
Amplify
Roy Kinsey
đź“· : Tina Mead
When Chicagoan and rapbrarian Roy Kinsey came out of hiatus in 2018, after a five year absence from the hip-hop scene, he brought a record of his family to the forefront. Dedicated to his Grandmother, who traveled with his Mother to Chicago from Mississippi in 1965, Blackie: A Story By Roy Kinsey is a journey through the Black experience and musical history that announced the return of an important voice in the local hip-hop and queer communities.
Read The Amplify Feature on Roy Kinsey!
More Amplify
Video Premiere
Outronaut
”Crown Of Destruction”
The timewarp surf-noir instrumentals of OUTRONAUT have been kicking out of Steve Gerlach’s brain for five years now. One of the most individual acts in Chicago, Gerlach and friends produce a soundtrack to your most crime ridden thoughts, creating a bridge to your own inner noir film. Filmmaker Arturo Valle has taken a found footage concept and turned it into a barrage on the senses for OUTRONAUT’s new video for “Crown Of Destruction” off this year’s Kill The Lights. We spoke to Gerlach about his influences that shaped the unique sound, the making of the video, and his extensive commercial voice-over career.
Read The Interview!
Danielle Sines - “Dearie”
Danielle Sines has been performing with Impulsive Hearts for years, but “Dearie” is a solo effort from the talented singer/songwriter who crafts indie rock full of introspection and acute observation. Their newest album, Cry All The Time, was one of the best Chicago spring releases and she continues the upward trajectory with this evocative tune. “Dearie” is part of the Cavity Search Records 2020 compilation that is available to pre-order at Bandcamp today! (Today is Bandcamp Friday so make sure to order today because proceeds from “Dearie” will be donated to Brave Space Alliance.)
Album Reviews
This month we will be playing catch up to fill you in on all the new music that dropped while we were shuttered in support. We start with records dropped this week from Thair and Video Dave and look back at releases from Paddlefish, Ohmme, and NNAMDÏ. Later this week we’ll have reviews of the new albums from Maker, Bruges, Michelle Billingsley, Hum, Busy Bodies and more!
Quick Cuts
Our new section for singles, where you can get to the song at the touch of a link! We’re catching up on all the June beauties from Microcosms, NONE OF YOUR CONCERN, cupcakKe, Wyatt Wadell, Dehd, Faux Furrs, Cordoba, Roy Kinsey and more!
Each week we’ll update you on the newest singles to drop from our elite local artists.
Interviews
maeve & Quinn
đź“· : Alexa Viscius
“The dark edge that may be there in our music is an element of the creative process, and how introspection and self-narration can reveal things never said out loud to someone else”
-Maris and Bryce O’Tierney
Read The Interview!
Missed but
Not Forgotten
A new section for all those records we missed but still want you embrace. With so much music coming out of Chicago and beyond it’s tough to catch it all on the first go, so here’s where we can still introduce you to great music without the deadlines. Right now we have reviews of records from Helen Money, Mako Sica & Hamid Drake, L.T.F. and more! Stay tuned for reviews on new albums from TALsounds, Mother Nature, Roy Kinsey, and more!
Coming Soon
Upcoming projects from our deep and storied scene
The band name and title will take you to Bandcamp (if applicable) to pre-order!
Dehd
Flower of Devotion
July 13th
Ganser
Just Look At That Sky
July 31st
Cold Beaches
Drifter
July 31st
Half Gringa
Force To Reckon
August 28th
News + Notes
Chicago lost one of it’s legends, as famed drummer Khari Parker passed from this realm. Keep the beat in the afters Mr. Parker. Much Love. Goodnight good sir.
If you want to see Chicago keep it’s venues and you still are not supporting CIVL, it’s time to change that sad state. Get to civlchicago.com and donate, they have links to each venue in their COVID-19 Relief section. Don’t have any funds? Go to NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) website and hit Take Action, where you can send a letter to your legislators to demand they lend support to independently owned venues.
More Chicago Music news Sources
What About Chicago?
A weekly radio show/podcast where Rahim Salaam, Rae Bees, and Ben Moroney run through the weeks events in Chicago arts and play music from many local artists. With guests and plenty of entertaining banter, this is your weekly must listen to keep up with Chicago arts.
The Hoagie Showgie
Ryan “Hoagie Wesley” Ensley (of Sonny Falls) interviews all sorts of Chicago musicians. A deep dive into each of their carrers and art, The Hoagie Showgie is as entertaining and informative as podcasts get.
Chirp Radio
The only station on the dial and internet that plays Chicago music and interviews local musicians. Support them please!!!
Media:
I Thought I Heard A Sound
Chicago Sound Check
Futurehood
Midwest Action
Anchr Magazine
Chicago Reader Music & Nightlife
Do 312 Music