Dig ‘in: Low, Ratboys, Joanna Gruesome
INCOMING
Central Heat Exchange - S/T (Birthday Cake Media/Sunroom/Citrus City Records LP)
A Chicago presence exists in Central Heat Exchange with brothers Jacob and Paul Stolz (Discus, Pool Holograph, Varsity) representing half of the core four. Adam Soloway of Winnepeg’s Living Hour and Santiago Dietche of Austin’s Daphne Tunes round out the principal players who are also abetted by a number of other musical acquaintances on various album tracks. The members knew each other casually from sharing past tours together and decided to reconnect through creating an album by passing recordings back and forth between everyone’s home base. The resulting record certainly sounds like a cohesive work thanks in no small part to producer Ben Lumsdaine, who was tasked with mixing the tracks. Certainly having four accomplished songwriters involved lessened the logistical challenges of such an endeavor. Using inspiration from the languid sounds of Yo La Tengo, Real Estate and Broken Social Scene, Central Heat Exchange deliver a lush palette of indie pop that plays to the strengths of each participant. Like its chosen band name, this is music that is full of warmth and destined to envelop you in its comfort zone. -Bruce Novak
Low - Hey What (Sub Pop LP)
If you’ve ever attended a Low performance, you’re well aware of the reverence that permeates the audience—the near silence where, yes, you may very well be able to hear a pin drop. The sparseness and purity of the band’s compositions often translated to listeners hanging on to their every word. Recent works by Low have introduced more textural elements to their sound—feedback, synth washes, digital manipulation—a trend that really seemed to take hold when they began working with producer BJ Burton for their Ones and Sixes record. Rather than detracting from the couple’s lyrical content these elements have only seemingly intensified those messages. In some cases the distortion resides primarily in the instrumentation (“Disappearing” & “More”), while in others it envelops the vocals as well such as in “Days Like These” where the pristine opening harmonizing between Alan Sparhawk and Mini Parker jarringly shifts to sonic overload as to render their words incomprehensible. Throughout Hey What there’s a persistent attempt by Low to make sense of the turbulent times we find ourselves in and while they may reside in a small corner of the universe, it’s definitely one that you’ll want to inhabit. -Bruce Novak
The Tubs - Names (Trouble In Mind EP)
In the aftermath of the demise of Joanna Gruesome, Owen Williams and George Nicholls reconvened to form the Tubs with an initial single released on Prefect Records in 2020. With Names, the pair (along with fellow members Max Warren, Steve Stonholdt & Matthew Green) have now doubled their output as the record is seeing stateside release via Chicago’s Trouble In Mind label, who will also deliver their pending full length release. While the Gruesome gang was centered around Alanna McArdle’s unhinged vocal presence, The Tubs take a more stylized approach while preserving the innate melodicism of their former band. The lead track, “Illusion,” is propelled by a persistent beat before switching gears at song’s end to a gorgeous ascending chorus. “The Name Song” employs similar shapeshifting, in this instance dipping down to a low-key interlude before quickening the pace with an ending guitar crescendo. The record wraps with a gorgeous cover of Felt’s “Crystal Ball,” an inspired choice from another mannered pop stylist that seamlessly integrates with The Tubs aesthetic. -Bruce Novak
UPCOMING
Meet Me @ The Altar
Where: Riotfest (Roots Stage) / Directions
When: September 17, 12:00 PM
Kicking off the day on Friday is the Florida, Georgia, New Jersey pop-punk band Meet Me @ The Altar. What makes this group different from most and something you may have noticed above is that the members come from three different states. That’s because Téa Campbell (lead guitar, bass guitar) and Ada Juarez (drums) met each other from YouTube. Ada had posted videos covering pop-punk songs, and Campbell reached out. From there the two held online auditions, which is where they found Edith Johnson. By submitting a rendition of Paramore's "All I Wanted,” Edith was chosen to be the lead singer. While the group are influenced by some of the greats of this genre— Paramore and Avril Lavigne—they also feature driving guitars and drums similar to a band like A Day to Remember that gives them a sound truly all their own. If you’re able to get to Riot Fest early on Friday, I highly recommend checking them out. -Ross Tolinski
Les Savy Fav
Where: Riotfest (Roots Stage) / Directions
When: September 18, 3:05 PM
A Les Savy Fav sighting in these parts is about as rare as cicada infestations. But alas, just as those alien-esque insects have resurfaced after a thirteen year hiatus, the wild-eyed Tim Harrington and his crew return to Chicago’s festival circuit after an equally long absence. 2008 saw the band command the stage at Pitchfork and this year they make their run on Riot Fest’s risers. That prior performance was loaded with all manner of hijinks from Harrington that culminated with him crowd surfing in a garbage can. His playfulness is in keeping with someone who’s also published a couple of children’s books that are fully of rich imagery. Members Syd Butler (bass) and Seth Jabour (guitar) have been plying their trade in the 8G Band, the house outfit for Late Night With Seth Meyers, after receiving an invite from Fred Armisen. Les Savy Fav’s appearance on the program in October 2019 in advance of Frenchkiss Records’ 20th anniversary show provided hope that there’d be more in the offing. And while 2010’s Root For Ruin currently remains the band’s last recorded output, this appearance will perhaps rekindle a desire to return to the studio as well. -Bruce Novak
Ratboys
Where: Riotfest (Rebel Stage) / Directions
When: September 19, 6:30 PM
Chicago's own Ratboys have experienced a steady rise since band co-founders Julia Steiner and David Sagan started playing music together at Notre Dame a decade ago. Starting as a two-piece, they've added drummer Marcus Nuccio and bassist Sean Neumann who've helped them evolve into a strong rock band capable of roaring indie music, or muted alt-country folk-rock from song to song. Last year's Printer's Devil was one of the top albums released by a Chicago band and showed the continuation of their maturation as songwriters and performers. Unfortunately, Covid led to them not being able to tour the album, so Riot Fest will be their first hometown show since lockdown happened. Undeterred by the lockdown they've kept quite busy in the past year with their weekly virtual tour dates, and the re-release/reimagining of their debut album Happy Birthday, Ratboys. -Mark Joyner
Stef Chura
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: September 27, 7:30 PM
Stef Chura maintains a voice of distinction on a number of levels. From an audio standpoint, her vibrato-laden twang commands her audience to listen up, and lyrically she’s often resolute; navigating through emotional landmines with a head-on forcefulness. Her 2019 release, Midnight, produced by Will Toledo of CarSeat Headrest, is littered with scar tissue—old wounds get eviscerated by her sharp tongue and scorching guitar runs. Her last release was a cover of Silver Jews’ “How to Rent a Room” following David Berman’s passing. It previously was a favorite song of hers that only became more treasured with the added emotional resonance. The same souls laid bare approach that characterized Berman’s output is also shared by Chura. Self-therapy abounds throughout her work to the extent that the 2nd track on Midnight is titled “Scream.” This show is part of Empty Bottle’s Free Monday series, so that in and of itself is something worth shouting about! -Bruce Novak
UNCOVERED
Joanna Gruesome - Weird Sister (Slumberland Records LP)
Welsh band Joanna Gruesome made for a addicting combination of salty and sweet. Alanna McArdle possessed a voice that could melt hearts while delivering withering comebacks that would freeze recipients in their tracks. Her debut on 2013’s Weird Sister marked a sea change in the band; things grew edgier and more confrontational as the entire group pushed their boundaries further. They played fast and loose with songs that rarely eclipsed the three minute mark. Their sound incorporated noise and pop in equal measures—not an easy thing to pull off by any means. Citing mental health issues, McArdle would eventually depart in 2015 following the release of the group’s second LP, Peanut Butter, a worthy effort in its own right. In the end there’s no denying that Joanna Gruesome left everything they had on stage and what could be more endearing that that? -Bruce Novak
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