Interview: Matt Ryd

July 14, 2010 By Matt 4 Comments

Pop-rocker Matt Ryd may be one of the most broadly liked people – personally and musically – in the entire Chicago singer/songwriter scene. As a dedicated member of the open mic community, an active YouTuber, and the first host of the New York Songwriters Circle’s Chicago showcases at Schuba’s, Matt has carved out a unique place for himself over the past three years. Now, for the first time, Matt has a band behind him in the live setting and a new album dropping soon, so it should be really fun… Read More…

Interview: Jackpot Donnie

June 16, 2010 By Matt Leave a Comment

“WHO IS JACKPOT DONNIE???” These are the stickers that I saw in every Chicago music venue – usually the men’s bathroom – and it seemed an eternal question until I finally met these guys. Then the answer was clear: Jackpot Donnie is a bunch of awesome guys, playing music they love for anyone willing to listen and dance it up. They have a big show at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall coming up this weekend, so I finally had a deadline to post this interview with them from a few weeks ago. … Read More…

The Shondes: Seattle Review AND Chicago Preview

May 25, 2010 By Matt 1 Comment

First, please refer to my nifty diagram on your right so that I might explain the complex historical interweavings of my relationship with the great Brooklyn band The Shondes: 1) I first saw and met The Shondes in 2006 at a benefit concert in New Orleans, LA when I was there for the summer doing relief work. Since then I’ve seen them 4 more times, most recently in Seattle last week (review below). 2) I got to open for them with Cobalt & the Hired Guns at Chicago’s Bottom Lounge… Read More…

Interview: I Fight Dragons

May 24, 2010 By Matt Leave a Comment

One of my first memories of Brian Mazzaferri is sitting with him and Todd Kessler at a Chicago music panel, hearing about his forthcoming chiptune-electro-pop project called I Fight Dragons, and thinking 1) that sounds really awesome, and 2) what the hell is “chiptune”. About 2 years later, I Fight Dragons (IFD) is signed to a subsidiary of Atlantic Records and on an MTV sponsored tour playing amphitheaters and arenas all on the power of their debut EP Cool is Just a Number. Turns out “chiptune” refers to 8-bit Nintendo-type… Read More…

Interview: Molehill

May 19, 2010 By Matt Leave a Comment

Molehill was one of the first bands I played alongside in Chicago that I actually liked. Back in 2007 when Cobalt first moved to the city we had opening slots on bills with all kinds of crappy bands… Even though you finish your set by 9pm you stick around and wait to load out til 2am because it’s the right, classy thing to do, but I rarely enjoyed it. But Molehill was different. Frontman Peter Manhart (vocals, guitar) was passionate and dynamic, playing and singing with an honest intensity and… Read More…

How Shows SHOULD Be: Chicago Roots Collective @ Double Door

April 10, 2010 By Matt 1 Comment

The most striking thing about tonight’s show at Chicago’s Double Door was the continuity. Not just between the bands, but with the audience over the course of the night. The same girls up front dancing wildly to the endearingly energetic folk-pop of The Future Laureates were still there 3 hours later getting down to the massive-acoustic Giving Tree Band. THIS is how you know the whole night is a big success, and the fact that it happens so rarely is kind of absurd. The night was presented by the Chicago… Read More…

I’m Smitten with Midtown Dickens

April 5, 2010 By Matt 1 Comment

I met Kym and Catherine of Midtown Dickens a couple years ago at a SXSW party. We hung out and had a good time, but I didn’t go see their showcase. A year or so later, Cobalt played at their bar (The Pinhook) in Durham, NC and we again got to hang out and have a few beers. Saw them again a few weeks ago when we stopped by The Pinhook while in Durham playing with State Radio. I finally saw them play tonight. Damn, was I missing out all… Read More…

CD Review: Molehill – Rock & Mole

April 4, 2010 By Matt Leave a Comment

Albums are meant to be reviewed immediately – within the urgency of the moment in space and time. But there is something to be gained from reviewing an older album from a new perspective. For a young, independent band, it is interesting to see which songs from an older record still make it into current setlists. It is perhaps more interesting to see which didn’t, and guess why. I experience Rock & Mole, the 2007 release of Chicago rockers Molehill, in this way. Certain songs, such as “I’m Okay” and… Read More…

Interview: Mike Mangione & the Union

April 3, 2010 By Matt 1 Comment

Full disclosure: I’ve been listening to Mike Mangione & the Union’s new album Offering a LOT lately. I’d been a fan since the inception of the Chicago Roots Collective, first seeing them play live at Chicago’s Double Door at the first CRC showcase, but it hit the next level after a few afternoons of Offering keeping me company. Each song is an expert lesson on arrangement – every instrument supporting Mangione’s dynamic vocals, cello, violin, and lead guitar creating lush soundscapes without ever getting in each others’ way. It’s been… Read More…