ACT OUT: Reverb at RedTwist Review #review

Red Twist strikes again with a twisted little music world masterpiece that melds genius and insanity, consensual S & M, abuse, and near homicide in an intense live theatre experience that will reverberate around your brain long after the final curtain call.  This compelling exploration of complicated family relationships and coping mechanisms is not without horror and humor.  And the multifaceted, brilliantly troubled characters ring true.  Highly recommended.   Do note this is a mature audiences show and may also be a trigger for those who are sensitive or have experienced past abuse.

Reverb

By Leslye Headland

Directed by Jonathan Berry

Opens Saturday, May 18, at 3pm

Redtwist announces the Chicago premiere of Reverb, a darkly comic, brutal dissection of the deadly force of wrath in the playwright’s cycle of the Seven Deadly Sins

Featuring Redtwist company member, and two-time Jeff Award-winner, Peter Oyloe

PLAY

Jeff-Award winning director, Jonathan Berry, directs the Chicago premiere of Reverb, story of a rising young musician and his girlfriend/muse as they try to clear the decks of their own dysfunctional pasts, while the reverberations keep these soulmates locked in a vicious maze of loving tenderness and mortal combat.

CAST

Brittany Burch (Lydia), Chris Chmelik (Shane), Ashley Neal (Ivy), Peter Oyloe (Dorian), Nick Vidal (Hank), Mary Williamson (June)

STAFF

Jonathan Berry (Director), Will Crouse (Assistant Director), Allison Queen (Stage Manager), Olivia Baker (Assistant Stage Manager), Elizabeth Penrose (Assistant Stage Manager), Sarah Burnham (Production Manager), Frank Sjodin (Tech Director), Joe Schermoly (Set Designer), Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Peter Oyloe and Christopher Kriz (Original Music), Emily McConnell (Costume Designer), Jeff Shields (Prop Designer), Ryan Bourque (Fight Designer), Mary Reynard (Vocal Coach), Kevin McDonald (Dramaturg), Garvin Jellison (Master Electrician), Alan Weusthoff (Set Assistant), Peter Oyloe (Graphic Designer), Jan Ellen Graves (Marketing), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager), E. Malcolm Martinez (Box Office Associate), Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

SCHEDULE

Opens: Sat, May 18, 3pm

Runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm

Note: no evening performance on Sat, May 18 and no performance on Sun, May 19

Closes: Sun, June 23

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission

Previews: $15; Wed, Thu, Fri, May 15, 16, 17, at 7:30pm

Tickets: Thursdays, $25; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $30 (seniors & students $5 off)

RESERVATIONS

Call: 773-728-7529  

Online: www.redtwist.org

The cast is stellar and the material is gold.   We were particularly enamored with the performances of Dorian & June.   

Check out our prior Reverb coverage here.

CAST in order of appearance

Dorian ....................................................................*Peter Oyloe

June ................................................................Mary Williamson

Hank...........................................................................Nick Vidal

Shane...................................................................Chris Chmelik

Lydia ....................................................................Brittany Burch

Ivy............................................................................ Ashley Neal

(Shane alternate after 6/23 ............................................ Robert Vignisson) *Redtwist company member

PLACE: Echo Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles TIME: Today

Reverb is performed without intermission. The total running time is approximately 90 minutes.

Reverb received its World Premiere by the IAMA Theatre Company, Los Angeles, CA in 2009.

Reverb is produced by special arrangement with the Playwright and Creative Artists Agency and Caliber Media Co.

Reverb

By Leslye Headland

Directed by Jonathan Berry

Redtwist announces the Chicago premiere of Reverb, a darkly comic, brutal dissection of the deadly force of wrath in the playwright’s cycle of the Seven Deadly Sins

Featuring Redtwist company member, and two-time Jeff Award-winner, Peter Oyloe

PLAY

Jeff-Award winning director, Jonathan Berry, directs the Chicago premiere of Reverb, story of a rising young musician and his girlfriend/muse as they try to clear the decks of their own dysfunctional pasts, while the reverberations keep these soulmates locked in a vicious maze of loving tenderness and mortal combat.

CAST

Brittany Burch (Lydia), Chris Chmelik (Shane), Ashley Neal (Ivy), Peter Oyloe (Dorian), Nick Vidal (Hank), Mary Williamson (June)

STAFF

Jonathan Berry (Director), Will Crouse (Assistant Director), Allison Queen (Stage Manager), Olivia Baker (Assistant Stage Manager), Elizabeth Penrose (Assistant Stage Manager), Sarah Burnham (Production Manager), Frank Sjodin (Tech Director), Joe Schermoly (Set Designer), Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer), Christopher Kriz (Sound Designer), Peter Oyloe and Christopher Kriz (Original Music), Emily McConnell (Costume Designer), Jeff Shields (Prop Designer), Ryan Bourque (Fight Designer), Mary Reynard (Vocal Coach), Kevin McDonald (Dramaturg), Garvin Jellison (Master Electrician), Alan Weusthoff (Set Assistant), Peter Oyloe (Graphic Designer), Jan Ellen Graves (Marketing), Charles Bonilla (Box Office Manager), E. Malcolm Martinez (Box Office Associate), Johnny Garcia (Associate Producer), Michael Colucci & Jan Ellen Graves (Producers)

SCHEDULE

Runs: Thu, Fri, Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm

Closes: Sun, June 23

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission

Previews: $15; Wed, Thu, Fri, May 15, 16, 17, at 7:30pm

Tickets: Thursdays, $25; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, $30 (seniors & students $5 off)

RESERVATIONS

Call: 773-728-7529  

Online: www.redtwist.org

Cherub -- Bands on ChiIL Live Shows' Radar @summercampfest #SCamp13

“Doses and Mimosas”

How do you plan to party at SCamp13?!   Nashville’s own electro-pop duo Cherub will be playing at this year’s Summer Camp Festival on Friday, May 24! 

The duo, who have been described as a mix of The Neighborhood and Foster The People, had a viral hit with the track “Doses and Mimosas,” which hit #1 on Hype Machine! Their latest release, 100 Bottles, brings a fresher, slightly slicker and decidedly more electro feel to their risqué brand of pop.   

Cherub have created a live experience replete with hefty doses of honesty, originality, sex, drugs and lots of love – on a quest to throw sexy dance parties for crowds across the globe.

-Joey

Praise for Cherub:

“Cherub is hands down THE hottest music coming out of Nashville… One part sexy R&B, one part fat dance beats, Cherub’s music takes you to the sickest parties you’ve ever been to. (Predictions for 2013: Nashville Breakout Bands)” – KCRW Music Blog

“… somewhere between Prince and MGMT…Cherub has a sweaty dance party to start somewhere, and it will happen with or without you. (12 Tennessee Bands You Should Listen To Now)” – Paste Magazine

Rosco Bandana -- Bands on ChiIL Live Shows' Radar @summercampfest #SCamp13

Get More:  Rosco Bandana, Woe Is Me, Music, More Music Videos Rosco Bandana Premieres "Woe Is Me" Video With CMT Bandanas and outdoor music fests like Summer Camp Music Festival (or SCamp to those in the know) go hand in hand, but you'll never think of bandanas quite the same way after you get an ear full of Roscoe Bandana.   ChiILin' in Chillicothe this weekend?   These guys are on ChiIL Live Shows' must see list.   Check 'em out. Remaining Tour Dates 05.23 - Founder's Brewing Company - Grand Rapids, MI 05.24 - Summer Camp - Chillicothe, IL 05.25 - Summer Camp - Chillicothe, IL 05.26 - Summer Camp - Chillicothe, IL 06.01 - Howlin' Wolf - The Den - New Orleans, LA 06.08 - Riverbend Festival - Chattanooga, TN 06.09 - Unplugged In The Park - Atlanta, GA 06.13 - Hill Country Live - Washington, DC 06.14 - SummerSounds - Greensburg, PA 06.15 - North Star Bar - Philadelphia, PA 06.20 - The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall - Asheville, NC 06.21 - Border Dash - Bristol, VA 06.22 - U.S. National Whitewater Center - Charlotte, NC 06.27 - 17th Annual Gulley Park Summer Series - Fayetteville, AR 06.28 - Levitt Shell Memphis - Memphis, TN 07.04 - Fun Fourth Festival - Greensboro, NC 07.06 - Rockin The Docks - Lenoir City, TN 07.12 - Kessler Air Force Base - Biloxi, MS 07.13 - Woodstock Summer Concert Series - Woodstock, GA 07.24 - Café 939 - Boston, MA 07.25 - Madison Beach Hotel - Madison, CT 07.27 - RondeauFest - Long Lake, NY 07.28 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY 08.04 - Music Under The Stars - El Paso, TX 08.10 - Black Dog Wine & Music Festival - Floyd, VA 08.22  - Seven - Siloam Springs, OK 08.23  - Seven - Siloam Springs, OK 10.03 - Live After Five - Greenwood, SC 10.05 - Champion Square - New Orleans, LA* 10.06 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion - Woodlands, TX * 10.08 - Verizon Wireless Amiptheatre @ Encore Park - Atlanta, GA* 10.09 - Humphrey Coliseum - Starkville, MS* * With fun. Links Rosco Bandana Facebook Rosco Bandana Website Rosco Bandana Twitter Hard Rock Records Website Hard Rock Records Facebook Hard Rock Records Twitter   Rosco Bandana is thrilled to premiere the new video for "Woe Is Me" across multiple Country Music Television platforms including CMT EDGE, on-air at CMT PURE, online and more. Directed by John Deeb and produced by Deeb studios, "Woe Is Me" is the newest video release from Rosco Bandana's debut LP Time To Begin out now on Hard Rock Records. Head over to CMT.com now to watch the premiere of "Woe Is Me" and help vote Rosco Bandana into CMT PURE’s 12-Pack Countdown and don't miss "Woe Is Me" on air this Thursday 5/9 on CMT PURE during the 11am, 5pm, and 3am hours (all times Eastern). Click Here To Watch "Woe Is Me" Video At CMT Click Here To Vote For "Woe Is Me" On CMT PURE's 12-Pack Countdown The Mississippi septet Rosco Bandana are the product of teenage rebellion and its consequences; of lost love, false starts and, above all, lasting friendship. They're what happens when a group of kids take a chance on a long shot and – against all odds – it pays off.  There's also a Blur cover thrown in for good measure. The group began – spiritually, if not specifically – when principle songwriter Jason Sanford, at that time acting in open and active defiance to his strict Christian upbringing, wandered into a tobacco store in a Gulfport mall to buy smokes and struck up a conversation with the kid working behind the counter. "He was like this real cool, hip, indie sorta character," Sanford explains, "and he ended up turning me on to people like Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Iron and Wine, Neutral Milk Hotel. That's kind of how it all started." His parents were wary of encouraging their son's budding interest. "They wanted to keep me in this tiny bubble," Sanford explains. Sanford would stay up late at night, teaching himself how to play the guitar his father had given him. He certainly had plenty to write about. Just a few months earlier, Sanford's relationship with Emily Sholes had come to an end, and the heartbreak of that separation powered most of his early songs. At the same time, a childhood friend of Sanford's, Barry Pribyl Jr., had just moved back to Mississippi from Michigan, and his mother suggested he get in touch with his old friend soon after their return. "At the time, I was into metal," Pribyl says. "So I went to this open mic night, and Jason was playing this honky-tonk stuff. I remember thinking, 'What the hell is this?'" But the best friendships are built on compromise and the more Pribyl and Sanford started playing together, the more a specific sound started to emerge – one that blended a ragged bar-rock attitude of bands like Uncle Tupelo with a few mild nods toward the iconoclastic end of contemporary country, like Jamey Johnson. Their core in place, Pribyl and Sanford soon began looking to expand their lineup. "Jason started an open mic night at a wine bar," Pribyl said. "From there, we'd invite 10 or 15 people to come with us out to this abandoned house and we'd just jam. We sort of hand-picked the band from there."  In the kind of romantic twist all great rock stories require, one of them was Jason's old flame Emily Sholes. Another was Jennifer Flint, whose fiery vocals serve as a scorching counterbalance to Sanford's down-home croon. "I first met Jason in 2006," says Flint. "He was in one of his first bands, and I honestly just fell in love with the way he wrote." Local attention inspired the band to enroll in a Battle of the Bands contest sponsored by Hard Rock, which they handily won, and they soon flew out to Los Angeles to work on their debut with acclaimed producer Greg Collins (U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt) at The Nook Studio. The results are spellbinding. They turn Blur's "Tender" into a rousing, gospel-informed hymn, and work similar magic on their own compositions: "Time to Begin," the first song Sanford, Pribyl and Flint wrote together, hip-swivels like something off Exile on Main Street; the trembling, minor-key vocal melody of "El Luna" recalls both Elliott Smith and Abbey Road-era Beatles and "Woe is Me" is a rollicking country stomp in the vein of Steve Earle. "I was trying to write a real Depression Era-style country song," Sanford explains, "and so I tried to put myself in the mindset of what people back then were going through." Though it began as an attempt to channel the loose rootsiness of Old Crow Medicine Show, the result is a barnburner – a big, raucous number with a booming backbeat and deep-fried electric guitar. Whether loud and rowdy or quiet and contemplative, Rosco Bandana balance both extremes perfectly. "It might sound cliché," Pribyl says, "but we're just these humble, good ol', down-to-earth Mississippi people. And when we play live, you can just see in our faces the joy of music." "I want people to feel like they know us," says Flint. "I want them to feel like they can relate." "I hope people get something honest out of our music," says Sanford. "I hope they're able to feel something, and to empathize with it when they hear the lyrics." He pauses, becoming momentarily philosophical. "You know, life and death is in the power of the tongue. And I want to put out music that's going to heal people."

Dumpstaphunk & Roosevelt Collier -- Bands on ChiIL Live Shows' Radar @summercampfest #SCamp13

ChiIL out in Chillicothe with ChiIL Live Shows' full coverage of Summer Camp Music Festival 2013.   We're so stoked to see Dumpstaphunk - New Orleans' heavyweight funk collective, performing: 

Friday, 10:30-11:30 pm @ Starshine Stage. 

We had the pleasure of shooting Dumpstaphunk at North Coast Music Fest a few years back, and at their after show at Bottom Lounge.   Now we can't wait to hear their new stuff and catch 'em live at SCamp13.

Dumpstaphunk's set will showcase new music from their forthcoming studio album, Dirty Word, a groundbreaking funk record that features guest appearances by Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, Art Neville, Ani DiFranco, Skerik and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers 

We're also pretty jazzed to see Roosevelt Collier, the Lee Boys' sacred steel frontman and virtuoso collaborator known for his lightening fast slide work on pedal and lap steel guitar (he recently performed with Los Lobos at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival--another of our all time fav outdoor fests). 

Roosevelt will be an "Artist at Large" throughout the weekend, sitting in with various acts across several stages. He will also speak on a guitar panel Friday 4-5pm with Anthony Thogmartin of Papadosio, and he'll perform with fellow 'At Large' Victor Wooten for the Victor Wooten & Friends set Saturday 5pm in the VIP Tent. 

Roosevelt Collier's 2011-2013 collaborations: Allman Brothers, ALO, Anders Osborne, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Break Science, Col. Bruce Hampton, Dead Kenny G's, Del McCoury Band, Dumpstaphunk, Elvin Bishop, Funky Meters w/Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic, Galactic, George Porter Jr. & the Runnin' Pardners, Gov't Mule, Greensky Bluegrass, Heavy Pets, Hot Buttered Rum, Ike Stubblefield, JJ Grey & Mofro, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Leftover Salmon, Lettuce, Living Color, Los Lobos, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Michael Franti & Spearhad, Moe., New Mastersounds, North Mississippi Allstars, Papadosio, Perpetual Groove, Railroad Earth, Shameka Copeland, Snarky Puppy, Soulive, Tab Benoit, Tea Leaf Green, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Toubab Krewe, Warren Haynes Band, the Werks, Wood Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Zach Deputy.

Dumpstaphunk To Release New Album, Dirty Word, On July 30, 2013

New Orleans’ Heavyweight Funk Ensemble Hits the Road to Showcase Music from the New Full-Length Studio Album, Dirty Word

“[Dumpstaphunk’s] a band with two bassists and songs that take up the social consciousness of 21st-century New Orleans with supremely danceable momentum.”

New York Times

“One of the hippest funk bands in the land.”

Guitar Player

“There are few bands more adept at high-energy throwdowns than Dumpstaphunk.” 

Glide Magazine

A decade into the formation of Dumpstaphunk, New Orleans’ all-star collective will release a new fulllength studio album, Dirty Word, on Louisiana Red Hot Records/E1 Distribution on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. This summer, Dumpstaphunk—featuring Ivan Neville (vocals, B3 and Clav), the double bass attack and soulful voices of Tony Hall and Nick Daniels III, Ian Neville on guitar, and the monster addition of Nikki Glaspie on drums and vocals—will tour in support of Dirty Word with an album release tour and festival appearances continuing throughout 2013. All confirmed tour dates are listed below and can be viewed on www.dumpstaphunk.com, with additional August/September 2013 dates to be announced soon.

What initially started as an impromptu line-up of some of New Orleans’ tightest players, hand-picked by Ivan Neville to accompany his 2003 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival performance, Dumpstaphunk has become a stalwart touring act since first stepping onto the Jazz Fest stage. Press accolades for the band have ranged from the New York Times hailing, in 2007, “Dumpstaphunk is the best funk band from New Orleans right now,” to Jambase saying, “Dumpstaphunk remains synonymous with New Orleans and anyone from NOLA would be proud to call this their official band.” Bass Player Magazine added, “The colossal low end and filthy grooves they threw down from the Gentilly Stage must have set a Jazz Fest record for baddest bass jams ever.” 

Dumpstaphunk’s third studio release, Dirty Word offers a fresh take and a variety of funk, blues, gospel, second-line, R&B and rock ’n’ roll. The album features special guest appearances by Art Neville, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band (all on “Raise The House”), Skerik (with Trombone Shorty on “I Wish You Would”), Grooveline Horns (“Water” and “I Know You Know”), Ani DiFranco (“Dirty Word”) and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (“If I’m In Luck”). Dirty Word also marks the studio debut of new drummer and vocalist Nikki Glaspie (formerly with Beyonce’s all-female band), a staple presence at Dumpstaphunk’s live shows since she joined the ensemble in 2011. “We always keep the spontaneity going, that’s something I love about this band,” says Ivan Neville. “We can funk it out with the best of them, but we also like to showcase how all sorts of music can come together and push the boundaries of what funk music is. The whole record speaks to the righteousness of music. We’re not necessarily telling a specific story, but expressing how music makes things right for everyone in their own way. Our fans can feel that vibe and let it take them wherever they need to.”

“We just hope to spread the good word through funk,” adds Glaspie. “If we can create an escape, give people a reason to get down and forget their problems, then we’re doing what we set out to do.” On Dirty Word, Dumpstaphunk re-imagines their genre, holding true to the opinionated, vintage funk of Sly & the Family Stone, The Meters, and Parliament Funkadelic, but with a modern edge.

This April, Dumpstaphunk appeared for their 8th consecutive performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, showcasing new music from Dirty Word for over 30,000 people (Gentilly Stage, 4/27) and rebroadcast on AXS-TV. Subsequently, four members of Dumpstaphunk— Ivan and Ian Neville, Tony Hall, and Nikki Glaspie—joined The Nevilles in a generational “passing of the torch”-style gig on the Acura Stage to perform for 50,000 fans (4/28). Dumpstaphunk also sold-out some of NOLA’s finest music venues throughout the two weeks of Jazz Fest, including Howlin’ Wolf (4/26) for D-Phunk Plays P-Funk, a tribute set in full costume of all Parliament/Funkadelic material. They also sold-out a double-bill at The Maison (4/27) with original Meters bass player George Porter and Phish keyboardist Page McConnell, and two shows at Tipitina’s (4/29, 5/5). 

Prior to Jazz Fest on April 11, Gambit Weekly’s 25th Annual “Big Easy Awards” presented Dumpstaphunk with the New Orleans “Ambassador of Entertainment” award, honoring the band for championing New Orleans music, culture and charity to new audiences nationwide. 

Don’t miss Dumpstaphunk as they headline premier venues across the country this summer leading up to the release of Dirty Word! 

Dirty Word

Louisiana Red Hot Records

Release Date: July 30, 2013

Track Listing:

1. Dancin To The Truth 

2. Dirty Word 

3. I Wish You Would 

4. They Don’t Care 

5. I Know You Know 

6. If I’m in Luck 

7. Water 

8. Blueswave 

9. Reality Of The Situation 

10. Take Time 

11. Raise The House

Dumpstaphunk's Remaining Spring & Summer 2013 Tour Dates:

May 24 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp Music Festival

May 25 - Martinsville, VA - Rooster Walk

May 26 - Greenfield, MA - Strange Creek Campout

May 31 - Lyons, CO - Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

June 1 - Crystal Bay, NV - Crystal Bay Club Casino

June 2 - Garberville, CA - Summer Arts and Music Festival

June 6 - Burlington, VT - Burlington Discover Jazz Festival

June 7 - Houston, TX - Last Concert Cafe

June 8 - Austin, TX - The Belmont Theater

June 15 - Westchester, NY - Clearwater Festival

June 21 - Cedarburg, WI - Summer Sounds

June 22 - Grand Rapids, MI - Founders Fest

June 29 - Murray City, OH - Family Roots Festival

July 12 - Lone Tree, IA - Camp Euforia

July 20 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern

July 21 - Winthrop, WA - Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival

July 27 - Troutdale, OR - Annual Artful Giving Blanket 

July 28 - Palmerton, PA - Pennsylvania Blues Festival

August 7 - New York, New York - Madison Square Park

August 9 - 11 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands

PAPER DIAMOND + GRAMATIK -- Bands on ChiIL Live Shows' Radar @summercampfest #SCamp13

PAPER DIAMOND + GRAMATIK PLAY SUMMER CAMP MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 24 + 25 Gramatik: Saturday, May 25 – 9 - 10PM @ The STARSHINE Stage Paper Diamond and Gramatik will be taking over the STARSHINE stage on Friday and Saturday. Under the umbrella of electronic music, both artists have fresh and eclectic music style that can’t be genre-fied.   Gramatik will also be playing the official Summer Camp after-party on Saturday night at The Red Barn alongside STS9, Big Gigantic and Griz.    Tickets to this epic party sold out in seconds! "Gramatik's ability to smoothly sail between musical styles such as jazz, funk, disco, hip-hop and R&B, and fusing them together with such efficiency, created numerous moments of bliss for all in attendance." - DJ Mag In anticipation of his upcoming album - set to release this July - Gramatik embarked on The Age of Reason Tour last month with sold out show dates across the US. To top it off, a live guitarist accompanied his eclectic set for each show; playing everything impromptu to accentuate and compliment the entire musical experience. Along with the premier of his very own record label, Lowtemp, and a free download of his first single, “Bluestep”, Gramatik continues to make big plans for 2013 as he gets ready to release the second single on The Age Of Reason in the next few weeks! Bluestep is no doubt, one of the craziest genre-clashing songs out at the moment which is now known as his signature style. “Lately I’ve been really into combining the vibes of raw 50′s and 60′s Blues with all kinds of EDM genres and one of the results is Bluestep. It’s a dynamic mixture of Blues and Dubstep, a plethora of screaming guitar, howling vocals and big bass, capturing the raw energies of both music worlds in a hopefully cohesive, possibly outrageous picture” says Gramatik. And we couldn’t agree more.   Free Download of New Single "Bluestep" on his Brand-New label Lowtemp Download HERE "2012 was a huge year for Gramatik...[he brought] his special style of funk to the world. He hasn't lost his touch." - Digi10ve "Big things happening...One hell of a ride. This is a big move for the phenomenal producer...And the song is kickin'."  - The Untz "Chart-topper, live show fiend, advocate of free music, and now a music label owner, Gramatik never ceases to impress...His innovative productions blur the lines between genres and bring seemingly disconnected musical worlds together in a seamless form. Whether "Bluestep" is dubbed-out blues or blues-ridden dubstep is beyond me, but nevertheless, this shit is lowtemp...a chilling beat."     - Pasta Run Music    The chart-topping DJ and producer Gramatik (formerly of the  Pretty Lights Music label) announced the launch of his own record label Lowtemp and offered his fans a first glimpse of the song with his video for "Bluestep". In celebration of the Lowtemp launch, Gramatik is giving away a free download of the "Bluestep" track. The cut combines the vibes of raw 50's and 60's blues with all kinds of EDM genres - the result is a signature Gramatik genre clash, also what he refers to as "Bluestep". It's a dynamic mixture of blues and dubstep, a plethora of screaming guitar, howling vocals and big bass, capturing the raw energies of both music worlds in a cohesive, yet outrageous picture. This Song is Sick praises the track as a "groove-infused banger coming around the dubstep speed. [Gramatik] manages to meld guitar samples and gritty bass in a seamless fashion. Let the good vibes roll." Original Artwork by Anze Koron "Bluestep" is the first take off Gramatik's upcoming full-length album,The Age of Reason,  due out this spring on Lowtemp.  Gramatik elaborates on the epic LP title, which was "inspired by a stand-up segment by comedian George Carlin. He made a joke on the fact that he was Catholic until he reached the age of reason. I also firmly believe that there comes a time in a human life when you reach the so-called 'age of reason' and realize that there are so many irrational beliefs, shameless contradictions and illogical restrictions inflicted upon society. Some people reach it sooner, others later, but a majority unfortunately never do. [Through my music] I'd like to guide more people to reach the age of reason sooner. Maybe. Or, hopefully at least unite the ones that feel the same way." Gramatik announced the newest project on his plate, a new label simply called Lowtemp. Launching immediately, the imprint will focus primarily on the artist's own music as well as his friend's releases, and in the future may recruit new artists. Gramatik states "The label name Lowtemp is an abbreviation for low temperature, which implies that the label is putting out ''cool'' music. :)" After a long and fruitful time with Pretty Lights, Gramatik states that "I'm launching my own label because that is something I always wanted to do and I think it's something that every artist eventually wants, to be fully independent and have complete creative and executive control of their own artistry. It's a natural step forward. Pretty Lights Music is family for life, but the time has come for me to do my own thing." Gramatik thanks Derek Vincent Smith (aka Pretty Lights) for helping him reach his goal faster. Age of reason or reason enough, the revolution begins now. With his label announce, Gramatik also dropped his new video for "Bluestep" which features highlights from his recent tour with the worldwide King of Wobble, Bassnectar. The clip includes footage from Gramatik's performances in the US, Canada, Russia, Belgium & Austria. The debut of his mesmerizing Tesla Coil stage installation is also documented in the video. The Coil was unveiled at Gramatik's sold-out headlining show at The Fillmore in Colorado this past November. This stage/light design was inspired by inventor Nikola Tesla, who Gramatik holds in high regard. The Tesla Coil, one of his most famous inventions, had always fascinated Gramatik so he wanted his stage design to be inspired by it, portraying its electrifying magnificence in an abstract, theatrical fashion. The Coil adds a whole new dimension and will captivate the imagination and ignite the audience energy at Gramatik performances to come.  Gramatik Official Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Soundcloud  Paper Diamond: Friday, May 24 – 8:30 - 9:30 PM @ The STARSHINE Stage "His intoxicating mix of hip-hop and EDM is displayed from the beginning of the record to end on Paragon. Due to years of experience, Paper Diamond puts on a live show that will keep you on your feet the entire set. PD is a must-see live this summer." - VIBE Recently, Paper Diamond has been setting a name for himself with his cross over appeal -- he's a sucker for a melody and thankfully so. His collaborative efforts on his latest 11 song EP, Paragon are spot on, and showcases Paper Diamond's signature sound - art. His ability to produce any genre and make it his own marks every track off Paragon as the perfect portrayal of his eclectic style and a distinctive experience with literally NO RULES. He previously released material thru Pretty Lights Music, Diplo's Mad Decent/Jeffries and Flying Lo's Brain Feeder and we all know that those guys have good taste! If you haven't given Paper Diamond a listen as of yet, check out Paragon. It's a shining moment, and features incredible collabs with a wide array of artists including  J Fresh, Gavin Turek, Protohype, Buku,  Angela McCluskey and Christian Rich.

Paper Diamond Official Website                                              Facebook                                              Twitter                                              Instagram                                              Soundcloud

Swear and Shake -- Bands on ChiIL Live Shows' Radar @summercampfest #SCamp13

From left to right: Adam McHeffey, vocals, guitar and banjo; Ben Goldstein, drums; Shaun Savage, electric bass; Kari Spieler, vocals and guitar.

We'll be there to give Brooklyn-based-indie-folk-rockers Swear and Shake a big ol' midwestern welcome at Summer Camp Music Festival this weekend.

SWEAR AND SHAKE (Saturday at 2:00pm on the Campfire Stage):

Fronted by the guitar wielding Kari Spieler and the guitar and banjo playing Adam McHeffey, the two expertly blend their vocals, melodies, and confessional lyrics. Rounding out the quartet are old friends Ben Goldstein on drums and Shaun Savage on bass guitar. The band was named “Band of the Month” of December by TheBlueIndian.com who cheer: “I’ve only seen a few artists bring a room to a hush, only to have their audience hooping and hollering moments later, and these four talented Yankees have joyfully mastered their ability to do so. By the end of the first song, we were out of our seats and upfront. Strangers instantly became neighbors as the entire venue was swept up in the action.” 

Listen to selections from the groups debut LP Maple Ridge and the band’s EP here.  

Check out their main site right here

Best of Saturday SCamp12 Summer Camp Music Festival Photo Filled Feature @summercampfest @SCamp12 @SCamp13

SCamp12 Saturday








Here's our full photo coverage from Saturday at Summer Camp Music Fest 2012.   Enjoy!   We'll be going dark on line this Thursday through Monday and takin' to the woods, for 4 full days of photo filled coverage of SCamp13!   





*Click here for our exclusive video interview with band, ALO, from SCamp12!






*Click here for loads of ChiIL Live Shows & ChiIL Mama's past SCamp Coverage going back years.



Got rock tots, little folk, house shorties, bluegrass babies or electronica minis?   Summer Camp has a rockin' kids area!   There's plenty of family friendly fun to be had during the day, for offspring of all ages accompanied by their parents.   If we can walk together why can't we rock together?!

We'll be bringing you fresh photo filled SCamp features for 2013.   So check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.    Maybe we'll see YOU out there.

Kids Rock...

Seen on the scene from the wagon...

Stairway to heaven.... ?!

All photos are by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILLiveShows.com/ ChiILMama.com.