Last year's inaugural SummerSonic series was so much fun that we've brought it back for another run of three parties with live music in our lovely garden. This year's lineup features some of Chicago's finest songwriters and most cutting-edge bands, including Volcano!, John Bellows, Judson Claiborne, Victor Villarreal, CAVE, and Wume. Beer will be served, and good times will be had!
Admission: $10 general, $8 students and ESS members
AUGUST 11TH: VOLCANO!, JOHN BELLOWS
Since 2003, Chicago's Volcano! have been creating some of the most angular, humorous, and unpredictable music around. The trio is comprised of Aaron With (guitar, vocals), Mark Cartwright (electronics), and Sam Scranton (percussion). Their excellent third album, Piñata, was recently released by the Leaf Label. (Photo by Stephanie Bassos.)
Idiosyncratic and genre-defying singer-songwriter John Bellows has been toiling in Chicago's underground since he arrived here after graduating college. The Kentucky native culls his inspiration from everything from the Carter Family to Motley Crüe to Weird Al Yankovic, creating a unique style that is alternately abrasive and vulnerable. His 2005 record Clean Your Clock was rereleased on vinyl by Moniker Records, and is available for download on his bandcamp page.
AUGUST 18TH: JUDSON CLAIBORNE,
VICTOR VILLARREAL
Christopher Salveter helms the pastoral folk outfit Judson Claiborne. He delivers his gorgeous songs in a haunting tenor voice, backed by a rotating cast of players that has lately included guitarist Bill MacKay, fiddler Ryan Boyles, and singer Angela Watkins. JC's newest recording, We Have Not Doors You Need Not Keys, is nearing completion and should be released later in 2012. (Photo by Jordan Martins.)
Victor Villarreal is perhaps best known as the mastermind guitarist behind the seminal Chicago band Cap'n Jazz, who arguably influenced countless bands to follow. Post-Cap'n Jazz, Victor has played in various acts, including Owls, Ghosts & Vodka, and most recently, Joan of Arc. His solo material features a guitar style is singularly his own, weaving intricate fingerpicking, harmonics, and changing meters with startling virtuosity. His newest full-length, Invisible Cinema, is available from Joyful Noise recordings. (Photo by Jordan Martins.)
AUGUST 25TH: CAVE, WUME
Drag City recording artists and critical darlings CAVE have been making waves in Chicago for the past few years. Their music is decidedly psychedelic, evoking the motorik styles of Krautrock. Their recent performance on the back of a flatbed truck was named "Best Drag City Promotion" by the Chicago Reader. Their newest release, Neverendless, has received rave reviews and is available in stores and from the label.
Wume is the electronics/drums duo of Albert Shatz (Bird Names) and April Camlin. Their lush synth sound falls in a psychedelic genre similar to CAVE's, but with a more cosmic, dreamy vibe. Their cassette release Distance is available from Catholic Tapes.
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