All posts by Jake Krez

A writer/publicist/media hired hand from Chicago, Il who came up writing for the Chicago Sun Times where he helped break artists like Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa, Kids These Days and many more. Since then Jake has written for the likes of XXL, Complex, Noisey, New City, Billboard, DJBooth and many others while staying up to date on all things Chicago music and beyond.

Interview, Music, TheUntz.com

Emancipator [interview] talks new album, ‘Dusk til Dawn,’ and US tour

January 22, 2013 Jake Krez Leave a comment

Date: Jan 21, 2013 (Monday)

By: Jake Krzeczowski

The idea of a “model” in the music industry is all but gone. Some still traverse the traditional route, but for many contemporary artists there are many more options. No one knows this better than Doug Appling, better known as electronic wunderkind Emancipator.

Before hitting it big in the States, Emancipator became a phenom overseas—most notably in Japan—at the age of nineteen riding a wave of eagerness for his unique blend of instrumentation that includes rousing performances on the violin by Illya Goldberg. The young artist moved to and performed in Japan, keeping a keen eye on what was happening back in the states before taking North America by storm in late 2009 and early 2010.

TheUntz.com was able to catch up with the Emancipator before his January 19 date at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago.

How’s touring life?

The tour’s going great; we just had our first date at Canopy Club in Champaign, and we’re just excited for the next five weeks—and I’m excited at least to be bringing this new album out on tour.

Anything new in store for the tour and live performance?

I have these songs that I’ve been working on all winter that I can wait to share with everyone, and there’s new production with a new video rig which is pretty dope. They bought us a projector last month to make these triangle panels.

You’re known for a really lush stage show. How much live instrumentation goes into one of your performances?

These shows feature me and Illya playing onstage, I’m not bringing any instruments myself but we’ll still have some musical surprises for you guys.

Your sound has matured and evolved so much over the course of your very short career. What was your process in developing your unique sound?

Well I spent a lot of time as a new producer just on trial and error so I just remember playing a song and creating loops from scratch, that’s kind of how I made my signature sound and I try to teach myself all along the way. It’s kind of funny because I consider myself an electronic musician but a lot of people may hear my music and don’t think it’s electronic music because it doesn’t necessarily mesh with what’s popular. I arrived here because I had this background in classical music and folk music which unfortunately don’t feature a lot of drums. At some point I fell in love with the drum kit and started playing it and eventually meshed these two styles into one.

What is that classical music background of which you spoke?

Violin was the first instrument when I was four and I played that for eight years before I got more into drums and guitar, bass and other instruments too. Currently in my studio I have a synth, bunch of guitars, mandolin, banjo, kalimba, flute; just a lot of instruments to record and sample and produce them electronically. That’s kind of how I get my unique sound, I like to take acoustic instruments and lend them to electronic production.

Can you tell us about your experiences in Japan?

I think it was great to be able to get that experience early on. For my career, I have a good foundation going to be able to let this music grow. It was really thrilling to be able to dive right in to a place like Japan, halfway across the world and have a following there so it’s been an inspiration and a motivation all along the way.

How much did that experience prepare you for America?

It’s funny, my first show in Japan was at the Rolling Stone Cafe and I thought that was a big deal for me at the time and at the same time my first show in the US was opening for Bonobo’s live band at one of the biggest venues in Portland so even here I kind of feel like I dove right in. I see the arenas getting better so I think I’m just constantly growing and adapting to what the situation is. I don’t feel like I’ve made it but at the same time I don’t feel like I’ve learned everything I can and I’m not bored of it yet so it’s still fresh.

Where do you see yourself fitting into the larger framework of electronic music?

It depends on where you think it’s at right now; it’s a lot of different places. I think it’s getting so popular that people are beginning to discern between the genres moreso, not like ten years ago when you said you made beats people assumed you meant techno, people actually know about this stuff. I think it’s going to come around full circle and you’re going to start seeing more fusion bands of electronica mixed with instruments which has been popular in our scene for awhile but I think you’ll see more and more of that.

For those who have never experience a live Emancipator show, what can they expect?

It’s all about setting the vibe for this kind of music; expect some dope beats I guess. It’s not too in your face, we just try to keep it clean and evoke some emotions.

Any big plans for 2013?

A year from now I’d like to be moving in a positive way with my music, just like this year but hopefully with a lot of new material under my belt. We’re looking forward to getting on the festival scene and whatnot, it should be a good year.

Chicago Sun-Times, Features, Music

Behind Yaneisha Franklin’s smile is the gritty hip-hop of Sasha Go Hard

January 16, 2013 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By JAKE KRZECZOWSKI January 10, 2013 8:03PM

Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun Times

If her stage name were not evidence enough, Yaneisha Franklin, better known as Chicago hip-hop artist Sasha Go Hard, doesn’t take this music thing lightly.

Her music mirrors that mentality and largely reflects her life.

With acts like Chief Keef and Lil’ Reese bringing the hip-hop spotlight to Chicago, the city has become known for a style of rapping known as “drill.” The subgenre, which is rife with sputtering snares, uptempo rhymes and the sounds of gunshots in the background, has been largely dominated by men.

Enter Sasha Go Hard. At first glance. the petite 20-year-old Hyde Park native may not look like she fits the part of a “drill rapper,” but her disarming smile offsets a gritty demeanor..

While many have benefitted from the spotlight focused on the city, Sasha Go Hard has managed to build her name elsewhere on the strength of a well-received performance at the 2012 MTV Sucker Free Chicago event, where she showcased her mixtape “Do You Know Who I Am?” That led to a set at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City in October. She will perform Friday at the Hotel Victor Lounge.

“I’ve really been able to build a solid following out East, and it’s always so much fun to go to New York,” she said. “It’s crazy, though, because every time I leave Chicago, it’s just so good to come back and feel the love.”

As one of only a few female hip-hop artists to emerge from Chicago with a national following, Sasha Go Hard is also blazing a trail for young women like herself to pursue their artistic dreams.

“Every day I think about it, I feel really blessed because I’m not the only one who’s doing this but I’m getting the attention I deserve,” she said. “It’s just me being who I am, which I think shows others out there that it is possible to be successful in hip-hop as woman.”

Last year was big for Sasha Go Hard, with two critically acclaimed mixtapes, as well as co-signs from the likes of Azealia Banks, Trinidad James and Rockie Fresh, and a collaboration with Electronic guru Diplo.

She is now preparing to drop her latest project, “Round 3,” in February. The project features production from Absolut P, Block, Diplo and Chicago’s own Tony Roche, and is hosted by fellow local DJ Victoriouz.

If the past year is any indication, Sasha Go Hard doesn’t look to soften her approach any time soon.

“One thing in music I’ve learned so far is that you can be on and then off very quickly, so I just want to make sure the music I put out is consistent,” she said. “‘Round 3’ is going to be crazy, and I’m excited to have people rocking with me. I’m ready.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a locally based free-lance writer. Follow him on Twitter: @jakekrez.

Chicago Sun-Times, Features, Music

Hip-hop artist evolves, finds wider audience

January 16, 2013 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski January 9, 2013 5:42PM

Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

For Clinton Sandifer, life is all about doing what makes him happy.

That he’s best known as Chicago hip-hop artist ShowYouSuck is beside the point. A former student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sandifer, 27, is evolving into a new-age renaissance man by finding many ways to bring his voice to a larger audience.

Along with his music career, he also helps run a tattoo shop, Code of Conduct, and an art gallery, Artpentry, both in Pilsen. Along with all that, he is also the face behind his own fashion label, Slurpcult. It’s all part of a dynamic persona that Sandifer projects to the world.

“I want you to be a fan of me before the music, the relationship is stronger that way,” he said. “If this messed up tomorrow, I can go back to working at a skate shop or art gallery. It allows me to make my music freely, there’s no desperation, music isn’t my last resort.”

To celebrate the release of the final part of his trilogy “One Man Pizza Party” titled “Rest in Pizza,” he will perform Saturday with Chicago-based artists St. Millie and Warhound at the Bottom Lounge.

The lineup reflects the album, which features a blend of hip-hop and rock. To be sure, Warhound and St. Millie are widely different acts. The former is a suburban hardcore rock quintet while the latter is part of the Treated Crew hip-hop collective (along with ShowYouSuck), who delivers thoughtful, poetic lyrics.

As Sandifer explains it, the way the show is set up mirrors the way he began his career performing in and around

Chicago.

“I started out playing hardcore shows with bands in the suburbs,” he said. “That was the first scene that really embraced me musically, and I’ve only really been doing shows with rappers for the past couple of years. I wanted to put together a show that I would have wanted to see when I was a teenager, I never had a chance to see a show like this before.”

His music draws on many influences, from punk and indie rock to soul. All are easily seen in his high-energy live act.

“A lot of my stage presence I got from watching other bands play,” he said. “People who are into different music don’t always mix together, and that’s what I want to do with this lineup.”

He’s ready to put his three-part, yearlong project to bed and continue to follow a path of creative freedom and genre-bending that has vaulted him to the forefront of Chicago hip-hop.

“I’m just really working freely right now,” he said. “Just recording and getting in with a lot of different producers and people, but I’m really happy with the way this project was received and excited to keep it going.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a locally based free-lance writer. Follow him on Twitter: @jakekrez

Chicago Sun-Times, Features, Music

Electronic dance music gets boost of energy in Chicago

December 27, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski December 26, 2012 10:28PM

Originally appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

This summer 50,000 people flooded Soldier Field — not for a football game, or any game, for that matter. The young people coming through the gates of the home of the Chicago Bears were there for another reason: to dance.

Spring Awakening, a dance-music festival held June 16-17 in and around Soldier Field, is just one local example of how big the electronic dance music craze got this year.

EDM concerts are usually pre-packaged parties led by larger-than-life DJs, producers and musicians armed with extravagant light shows, glowstick cannons and head-pounding bass.

“The dance scene in Chicago right now is just thriving,” said DJ Steve Aoki, who played a sold-out show Dec. 15 at the Congress Theater. “Especially the past two years, it’s really gotten bigger and not even in terms of people but energy too. Kids have really embraced it and taken it to this state.”

Chicago’s concert winter calendar is packed with shows, culminating in a pair of concerts on New Year’s Eve: Big Gigantic at the Aragon Ballroom and Porter Robinson at the Congress Theater.

Big Gigantic, which returns for its second consecutive NYE in Chicago, and Porter Robinson represent two different takes on the genre widely known just as EDM.

Big Gigantic creates its dubstep-infused art with a live aspect, blending drums and a saxophone with computer-generated synth lines and bass. Porter Robinson, meanwhile, mixes on a computer.

“These days,” said Dominic Lalli, one half of Big Gigantic, “there’s so much out there and so much music coming out, being different is really key.”

Porter Robinson plays the Congress Theater for New Years Eve

The word “different” is important. The EDM community came under fire this year when Canadian dance music mogul Deadmau5 criticized DJs within the genre, most notably David Guetta and Skrillex, referring to them as “button pushers” who pretend to work a lot harder onstage than they do.

The issue also was sparked by a YouTube video showing Swedish House Mafia DJ Steve Angello casually smoking a cigarette onstage as the party raged on in front of him. While that behavior certainly isn’t status quo, it does raise questions about whether some DJs are being paid millions essentially just to hit “play.”

For its part, Big Gigantic tries to keep its music connected to performance.

“We just love making music,” said Lalli, who lists jazz greats John Coltrane and Joe Henderson as sax influences. “We try to bring all those elements together to make this new thing or sound, and I think that’s the biggest thing these days.”

While live instrumentation may attract some to the music, others couldn’t care less what the artist is doing onstage.

“I don’t really care, people can say whatever they want,” said Los Angeles DJ Audrey Napolean. “I know what I do, and I know what I do onstage is real, and I know that I do everything I can to put on a good show, and that’s all I need to know.”

The emergence of music on the Internet has assisted the rise of dance music. One of the most recognized sites for artists trying to break into the scene is BeatPort.com, a sort of iTunes for DJs.

“We are a site for music for DJs,” said BeatPort CEO Matthew Adell. “DJs have special music needs. They’re different from the average consumer. Our goal is to get DJs the most important material they need for their set, right now.”

The site, started in 2004, has helped launch the careers of many of the biggest artists in dance music and also hosts the annual BeatPort Music Awards, which recognize the best in EDM.

One of the most recent products of BeatPort is the Chicago-born trio Krewella, booked for Saturday at the Congress Theater.

Jahan and Yasmine Yousef and Producer RainMan make up Krewella

The three-person group, consisting of sisters Jahan and Yasmine Yousef and producer Rain Man (Kris Trindl), is indicative of the rising scene here. Trindl handles the beats while the sisters provide their piercing vocals to the bands eclectic sound. The online venue allowed them to pursue a more cohesive live show with a larger following.

“Being featured on Beatport opened up a whole new world for our EP distribution,” Jahan said. “It’s amazing coming home to Chicago because I remember even a year and a half ago when we were playing raves with like 10 kids. We feel a sense of loyalty when we come back.”

As computers and programs advance and EDM stars grow more familiar, it seems as though there is no ceiling on where the scene will go.

“I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg, to be honest,” said Avi Gallant, who runs the Untz, a leading EDM news website. “I don’t think it’ll get too big, [but] the sky is the limit. This is just the beginning.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a locally based free-lance writer. Follow him on Twitter: @jakekrez

Chicago Sun-Times, Features

Three distinct shows will ring in the New Year

December 27, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

BY Jake Krzeczowski December 26, 2012 11:25PM

Originally appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

Updated: December 27, 2012 10:50AM

There aren’t a lot of bands doing what Lotus does.

As the laptop increasingly slides into the role of introductory musical instrument that the guitar has held for generations, jam bands like Lotus have slowly become less prevalent.

Lotus isn’t just any jam band though. Through a mix of syncopated improvisation ala Umphrey’s Magee and computer-generated sounds the group has been able to carve out it’s own sound it dubs jamtronica.

The unique sound arrives for two nights in Chicago with a back to back showcase at the Riviera Theater December 27 and 28 as part of their five-night New Year’s Eve tour that starts in Chicago and ends on the 31st with a show in Baltimore.

“We often do several shows leading up to New Year’s but this might be the most we’ve done in a row,” said Jesse Miller (bass/sampler). “It was a good chance for us to get out and play a number of shows in

cities we haven’t played ina while.”

The two-night run at the Riviera will surely feature the band’s endless onstage jamming that will touch on their extensive catalog, both old and new paired with an inspired light show.

“We try to draw the crowd into the human element of the show,” said Luke Miller (guitar/keyboards). “[The lighting] is a very powerful part of our show and our lighting guy has been with us since the beginning so he’s locked into our improvisation.”

Lotus closes out 2012 with its eye on the future, including plans for at least two albums and maybe a third that is still in production dropping in 2013.

“I think it’s going to be a celebration, a celebration of the new year,” said Jesse. “It’s a great opportunity to get a bunch of people in some cool rooms and have a good time.”

404285_4001806240399_136356806_n — Chris Mathien and Peter CottonTale of mathien

New Year’s Eve will be Chris Mathien and Co.’s second time playing a concert as they ring in the New Year at Reggie’s Rock Joint for a 21+over show.

With that experience behind them, they kind of know what to expect.

“We performed two years ago at Reggie’s and we were supposed to do the countdown at midnight,” said lead singer/guitarist Mathien. “Everyone’s cell phone was on a different time so people were kind of celebrating sporadically while we counted off.”

That was two years ago.

Since then the band, consisting of Mathien and drummer Omar Jahwar, bassist Erik Kaldahl and keyboardist Peter CottonTale (Wilkins), which performs under their lead singer’s surname has figured a few things out.

After starting the band as a college student at Southern Illinois University, Chris Mathien moved north to Chicago and met CottonTale, a gifted musician who he immediately added to the band’s lineup nearly three years ago.

“I grew up playing Jazz and Soul but then I found this Rock/Funk, Maroon 5-sounding guy,” said CottonTale. “But it was a smooth transition musically because I understood where he was coming from.”

With the end of the year quickly approaching, mathien has been sure to plan out the show carefully will be handing out 100 free CDs with an unreleased new single, as well as polishing that countdown.

“I think we’re going to put an official countdown on the stage somewhere this time to avoid confusion,” said Mathien. “We’re excited to have the chance to rung in the New Year in Chicago.”

288527_259494744063682_5852913_o — Charles Bradley – “The Screaming Eagle of Soul”

Across town, Charles Bradley performs two shows at Lincoln Hall. Known to audiences as the “Screaming Eagle of Soul,” 65-year-old Charles Bradley visits Lincoln Hall for shows on Dec. 30 and 31.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Chicago, when I was there last it was a beautiful time,” said Bradley.

The funk/soul singer got his break in music late, at age 49, performing as a James Brown impersonator under the name “Black Velvet.” Noticed by Daptone Records, the Otis Redding-like vocalist has since recorded several albums with another one on the way in 2013.

For all it’s history in Blues and Jazz, Chicago seems like the perfect place for Bradley to land for a beginning to the New Year.

“I’ve been pushing for a long time for this opportunity,” said Bradley. “I am taking that opportunity and making the most of it, I want to show everyone at these shows what I can do and show them all the love I have.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a local free-lance writer.

Interview, RubyHornet

[Interview] RH First Look: Alex Wiley

December 27, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

–words and interview by Jake Krzeczowski. (Originally Appeared for Ruby Hornet)

Alex Wiley has been working hard lately. The Southside MC has been busy for the better part of 2012 garnering followers through a steady flow of videos and songs online and collaborations with Kembe X and a host of other Chicago artists. Wiley is now looking to drop his own solo project, one that has gone through several changes throughout the last few months. What originally started as an EP under the name Village Up, has transformed several times during endless recording at SoundScape Studios, where I recent met and spoke with the budding emcee. To be sure, Wiley was due for a nap. Luckily, I was able to catch him just before he curled up on the couch, exhausted from a long day.

That Wiley sleeps at all may be the most surprising thing. The high-energy emcee can be found around town rapping in a Santa suit like he did onstage at Chance The Rapper’s AcidRap Live show at The Metro November 23, or chopping up philosophies on the intricacies of the perfect taco bar, which he has plans to unveil somewhere in the near future. A glance at Wiley’s robust Twitter feed could make anyone wonder if the kid sleeps at all. Since releasing #MoPurp with Chance and Kembe earlier this year, a video for which has garnered over 75,000 YouTube views in just under six months, Wiley has set about making his mark on the Chicago scene and beyond and is nearing the release of his debut project, Club Wiley, which has spanned almost a full year of his progression and is set to drop early 2013 via the indie label, Closed Sessions.

RubyHornet: How did all this get started for you?

Alex Wiley: My friend Kembe was rapping and shit, and I used to go to the studio with him and we started making these joke songs whenever he was done recording what he had written. We would just call it Swag Village because we just made really dumb songs and put them on Facebook. I just kept doing that and just started rapping over old “Electric Relaxation” and Nas beats. It was just like a weird progression, it was really slow. When Kembe’s mixtape was about to come out, this kid Genesis was harassing like every blogger with it and it found it’s way to Alex at RubyHornet and Andrew at FakeShore first. Once we started getting local blog posts, it just progressed and my friend Calez got on 2DopeBoyz and then we did a song and that went up, and then all of a sudden people were kinda taking us seriously as rappers.

RubyHornet: What’s the transition like, going from another kid to being taken seriously in Hip Hop?

Alex Wiley: I dropped out of school at like 17, and I used to intern at a couple boutiques around town and that was probably what I was going to do for the time being, working at some little store. Then I just got to rapping, and it was cool and once I started doing it I just really, really like doing it.

RubyHornet: With everyone coming out of Chicago, how do you stay different?

Alex Wiley: I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it a whole lot to be honest. I think me and my friends have just been in a good situation and we are just ourselves, and get good enough feedback to where we can keep doing it. I don’t think our particular side of the Chicago scene has a whole lot of competition and shit going on. I think everyone’s just themselves and people will fuck with it, or they won’t so much.

RubyHornet: Do you feel fortunate to be part of the rising scene in Chicago?

Alex Wiley: This is amazing. I mean, there are people who have been doing it way longer and have way more material out that are still trying to put it all together. I just feel like I’m in a good situation with local people that I fuck with, but that we can still get the job done on a non-local level. I think it’s cool, I do feel fortunate to just be able to come by and be in the studio like this and work regularly.

RubyHornet: What do you credit that to?

Alex Wiley: Man, I don’t know. I’m just thinking how I got to a point where a label would even want to fuck with me. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to be honest. I mean it’s cool, I’m just fortunate to be where I’m at. I feel like it’s on me now, you know? It’s not going to be where I didn’t make it because my situation was fucked up, it’ll be because people don’t really like my music, but I don’t really see that being the case.

RubyHornet: Do you feel any pressure from that?

Alex Wiley: I haven’t had the experience of putting something out where people were just like “this is terrible.” So I don’t know, I feel like I can just do what I want to do, and people are going to fuck with me on some level. yeah, I don’t think so.

RubyHornet: What’s the relationship like with SaveMoney and Chance and those guys?

Alex Wiley: I went to grammar school with Chance, so I knew him since I was like five and then went to high school with most of the rest of them. So I’ve just known them for awhile, I have songs with a few of them and I fuck with them.

RubyHornet: How big was it for you to get on #10Day?

Wiley and Chance The Rapper - #MoPurp — Wiley and Chance The Rapper – #MoPurp

Alex Wiley: I wanted to be on it just because I knew how good it was going to be. I don’t think any of us knew it was going to crack the way it did. I had heard a couple records on the album and had been sort of subliminally asking Chance to be on it for awhile. When he came to the studio to do “MoPurp” and this other song, “Spaceship”, we did both of those in one night. He played me a couple records and I was like, I guess it wasn’t so subliminal, I just asked him, but jokingly because it was still his decision. He called me like three weeks before 10Day was out basically and was like “I want you to add a verse to ‘Windows’” because “Windows” was already out and he said he wanted me to add a verse to it and give it a little more bounce. So we just did that, and I think it came out cool. That tape, I think, is like a Chicago classic.

RubyHornet: Tell me a little about your label situation with Closed Sessions.

Alex Wiley: Man, it’s cool. I just think what we have in store is cool, like our plan for this shit, just where we’re trying to go. I think it’s just going to be very interesting to watch. If we do it right, and I think we will, I think it’ll be something to really watch because I think we’ll be getting at this shit that only major artists get at and still be doing it our way while still keeping it indie.

RubyHornet: What does Chicago mean to you?

Alex Wiley: I don’t want to leave. I feel like other rappers want to get rich and move to LA or some shit, but I really like it here. I think you can hear it in my music that I’m from Chicago and this is what I’m about. I feel like Chicago, all the people that are hot here, you can just hear they’re from Chicago, they’re popping because they bring that Chicago shit.

RubyHornet: What do you want listeners to take away from an Alex Wiley record?

Alex Wiley: I want them to just inherently like it as a song. I’m not trying to make music that’s preachy or making people think too deeply. I just want people to hear it and like it and just be pleasing to the ear. I just want people to like it and fuck with it. I just want people to feel it.

RubyHornet: What can we expect from Alex Wiley moving into the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013?

Alex Wiley: Just like a barrage of shit coming in January. We got videos, several more singles, it’s just a whole bunch of shit. We’ve been saving records for a long time. People think that because I’ve only dropped a couple songs in the past couple months that I haven’t been recording, but I’ve been recording a lot of shit for the coming weeks. I think it’ll be a good gauge of whether people will fuck with my tape too, because a lot of these songs didn’t quite make the project but they still kind of had that sound. I’m really eager to see if people fuck with it, I think they will but you never know what happens.

Chicago Sun-Times, Music

Whitney Young musical talent on display in triple bill

December 18, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski December 14, 2012 1:04PM

Chicago Sun-Times

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School has been pumping out some superb talent lately.

Not just in the classroom or on the athletic field — the school has become known for its musical talent.

On Monday at Schubas, that musical talent will be on display when Whitney Young student Alaina Stacey, and graduates Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham headline an all-ages show.

Stewart is best known as the female side of the eclectic Chicago band Kids These Days. Her beautifully piercing, poignant voice adds yet another dynamic to the multi-talented group.

As a solo performer, Stewart has packed the Underground Wonder Bar and was a featured performer at the 2011 Bucktown Arts Festival.

Fresh off the band’s national tour, which included a sold-out show Oct. 24 at the Vic, Stewart is ready to show off her solo skills with support from Lane Beckstrom of KTD and Rob Fletcher.“I have all these songs that I’ve been writing since I was 13 that have just been building up,” Stewart said. “At some point in the future, I’m definitely going to record a project of my solo material.”

Keeping with the Kids These Days connections, Cunningham is the sister of KTD frontman Liam Cunningham, who will join her onstage.

Cunningham got her start at the age of 15, releasing an album, “Squeeze,” with Brian Deck. Since then, her music has taken her everywhere from Venezuela to Ireland.

With college out of the way at New York University, Cunningham is back in the Windy City and ready to make her mark.

“I was really determined to go to college because I’ve always been interested in cultural diplomacy and making peace through music,” Cunningham said. “It’s fun being back. I just graduated, so now I’m excited to put out my next album and actually get to tour on it.”

Alaina Stacey brings a bit of country flavor to the showcase. She got her start singing background vocals for the country-music band Janesville and has since built a strong following in both Nashville and Chicago.

Stacey should prove an entertaining solo act, having taken pointers while sharing the stage with the likes of Trace Adkins and LeAnn Rimes. If nothing else, Cunningham and Stewart are excited for her set.

“Alaina Stacey is 17 years old and blows people away,” Cunningham said.

“I would come just for Alaina, definitely,” Stewart said.

With three powerful voices in the house, Schuba’s had better watch that the roof stays attached as the three Whitney Young products look to make the night a special one.

“Everyone that comes needs to be sure to stay until the end,” Cunningham said. “Because there will be a set at the end where we will all sing our favorite songs with magical harmonies. It will be like an opera; you can’t miss one part.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a locally based free-lance writer. Follow him on Twitter: @JakeKrez

Chicago Sun-Times, Music

Alabama Shakes hits Chicago for a pair of weekend shows

December 3, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski November 30, 2012 2:04PM

Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

Updated: December 1, 2012 2:09AM

Don’t let the name fool you, Alabama Shakes is not just a one-state band.

The group loves the Land of Lincoln — Chicago in particular. Since heading out on tour just over a year ago, the four friends from Athens, Ala., have graced the city with their brand of American soul-roots rock on several occasions.

The Shakes return Saturday for a sold-out show at the Riviera and perform Sunday with Band of Horses for the 93XRT Big Holiday Concert at the Chicago Theatre.

“We’re glad to come back to Chicago,” said guitarist Heath Fogg. “I love Chicago and love being able to play there as much as possible.”

Since releasing their debut album “Boys & Girls” in April of this year, the Shakes have racked up the mileage points while touring the world and seeming to pop up at every major summer festival.

After the Chicago shows, the group heads to Sydney, Australia, for the Big Day Out Festival.

All this for a group that was simply looking to garner enough of a following to piece a tour together a year ago.

“The band is viewed publicly differently than it was even a few months ago,” Fogg said. “It’s just been a dream come true and exceeded any dreams that we had for this in a lot of ways.”

In a run-up to Lollapalooza, Alabama the Shakes played an Aug. 1 show at Metro. The band was one of the most anticipated acts at this year’s festival but a giant storm rained out its set.

“It was unfortunate at Lollapalooza, it was a crazy day,” Fogg said. “We invited some people who were stranded in the storm onto the bus, and drank some beer and waited it out. Unfortunately, there was just too much water.”

Not wanting Chicago to miss out on an opportunity to see them live, the Shakes quickly scheduled a small show Sept. 11 at Subterranean, teaming up with American Family Insurance for the Alabama Shakes’ “Dream Show.”

Fans had to RSVP by “liking” the insurance company’s Facebook page and then pick up wristbands to get in.

Lead singer Brittany Howard’s soulful, booming voice filled the room and brought the group back a bit to the days of playing clubs and bars back home.

“It’s always a treat to play something like that. Big stages are fun but the crowds can be far away. I don’t know but we love those little rock ’n’ roll clubs,” Fogg said.

This time around should prove to be the biggest yet for the Shakes in the Second City and allow plenty of fans to catch the interplay between Howard’s vocals and crafty guitar work by Fogg and bassist Zac Cockrell.

“This show will be a bit bigger and give some folks who missed us at Lollapalooza a chance to come see us,” Fogg said. “Hopefully, it’ll just be a rock ’n’ roll show for us and the fans as well, we’ll definitely make it fun.”

Jake Krzeczowski is a locally based free-lance writer.

Chicago Sun-Times, Sports

St. Charles East edges Schaumburg

November 24, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski

11/21/2012, 10:59pm CST

Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

Dom Adduci’s basket with seven seconds remaining gave St. Charles East a 48-46 win over Schaumburg on Wednesday.

Dom Adduci made a runner in the lane with seven seconds left to give host St. Charles East a 48-46 victory over Schaumburg at the Ron Johnson Thanksgiving tournament on Wednesday.

Kendall Stephens netted 22 points as the Saints handed Schaumburg it’s second consecutive loss.

It was back and forth early with neither team able to get much of a rhythm in a tight defensive battle that resulted in Schaumburg leading 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Stephens was active early, scoring four of five of the teams baskets to start the game before Jordan Wilson’s three-pointer gave the Saints another contributor.

Even Stephens’ misses seemed to fall favorably, more often than not finding the hands of juniors AJ Washington (nine points, six rebounds, two steals) and David Mason, who cleaned the glass all game, scoring a majority of their points off put backs.

But Schaumburg put together a full team effort behind seniors Kyle Bolger (14 points) and Bobby Green (11 points), who willed their team to a 22-19 deficit at halftime.

“We have great senior leadership on this team and I expect that to improve as the season goes on,” Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh said. “We’re going to get better at that and a lot of other things here as the season progresses.”

The Saxons kept it close after the break, playing smart defense in holding Stephens to five points in the third quarter. Careful shot selection and a few favorable calls allowed Schaumburg to break through the Saints zone defense, pulling within one heading into the fourth.

“The game was very physical,” Stephens said. “Schaumburg’s a great team, you have to give them credit they made it hard for us to get into our offense.”

Stephens’ thunderous dunk set the tone for the fourth quarter as the Saints cut down on the fouls and tightened up the defense to pull away.

Adduci, sophomore guard Jake Asquini (seven points) and Washington, sparked the Saints at the right time, combining for a slew of tipped passes, blocks and rebounds that threatened to blow the game wide open.

But Bolger just wouldn’t go away, slicing to the basket and drawing fouls or setting up senior forward Jimmy Lundquist, whose six points were well-timed to keep the game close late.

In the end, though, it was Adduci who stole the show, hitting a runner in the paint to earn the win.

“We were looking for Kendall and he wasn’t there so I just went to the hoop,” Aducci said. “It felt great coming out of my hand and it was the best feeling ever once it went through.”

Next up for St. Charles East is a showdown against St. Joseph on Friday.

“I feel great moving forward, St. Joe’s is going to be a big test for us,” Stephens said. “We’re just going to take advantage of the day off, rest and get back to it.”

Chicago Sun-Times, Sports

Goetz, Payne pace St. Charles North victory

November 24, 2012 Jake Krez Leave a comment

By Jake Krzeczowski – 11/21/12

Originally Appeared for Chicago Sun-Times

Alec Goetz scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half, and Quinten Payne added 16 points as St. Charles North defeated North Lawndale 55-50 on Wednesday.

St. Charles North took a commanding first-half lead before holding on down the stretch to defeat North Lawndale 55-50 in the St. Charles East Ron Johnson Thanksgiving Tournament.

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The victory gives coach Tom Poulin his 100th win.”This is definitely a game you learn from,” Poulin said of a sloppy second half. “We will take this and learn from it and come back after the holiday ready to go.”

North Lawndale got into foul trouble early, and the North Stars capitalized, shooting 9-for-12 from the free-throw stripe in the first quarter.
Early calls also kept sophomore guard Damontre Enos on the bench for much of the early going and gave St. Charles North an opportunity to push the ball inside.

The North Stars connected on 4 of 6 three-pointers in the first half en route to a 36-18 halftime lead.

St. Charles North senior forward Quinten Payne scored 16 points as North Lawndale shadowed him on defense.

“We knew who he was, we just wanted to make sure to keep the ball out of his hands and contest everything he put up,” North Lawndale head coach Lewis Thorpe said.

Junior point guard Alec Goetz kept the North Stars going with 16 of his 18 points in the first half, helping his team keep its uptempo pace despite North Lawndale’s press.

The Phoenix came out for the second half fired up, closing the gap to five points with under a minute remaining in the game on the back of a Mack, who scored 17 of his 19 points after the break.

Thorpe made sure his team was ready to go after a lackluster first half.

“We just needed to play with more pride,” Thorpe said. “We’re a team from the city so we should be used to a physical game like this.”