If you’ve spent much time in Subterranean or Tonic Room, you might’ve seen one of the more interesting background players in Chicago hip-hop. Paul Gulyas is a producer, recording engineer, songwriter, and musician. He plays bluesy guitar in the Shams Band with Tonic Room owner Donnie Biggins (they’ve got a gig there on Tuesday, August 15, with free tacos while they last) and sometimes runs the soundboard at Subterranean, regardless of what kind of music is on the bill. You might also know him as Cutta, the name he uses as a rap producer. One of his satisfied customers, Chris Crack, often starts his songs with a shout-out: “Cutta, what up?” On Friday, July 28, Gulyas (as Cutta) drops his first solo album, Pink Limousine, which he calls “late-night Chicago hip-hop/R&B”; that evening he plays a release show downstairs at Subterranean with U.G.L.Y. Boy Modeling, Nate Yung, and DJ Lite.
In 2012, Chicago power trio the Moses Gun dropped a self-titled debut LP that reminded Gossip Wolf of early-90s classics by the likes of Nirvana and Local H, with a bit of Husker Du’s breakneck punk urgency. A dip into the band’s new digital EP, Triage, confirms that they’re still pumping out tuneful, grungy burners. The Moses Gun celebrate with a release show at Quenchers on Thursday, July 27, with Nipple, Thom Simon, and Roarmen.
Three-day passes to Riot Fest are hard to come by—but you can win one thanks to south-side brewery Baderbrau and horror/sci-fi bookstore and record shop Bucket O’ Blood. On Saturday, July 29, they’re partnering for a free party at Baderbrau’s tap room (2515 S. Wabash) called Blood & Bader’s Carnies, featuring DJs, circus performers, an art show, a carnival-themed menu, and a pop-up record shop—plus Riot Fest ticket giveaways via a raffle and a carnival game. Local bands Boss Fight, the Burst & Bloom, and American Draft (covering Danzig’s 1988 debut) play live. The event is all-ages from 7-10 PM and 21+ after. v
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