Chicago House DJ and producer Sean Haley died late last week at age 49. A DJ since the 90s, Haley blossomed in the 2000s: he copromoted Inner Sound System parties at Sonotheque, and in 2007 formed the house duo Windimoto with Detroit producer Scorpeze (they launched a label with the same name in 2009). Haley had a taste for funk, soul, jazz, and broken beat, which he’d incorporate into his DJ sets. “He had a crisp style—very succinct,” says friend and fellow DJ Mr. JayToo. “You could just tell that he was looking for the best stuff, and not the stuff that’s easiest to find—I would rarely hear people play that stuff.” Haley also formed Deep Rooted with producer Sean Owens and recently partnered with Glenn Underground on the 12-inch single I-94. Haley sometimes DJed inconspicuously at Hyde Park Records and Estereo, but one of his final sets took place at this spring’s inaugural Chicago House Music Festival in Millennium Park. “He was an extremely supportive dude,” JayToo says. “He was really paying attention, and not just to what he was doing or what his friends were doing—if he liked what you did, he would support it, wholeheartedly.”
Punk Rock and Donuts brings live bands (and fresh pastries) to shows at Chicago libraries. On Saturday, July 21, PR&D’s Jeremy Kitchen throws a Co-Prosperity Sphere benefit for Pilsen Reads!—through which Pilsen Community Books gives books to local schools and students. The bill includes locals Nonagon and Through N Through and LA’s Short Temper.
After a few catchy EPs, atmospheric local pop-rock band Bike Cops drop their first (self-titled) full-length via Jurassic Pop this week. On Thursday, July 19, they celebrate at Emporium in Wicker Park with Akron/Family’s Dana Buoy and Gumdropp.
On Thursday, July 19, Sharkula and Mukqs (of Good Willsmith) make their debut as a duo at Cafe Mustache—this wolf is eager to hear what they have cooking.  v
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