Aragon Archives - Chicago Reader

If enough of us celebrate Independent Venue Week, we might have one next year too

by Jamie Ludwig October 22, 2020August 18, 2021

For Independent Venue Week, the Reader has rounded up some favorite stories about Chicago music venues past and present.

Music

Workaholic superstar DJ Steve Aoki exudes optimism at every turn

by Leor Galil March 6, 2020August 18, 2021

Is there any pop star with a career like Steve Aoki’s? How many other sons of business magnates got into hardcore in the 90s, wrote for radical punk zine Heartattack, led a screamo band that released a split with Japanese posthardcore legends Envy, and ran a DIY space that hosted the likes of Jimmy Eat […]

Music

Hip-hop duo Glitter Moneyyy on a rapper who’s demanding respect, not asking for it

by Karen Hawkins February 12, 2019August 18, 2021

Current musical obsessions of Slumpgang777 rapper Vagabond Maurice, hip-hop duo Glitter Moneyyy, and Reader digital managing editor Karen Hawkins

Music

Why won’t City Hall fight for Chicago’s homegrown music scene?

by Mark Guarino January 23, 2019August 18, 2021

The Chicago Independent Venue League shouldn’t have to push back against the Live Nation handouts in the Lincoln Yards development—but City Hall doesn’t protect Chicago’s homegrown music scene.

Blogs

Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails talks synths and sensibility with Jordan Reyes of Ono

by Jordan Reyes October 23, 2018August 18, 2021

Cortini is best known for making Trent Reznor sound even better, but in his solo practice he produces symphonies of sound with exotic analog synths.

Music

The classic Smoking Popes lineup releases its first full-length in nearly two decades

by J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil October 9, 2018August 18, 2021

The classic Smoking Popes lineup releases its first full-length in nearly two decades, not-quite-retired Chicago rapper E.C. Illa reissues two old Kanye collabs, and more.

Music