By all accounts, the debut of Podlasie Club’s namesake party, Podlasie Pleasure Club, was insane. It was a muggy night in July 2021, and organizers were expecting a turnout of maybe 50. Podlasie hadn’t hosted an event in almost a decade, and it was only zoned to accommodate 104. So when the club got so […]
Tag: Beau Wanzer
Antifolk band Boo Baby drop their long-in-the-works second album
Chicago antifolk unit Boo Baby have been hanging out on the edge of this wolf’s awareness for years, having opened for the likes of local indie darlings Whitney, K Records singer-songwriter Karl Blau, and Chicago-raised outsider artist David Liebe Hart. Boo Baby’s loose-knit indie folk provides a fitting backdrop for the earnest delivery and irreverent […]
A eulogy for Danny’s Tavern
For decades, Danny’s nurtured a devoted and welcoming community of music lovers—but it couldn’t survive the pandemic.
Underground producer Steve Summers drops a 12-inch of sinister acid techno
Underground producer Steve Summers drops a 12-inch of sinister acid techno, Chicago rap crew Gold Standard Collective keep the faith on a new compilation, and more.
Chicago postpunk gets its Wu-Tang Clan
Local label Chicago Research has built a powerful, tight-knit collective of dark underground rock and electronic artists.
Chicago’s weirdest cook-off signs off on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was created by local artist and animator Samuel Nigrosh.
Spektral Quartet bring a mind-expanding program (and Julia Holter) to the Music Box
Spektral Quartet bring a mind-expanding program (and Julia Holter) to the Music Box, the Synthesizer-Chili Cookoff signs off with its tenth installment, and more.
Longtime Reckless Records buyer Jim Magas quits to spend more time with his music
Longtime Reckless Records buyer Jim Magas quits to spend more time with his music, emo four-piece Kittyhawk play their first show in more than three years, and more.
No Men summon a demon to fight climate change in their new video
No Men summon a demon to fight climate change in their new video, DJ and producer Ariel Zetina celebrates a new EP at Danny’s, and more.
Chicago club-music provocateurs Mutant Beat Dance go big with their debut album
Local synth wizard Beau Wanzer formed outre club-music group Mutant Beat Dance a decade ago with house producer Melvin Oliphant III (aka Traxx), and in a recent interview with music site Strange Sounds From Beyond, he likens their work to the films of twisted, cheeky B-movie horror director Frank Henenlotter. “I show up with my […]
Tim Kinsella and Jenny Polus couple up in the oddball electronic duo Good Fuck
Tim Kinsella and Jenny Polus couple up in the oddball electronic duo Good Fuck, punky cock-rock crew I Love Rich show the holidays the (dis)respect they deserve, and more.
Mutant Beat Dance throw a little party for their monster debut album
Mutant Beat Dance throw a little party for their monster debut album, former Ponys front man Jered Gummere drops his first full-length as Richard Vain, and more.
The Reader’s guaranteed unboring homegrown Halloween mix
Nothing against “Monster Mash,” but Chicago has spawned lots of scary songs that sound good all year—these 13 tracks cover house, psych rock, techno, boogie, hip-hop, extreme metal, pop punk, and more.
RIP Chicago techno marvel and international cult figure Dan Jugle
Dan Jugle only ever got famous for Dar Embarks and Juzer, but his influence on Chicago punk, electronic music, and indie rock spans decades. He died this past weekend at age 37.
Dead Meat Design gets a show of its own
Dead Meat Design gets a show of its own, the Chili-Synth Cook-Off returns for year seven, and more.