Footwork music’s whimsical, tempestuous take on house wouldn’t exist without Chicago producer Kavain Space, better known as RP Boo. In the mid-90s, he drew from his experience DJing for House-O-Matics dancers to devise skittish, hyperactive tracks that proved too puzzling for Dance Mania, a staple label of the scene that provided a home for the […]
Tag: Smart Bar
Posted inMusic
Christopher Santoso, aka DJ and producer Please and Issa Party label founder
“I try and make the music for the dancers—like Teklife, Beatdown House, everybody in the footwork community. It’s all for them.”
Posted inMusic
Want live music back? Wear a mask and call Congress.
Staff from 22 Chicago music venues talk about how far they still are from normal—and what it’ll take to keep them around till we all get there.
Posted inMusic
Get in formation on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was created by Chicago artist Terrell Davis.
Posted inMusic
Chicago punk was born queer
How three gay bars—La Mere Vipere, O’Banion’s, and Oz—became the cradle of the city’s punk scene
Posted inMusic
COVID-19 hits live music hard
You can still support artists and staff by buying merch and donating to fundraisers.
Posted inMusic
Berlin producer Laurel Halo performs at this year’s Daphne festival and releases her first film score
Update: To help slow the spread of COVID-19, this show has been postponed until a date to be determined in the future. Contact point of purchase for refund or exchange information. In January 2018, Berlin-based dance producer, vocalist, and composer Laurel Halo tweeted that she’d written a score for Possessed, a documentary by Rob Schröder […]
Posted inMusic
Fans and friends help beloved DJ Teri Bristol pay her medical bills
Fans and friends help beloved DJ Teri Bristol pay her hospital bills, Impulsive Hearts celebrate a new album benefiting Girls Rock! Chicago, and more.
Posted inMusic
Daisychain gives women and nonbinary DJs the platform they deserve
Alicia Greco’s weekly podcast has already posted 110 mixes, fostering a community that won’t stay marginalized much longer.
Posted inMusic
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.
Posted inMusic
Three-fourths of Ne-Hi switch gears as Spun Out
Three-fourths of Ne-Hi switch gears as Spun Out, J Bambii’s Brown Skin Lady Show throws an anniversary party on a boat, and more.
Posted inMusic
The category is neon on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was designed by Smart Bar’s Clare Byrne, with Front Left Speaker hosts Kim Passable and JayJay photographed by the series’ organizers.
Posted inMusic
Local producers Tensei create an electronic canvas of astral soul
Local producers Tensei create an electronic canvas of astral soul, Chicago house producer Derrick “Sleezy D” Harris passes away, and more.
Posted inMusic
Lucy Stoole: a good look for Chicago
Chicago drag mom Lucy Stoole uses a favorite vintage store to make a point about showing up for your community.
Posted inMusic
DJ and producer Ariel Zetina on a beautifully transgressive Portuguese beat genius
Current musical obsessions of producer and DJ Ariel Zetina, photographer Julia Dratel, and Reader associate editor Jamie Ludwig