Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 647 - As Waters Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

Created over the course of two North American tours, "As Waters," is the artist name and self-titled debut album of guitarist and singer-songwriter Tristan Avakian. "As Waters," is a heritage record that assimilates a variety of styles, all of which pre-date Woodstock: Civil War ballad, Elizabethan lay, Revolver-era Beatles, lush orchestral pop, film noir, and tropicalia, but with a bracing post-punk sensibility instantly familiar to fans of songwriters like Josh Homme, Ben Gibbard and Billie Joe Armstrong. All the while, embodying classic story-song in the tradition of Nick Drake, Jimmy Webb, and mid-period Scott Walker. Elegant, orchestral, casually celestial. Cathartic, melodramatic, and absolutely necessary. Join the CAU crew at Acorn Theatre in Three Oaks Michigan on September 2nd to experience this brilliant songwriter. Opening the show, Gypsy-Jazz featuring Romanian born Gypsy Violinist, Daniela Bisenius and Grammy Nominated Accordionist, Don Stille. Click here to see the Videos from this Podcast

Episode 646 - 4WithOut Aug 21, 2016

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From the Czech Republic to Chicago to the CAU Studio, by far the loudest and most exciting band to perform here. I was so mezmerized by this band I forgot to turn on my mic until about the third song. 4WithOut is a powerful and energetic female fronted Chicago based original hard rock band. Stylistically aggressive, but musically and melodically focused. Adding a twist to the mix is the fact that the primary members hail from the Czech Republic, infusing the cultural "DNA" of European musical heredity. Very different considering the current watered down pop-rock/metal culture that exists these days. FINALLY something new, different and sexy! Since the bands inception in 2009 and completed formation in 2012, 4WithOut has been performing non-stop and accumulating numerous accolades from the media and peers alike. Here are just a few: Winners of Battle of the Effn Rock 2012 The Best Rock band in Chicago Independent Music Awards 2014 The winners of the Revolver Hottest Chicks in hard rock Tour 2014. Featured musical guest on the Mancow Tv/Radio show 2014 Opening act for Lacuna Coil, Saving Abel, Sick Puppies Featured (repeated) interviews on Rebelradio.com and Czechoslovakradio.com. Performed for the Czech Consulate of Chicago at the Prague Rock Fest 2015. Members: Jana Vox - vocals Jiri Jerry Cafourek - guitar Carl Fornia H - guitar Filip Halas - bass Jason Mallow - drumsVideo from Podcast

Episode 645 - Cold Country (Sean McConnell) Aug 09, 2016

Show notes

Cold Country is the ever-immersing brainchild of songwriter and audio engineer Sean McConnell. Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, McConnell ended his would-be college career in the late-aughts to pursue music, primarily as a recording studio engineer. After booking a one-way ticket to Chicago, he quickly settled in, calling the mid-west home until a brief move to Austin, TX in the fall of 2010. It was in Austin where he began writing and performing his own songs as part of the pop duo You Are An Airplane. By spring of 2011 they had enough material to play a few unofficial SXSW showcases and a tour through the south. Soon returning to Chicago, McConnell, deciding on more personal musings, assembled a rotating line-up of friends and local Chicago musicians, calling the project Cold Country, after a term his Minnesota-born father used to refer to the mid-west. Cold Country has since self-released three EP's, a full length, a handful of bedroom recorded tapes, and completed several DIY tours around the country. 2013's "Missing the Muse" garnered excellent reviews from local and regional blogs, as did 2015's "Fall EP." McConnell has just released a new single with a video, and has begun work on another full-length for 2017.

Episode 644 - Josh Harty Aug 05, 2016

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Josh Harty is a messenger. A North Dakota songsmith. A third generation musician, son of a small town police chief and preacher, he often muses that growing up he figured he'd end up going to jail or going to hell. Between the ages of five and eleven he sang gospel and country with his father at just about every Lutheran Church, Eagles Club and Senior Center in the Midwest. By age twelve Harty had made two records (cassettes) with his dad; achieving sales of 10,000 copies. After playing in several cover bands in Fargo during his teens, Harty starting his songwriting career when a local booking agent asked him if he could perform 45 minutes worth of original material for an opening gig. He said of course he could and set to work writing the songs that would become the material for his first album "Three Day Notice." After just a week of writing and rehearsing these new songs, Josh received a standing ovation and encore request from the audience while opening for BB King! His second solo project, 2008's A Long List of Lies (Magnolia Recording Co.) debuted at number eight on the European Americana chart (ahead of the latest Van Morrison album). Produced, recorded and mastered in Madison, Wisconsin's legendary Smart Studios, the album captures Harty's "clean guitar attack and a finger style that glistens with a razor's edge." (Andy Moore, Wisconsin Public Television)Come see Josh live at The Bucktown Garden Walk this Sunday afternoon, August 7, 2016 at the Club Lucky Stage, 1824 W. Wabansia Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 See all the videos from this show on Vimeo

Episode 643 - The Fourmula Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

The Fourmula Band From Whiskeytown (aka Peoria, Illinois) joined us for some serious Blues. These guys rock. Go see them live.The Fourmula are: Bob Kelly - Drums/Vocals, Chris Nix - Keys/Harmonica, Mike Stumpo Bass/Vocals, and Aaron Miller Guitar/Vocals.

Episode 642 - John Kimsey and the Twisted Roots Jul 30, 2016

Show notes

John Kimsey and the Twisted Roots Quartet joined us for an amazing night of inspired Americana. The group features John on vocals, guitar and songwriting; Lia McCoo on vocals, flutes and percussion; Morry Fiddler on keyboards; Steve Hashimoto on bass; and Brad Newton on congas and percussion. The songs they performed in their 28-minute set are Amarantha (starting at 2:07); She Says Yes to Everything (6:08); Beat the Drum Slowly (12:01); Words for Snow (16:14); and Wide Lawns and Narrow Minds (23:29). The first, third and fifth tunes appear on Kimsey's album Traps for Troubadours: the Best of Twisted Roots, which is available in CD format from CDBaby.com; for download from CDBaby and iTunes; and for streaming on Spotify and other digital services. The remaining two tunes in the set come from the repertoire of the Art Thieves, an eclectic neo-psych band led by Kimsey which featured various members of the current group way back in the 20th century and whose albumArkanum: Selections, 1981-1993, is available from the same outlets. The Twisted Roots Ensemble first came together in 2003 to perform Kimsey's award-winning song cycle Twisted Roots: Music, Politics and the American Dream Blues, which has been described by Ben Sidran, former host of NPR's Jazz Aliveand score composer for Hoop Dreams, as "an ingenious way to integrate political and social commentary into a musical architecture," and by DePaul University chaplain Anthony Nicotera as "music to inspire the soul and charge your commitment to peace and justice." To find out more, go to John Kimsey, musician on Facebook.

Episode 641 - Scott Hamilton Jul 22, 2016

Show notes

Scott Hamilton came in and joined us to record a session displaying his original music. We had such a wonderful time recording his show. Scott is a hard working muscian in the Chicago area.He plays weddings, backyard parties, rooftop parties, block parties, engagement proposals, birthdays, corporate events and more.My song list has over 300 songs from the 50's through today. I also write original music and can create custom songs for your event if you like. Instruments include, guitar, banjo and ukelele.He plays at a number of clubs in Chicago, including Joe's on Weeds, The Original Mothers, The Elbo Room, Phyllis' Music Inn, Sylvie's, Uncommon Ground as well as some restaurants. Take a look at my song list to see your favorites. I can also bring more musicians together if you are planning a longer event or are having a larger party. Let me know your needs and I will do my best to help you have a fantastic event. View all three videos from the Podcast on Vimeo

Episode 640 - Sonny Apollo Jun 26, 2016

Show notes

Sonny Apollo came into the studio one day and laid down some amazing tracks demonstrating his great voice and dexterous fingers running all over the Yamaha keyboard. What a great afternoon of music. Go see this guy live, he kills it!

Episode 639 - Marcela Carmona Jun 16, 2016

Show notes

Born in Hollywood, California, Marcela displayed a natural sense of rhythm and melody since before she could talk. At the age of 3, her mother hired a friend of the family to teach Marcela piano. She devoted herself to her classical training for 14 years with aspirations of being a concert pianist. She received no formal vocal training, and learned to sing instead at church and in her public school choirs. Marcela was born to be a musician and she works hard to make sure music is incorporated into every things she does. When she's not performing and writing her music, she's busy collaborating with other talented Los Angeles based musicians, recording and performing as a guest/session vocalist and pianist, leading congregations as a Catholic Cantor, and providing private music instruction in both Voice and Piano to students of all ages.

Episode 638 - The Giving Trio Jun 02, 2016

Show notes

The Giving Trio joined me on on an early April afternoon and transformed the studio into a vision of a smoky Jazz Club late at night with the trio's sweet jazz sounds. I enjoy all forms of original music, but because my Father took me to many Chicago jazz clubs in my youth, I have a special place in my heart for Jazz. Take a listen to some lovely original jazz compositions, and if you can, perhaps a couple of fingers of whiskey.

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