Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 567 - Robert Hynes Jun 18, 2014

Show notes

Robert Hynes was born into a music loving family in the suburbs of Chicago. As a young child he began playing music on the household piano, learned viola through school, and discovered Dad's guitar in the front closet. Robert had piano lessons from a neighbor, friend and musical mentor named George Krajecki. Robert studied music at the College of DuPage, and under many great guitarists including the highly versatile Tom Sanchez (formerly of Liquid Soul), jazz-fusion guitarist Steve Ramsdell, classical guitarist Scott Johnston. Robert currently teaches guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, and instructs a Rock Band course at Music Makers of Western Springs. Robert Hynes Band is a 4 piece group, featuring longtime collaborator Fred Mundinger on guitar and vocals, Kevin Becker on bass, and Mike Bruno on drums. The band's performances include bottle-neck blues, Gypsy jazz, New Orleans funk and good ole' house-rockers! Vintage instruments, cigar box guitars, home-made Leslie amps and other musical curiosities can also be seen as a regular part of the show, as are guest appearances from Chicago's finest musicians.Robert and Kevin Becker longtime collabrator and Upright Bassest, two out of the four memebers of the band, joined us for an afternoon of wonderful music and great stories about working in the music industry.Check out both videos from the show at CAU/Vimeo

Episode 566 - Ruddy Nickel Jun 14, 2014

Show notes

Dear friend Bill Liggett first joined us way back in 2007 on Episode 22. In the past seven years Bill has honed his singer/songwriting skills and has created a band called Ruddy Nickel.Ruddy Nickel is a four piece Blues/Jazz hybrid. Many influences can be heard in the mostly original repertoire but the music itself is very hard to classify. From simple bluesy love songs to complicated arrangements bordering on the Jazz end of the Blues. Gaining recognition in the Chicago / Metro as one of the most unique sounding bands on the Blues / Jazz scene ! With an exciting repertoire of Classics and original classics! THE best original material right now. Making their mark musically RN is playing for packed houses!View the videos from this show on CAU's Vimeo

Episode 565 - Sonny Hills Jun 02, 2014

Show notes

Sonny Hills brings a blend of folk, blues, roots rock Americana to middle western U.S.A. His vocals have a tinge of soulful scratch, and his Influences range from The Band and Van Morrison to modern storytellers like Ben Harper and JJ Grey. Setting out for an adventure in 2010, Sonny Hills, aka Aaron L, left his home state of Ohio for a taste of the big city in Chicago, IL. Soaking up the live music scene and listening to old records of great americana like CCR, the Allman Brothers, and The Band, he started writing and collaborating with friends and local songwriters, writing all genre's of music and having a really good time. Around the Summer of 2013, he really settled into a sound of his own, and those around him started to notice. He had a vision of a group of friends playing music, a collaboration of life, love and music, and he knew he had to assemble the right folks. So, he went to work compiling great musicians from around the windy city -- singers, musicians and really anyone with something to contribute -- and leased a rehearsal space on the northwest side to tighten things up. As things started to come together, the group found Brett Ratliff at Sowing Season Studios who was willing to work with the band on recording their first set of songs. That set of songs will be their first EP, and should be due out in late Spring 2014.

Episode 564 - Bubbles Brown May 27, 2014

Show notes

Bubbles Brown is a original singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist originally from Florida, who now resides in Chicago, Illinois. Joining Bubbles on percussion is Washboard Ben Brundage and his Suitcase Jug Band. Their sound is a melting pot of influences taking elements of Old time Delta Blues, crunchy foot stomping rhythms, and soulful vocal power. With this said, Bubbles Brown's music is all about traveling, love, getting sloppy, and having a ball. Long Live The Blues!!!!!Bubbles Brown is a part of an organization here in Chicago and soon in Austin, Texas called Hostel Earphoria. Hostel Earphoria is a unique guesthouse in Logan Square Chicago, specifically designed for musicians. We have transformed an entire house into an urban rest stop for musicians on the road, giving them a space to stay, play, practice, record, collaborate and perform.Check out all the videos from the show on CAU Vimeo Bubbles Brown just released their new EP titled Pigeon Cousin, dedicated to the now extinct Passenger Pigeon.

Episode 563 - James Apollo May 23, 2014

Show notes

James Apollo, Originally from Arkansas and currently Seattle based w/Minneapolis and Chicago based members joined us thanks to the efforts of Alaina Thetford of Train Case Management of Nashville.James came in a played some of the new songs on the June release of his new CD titled "Angelorum" James surrounded himself with brilliant musicians and the music from this six piece band soared and carried me away thanks to the amazing songwriting skills and unique voice of James Apollo.

Episode 562 - Led Astray featuring Eric Dinse and Sarah Blick May 19, 2014

Show notes

Led Astray is a new project featuring Eric Dinse and Sarah Blick. These two artists have created a beautiful sound together, and they joined me in the CAU Studio to record this Podcast demonstrating their musical path.Enjoy these two brilliant artists, and when you get the chance, see them live...

Episode 561 - The Aldermaniacs May 11, 2014

Show notes

The Aldermaniacs began with guitarist Drew Pompano looking to explore his bebop and swing jazz roots by playing standards with a cellist and singer. Classically trained cellist and vocalist Alex Gilewicz provided soaring cello lines and powerful alto vocals to the sound, but the duo eventually found themselves more inspired to compose original music. The resulting sound is clearly informed by the partners' study of jazz, classical, and roots music, but the songs have developed an emergent, contemporary sound. Rather than rely on effects and digital tools, Gilewicz and Pompano allow the natural sound of their instruments add nuance and detail, giving subtlety an important role in the music. Their experiences before joining up as the Aldermaniacs included notable Chicago groups such as Jenny Dragon, Brian Sharpe and the Associates, and award-winning a cappella group, Voices in Your Head. The time spent with such tight-knit ensembles influenced Pompano and Gilewicz to craft tunes with a careful attention to arrangement and texture. The interplay between the voices and instruments evokes the deep listening and reactive creativity most commonly associated with jazz combos and chamber ensembles, clearly a result of the duo's respective backgrounds. The tunes are catchy, for sure. But there's so much more underneath. Actively gigging around the Chicago area begining in May of 2013, the Aldermaniacs have continually developed the elegance of their arrangements and their intuitive musical connection. The songbook has also continued to grow and the duo finally brought their skills to the studio in January 2014. Working with local songwriting luminary Brian Sharpe at the production helm, the Aldermaniacs completed tracking for their debut album, to be released within the first quarter of 2014. Stay tuned and we'll keep you up to date on soon-to-be-announced gigs to promote the record and eventually, the release itself.

Episode 560 - Owl Meet Rabbit aka Sam Carroll May 07, 2014

Show notes

Owl Meet Rabbit aka sam Carroll was a part of our monthly "Singing For Your Supper" showcase last night at Mayne Stage which is held on the first Tuesday of every month. After recording his Podcast back in March, it was fun to see him perform live. His set was comprised of most of the songs from his Podcast and the reaction from the audience was wonderful and fueled his set.Sam, a high school teacher in Aurora, IL , has a great pride as an educator and, I certainly applaud him for that. There is a gentle shyness almost self deprecating nature to his writing that feels like he is channeling that part of all of us into these great songs. Enjoy him, I am sure you well.

Episode 559 - Amy Jo Roberts w/ Aaron Apsey May 02, 2014

Show notes

Amy Jo Roberts is a Michigan born songstress whose melodies have been strongly shaped and influenced by her wayfaring gypsy days, roaming the country from New York, Maryland, and Virginia, to Oklahoma, Missouri, and New Mexico. Often compared to the soulful singing of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, her haunting melodies and Celtic influence challenge the classic folk sound with both modern and ancient twists.

Episode 558 - Ted Wulfers 2014 Apr 29, 2014

Show notes

Dear friend Ted Wulfers was here in February to play a show at Schuba's in support of his brilliant new CD and vinyl album "Lucky No. 7". Ted came in to the CAU studio with with fellow Californian and stellar drummer, Tripp Beam. It was acold and windy Chicago day, but it was plenty hot in the studio with these two.Ted pulled out his big Gibson and played some of his great songs, and then brought out his little Kala ukulele and absolutely rocked the house with it. Your gonna love this Podcast!

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