Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

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Episode 387 - Caxton Jan 20, 2012

Show notes

Caxton is a modern alternative rock band inspired musically by The Beatles, Brian Setzer, Blondie, Steve Wonder The band includes founding members and childhood friends Adam Surdin (guitar) and Brett McLaughlin (bass/vocals); Christina Reyes (vocals/piano), who grew up in Orange County; and Brian Pelletier (drums), also a desert native. Adam, Brett and Brian began playing together in Palm Desert during middle school and continued through college. While studying guitar at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Adam met Christina, who was studying vocal music. Upon returning to the Coachella Valley, Adam reunited with Brett and Brian. Christina soon joined, keyboard in tow. Band Members: Brett McLaughlin - Bass/Vocals | Christina Reyes - Vocals/Keys Adam Surdin - Guitar/Vocals | Brian Pelletier - Drums The four formed a cover band under the name Save the Humans. While learning about each other's playing style, they began penning their own songs and officially christened themselves Caxton. During the last two years, Caxton has released a self-titled debut 10-track album (available on iTunes); played and competed at numerous venues across the Southland; and are completing their sophomore album to be released in Fall 2010.

Episode 386 - The Bergamot Jan 16, 2012

Show notes

The Bergamot has earned instant comparisons to the likings of Adele, Dave Matthews, with a little Michael Jackson thrown into the mix. Classically trained, Nathan Hoff is a multi-faceted artist, fulfilling an impressive array of roles from songwriting to engineering. On the other hand, Jillian Speece holds down the house with her crafty songwriting and powerfully beautiful vocals that will stop you dead in your tracks. The Bergamot calls their musical style "Organic Pop Music," they describe their sound as a genre that "integrates catchy melodies and honest lyrics, with that throw-back non-processed sound we all grew up listening to." Their goal is to create naturally flowing music, leaving that dead digital sound at the door. This leads into why they chose to record their latest album (with a 2012 release date) in an all-analog studio located in Nashville, TN. They will stop at nothing to achieve musical excellence. In addition to their energetic sound, The Bergamot offers an intimate musical experience, too. "Music offers hope and it can relate with people in a way that is as unique as the art form itself", states Hoff. On the flip side Speece notes, "The world offers an ever-changing narrative that we find ourselves tied up in. As we evolve, we learn about ourselves and in-turn we catch the beautiful experience of life in our songs." The Bergamot's "Organic Pop Music" has drawn audiences worldwide. Their music, both intellectual and relatable, encompasses stories, melodies, and wonderful songwriting. Their uncanny ability to storytell has made this group an instant classic. The Bergamot's exuberance is utterly contagious and everyone is anticipating the release of the new album set to be released 2012. For now all we can do is wait and it seems as though 2012 cannot come soon enough.

Episode 385 - The Real Jane Martin Jan 08, 2012

Show notes

The Real Jane Martin is an acoustic rock duo from Chicago, IL. Musician-songwriters Mark Burns and Allen Rein formed TRJM in 2006 and have released two studio albums: Simple Math in 2009 and North of Nowhere in 2011.These guys are such fun and so creative. I highly recommend that you go see them live whenever they are nearby.

Episode 384 - W.O.R.M. World Organization of the Righteous Movement Jan 06, 2012

Show notes

Michael Narvaez brought Mike Reidy and the boys in to record a show, which turned into a show full of Magic, Music, and damnit all, just about the most fun we've ever had recording these past Six Years.Saturday January 7th at Kicker Sports Bar 3902 25th Avenue, Schiller Park, IL 60176 present a Chicago Acoustic Underground showcase featuring Marke Lester, Junction 325 and Mike Reidy from W.O.R.M. Ohh yes this is going to be one interesting night of original music with a few tasty cover that you won't want to miss. Three act for only $5 starting at 9:30pm

Episode 383 - Matthew Morgan and the Lost Brigade Jan 05, 2012

Show notes

Matthew Morgan and the Lost BrigadeWith a painter's eye for detail Matthew Morgan sketches his sonic canvas combining his lyric tenor voice with evocative tales that stem from the heart. He skillfully weaves together glimmers of American folk, country, rock and blues to create a unique sound that is sophisticated and poignantly contemporary while remaining firmly rooted in acoustic tradition. With a keen social insight and poetic skills his stories conjure tales of courage in the face of adversity merging his own life experiences with historical footnotes. A multi-instrumentalist he crafts his songs playing the guitar, piano, organ, harmonica, and a variety of other stringed instruments. Matthew grew up in Ohio where he attended music school, majoring in vocal performance. With this strong musical background he quickly realized that his passion for music was more than just singing. So, he set out to discover his true voice as a singer/songwriter. Released in February 2011, Matthew's debut CD "Red Silhouettes" is a tour de force in "Do It Yourself" recording. Entirely self produced and engineered he performs nearly every instrument himself with a few notable musicians and friends adding exuberance to the mix. Featured guest musicians on the CD include Kurt Baumer and the irrepressible duo of Anita Chase and Sheela Reddy of the Chicago-based rock band 1/2 Mad Poet. Kurt is a former Nashville fiddler who has toured with groups including Lonestar, Ricky Lynn Gregg and Brett James, while 1/2 Mad Poet has performed at Lilith Fair and shared the stage with bands as diverse as Joan Jett, Sugar Ray, and Smash Mouth. "Red Silhouettes" is loosely based on surviving stories and letters that reveal the hardships and daily struggles of those present during the American Civil War. No stranger to life's struggles himself Matt was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2005. This poorly understood and often misdiagnosed chronic illness left him incapacitated and housebound for nearly two years. Matthew credits music and songwriting among the catalysts fostering his slow recovery from CFS and his songs reflect this positive outlook on life.Matt performs both as a soloist and with his band "The Lost Brigade" (Kevin Lahvic - bass/acoustic guitar/vox, Anita Chase - lead guitar/vox, Sheela Reddy - bass/vox, Dave Szpunar - banjo/12 string acoustic, Jeff Gilbert - percussion, Anand Christopher - violin). He is also an accomplished painter having shown his fine art regularly as a member of the Flat Iron Artist's Association (Chicago, IL).

Episode 382 - Nadia Thomas Jan 03, 2012

Show notes

Nadia Thomas (formerly Piotrowski) as in Congratulations on getting married joined us with friend and fellow musician Christine Knodle came into the studio along with a bunch of CAU friends and knocked our collective sox off. Nadia is an excellent performer and songwriter and with Christine on piano and violin created a beautiful night of music and laughs.

Episode 381 - Shawn Phillips Dec 25, 2011

Show notes

This is CAU's Merry Christmas Show to our Listeners. Mr. Shawn Phillips Shawn is a dear friend who was in town on a National Tour and came it to the studio to record this Podcast.Shawn is an amazing man with 20+ albums to his credit and guest appearances on Donovan's Sunshine Superman and Beatle albums. I first met Shawn at the venue "Studio in the Rockies" in Vail, Colorado which I was involved. He came in and did two sold out shows.This is the first show featuring the entire show as a video. In fact, there are parts both before and after the show included, because of the stories that Shawn talked about. Like the time he taught George Harrison how to play the Sitar, and how he turned the Moody Blues on to Acid.Please enjoy this show, it is our gift to you.

Episode 380 - Jordan Cook Dec 15, 2011

Show notes

Back in August, Ashley Wolf brought a young man from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada into the studio to record a Podcast prior to his headlining our live CAU Showcase at the bottom lounge. Because we were really busy, I had not had the time to go to his site and listen to him. So in comes this skinny, lanky, man Jordan Cook with a big smile on his face and a guitar nowhere in sight. So, he borrowed a few of mine and proceeded to absolutely blow my mind. I have not seen a guitarist like him since my days in England in the late 60's watching another young man from the Northwest of the United States. Hmm, let's see, oh yes, that man's name was Jimi Hendrix. You are about to see what I mean. I thank Ashley for getting this guitar phenom in my studio. I am not sure I will ever see such a brilliant talent for the rest of this life.Check out the video from this showMichael Teach, Founder/Host, CAU

Episode 379 - Christopher Pond Dec 12, 2011

Show notes

In the catagory of Lost but now found, comes a wonderful Singer/Songwriter from Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. I apologize for it's lateness, but this is most surely a case of better now than never. Enjoy this show, I know you will.Christopher Pond is an indie-folk-rock artist from Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. He records his albums in his home studio and has a lot of fun doing it. He sounds like a bunch of good bands you probably love rolled into one. He started playing music at age 12 and has pressed on ever since. In Florida in 2003 while on vacation, his first guitar was stolen. He was unphased. 2007 was an extremely creative year, having written over fifteen songs and composed several instrumental pieces. This resulted in the beginning of recording an EP in the winter of 2007/2008. At the end of this year and a half span of songwriting and instrumental composition, he released the "Less Words, More Meaning EP" in March of 2008. Recording mainly took place at Fused Omelet Studios at home on Pro Tools. In April 2008, the recording began for his first full length release, "Color Scheme," which was released in October of 2009. Here's a blurb on Color Scheme from Waiting Room Records: "Christopher Pond is a singer/songwriter whose recent album "Color Scheme" dips into indie/acoustic styles thrown in with a mix of rock/pop elements. Written, recorded, mixed, and produced on his own, "Color Scheme" heads in a deeper direction lyrically as well as musically while retaining the whimsical sentiment that sets the lyrics apart. If you like Owen, Sun Kil Moon and Death Cab for Cutie, then you'll dig this record."

Episode 378 - Jessie Torrisi and the Please, Please Me Dec 06, 2011

Show notes

Jessie Torrisi played drums in a dozen New York rock bands before finding her calling as a frontwoman. Armed with feel-good heartbreak songs that blur the line between sass, whimsy, and raw vulnerability, Jessie's debut was dubbed "Best Americana Album" (NY Voice Village), the year's "best of" (Amplifier), and "most exciting debut" (Metro Spirit). The songs off Bruler Bruler ("burn burn" in French), are a mad dash for passion through the streets of Brazil, Brooklyn, Austin New Orleans - all places Jessie's lived in the last decade. Enter the Please, Please Me. The band swivels hips switches instruments, bringing the circus to life. Onstage, Jessie sings from behind the drums like a female Levon Helm, beatboxes, duels with her trumpet player, pulls the audience up to kazoo. Their music has been hailed as "swagger sexiness," "an attention-grabber," "pure desire," "a wrecking crew." She's currently in the studio recording her sophomore album with producer Mark Addison (Band of Heathens, Sara Hickman, Jess Klein).You can see Jessie Torrisi this Friday December 9, 2011 at Loni Walker's new Underground Wonder Bar along with CAUDog Records Artist Left Turn at Alburquerque

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