Do312 - What to do in Chicago

Clara May
Chicago-based folk rock band, Clara May, was officially born in Granada, Spain in 2008 under a neon sign. Having just seen the Al-hambra from the Mirador de San Nicolas for the first time, Tom Silva, a Malaysian-born corporate executive, filmmaker and grad student, and Nicole Sotelo, a Harvard-trained theologian and author, wrote a cycle of ten songs to evoke the spirit of discovery and communion with the past that they felt. The music combined 60s folk with world music with grunge guitars and the choruses of anthem rock. But it wasn't till they met esteemed Chicago producer and musician, Phillip Amerson, that the project took off. After developing the material over almost two years, they assembled a band of seasoned players and entered Chicago's legendary Rax Trax Recording studios to cut the first Clara May album, Hush. Mastered by Doug McBride of Gravity Studios (Veruca Salt, the Walkmen), the album explores themes uncommon to mainstream indie music from identity to racism to ethnic conflicts to the war in Iraq. Clara May has dedicated their band to raising awareness of social issues and pledged 10% of their profits to charity.

John Mead & The Coyotes
I am a guitarist, singer, and writer in Chicago, and I perform as a solo artist (with a backup band) and with the band Mystery Train. My music is a kind of rootsy, funky rock & roll influenced by classic soul music, 70s hits, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. I am also a guitar teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

JB Little
J.B.Little are a new Chicago rock band. An amalgamation of talent, the band is comprised of Jason Chapman on bass and vocals, Jay Little on guitar and vocals,Mark Sheehy on lead guitar and vocals and Frank Spidale on drums and percussion. Mark, Frank and Jay are all veterans of the Chicago live music scene, having played in bands such as Baby Lemonade, The Sapphires, Precious Wax Drippings, Supermodel and Mark Sheehy Band. Jason has been busy recording two CDs under the name Francisco Castle, as well as working as an independent film maker. As a collective, their new sound ranges from mellow alt-country, to hummable pop, to cool rock and smooth R&B.