No matter the conditions, Chicago will always run on the beat of its local music scene.
We might not be stepping out to catch our new favorite locals at Empty Bottle or The Hideout right now, but that doesn't mean there isn't new music to be heard and seen (on a screen)!
We rounded up a few of the local bands, solo artists and performers that are making the most of a stay-at-home order and rocking out in their living rooms and home studios. Discover your new jam today.
Photo via Facebook/Cloudtone
Indie rockers Cloudtone have two singles slated for release this summer and if they’re anything like the band’s previous releases, it’ll be the perfect soundtrack for lounging around. Catch up on their previous work here and get excited about the first new song, "Arrivals"!
Photo via Facebook/Waltzer
The brainchild of Sophie Sputnik, Waltzer exists in a space between indie and punk with a slight tinge of country. They will be releasing their new song, "Eugene," and an accompanying video that will be premiered live with The Hideout! Tune to watch.
Photo via Facebook/Bottlenose Presents
Looking for livestreams featuring some of the best up-and-coming acts in Chicago? Then look no further than Bottlenose Presents. Featuring weekly livestreams with all sorts of amazing local talent such as Uma Bloo, Ester, Oux and more. You'll definitely want to keep up with what they have to offer by following along with the independent concert promotion company's Facebook live schedule.
Photo via Facebook/Jean Deaux Music
Our latest heir to Chicago hip hop legacy, Jean Deaux came out strong with the recent release her latest mixtape, Watch This!, which included a lyrics video to her single “Moody!” featuring Do312 favorite Saba.
Photo via Facebook/OG Stevo
OG Stevo is here with the mission of spreading positivity and inspiration to his community and neighborhood. That’s a mission we can get behind and we know you can too. Check out his newest EP The Last OG and keep up to date with him on his socials.
Photo via Facebook/Katie Grennan
You may know her as part of Celtic rock group Gaelic Storm, but Kate Grennan holds it down just as well solo. She hopes to livestream fundraisers on her Facebook page to help raise money for local businesses and organizations that she holds near and dear to her heart like The Irish American Heritage Center, Sharing Notes, and The Galway Arms. Check her out here.
Photo via Facebook/Emcee Monte
South Side hip-hop artist Emcee Monte hasn't missed a beat in 2020! Not long after Chicago's stay-at-home order was issued, he got to work on his Corona Chronicles EP. The themed three-track release is a quarantine soundtrack, you'll definitely relate to. Not long after, he followed it up with the release of his song "#BlackLivesMatter," chronicling the struggles of being Black in America.
He'll also be performing a livestream concert in honor of Juneteenth on June 20!
Photo via Facebook/Christ Bennett Music
Yes, we miss large-scale concerts but we also miss heading to our local dives and seeing some good ol’ local talent. Christy Bennett felt the same way so she started doing weekly livestreams featuring local acts and bartenders from her second home, Rogers Park Social. Tune in to hear some great music and learn how to craft a cocktail or two. Sounds like a good time to us.
Photo via Facebook/MG Bailey
M. G. Bailey may joke that no one likes a one-man band, but we think we can make an exception this time around. Not only are his live performances solid, but his recorded projects perfectly convey an energy that we’re missing in our lives right now. Check out his work here!
Photo via Facebook/Mother Nature
Mother Nature is back with a fiery new project, Portalz. At ten tracks, it’s plenty robust for an EP but is anyone really complaining about an abundance of new music right now? Portalz serves as a “rebirth” for the hip-hop duo and we can’t wait to hear more.
Photo via Facebook/Cass & John's Livestream
To be selfless in a time such as this is truly remarkable and that is exactly what Cass & John are doing. Each week, this musical husband-and-wife duo hosts a livestream from their living roomand half of the tips raised get donated to a different charity or local business. So come on by, listen to some tunes and toss a donation if you can.
Photo via Facebook/Rookie
Not only were Rookie slated to drop a debut LP this year, but it was then to be followed up with an extensive tour to promote the album. The good news it the album was still released on March 13th and can be bought here. The bad news? Well, we’ll let you figure that one out. Support the band by buying music and merch and by checking out fellow Bloodshot Records artists to share the love. Rookie will also be participating in a Noonchorus livestream on July 7!
Photo via Facebook/Aly Jados
Aly Jados is a woman of many talents. She's the front person for Blood People, runs a solo project and somehow still finds time to make incredible art. Teach us your ways, Aly! However you choose to support Aly, one thing is for sure, you won’t be disappointed. If you're looking for her latest work, watch a teaser for Blood People's latest single, "Phantasmagoria." The full song will be released in June.
Photo via Facebook/DJ noDJ
This pandemic hasn’t slowed some musicians down at all. Take Charlie Otto for example. In addition to releasing a solo album, ()PRESSION, in April, he’s continued to release daily digital and streaming content with his various bands including DJ noDJ, This Must Be The Band and Babe-alon 5.
Photo via Facebook/Zaptra
A moment of zen is a gift in times like these. Zaptra’s latest single, released at the beginning of May, delivers just that. Take an ambient, electronic journey with “Air Loom” and catch a live set when Zaptra returns to the stage.
Photo via Facebook/Sound Magic
Need a soundtrack for your meditation? Sound Magic’s weekly “Sound Magic Sunday Vespers” create soundscapes with the use of gongs, crystal bowls, drums, shakers, rainsticks and other instruments. Let go of your stress and go to bed feeling relaxed and ready to take on the week!
Photo via Facebook/Chip Ratliff
Stay tuned for a new single from Evanston-based bassist and songwriter Chip Ratliff—recorded remotely! Follow Chip on social media, be the first to know when “Red White & Blues” hit the Internet and find out just how good home studios can sound. Chip says, “I basically decided to take advantage and make the best of a seemingly bad situation. I wrote a song, grabbed some of my best musical buddies and took off on a journey that ended with a tune that kicks like a jackhammer called 'Red Black & Blues'!”
Photo courtesy of Signal The Launch
If you haven’t checked out the two-track EP Dance Like A Vampire from Signal The Launch, it’s time to add it to your playlist. The Chicago rockers were gearing up for a big 2020 after playing House Of Blues in January, but now they just want to spread the music until they can play shows again. Rock on.
Photo via Facebook/Derek Chase
Chicago techno artist Derek Chase was recently signed to Berlin label FEEL HYPE and we can’t wait to see him again behind the decks. Until then, check out his first FEEL HYPE track with his new label mate Ali Penstone, “Detroit Detroit,” released at the end of April. You can also peep the occasional live set on Chase's Twitch channel including one scheduled for May 31.
Photo via Facebook/NNAMDÏ
There are so many potential reasons for 2020 not being your favorite year to date...but it will forever be the year that ever-evolving local solo artist NNAMDÏ released his latest album BRAT. It’s a magnetic multifaceted musical journey that leaves no doubt in our minds that when concerts resume, NNAMDÏ will receive plenty of opportunities to play these new tracks live. There's never been a better time to discover new, local music than right now.
Photo via Facebook/A Flor De Piel
Latin artists A Flor De Piel have been releasing cozy quarantine concerts on the band’s Instagram and Facebook pages that include original music as well as cover songs. If you need a little hip shaking to get you through the day, check it out—and don’t forget to tip the band!
Photo via Facebook/E-Man
Rapper E-Man hasn’t let the pandemic slow his release schedule. In addition to putting out a music video for his latest single, “Backends” in May, he also posted a timely new track titled “Quarantine Flow.”
Photo via JonasFriddle.com
Unable to play with his full band, local singer and banjo player Jonas Friddle has launched his “Banjo After Dark” series on Youtube. Friddle is trying to recreate the feeling of enjoying live folk music in a pub with a cocktail in hand—and we’re here for it. Stay tuned for more of these soothing home performances.
Photo courtesy of Ensemble Dal Niente
Contemporary experimental Ensemble Dal Niente’s roster consists of 23 musicians, so it goes without saying that they haven’t been able to play together lately. However, the band has turned to Patreon to help generate support from fans while shows are on hold. Subscribe for access to musician showcases, new solo performances, improvisations, interviews between musicians and composers and more. Need more ways to stay connected? The ensemble's podcast, Fellow Travelers, features "behind the music" conversations with composers and other collaborators.
Photo via Instagram/Joe Powers
Let Joe Powers’ Friday installments of his “Quarantine Tracks” bring a little cheer and amusement to your week. These minute-long videos feature musical samples made with household items like ping pong paddles as well as guests like Ric Wilson, Jesse 5K and more. Watch old and new videos on his Instagram page.
Photo via Facebook/OPLIAM
Watch a half-hour quarantine concert from Independent Native American artist OPLIAM in collaboration with international organization Indigenous Peoples Movement. You can also hear his latest single, "NDN Boy Blues" on all streaming services. Keep an ear out for OPLIAM's new single, "Lungs On Fire," out June 21. That track and more will be featured on a new album, What Symbol Represents A Spirit, scheduled to drop this fall.
Photo via Facebook/Hi Ho
Right now, we’re craving new music in any form. A March recording session left moody quartet Hi Ho with a few demos that weren’t originally intended to be put out into the world. However, facing a canceled tour and delayed plans for further studio time, the band decided to unleash one of the demos and give fans a lil’ taste of what’s to come. Listen to “Desertion” here.
Photo via Facebook/Xoe Wise
Xoe Wise is currently taking submissions for her upcoming “Curbside Live” quarantine series. The veteran singer/songwriter will be performing livestreamed acoustic sets on the patios or curbs of Chicago venues and restaurants affected by the COVID-19 shutdown and setting up a digital tip jar. Visit Wise’s website for more information about submitting your venue, bar or restaurant and see an upcoming schedule of performances.
Photo via Facebook/The Empty Pockets
Every Wednesday at 3 p.m., you can watch a free live concert from Chicago band The Empty Pockets via their Facebook page. Fans of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the Allman Brothers and Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band should definitely tune in. If you like what you hear, take your support of the band a step further by joining in on a ticketed livestream on June 6.
Photo via Facebook/Furious Frank
Furious Frank’s big spring plans are on hold. The band—experts in the world of gypsy folk music—was scheduled to put out a series of EPs throughout the summer and tour in support of the new music. They’ve hit the “pause” button on the releases, but you can check out past releases and follow on social media for more updates.
Photo via Facebook/Impulsive Hearts
Writing, recording and releasing a new album is no small task, so imagine when Chicago indie rockers accomplished this feat only to have all of their promotional plans canceled. The band’s album Cry All The Time was released March 6, just before the city was shut down in response to COVID-19. You can still stream the album via the band’s label, Midwest Action, and catch a few “live from home” performances Impulsive Hearts have put on posted to their Facebook page.
Photo via Facebook/DJ Ron
Normally, you can find DJ Rons in the DJ booth at Roscoe’s Tavern, Sofo Tap or Meeting House Tavern. Right now though, Twitch is the best place to tune in for his sets. He goes live Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. to bring clubland and dance music to everyone hunkered down safely in their homes.
