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Mike Nikolich writesI Lost Control Celebrates 10th Anniversary at CHIRP Night at The Whistler!
Bassist Tina L. Sunny, guitarist Toby Tennent, drummer Chris Bijalba and lead vocalist/guitarist Steve Anderson are I Lost Control.
Chicago rock fans are in for a treat Wednesday, August 22, when I Lost Control and The Thin Cherries perform at CHIRP Night at The Whistler. Tickets are free but you will need to RSVP to this 21+ show, which begins at 8:30 p.m.
I Lost Control is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Bandmates Steve “Stevo” Anderson and Toby Tennent met at an Old Town School of Folk Music graduation show, and they’ve been playing together ever since.
Stevo, who hosts “The Friday Afternoon Happy Hour” on CHIRP Radio-107.1 FM, is the lead singer and guitarist, while Brit ex-pat Tennent handles lead guitar. Bassist Tina L. Sunny and drummer Chris Bijalba complete the quartet.
The band will premiere its new single “Vigil” at the Whistler. The song, which was recorded at the band’s studio just down the hall from CHIRP, features a catchy bass line and the jangly guitars that are a hallmark of the band’s sound.
Mike Nikolich writesBuddies Turn 20 Year Friendship into a Killer Band
CHIRP Night at the Whistler always spotlights some of Chicago’s finest bands, and our August 22 show is no exception, when The Thin Cherries and I Lost Control take the stage around 8:30 pm. Tickets are free, but you will need to RSVP to this 21+ show.
The Thin Cherries [Bandcamp | Facebook] is the newest musical project founded by veteran Chicago indie rockers Steven Delisi and Mark Lofgren. Delisi is a musician and songwriter with a background in theater and film production. His previous band, Phenomenal Cat, blended his pop/punk sensibilities with experimental music and the Russian folk influences of his bandmates.
Songwriter/musician Lofgren is one of the founders of the psychedelic pop/rock band The Luck of Eden Hall, who have toured Europe and released music on a variety of independent labels, including Headspin Records and Fruits de Mer Records. In 2014 Lofgren released his solo debut, The Past Perfect.
Mike Nikolich writesGrumble Channels James Seminara’s Storyteller Side
James Seminara will perform at July 25th's CHIRP Night at the Whistler (photo by Nicole Swanson)
If you are a fan of Chicago’s punk/art rock favorites So Pretty, then you already are familiar with bassist James Seminara. But while the band is on hiatus, he has a new project called Grumble, and it presents a totally different side of this talented musician.
Grumble is a lo-fi solo project that features Seminara on guitar and vocals. The eight songs on the new LP, Tough Times on Oakwood, are stripped down and earnest, and anything but dull. According to CHIRP Reviewer Sophie Holtzmann, the album is “funky, folk punk that warrants your full attention, because the songs are just so damn pleasant to listen to both in the musical quality and witty lyricism.”
You can hear Grumble live this Wednesday, July 25 at CHIRP Night at the Whistler. Grumble opens for Good At Bad. The 21+ show is free but RSVPs are encouraged.
I had the chance to share a couple of cold ones with Seminara and discuss what he has planned for the Whistler crowd.
Q Tough Times on Oakwood is a big departure from So Pretty’s two albums. What sparked your inspiration for this album?
A So Pretty is temporarily on hold because one of our two singers, Ashley Holman, is pregnant. I wanted to stay active musically and began writing songs on my guitar. The album chronicles my reflections from living on Oakwood Avenue in my hometown of Ingleside, Illinois.
Mike Nikolich writes15 Minutes With Teleporter
Elliot Gitter of Teleporter will perform solo at CHIRP Night at the Whistler on April 25. (Photo by Harley Friedman)
Elliot Gitter is the lead guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter for Teleporter, who opens for ADT at CHIRP Night at the Whistler this Wednesday, April 25 at 8 pm.
Gitter will perform solo at the Whistler, focusing mostly on new material. We caught up with him to find out what he has in store for the Whistler audience.
Q : How long has Teleporter been together?
A: Nick and I started playing together with Jeremy in 2012 and recorded The Martian Chronicles in 2013 with engineer Barrett Guzaldo. At the time, I was living in a house in Chicago with several of my friends. I recorded the demos at my home studio, using an eight-track analog console. We would sample a bunch of sounds and create music. After we completed the sessions, Barrett went on to create Treehouse Records with Matt Gieser.
Mike Nikolich writesYFEE Plans Deeply Personal Performance at CHIRP Night at The Whistler
The Whistler audience is in for a treat March 28, when YFEE takes the stage at CHIRP Night at the Whistler. Sharing the stage with experimental noise-rockers Mermaid N.V., the Chicago hip-hop/electronic artist will spin tales of relationships, intrigue, sci-fi, astronomy and maybe a conspiracy theory or two.
“I’ve been singing and writing lyrics and poetry since I was seven years old,” YFEE says. “I love to play with meanings and give room in my lyrics for things to mean more than one thing at the same time.”
A graduate of Northwestern, YFEE studied Film and Astrophysics. Her passion for both subjects is evident in her videos and lyrics, and YFEE isn’t afraid to wear her emotions on her sleeve, either.
“I always want my songs to come from a deep, emotional place,” YFEE says. “I try to express feelings that are very personal and universal to all human beings.”