Artist Interviews Daydream Review & Smooth Rogers Interview

Earlier in 2022, Zac Bron of Smooth Rogers remixed one of the songs off of Chicago local psychedelic rock band Daydream Review's self-titled EP. The remix of "Yesterday and Tomorrow" brought out some fun and funky space disco and was released as a separate single. Daydream Review's Elijah Montez and Zach are long-time collaborators in various projects, and Features Co-Director Mick R caught up with both of them to talk about their most recent single and get some insights into how they work together. 

Both Daydream Review's self-titled EP and the "Yesterday and Tomorrow" remix single were self-released via Bandcamp. 

"The way that I talk about the EP with other people is each song is almost like trying on different hats... [and] Zach has a really great expertise in making things sound funky almost like without even trying." - Elijah Montez

Production by Mick R. 

Image courtesy of the artists. 

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Artist Interviews Porches Interview

Aaron Maine released the fifth LP with his project Porches titled All Day Gentle Hold! at the end of 2021. This past spring he embarked on his first tour since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. Features contributor Matty G caught up with Aaron to talk about the significance of the tour for his life and his career and how his time in quarantine effected the sound of his latest album. 

 All Day Gentle Hold ! is out on Domino Recording.

"It feels like the first album I ever put out. It feels like the first tour I've ever been on. That feeling and that energy is really inspiring. It is difficult to take any of that for granted now and it just feels like such a gift." - Aaron Maine

Produced by Brian Szpak.

Photo Credit: Jason-Nocito

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Artist Interviews Brittney Chantele Interview

This week, Features co-director Jessi D speaks with formerly Pittsburgh-based pop/hip-hop and visual artist Brittney Chantele, who now calls Chicago home. Brittney discusses their drive to always speak out for what's right, working through their traumatic experiences during their military career on their album The Golden Opportunity, and DJing Taylor Swift Night at Subterranean as their entry into the Chicago DJ world.

"I was just sharing my story, I was just sharing what happened to me. And for me that is a part of saying something instead of doing nothing." - Brittney Chantele

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Riley J. Benson 

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Artist Interviews Manasseh Interview

Manasseh Croft, aka, Manasseh is a Chicago-based soul singer whose debut album Monochromatic Dream explores themes of dream interpretation and how those dreams inspire action. Feature Co-Director Mick R. caught up with Manasseh to talk about the collaborations that made his album possible, his work as a vocal coach, and how dreams have changed his life. 

You can stream Monochromatic Dream on SoundCloud and Spotify. 

"We all have had those life defining moments. And they have come to us in dreams, whether we paid attention to them or not." - Manasseh

Produced by Mick R. 

Photo Credit: Seed Lynn

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Artist Interviews Khaliyah X Interview

This week, Features contributor Matty G speaks with Chicago-based songstress Khaliyah X. They discuss her new EP Just For the Summer and how recording it during the winter and spring kept her going through the cold weather, her musical influences and inspirations, her interests in healing and herbalism, and her favorite live performance experiences thus far. 

"There's nothing you have to explain to anyone, just believe in yourself and find people who believe in you and create the room that you want to be in. If you have something to say, if you have a gift, you didn't get that gift for no reason. It was given to you to share with the world, so share it." - Khaliyah X

Produced by Jessi D.

Photo Credit: Novdon

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