Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

David G. Smith David came in on a sunny warm afternoon a few months back and played four wonderful songs and recorded a very interesting interview. I am certain that you will enjoy this man and his beautiul and poignant words. Songwriter/Singer, David G Smith

SMD the UndergroundSarah Marie Dillard, Brandon "Muffin Man" Mooberry, and Nick "The Kid" Fairley combine in this SoulFolk trio. What a fun afternoon of great music and tons of laughs. Trust me, when they are in your nck of the woods, go see them. You will be glad you did.

Soul KarmaSoul Karma is a Chicago based groove rock band performing original music as well as their own versions of popular Rock, Soul, Pop, Dance, RB, and Hard Rock Covers. Soul Karma is filled with great musicians from all genres of music. Phil Stafel - lead vocals/Rhythm guitarFred Nyland - lead guitar/backing vocalsBill Knor - drums/backing vocalsCorey Volling - bass/backing vocals

Aaron WilliamsAaron joined us for a solo set recently and we had a great time listening to hos powerful vocals and excellent songwriting skills. You can catch him live on Wednesday November 23rd in Lisle, IL at Basecamp Pub Eatery.

Soft LedgesShelley Miller and Chris Geisler came into the studio one afternoon and blew me away. Their sheer raw musical energy combined with killer lyrics got this old man on his feet and dancing. What a great band Soft Ledges is. You can catch this energy at their album release show December 4, 2016 at Elastic Arts. 3429 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL 60647 #208

Inga LynchJoined us on a sunny but chilly day last January and we recorded some of her wonderful songs. Inga is from Wein (Vienna), Austria and spends part of her time in Chicago. Inga blends Americana with Blues and folk music stylings. Take a listen and watch the videos and you will see what I mean. Click here to watch the videos from her show.

Joe TaylorIn the decade that I have been recording these Podcasts and booking CAU showcases here in Chicago, this man has become a dear friend. Joe is one of the hardest working singer/songwriters I have ever known. Joe will perform anywhere at any time and he will never let you down. Those of you that know him know what I mean. The rest of you, please go see and support this man when he comes to...

Jesse W. JohnsonCame back in the studio to record some of the music from his forthcoming album. Many apologies for getting this show mixed up, but better late than never. Also, many thanks to Jim Hanke for hooking us up again. Jim represents some excellent talent and I am always glad when he brings someone to me. You can catch Jesse live on October 19th at

Matthew Francis Andersenjoined us this summer for an afternoon of great music and talk. You can see Michael live tomorrow night at "The Outta Space" 3840 32nd Street, Berwyn, IL

Josh Beemish Johnson and Rozanne Gewaar. Dear friend Rozanne Gewaar brought in from San Francisco Josh Beemish Johnson and they proceeded to sing us some beautiful duets together. What a true joy their songs stylings were. Unfortunately, somehow, this show was lost but now found, and I am so glad. I am certain that you will too. Grab your partner, a tall glass of iced tea, or a lovely chilled whit...

Created over the course of two North American tours, "As Waters," is the artist name and self-titled debut album of guitarist and singer-songwriter Tristan Avakian. "As Waters," is a heritage record that assimilates a variety of styles, all of which pre-date Woodstock: Civil War ballad, Elizabethan lay, Revolver-era Beatles, lush orchestral pop, film noir, and tropicalia, but with a bracing post-p...

From the Czech Republic to Chicago to the CAU Studio, by far the loudest and most exciting band to perform here. I was so mezmerized by this band I forgot to turn on my mic until about the third song. 4WithOut is a powerful and energetic female fronted Chicago based original hard rock band.

Cold Country is the ever-immersing brainchild of songwriter and audio engineer Sean McConnell. Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, McConnell ended his would-be college career in the late-aughts to pursue music, primarily as a recording studio engineer. After booking a one-way ticket to Chicago, he quickly settled in, calling the mid-west home until a brief move to Austin, TX in the fall of 2010. It wa...

Josh Harty is a messenger. A North Dakota songsmith. A third generation musician, son of a small town police chief and preacher, he often muses that growing up he figured he'd end up going to jail or going to hell. Between the ages of five and eleven he sang gospel and country with his father at just about every Lutheran Church, Eagles Club and Senior Center in the Midwest. By age twelve Harty had...

The Fourmula Band From Whiskeytown (aka Peoria, Illinois) joined us for some serious Blues. These guys rock. Go see them live. The Fourmula are: Bob Kelly - Drums/Vocals, Chris Nix - Keys/Harmonica, Mike Stumpo Bass/Vocals, and Aaron Miller Guitar/Vocals.

John Kimsey and the Twisted Roots Quartet joined us for an amazing night of inspired Americana. The group features John on vocals, guitar and songwriting; Lia McCoo on vocals, flutes and percussion; Morry Fiddler on keyboards; Steve Hashimoto on bass; and Brad Newton on congas and percussion. The songs they performed in their 28-minute set are Amarantha (starting at 2:07); She Says Yes to Everythi...

Scott Hamilton came in and joined us to record a session displaying his original music. We had such a wonderful time recording his show. Scott is a hard working muscian in the Chicago area. He plays weddings, backyard parties, rooftop parties, block parties, engagement proposals, birthdays, corporate events and more.

Sonny Apollo came into the studio one day and laid down some amazing tracks demonstrating his great voice and dexterous fingers running all over the Yamaha keyboard. What a great afternoon of music. Go see this guy live, he kills it!

Born in Hollywood, California, Marcela displayed a natural sense of rhythm and melody since before she could talk. At the age of 3, her mother hired a friend of the family to teach Marcela piano. She devoted herself to her classical training for 14 years with aspirations of being a concert pianist. She received no formal vocal training, and learned to sing instead at church and in her public schoo...

The Giving Trio joined me on on an early April afternoon and transformed the studio into a vision of a smoky Jazz Club late at night with the trio's sweet jazz sounds. I enjoy all forms of original music, but because my Father took me to many Chicago jazz clubs in my youth, I have a special place in my heart for Jazz. Take a listen to some lovely original jazz compositions, and if you can, perhaps...

The End Men, Founded by Matthew Hendershot and Livia Ranalli came in from Brooklyn, New York in the summer of 2014 and put on the most amazing show. Some how this show got lost and I discovered it about a month ago. Fortunately all the parts were there and we mixed it up and here it is in all it's glory. You're gonna love it. Right now they oare on a European Tour.

Andrew Tufano While in Chicago on tour last summer, Andrew stopped by the CAU studio and we recorded this Podcast. It was such a wonderful session and I am certain you will enjoy the show.

Allegra Malone's debut CD is a soul stirring collection of melodic vignettes. After exploring diverse musical traditions while living abroad and traveling consistently for a decade, this album is a return to her folk and country roots as a Seattle raised, southern transplant.

This is from the Lost and Found department. Totally my fault. Read this man's Bio and you will know how embarrased I am. Jimmy Robinson has been recording and touring for over 40 years. He has received critical and audience praise for his unique virtuoso approach to the guitar, and his rich compositional skill. He has toured the world with appearances at:

Dan Arturi came to us through his performance on our highly sucessful "Singing For Your Supper" showcase at the now defunct Act One Pub at Mayne Stage. Dan came in and gave us a session filled with heartfelt lyrics and lots of high energy.