Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Mad Bread is a string band for the 21st century, playing a unique mixture of bluegrass, rock, folk and blues. The band blends traditional instruments with modern songwriting, creating innovative, genre-bending music that defies classification. At a concert, you'll hear them move effortlessly from boot-stompin' bluegrass jams, to psychedelic folk ballads, to Chicago-style blues-rock with stops ever...

When listeners describe singer-songwriter Heather Styka as an "old soul," the term applies to more than the wisdom beyond her years in her writing. Styka's tunes have a vintage familiarity that draws inspiration from folk and Tin Pan Alley sounds, but the vivid images of her lyrics render her songs as fresh, smart, and unexpected as they are hummable. Also a poet and writer, Styka crafts songs tha...

Hannah Frank Group is based in Chicago; line-up includes Meg Thomas (Percussion), Victor Sanders (Electric Guitar) and Ben E. Miller (Bass); Audio: Hannah Frank Group Live EP at hannahfrank.bandcamp.com. Booking Contact HFrankGroup@Gmail.comPodcast videos

Simon was founded in Peoria, IL in 1997. The band featured three former members of the Goth band, St. Sirus: Darin Wright on drums, John Northrup on bass and Brad Benson on guitar and vocals. Inspired by British bands like Oasis, Blur and Travis, Simon developed a Brit-pop sound and featured songs written by Benson. The band performed across Central Illinois at popular alternative venues like The...

Joshua Powell joined us solo for an intimate view of Joshua Powell the songwriter. What a wonderful performance and certainley demonstrates why you should go see Joshua's band live. If you are in Chicago, you'll have that opportunity on September 6th at Goose Island Wrigleyville. Come join the CAU Crew and enjoy the brilliance of this group. Follow this link to view the videos from this show.

Coming out of sleepy little Elburn, Illinois The Bare Hambones, self described roots band from the Chicago area music scene. Country, folk, roots rock, blues, Irish, bluegrass...stick them in a blender and pick up the pace, came into the studio and proved to be every bit of their description and then some. You have the opportunity to see this excellent band this Friday August 15th at the Cubby Bea...

Nashville (by way of Chicago) troubadour Ryan Joseph Anderson paid his rock n' roll dues as the bandleader for roots outfit Go Long Mule, guitar slinger for garage-rockers Rambos, and as a producer, sessions man, and touring musician for a variety of artists. His influences as a songwriter range from country blues to psychedelic folk.

MT. THELONIOUS knew they wanted to pay tribute to their mutual influence, American jazz legend Thelonius Monk. Though their sound is rooted the sounds and melodies of indie folk, they share the values and inventive energy of their namesake. Mt. Thelonious' shows are characterized by their originality, spirit, and flair for improvisation. Monk once wrote, "a note can be small as a pin or as big as...

Chicago's only Burlesque Rock N' Roll Band! The Fox The Hounds

Tonos Triad came in to record a Podcast back in April before we presented them that night at one of the CAU/Mayne Stage Showcases. As you will hear, they are brilliant and I have attached the video of their concert performance for your pleasure.

Model Stranger – made up of Stephen Francis (vocals/guitar), Kevin James (Bass) and Vincent Joseph (Drums) is the epitome of a DIY band. This rock trio has worked the Midwest scene very diligently with an impressive list of successful regional tours.

Terrible is a band that currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Their motto is Terrible things are always happening. The band members include Jack Grendel - guitar, vocals, Sam Hawkins - guitar, vocals, Ted Kindig - bass, keys, trumpet, vocals, Nick Ohren - drums, recording, mixing, mastering, vocals. Terrible is the complete opposite of "Terrible". Check out this Podcast and you will see what...

Scott Pemberton is a Portland native and has supported himself solely with the guitar since the age of 19. Until recently, he followed the customary path of playing sessions, teaching lessons and performing in lots of bands. Not long ago he had an encounter with death that changed that path entirely.

Elli Perry (CAU Episode 545) returned to us in November of last year with fellow songwriter James Maple. We promptly enjoyed an afternoon of beautiful songs along with just a few shots of Whiskey for good measure.

Patrick Donachie along with Daniel Tramposh joined us on a cold day in March and we had a blast talking and playing Patrick's songs. Check it out. I am sure you will enjoy the music. Patrick found his wasy to the Podcast by performing at CAU's "Singing For Your Supper" at Mayne Stage. Many thanks to Hannah Frank for finding him. Check out all 5 videos on CAU/Vimeo

Robert Hynes was born into a music loving family in the suburbs of Chicago. As a young child he began playing music on the household piano, learned viola through school, and discovered Dad's guitar in the front closet. Robert had piano lessons from a neighbor, friend and musical mentor named George Krajecki.

Dear friend Bill Liggett first joined us way back in 2007 on Episode 22. In the past seven years Bill has honed his singer/songwriting skills and has created a band called Ruddy Nickel.

Sonny Hills brings a blend of folk, blues, roots rock Americana to middle western U.S.A. His vocals have a tinge of soulful scratch, and his Influences range from The Band and Van Morrison to modern storytellers like Ben Harper and JJ Grey.

Bubbles Brown is a original singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist originally from Florida, who now resides in Chicago, Illinois. Joining Bubbles on percussion is Washboard Ben Brundage and his Suitcase Jug Band. Their sound is a melting pot of influences taking elements of Old time Delta Blues, crunchy foot stomping rhythms, and soulful vocal power. With this said, Bubbles Brown's music is all a...

James Apollo, Originally from Arkansas and currently Seattle based w/Minneapolis and Chicago based members joined us thanks to the efforts of Alaina Thetford of Train Case Management of Nashville.

Led Astray is a new project featuring Eric Dinse and Sarah Blick. These two artists have created a beautiful sound together, and they joined me in the CAU Studio to record this Podcast demonstrating their musical path. Enjoy these two brilliant artists, and when you get the chance, see them live...

The Aldermaniacs began with guitarist Drew Pompano looking to explore his bebop and swing jazz roots by playing standards with a cellist and singer. Classically trained cellist and vocalist Alex Gilewicz provided soaring cello lines and powerful alto vocals to the sound, but the duo eventually found themselves more inspired to compose original music.

Owl Meet Rabbit aka sam Carroll was a part of our monthly "Singing For Your Supper" showcase last night at Mayne Stage which is held on the first Tuesday of every month. After recording his Podcast back in March, it was fun to see him perform live. His set was comprised of most of the songs from his Podcast and the reaction from the audience was wonderful and fueled his set.

Amy Jo Roberts is a Michigan born songstress whose melodies have been strongly shaped and influenced by her wayfaring gypsy days, roaming the country from New York, Maryland, and Virginia, to Oklahoma, Missouri, and New Mexico. Often compared to the soulful singing of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, her haunting melodies and Celtic influence challenge the classic folk sound with both modern and ancie...

Dear friend Ted Wulfers was here in February to play a show at Schuba's in support of his brilliant new CD and vinyl album "Lucky No. 7". Ted came in to the CAU studio with with fellow Californian and stellar drummer, Tripp Beam. It was acold and windy Chicago day, but it was plenty hot in the studio with these two.