Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Hailing from Croatia, Dunja Ercegovic released her first songs to public in late 2012. under the Lovely Quinces name. "Wrong house" started a huge buzz in Croatia in February 2013., and many shows soon followed. Lovely Quinces played around 20 shows in Croatia in spring/summer 2013. Debut EP "No room for us" was released on September 20th 2013. to rave reviews, includes 5 songs and is available di...

THE USUAL MISTAKES formed in January of 2005 with the meeting of charismatic frontman/rhythm guitarist Phillip and killer lead guitarist Bob aka 'Slaphead'. The two began honing their craft in venues across Illinois as they searched for the pieces to complete their sound. Their search was completed when Myron, a rockin' groovin' bassist, and drummer/vocalist extraordinaire Billy joined the band in...

"Andy Metz" is the stage name for the Seattle-born and Chicago-based musician, Andy Metz. Andy grew up in the historic neighborhood of West Seattle, where he began his interest in music at a young age with forced piano lessons. He later gained an appreciation for said piano lessons, which helped him learn to play the guitar with all the grace of a baby falling down a flight of stairs.

Humphrey-McKeown started off on a summer day in 2006 when singer/songwriter/producer Tom McKeown asked a group of musician friends if any had an interest in creating original music together. In the crowd that day was singer/songwriter/poet Heather Humphrey who saw this as an opportunity to take her fledgling songwriting to a new level. The two set out at once in combining Heather's words with Tom'...

Luna Blu… Is an eclectic collection of influences: Nan Mosinski's folk-rock, singer-songwriter style, when combined with bassist Jeff Ashcraft's classical training and goth-metal tastes, Paul Bata's solid, polished, and intricate rhythms, guitarist and backing vocalist John Bouris' complex, progressive rock leanings, guitarist Jeff Howatt's expressive classic rock blues riffs, you get a sound that...

Matt Gandurski of Northside Southpaws, Majors Junction, and CAU Alumni got in touch with me back in January and told me about a new project that he started called Grit The Doubleknit.

EMILY EARLE (OF THE VOICE) W/ TOM WHALL After leaving an indelible mark during a successful run on season three of NBC's The Voice, and earning high praise from the likes of CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton along the way, the rest of America now knows what her fans learned long ago-Emily Earle is one of the most uniquely talented and genuine singer/songwriters to come along in quite awhile. And she h...

Dann Morr is a Chicago-based songwriter and musician. Since the 1990s he has been a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist in the folk-rock group Wells-next-the-Sea, indie-rock/power-pop outfits The Carlisles, Analog Radio, and High Energy Physics, as well as bassist and backing vocalist for a number of other Windy City artists including The Cheetles, Mooner, Kerosene Stars, Kevin Lee, Phil...

It's safe to assume a band named the Please, Please Me leans toward the unusual. But a trio whose instrumentation consists of guitar, cello, drums and glockenspiel? That's downright curious. Odd, even.

Jacob Mau came in to record a show back in October. This thin almost frail young man belies all preconceptions as soon as he begins singing his incredible thoughtful and hopeful slices of life. Jacob is a previous winner of the Uncommon Ground annual Singer/Songwriter contest. As you listen to these songs coming from Jacob's upbringing in Kankakee County, Illinois it will become apparent why he wo...

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Laura Joy has been known to quell dark, angry bars full of ornery old Irishmen. Drawing comparisons that range from Joni Mitchell to Alison Krauss, Laura's percussive finger picking and buoyant voice have graced audiences from as far as the Sun Belt to the streets of Manhattan.

John Kocher came down from his hometown Milwaukee and joined us one sunny afternoon in October. We had a ton of fun recording his show.

Elli Perry

Maryann Michael, Indiana breed, DePaul educated, singer/songwriter, with a beautiful and powerful voice came into the studio one afternoon and sang her heart out. Such a great performer and a wonderful person. We had a great time!!!

Ariada (Formerly The Outfit)

A solo act since 2000, Eric Hill of LIFEAFTERSIX has released 10 CDs and has contributed to many others. Skilled as a songwriter and arranger, Eric is also a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and has been playing for more than 20 years. Megan is one of the most hard-hitting and sought after drummers in Chicago. Known for her versatility and professionalism, she brings the perfect amount of drive a...

Drawing upon the influences of sultry singer-songwriters such as Jim Croce and Ray Lamontagne, Kevin Presbrey's latest creation Dust Unto Dust is a marriage of the catchy hook and the rootsy americana track you might hear on a early 1970s record.

Jenny Franck Ward first joined us in May of last year, but due to technical difficulties we had to re-schedule recording her Podcast. Jenny is a wonderfully dynamic woman with a strong edge to her music. I fell in love with her style.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and poet, Philadelphia Phil, combines lively ragtime and fingerstyle blues interpretations of traditional Americana with original blues poems, songs and stories for a unique and engaging acoustic performance. Philadelphia Phil is available as a soloist, or to appear with the Philadelphia Phil Friends Band.

Jon Allegretto joined us last November and we recorded a Podcast featuring Jon's songwriting skills in a stripped down acoustic unplugged format. as you listen to this show you will hear Jon's wonderful performance. Be sure to catch Jon and his band A Friend Called Fire tomorrow night January 24th at the Beat Kitchen.

Zain Lodhia is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter new to the indie pop/rock scene. With a diverse range of influences and strong acoustic roots, Zain began writing music as a hobby in college but it wasn't until he picked up guitar in early 2009 that it turned into a serious passion. After releasing the Memories EP in June 2011, he shifted his focus to writing and recording a full length album, The...

Rivals of the Peacemaker joined Barrett Tasky and myself for an afternoon of great stories and songs. Alex and Billy, the creative core of the band, played some of the songs from their album and some new songs. What and amazing and fun time we had and you can see them live at The Tonic Room this Saturday the 18th at 8 PM as part of the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival.

Forbidden Knowledge (Nino Arobelidze and Pablo Gordy) is a concept born out of a novelty book of things people are not advised to do, but can be compelled or drawn to imagine doing. In a nutshell, this describes the musical stylings and viable fusions that Nino Arobelidze and Pablo Gordy have put together. Basically, the sounds say, "well, we shouldn't have tried this at home, because, well, it bl...

Kathy Greenholdt is a Chicago singer-songwriter whose earthy, elegant music explores the fragile nature of living. Her songs are a pop/rock/Americana mix - a sound described as Roy Orbison, Neko Case, and Leonard Cohen combined. In 2002, at age 38, Kathy played guitar for the first time. Since then, she has released five collections of critically praised original music.

Lindsey Saunders has been writing and performing her own music since she was 12 years old. She released her debut EP "Nothing Normal" at the age of 18 with Drew Sherrod at Broadstroke Records/Non-Linear Productions located in Hollywood C.A. Drew and Lindsey met at the Durango Songwriters Expo in 2011 at the suggestion of Expo showcase artists, managers and staff. Her association with Broadstroke R...