John Dikeman, Thomas Florin, and Nicolas Field at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee on May 3, 2024

John Dikeman is an American saxophonist who grew up in Wyoming and currently lives and works in Amsterdam. His recent collaborations have included projects with Hamid Drake, William Parker, Joe McPhee, Jeb Bishop, and many others. He brought a trio featuring pianist Thomas Florin and drummer Nicolas Field to the back room of the Sugar Maple last May for two sets of fiery improvised jazz. 

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

JOHN DIKEMAN

2024-05-03

Milwaukee, WI

The Sugar Maple

John Dikeman: tenor sax

Thomas Florin: piano

Nicolas Field: drums

Setlist:

01 Improvisation One (34:50)

02 Improvisation Two (33:31)

Total time = 68:21

Recorded with artist permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF and a Shure SM58 in the piano

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (410MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (193 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the trio at Black Mountain College a few days after this concert:

Part Chimp at Club Garibaldi in Milwaukee on May 24, 2024

Part Chimp is an experimental noise rock band from London, England (formed in 2000) who made a rare US appearance at Club Garibaldi in Milwaukee as part of Minneapolis' Caterwaul Festival. I was primarily at the show to record the Isolation Tank Ensemble (a Louisville, KY-based "trash prog" band) but was very surprised at the how great the other groups (such as Part Chimp) were at this mini-fest. I'm happy the band allowed me to post this recording and I hope they are able to return to the US soon. 

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

PART CHIMP
2024-05-24
Milwaukee, WI
Club Garibaldi

Tim Cedar: guitar and vocal
Iain Hinchliffe: guitar
Joe Mclaughlin: bass
Jon Hamilton: drums

Setlist:
01 One in the Eye (3:35)
02 Back From The Dead (3:02)
03 Solid Gone - USisA (7:35)
04 Namekuji (4:09)
05 Mapoleon (3:06)
06 Drool - Up With Notes (8:26)
07 Worms (4:01)
08 Trad (5:05)
09 30,000,000,000,000,000 People (6:26)

Total time = 45:25

Recorded by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (301 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (124 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of their performance at Caterwaul the next day in Minneapolis:

Chris Forsyth at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on April 9, 2023

Chris Forsyth along with his band consisting of Tom Malach on guitar, Doug McCombs on bass, and Ryan Jewell on drums toured the midwest in April 2023 and appeared at the Cactus Club on April 9th. They co-headlined a tour with Garcia Peoples that was characterized by wonderful and creative jamming.

Purchase his latest album here.

Recording information:

CHRIS FORSYTH

2023-04-09

Milwaukee, WI

The Cactus Club

Chris Forsyth: guitar and vocals

Tom Malach: guitar

Doug McCombs: bass

Ryan Jewell: drums

Setlist:

01 Tomorrow Might As Well Be Today (3:48)

02 Bad Moon Risen (5:09)

03 Experimental and Professional (12:14)

04 Dreaming in the Non-Dream (15:42)

05 Powderfinger [Neil Young] (6:42)

Total time = 43:35

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF

Additional source: SBD feed from Alex

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (284 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (123 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video from a performance in San Francisco a month prior to this concert:

FACS at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee on April 6, 2023

FACS was formed in Chicago in 2017 with members Brian Case, Noah Leger, and Jonathan van Herik. Just before their first album was released, van Herik left the group and was replaced by bassist Alianna Kalaba.

Their name is a reference to the catalog numbering system of Manchester's legendary Factory Records, home from 1978-92 to many amazing bands including Joy Division, New Order, and Section 25.

Purchase their most recent album here.

Recording information:

   

FACS

2023-04-06

Milwaukee, WI

Cactus Club

Brian Case: guitar and voice

Alianna Kalaba: bass

Noah Leger: drums

Setlist:

01 Ordinary Voices (4:47)

02 When You Say (5:57)

03 Constellation (4:08)

04 Skylarking (5:39)

05 Teenage Hive (3:10)

06 Slogan (4:46)

07 Strawberry Cough (5:37)

08 Dub Over (5:18)

09 North American Endless (4:15)

10 New Flag (9:50)

Total time = 53:27

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF on stand at back of room

Recorder: Sound Devices MxPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (356 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (136 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of FACS in San Diego a few months after this show:

Frank Hurricane at the Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

No one is quite like Frank Hurricane. His boisterous stream-of-consciousness delivery and cosmic phraseology may seem like an act to some, but after posting on social media about seeing him perform live, one of my followers came forward to tell me that he had been Frank's roommate in Philadelphia years ago and that Frank had been exactly the same in person in their apartment as he is onstage. 

My favorite aspect of Frank's music is his irrepressible and irresistible positivity. This can be seen throughout this set, which came early in the afternoon at the wonderful 2025 Thawed Out Fest in Chicago at the legendary iO Theater. 

Purchase Frank's most recent album here.

Recording information:

FRANK HURRICANE

2025-04-26
Chicago, IL at the iO Theater
2025 Thawed Out Fest
Outside stage

Frank Hurricane: guitar and voice

Setlist:
01 Intro (0:30)
02 Good Mornin Sun (2:43)
03 Introduction to Girthworm Jim (2:49)
04 Girthworm Jim (5:47)
05 Banter — You Like It Spicy? (2:47)
06 Addicted to Thrill (3:55)
07 Banter — Super Bowl (2:39)
08 Holy Michael Loves the Birds (5:21)
09 Quartz Blues (4:27)
10 Cinnamon of the Mountains (3:14)
11 Holy Weekend (3:25)
12 Sneedville Blues (6:25)

Total Time = 44:02

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF
Recorder: MixPre3 at 24/96 resolution 
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (242 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (119 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Nate Wooley, Chris Corsano, and Ches Smith at the Sugar Maple in Milwaukee on July 6, 2025

Nate Wooley brought his improvising trio called Folk Music to the front room of the Sugar Maple in July as part of a short tour which included Washington, Dc and Pittsburgh among other cities. Percussionists Chris Corsano and Ches Smith round out this unusual group.

The trio makes completely improvised music with a nice blend of acoustic and processed sounds. As Wooley says on his website, "After years of conceptual and compositional projects, Wooley put together a trio dedicated simply to free music without boundaries. Why 'Folk Music?' The name stems from the idea of making something from scratch using the full life-experience and creativity of the musicians, a story that changes with each re-telling, that progresses each time the musicians come together to tell it again. It is music as legend or myth. Folk songs -- strange, but true."

Purchase Nate's latest album here.

Recording information:

FOLK MUSIC
2025-07-06
Milwaukee, WI
Sugar Maple

Nate Wooley: trumpet and electronics
Chris Corsano: drums and electronics
Ches Smith: drums and electronics

Tracklist:
01 First Improvisation (35:45)
02 Second Improvisation (20:08)

Total time = 55:53

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF in front row
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (362 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (157 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of this performance by the BRAG Milwaukee YouTube channel:

Gwenifer Raymond at the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham, England on August 31, 2022

I spent the last few days of August and the first few of September of 2022 following both Ryley Walker and the Handsome Family as they toured around England. One big surprise of that trip was the fiery Welsh-born guitarist Gwenifer Raymond, who opened for Ryley at shows I saw in Exeter and Birmingham. She is much better known now, but for me at those shows she was a discovery. 

Buy her latest album here.

Recording information:

GWENIFER RAYMOND
2022-08-31
Birmingham, UK at Hare and Hounds

Gwenifer Raymond: acoustic guitar

Tracklist:
01 The Three Deaths of Red Spectre ~ Deep Sea Diver (11:03)
02 Worn Out Blues (6:10)
03 Gwaed am Gwaed (5:53)
04 Ruben's Song (4:20)
05 Hell for Certain (6:37)

Total time = 34:03

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in NOS on stand
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii
Software: Audacity, Fission, xACT

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (219 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (85 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Atlas Maior at the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery on October 25, 2025

I was very fortunate to be able to catch Atlas Maior, a delightfully flavorful world fusion jazz quartet from Austin, TX at the venerable Jazz Gallery back in October. I'll let the band's bio from their website do the heavy lifting of describing their sound: 

Atlas Maior creates original music that combines elements of Progressive Jazz, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Indian music traditions. Band members Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone, flutes) and Josh Peters (oud, lavta) create a unique sound that balances intimate moments of sincerity with powerful melodies and incendiary rhythmic passages. Bolstered by a top-notch rhythm section, Atlas Maior writes original melodies exploring maqamat (Middle Eastern modal system) and harmonic progressions found in American jazz. The group composes with a wide variety of rhythms and incorporates traditional instruments including the Indian tablas, Middle Eastern dumbek, and Peruvian cajón.

Purchase their most recent album here.

Recording information:

ATLAS MAIOR

2025-10-25

Milwaukee, WI

The Jazz Gallery

Josh Peters: oud

Joshua Thomson: alto saxophone

Josh Flowers: bass 

Gray Parsons: drums 

Setlist:

01 Ignis Faatus - Hadal (16:27)

02 Orbits (4:42)

03 Basalt (4:53)

04 Zanate (8:27)

05 The Curse (9:12)

06 Neroli (5:15)

07 Ganbei (4:56)

08 Etch and Burn (5:26)

09 Riptide (10:46)

10 Sunbird (8:27)

Total time = 78:30

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (476 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (229 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Nicholas Elert at Acme Records in Milwaukee on December 12, 2025

Nicholas Elert has been busy recently with producing both sequencer-driven synthesizer music and soundtrack music for indie horror films. In the last few months I was able to record several of his performances of dreamy, atmospheric synth music, several of which I will be sharing on this blog in the coming weeks. A nice example of his film music is his recent score for the film "Black Mold" which can be found here. 

Nicholas took an unexpected (to me) turn for this opening slot at the Dryhouse Ruins album release show at Acme Records, by focusing on guitar-based music. The pieces ranged from ambient soundscapes to energetic loops. 

Buy his most recent album here.

Recording information:

NICHOLAS ELERT
2025-12-12
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records

Nicholas Elert: guitar and electronics

Setlist:
01 One (13:46)
02 Two (5:29)
03 Three (12:03)

Total time = 31:18

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (155 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (96 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of a performance at X-Ray Arcade in 2023:

ragenap+dathon at the Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

We continue our exploration of the 2025 Thawed Out Fest in Chicago held at the iO Theater on April 26, 2025. As attendees came out to the outside stage, they were greeted with the textural drones and zones of Joel Berk (ragenap) and Corey Lyons (dathon). It was an amazing and otherworldly set from these two.

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

ragenap+dathon

2025-04-26 

Chicago, IL at iO Theater

2025 Thawed Out Fest

Outside Stage

Joel Berk: Fender VI bass

Corey Lyons: Fender VI bass

Setlist:

01 Thawed Out Zone (37:34)

Total time = 37:34

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF

Additional source: mono soundboard

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3 at 24/96

Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (175 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (99 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible