Garcia Peoples at Judson and Moore in Chicago on April 8, 2023

Garcia Peoples and Chris Forsyth co-headlined a short tour in April 2023 which brought them to (among other cities) Chicago (for two nights), Milwaukee, and Madison. The first night of their Chicago residency is presented here.

The band's name of course brings up associations with a very well known jam band, but I consider the group to be more of a psychedelic rock group with some elements of jamming, which I define as increasingly complicated variations of relative simple chord progressions and melodies. The point of a jam band is the jamming. The Garcia Peoples songs themselves, however, are high quality enough to stand o their own merit.

Purchase their music here.

Recording information:

Garcia Peoples

2023-04-08

Chicago, IL

Judson and Moore Distillery

Danny Arakaki: guitar, vocal

Tom Malach: guitar, vocal

Derek Spaldo: guitar, vocals  

Andy Cush: bass 

Cesar Arakaki: drums

Setlist:

01 Cashing Out - Sigh of Relief (5:06)

02 High Noon Violence (5:57)

03 Fire of the Now (9:02)

04 A Reckoning (11:19)

05 Total Yang (5:34)

06 One at a Time (8:08)

07 Show Your Troubles Out (5:45)

Total time = 50:51

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in NOS

Additional source: mono soundboard feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads (these will automatically download):

  

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (314 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (153 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the band in Philadelphia a few weeks after this set:

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 

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 

Elijah McLaughlin, Caleb Willitz and Tommaso Moretti at Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

Chicago jazz musicians Elijah McLaughlin and Caleb Willitz were last showcased on this blog soon after their amazing performance at the 2024 Milwaukee Psych Fest. Once again they brought fierce percussionist Tommaso Moretti with them for their set at the 2025 Thawed Out Fest. The results were nothing short of exceptional.

Purchase Elijah and Caleb's most recent album here.

Recording information:

ELIJAH McLAUGHLIN
CALEB WILLITZ
TOMMASO MORETTI
2025-04-26
Chicago, IL at the iO Theater
2025 Thawed Out Fest
Outside Stage

Elijah McLaughlin: guitar
Caleb Willitz: piano and trumpet
Tommaso Moretti: drums

Setlist:
01 Improvisation One (25:08)
02 Improvisation Two (5:05)
Total time = 30:13

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

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (182 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (84 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

Rich Ruth at Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

We continue our exploration of the recordings made at the wonderful Thawed Out Fest which occurred at the iO Theater in Chicago in late April of this year. Up next is a brilliant set by a quartet led by Nashville-based composer and bandleader Rich Ruth.

The music had elements of New Age, Space Jazz, psychedelia, and kosmiche, and the virtuosity on stage definitely warmed up the by-now quite chilly evening air.

Purchase his newest album here.

        

Recording information:

RICH RUTH

2025-04-26

Chicago, IL
Thawed Out Fest

Rich Ruth: guitar and keyboards
Sam Que: soprano saxophone
Taro Yamazaki: bass
Taylor Floreth: drums

Setlist:
01 Heavy & Earthbound (6:41)
02 Taken Back (6:31)
03 Haynes Manor (5:24)
04 Crying In The Trees (6:45)
05 Marina (8:27)
06 Older But Not Less Confused - It’s The Water - Desensitization and Reprocessing (22:09)

Total time = 55:57

Recorded with artist permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3 at 24/48
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (311 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (171 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of the band at Zebulon in Los Angeles a month after this show:

Minor Moon at Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

Next up we have a wonderful Americana band from Chicago known as Minor Moon, who were extremely impressive at the Thawed Out Fest in Chicago this past April. Lead singer and primary writer Sam Cantor has released four albums of material over the past 10 years. For the band's latest album, Cantor utilized several members of the Chicago jazz community including Lia Kohl, Dustin Laurenzi, Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, as well as the quintet featured in this performance.

Cantor's songs have an emotional immediacy that is refreshing, as well as enough melodic variety to sustain interest over a 45-minute set.  

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

MINOR MOON
2025-04-26
Chicago, IL
Thawed Out Fest

Sam Cantor: guitar and voice
Chet Zenor: electric guitar
Max Subar: pedal steel
Jason Ashworth: bass
Sam Subar: drums

Setlist:
01 Blue Timing (6:43)
02 Cracking Glass (3:00)
03 No Lightning Fix (5:53)
04 Spend Your Gift Well (4:09)
05 Hey, Dark Ones (5:07)
06 Under Beyond (5:16)
07 The Light Up Waltz (4:20)
08 Miriam Underwater (3:26)

Total time = 37:54

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3 at 24/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Buy the CD here:

https://minormoon.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-thawed-out

ragenap+dathon at the Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee on October 11, 2025

Joel Berk and Corey Lyons produce music under the monikers ragenap and dathon respectively, and both specialize in playing their Fender six string electric basses through various pedals to achieve a distinctive flair of drone. Each play various small percussion instruments as well as bass. Their music has a hypnotic feel to it, yet there are many small gestures and flourishes in the improvisational zones they produce to show that there are active and keen musical choices happening.

These fine young men came to the venerable Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee last week to perform as a duo, as opening support for Jon Camp and his trio. That evening also featured Jim Warchol, whose tasteful sonic explorations flowed very well into ragenap+dathon's mesmerizing set.

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

ragenap+dathon

2025-10-11

Milwaukee, WI

Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts

Joel Berk: Fender VI and percussion

Corey Lyons: Fender VI and percussion

Setlist:

01 Improvisation (38:53)

Total time = 38:53

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, xAct

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (185 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (118 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of a set in Chicago in June also featuring Alexander Adams:

Rosali at Thawed Out Fest in Chicago on April 26, 2025

One of the highlights of live music for me so far this calendar year was the amazing Thawed Out Fest which took place on April 26 at an improv comedy club in Chicago called the iO Theater. Curated by Steve Plock (drummer for the legendary Chicago band Curls) the festival featured two stages -- one outdoor and one inside. 

I covered both stages with a mic stand and a board patch. Luckily the festival was run as a tight ship and there was no time overlap on either stage the entire day. Every single band and musician who performed there was absolutely on fire, and I had an absolute blast recording there. All of the performers connected to be recorded, so you can count on a lot more recordings of the festival in the next few months. I strongly recommend watching out for the festival on its (hopeful) return in the Spring of 2026. It's worth traveling for.

One highlight (of many) was North Carolina-based Rosali Middleman, who usually goes by the moniker Rosali. Her songs and voice are both beautiful. There's an emotional and heartfelt honesty to her lyrics which never becomes cloying or self-obsessed.

For this performance she was accompanied on stage by a band pulled from (or partially shared by) David Nance's Mowed Sound collective.

Recording information:

  

ROSALI

2025-04-26

Chicago at iO Theater

Thawed Out Fest

Rosali Middleman: vocals and guitar

Pearl Lovejoy Boyd: backing vocals

James Schroeder: guitar 

David Nance: bass

Kevin Donahue: drums

Setlist:

01 On Tonight

02 Hopeless

03 Waited All Day

04 Hills on Fire

05 Hey Heron

06 Slow Pain

07 Change Is in the Form

08 Rewind

09 My Kind

Total time = 54:05

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3

Additional source: mono SBD feed

Recorder: MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

Buy her most recent album here.

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (318 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (152 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of her performance at Union Pool in Brooklyn in 2022:

Doug McCombs at Constellation in Chicago on October 21, 2021

Doug McCombs is certainly no stranger to this blog. He has had an impressive career in jazz, rock, post-rock, and adjacent genres for several decades. McCombs has been a member of Eleventh Dream Day, Brokeback, Tortoise, Sea and Cake, Black Duck, and various Chris Forsyth bands including BASIC.

For this show he performed on guitar (and not his more typical bass) opening up for William Tyler and Marisa Anderson. This was an immensely interesting short set with a wide range of textures.

Recording information:

Doug McCombs

2021-10-21

Chicago, IL

Constellation

Doug McCombs: guitar

Setlist:

01 Part One (21:30)

02 Part Two (2:51)

Total time = 24:21

Recorded by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Audio-technica AT853

Preamplification: Church Audio CA9200

Recorder: Edirol R-05 at 24/48

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (121 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (71 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

video of Doug performing at Constellation about a year after this show:

Sam Prekop at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on January 5, 2025

While recording a live album for Ryley Walker at the Empty Bottle in Chicago in January 2025, I was able to tape a short set from one of the opening acts -- Sam Prekop on modular synths.

Sam is perhaps best known as a member (along with John McEntire and Archer Prewitt) of the Chicago band Sea and Cake. His recent solo work has been focused on electronics. This was a fascinating set-long piece with constantly evolving textures.

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:   

SAM PREKOP

2025-01-05

Chicago, IL

Empty Bottle

Sam Prekop: modular synthesizers

Tracklist:

01 Untitled (29:39)

Total time = 29:39

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in NOS

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (174 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (88 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

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

The wonderful Thawed Out Fest in Chicago was a one day exploration of many different genres and styles of music with one thing in common -- extremely high levels of musicianship. I was able to attend the entire festival as well as record each performance thanks to having two sets of recording gear (one for the inside stage and one for the outside stage) and two fully cooperating FOH sound engineers. Stayed tuned for more sets from this absolutely spectacular day of music.

   

It was a joy, of course, to be able to catch guitarists Jesse Sheppard and Drew Gardner perform with guest drummer Charles Rumback on the outdoor stage. Elkhorn was the first band to release and widely distribute one of my live recordings in physical form, so they will always have my heartfelt gratitude as well as my respect. 

This performance was a sprawling, dreamy, multi-part psychedelic journey. I'm happy with the sonic results and hope you will enjoy it as much as I have in the past few months.

Recording information:

ELKHORN

2025-04-26

Chicago, IL

Thawed Out Fest

Jesse Sheppard: acoustic guitar

Drew Gardner: electric guitar, zither

Charles Rumback: drums

Tracklist:

01 Space — Charles’ Jam — The Bull — Space — Sol — Redhook Ramble (25:12)

02 Space — Equinox — Forlorn Hope (15:53)

Total time =  41:05

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 pair in NOS

Additional Source: mono soundboard feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (226 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (101 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible