r/chicagomusicscene

I love Ruins, Cardiacs, Magma, that kind of stuff...

Hi there,

Our three-piece band has a terrific bass player that has recently taken to writing some terrific Lead Guitar parts

As we actively seek to grow to a four-piece band, we are interested in finding a multi-instrumentalist that would be up for playing bass and lead guitar (not at the same time, unless you are supernaturally talented). Our writing process is very collaborative and open. Should you join, we would hope that you and our current bass player could build a good report and write these parts collaboratively (and have fun along the way).

If you are able to practice on Sundays at Ft. Knox, are intrigued by the prospect, are in your 20s (as we are), and would like to play monthly live shows in the city, please DM me here or DM our band on Instagram.

We are The Tax on Windows. You can stream our music anywhere, watch our music videos on YouTube, and follow our journey on Instagram.

Thank you,
Thomas - The Tax on Doors & Windows

hi all!! i’m (25f) going solo to the warm cool dreams arts + music festival on sunday and would love to meet up with anyone else going solo too :) figured it could be fun to explore together, catch some sets, and hang out!

we can swaps igs in the dms if we vibe hehe

I spent last weekend in Manhattan and stumbled into Washington Square Park in the afternoon. I ended up spending 3 hours there and felt so invigorated and part of something. The dance groups, art vendors, buskers, the people. I thought, outside of downtown, where does Chicago capture that lively community feel? I get that NYC is insanely more populated and can't necessarily be compared to here, but was just wondering about everyone's experiences. Thanks

Our band is seeking a lead guitarist ! Think about a vibe that mix Florence and the Machine, Halsey, early Coldplay and London Grammar. Something sometimes dreamy, sometimes dark or heavier but always catchy ! We want to have a few instrumental / solo moments too, so if you think you have the skills, please contact me! We are mostly located in the north of the city (Lincoln Square / Rogers Park) and we usually play at Fort Knox Studios.

Hey gang,

Local Chicago artist here...singer-guitarist-songwriter. I perform original music with my band and play out solo on the weekends, cover material primarily at bars, restaurants, private events, etc...hired entertainment vs ticketed shows. I have been doing that in and around Chicago since I was a teenager, I am in my early 30's now.

Performing has always been a part of my income, but I have been unable to find the consistency with it to ever feel comfortable being a full time local musician. I am transitioning out of a job in healthcare, which became corossive to my well being, and I just want to play music. I have the live experience, 10,000 hours or whatever the standard is...I am confident in my ability to play and entertain people by myself or with my band...but I am, like I suppose many artists, not confident in being able to sell or market myself. It is just not my skill set and I lack the gift of gab.

I have had partial managers in the past...people that booked things I was unaware existed and took a percentage off the top, but I have never had an agent that can assist with this effort consistently. That's why I am posting here...I'm wondering if any artists/peformers can suggest any agencies, names, contacts that could help with this. I don't have a social media presence outside of having social media...it looks presentable but isn't regularly being updated or promoted currently...I rarely play shows that require promotion. I have applied to large umbrella talent agencies before, but nothing has come from that.

Looking for any suggestions, insights, personal experience, next steps...any and all feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have post-grad offers in both cities, and one of the factors I’m considering is music opportunity. I’ve heard that Chicago has a fertile scene for forming bands, booking venues, etc, while I haven’t really heard the same about Boston. Is it really a night-and-day difference? Or is there not really much of one in practice?

Hiiiiiii lil gay people on my phone :3!!

I wanted to make this post in hopes of searching for other trans people to collab with for making music!! I’m mainly looking for rappers/singers/vocalists, but any other type of musicians are more than welcome!!

I mainly produce a combination of genres, mainly consisting of EDM (Bass House), Trap, HipHop, and some Rock as well!! My main influences are Skrillex, Knock2, $uicideboy$, Aesop Rock, and Tennis!!

I’ve been producing for over a decade in FL Studio and have worked on and off with vocals (mainly my own) for about a year now.

Feel free to reach out if you’d be interested in making some fun tunes together ☺️!!

Hello! I’m a 24m songwriter who mainly plays bass/guitar/synth but also very amateur drums hehe. I write and record my own songs but rarely write any lyrics/melodies for them. I’m looking for preferably a female vocalist for these songs, rhythm/lead guitar, synth/keys, and a drummer.

My influences include:
The Velvet Underground, Beat Happening, The Raincoats, Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Cate Le Bon/Drinks, Broadcast, The Space Lady, Ariel Pink, R. Stevie Moore, Daniel Johnston, Yo La Tengo and all sorts of different stuff

I live in the nwi area currently but have had zero luck with finding anything that really sticks here. I’m only 45 mins outside the city but i could totally make it out there if needed. I have some rough demos I could send your way, reach out if interested (:

I am an experienced musician and play guitar, bass, keys, and some other odds and ends. My ideal project would be a metal band with a depressing, gothic tone and quieter moments with acoustic or clean guitar and synth atmosphere. I like the sound of dated, digital sampler synths and have a few. I also like the sound of fretless bass in this kind of music, and could play that if I wasn't on guitar. Influences include be the early albums of bands like Tiamat, Saturnus, Opeth, Anathema. I'm also highly influenced by the medieval-inclined folk bands of the 60's like Pentangle and Fairport Convention and try to work that influence into my acoustic writing. I would like to avoid the current trends in metal, namely nu-gaze and hardcore-style riffs, and make something people don't get to hear often.

I'm very open to starting other types of bands though, with a few examples:
Folk/Medieval music
Grunge (have some riffs for that, relatively easy to get off the ground)
OSDM
Melodeath
New Wave (with interesting fretless bass, like Japan)
Gothic rock/metal (like Type O Negative)
Dungeon Synth

I don't know too many musicians in town (moved here) and I don't have a space, but I have gear and can play and can write. Also open to joining an existing band if I like the music, or filling in. Playing music was my whole life before I moved, I'd like to get back to that.

If you DM about a certain sound I can send snippets of riffs or ideas.

Hi! Musicians/aspiring recording man here. I currently rent a tiny room at sound space which I use as a practice/recording space and am running into more and more limitations.
Wondering if there are any spaces around the city, preferably in the Ukrainian village/west town/humboldt/wicker area that have larger rooms for monthly rent? In the ideal situation the room would be more or around 20x15 feet, with ceilings on the higher end, with freedom to put up treatment and in the ideal most scenario, some sound isolation from potential bands nearby.
Aware this might be a long shot with quite the requirements but am running out of ideas. Obviously I have done the research around other spaces like treehouse/Fort Knox/music garage, etc. and nothing has quite hit the mark yet.
Many thanks!

Blue Ether is looking for a committed bassist to join our original hard rock band. We rehearse in Skokie, IL and are looking for someone who wants to play shows, write, record, and help push the band forward.
Our sound sits somewhere between hard rock, alternative, grunge, punk, and heavy melodic rock. We are looking for more than just a hired gun. We want someone who brings energy, creativity, reliability, and stage presence.
We are looking for someone who:
Can learn existing songs and contribute to new material
Has solid timing, good tone, and strong stage presence
Is reliable, prepared, and easy to work with
Wants to play live and help grow the band
Is comfortable playing original music
Can rehearse regularly in Skokie
Backing vocals are a plus but not required.
We currently have original material, live experience, and are actively working on growing the band through shows, recordings, and online promotion.
Check us out here:
https://blueetherband.com
Interested? Send us a message with a little about yourself, your experience, gear, availability, and any audio or video clips if you have them. We would love to hear from you.

Hey y'all!! My friend and I will be in Chicago on may 26-28 (two nights) for a concert. We are looking for cool spots that are open and poppin, anyone know of anything that's happening on the 26th or 27th? 💜💜💜