Text and Video By Nathan Gregory, Illustration by Jorge Tapia - March 22, 2013
When I traveled down to shoot this session with Brian who is Health and Beauty, I did not really have anything in mind. We just set up in his lonely living room with him playing on a piano bench. His beautiful and loving dog Betty did the rest. As Brian played some of the most beautiful songs his dog laid softly beside him. The love of the two quickly grew into the fun video session we tracked. During one of the songs the dog completely came up and sat in my lap. It took all of my strength to not burst out last laughing until the song ended and Brian looked up and chuckled. The session then concluded with some drinking of shitty alcohol the neighbors had. We did our best to capture the emotion and talent that Health and Beauty has to offer. Always popping up around town for different shows, Health and Beauty shows are not to miss and will leave you in aww of his spectacular songwriting.
Shot on location at Health and Beauty house in Little Village in Chicago, IL.
Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - February 19, 2013
The Great Valley's goofy pop music will take the listener into a jolly dream state with beautiful colors and pop sickles. It brings you back to when you were a kid and you had no worries and everything thing was fun. Yet, here in the modern day things still seem to be fun for the venturous duo. Graduated from college and now pursuing there music to great levels, Great Valley have found a new home in Brattleboro, VT. A small town that hides a variety of amazing bands. We were lucky to hang a few days with the boys while on tour supporting there new LP "Continental Lunch." This album was released by Feeding Tube Records and is a must hear. Groove this sick session then go out and buy this album.
Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - February 17, 2013
Art by Jorge Tapia
Snowy and sometimes rainy days come day after day to the southside neighborhood of Chicago called Pilsen. This dark weather brings everybody inside and I was lucky enough to be invited inside art gallery Roxaboxen Exhibitions to film some great stuff from local favorite Famous Laughs. The music project of local music facilitator Jake Acosta, who's genius has brought two growing locals labels Teen River and Lake Paradise, plus a variety of stellar music projects. The uniquely heavy rock tinged sound behind Famous Laughs grips your ears with much strength though calmly letting go with soft well placed melodies. Acosta's deep low reverbed out vocals cascade breezily over most tunes giving away to shredding jams. Famous Laughs is a great three piece band bringing a different sound to the Chicago rock scene. More and more great things from the band in the future we can only hope but until then enjoy this.
Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - January 25, 2013
A cold nite in Chicago with one of the first snows of the new year and we decide to go to the warmest place in the city, The infamous Tropic Goth nite at the Empty Bottle with Elliott Reed, Nonnie Parry and Buoyant Sea. The show was packed very well for a cold nite and Buoyant Sea stole the show. Driven from a hard drum beat and the piercing sounds of his electric mandolin, Buoyant Sea's weird style had the floor moving. Driving pop songs with dark lyrics and chugging bass make for a danceable tune. It was most definitely a fun party for whatever Tropic Goth maybe. Excited to hear more of Buoyant Sea in 2013 or at least some cool haircuts.
Shot on location at The Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL
Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - January 22, 2013
Not everyone across the US has had the chance to check out Gangsta Love like that have with his alter ego Hurricanes of Love. Both the amazing works of mountain man Frank Hurricane. The holiest man on the planet. The moving live show of Hurricanes of Love that bring joy and fun to all eyes and ears who observe, can only imagine the fun that a Gangsta Love show would possess. The holy brother could rap who knew? We caught frank awhile ago while he was visiting Chicago. We recorded this secret session in Logan Square while we were also lucky enough to have 99¢ lay down some of his sick beats for Frank to rhyme over. Check out his new cassette out on Gnar Tapes. Get high for a brother and dig this sick new session of 2013, Gangsta Love featuring 99¢.
Check out how we first heard about Gangsta Love doing this commercial for the best pizza spot in Jamaica Plain, MA called Same Old Place.
Gangsta Love - Prymordial Pymp, Chillin' with Ease, "Dwag a Slyce" Same Old Place, Stay High
