RECOMMENDED Since Music 101 split from Boom Boom Room at Green Dolphin, the party has taken on a nomadic feel of late, spending time at the cavernous Vision Dome Room before settling into Debonair’s sleek Wicker Park space. The lineups, however, haven’t strayed much from the formula of good, deep, thumpin’ house. Tonight is no exception, as two hometown duos square off against each other. The Beat Giants (Steve Melvage and Brian Heath) have brought their dirty four-to-the-floor bounce to just about every club in town, but are known of late for their industry-themed Sunday night Lava gig, which generally features DJs playing off-format party jams. Tonight, Melvage and Heath will get back into the house, squaring off against new school production/DJ savants, the Sound Republic (John Mork and Frankie J), who are guaranteed to add quirky, ear-tingling oddities to their capable boompty revival. Meanwhile (much like Music 101’s Ohm stint) a second room featuring hip-hop, electro, B-More and other hipster-leaning fare has opened up in Debonair’s basement as Re-Boot, with DJs Specs, Diamonds and Willy Joy. (Duke Shin) Monday, April 28 at Debonair
Music Top 5: June 2020 Lockdown—self-isolating—sheltering in place—whatever you call it, goes easier with these outstanding album releases by stellar Chicago artists.
Soaring with Bird: Jazz Showcase Founder Joe Segal Passes Away “Everybody in the field of jazz,” said Segal, “whether a record producer, deejay or club owner, is really a frustrated musician… If I could play, I’d be up on the stage instead of at the door.”
Record Store Day 2020: A One-Off—or the New Normal? Record Store Day makes me anxious. As soon as the list is posted, I worry about flippers and records selling-out. Yet, this year, I could be in the moment.
