We are putting a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (we’ll maybe not so much blood), into this project. Check back for video updates, concert updates, and love. We need you now, help us spread the word!
FamiliarizeYourself.com has big things ahead.
Check out this killer video of Chicago locals Maps & Atlases shot at the AEMMP Records Chompilation release party back in May! The high-def quality and the stunning performance by the band still gives me chills.
For your enjoyment.
Shot and produced by The Belmont Sessions.
Well Chicago, Fall has finally arrived. If it’s not the wind gusting by my window at all hours of the night, it’s the low of 50 degrees that leaves me bundled up on the couch excited for the leaves to change colors. With every turn of the season I am always in search of that album that mimicks the color and tone of the weather. In the past the Silversun Pickups Carnavas has filled that void for me, but alas a new album has entered my life.
A local Chicago band that I like to call Jason to the power of three + Jeremy (aka Big Science) is the band is filling my transition between the seasons with powerful guitar riffs, intriguing lyrical content, and a type of rock that goes beyond what was previously known (in my limited book of genres) as experimental Math-rock. Big Science’s music is very complex and perfectly compliments any train ride on the CTA through the city. A name drop of “Chicago” graces Jason #1(Hendrix)’s voice throughout their debut EP titled, Coast of Nowhere, reminding me that this prestigious album was the concept of four local musicians.
You may remember back in late August I plugged a show Big Science was playing at Schubas with other local Chicago acts Pet Lions & Empires. It is easy to say Big Science stole the show that night, and their live set left me with goosebumps and an intensity I had not felt from a band’s live show in a long time.
I invite you to make your own judgements about this album, but if you are on the college student budget that gives you the difficult choice between food or music, fear not my friend! Download Coast of Nowhere for FREE at their website, http://bigscienceband.com/. Check out the link at the bottom of the page, leave your info and not only will you get your free copy of Coast of Nowhere, but you may also gain a new stalker or two (and they all may be named Jason).
© Kady Dennell
If you’re bored tonight (Tuesday, September 1st) then you aren’t looking hard enough for something to do! Local Chicago band, The Window Theatre are playing a free show on Columbia College Chicago’s campus and they want to see YOU there!
We recently had the chance to sit down with these lovely southern boys and let me tell you, they had alot to say…
(FYW) So how far along in college are you and what is your major at Columbia College?
Erik: We’re all Audio Arts and Acoustics students, starting our second year at Columbia College. By credit, Joe and I are juniors, and Stephen is a sophomore.
(FYW)How did you guys meet (besides the obvious brotherly connection)?
Erik: Yeah well, Joe and I met in the womb. Good times. No, but actually – Stephen and I had Audio Production 1 together. Didn’t really get to know each other, but said hi occasionally. We all three ended up in the same Basic Audio Systems class. Got to talking about playing shows and starting a band, and it just kinda happened.
Joe: We officially became a band at a Dominicks in Wheaton.
(FYW)What made you realize you wanted to start playing together as a band?
Joe: While I was still doing solo shit, I got invited to play an acoustic set at the opening of the 916 building last year. Erik sang harmonies at that show. After the show, this guy Marcus Foster, who was the VP of SPB at the time told us to sign up for Manifest, Read more…
For as long as I can remember the Chicago music scene has been the birthplace for some noteworthy musical acts such as Naked Raygun, Alkaline Trio, Rise Against, Lupe Fisaco, and yes, Kanye West to name a few. Now it’s time for the next generation of Chicago bands to take the torch from the rockers and hip-hoppers that have been representing our fine city for so long.
Empires
This Wednesday Schubas is the place to be- three leading local Chicago bands, Empires, Big Science, & Pet Lions will be gracing their stage on August 26th.
Big Science
Although I may find myself a bit biased since Empires played at Columbia College this past Spring, and both Big Science & Pet Lions are very good friends of AEMMP Records, all three of these bands have solid records and EP’s that provide the credentials they need to take the role of the next noteworthy Chicago bands.
Pet Lions
Empire’s latest release, Howl, is available for free download here.
Big Science’s EP Coast of Nowhere is avaliable for a free download here.
And Pet Lions wants to share their new EP, Soft Right, with you if you sign-up for their mailing list found here.
So now you have no excuse to miss this show, download all three albums for FREE, learn the words to your favorite songs, and sing and dance the night away with me on Wednesday at Schubas!
-AB
Hello Chicago! Although the weather has been unseasonably chilly and rainy this week, it is officially the summer festival season, and also one of my favorite times to call Chicago my home. Chicago’s summer festivals provide unlimited amounts of junk food, live music, and beer drinking and is the place to be every weekend.
Come out to the crossing at Damen/Lincoln/Irving Park to stuff your face with delicious food and listen to live entertainment that will be taking place all weekend at 2 different stages. Ribfest begins Friday night and will run until Sunday, June 14th. The stages kick-off Friday with headliners Harlem Shakes and AEMMP Record’s Chompliation artist Office. Saturday is filled with live entertainment from noon to 10pm, and the Saturday night’s headliner is Indianapolis’s own Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s. I am a huge fan of Margot and I have seen their live show many times, so expect to see me in the crowd rocking out to their latest major-label double release, Animal and Not Animal. Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s goes on at 9pm, but be sure to come out early and support the local Chicago bands who will be performing all weekend!
For the full line-up of artists playing Ribfest 2009, click here!
Columbia College is lucky to have one of the few student-run record labels in existence operating on its campus. AEMMP Records has a 27-year long history with Columbia College, and since I am now part of the 09-10 class, you will be seeing many updates about what AEMMP is up to on this blog.
The most exciting news for AEMMP Records is that we will be invading the Daytrotter studios on July 7th with some of our Chompliation artists! Not familiar with the Daytrotter Sessions? Let me give you the background – The Horseshack in downtown Rock Island, IL is where the magic happens for musicians traveling across the country on tour. For two hours musicians record 4 raw tracks that are either well-known or previously unreleased in the Daytrotter studio. They have minimal equipment, and a small crew that records everything happening in the room during the performance- creating a new, unique turn on the songs that their fans know and love.
Daytrotter has currently recorded over 600 artists sessions since 2006. After recording, a group of illustrators work together to create illustrations for the website, and then the tracks are posted online at daytrotter.com for FREE. New sessions are released on the website daily, giving music fans an unlimited supply of new material to check out. Sounds too good to be true right? It’s not! It’s also a great way to discover new artists since Daytrotter welcomes acts of all sizes and popularity to come and hangout at the studio.
So keep your eyes out for the AEMMP Records invasion! In the meantime, go educate yourself and listen to some great tunes. I recommend Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s session, or one of my random clicks when I discovered the Submarines, another great session to check out.
The music is waiting for you – check it out here.
Share your new artist discoveries, and keep an eye out for our upcoming recordings!
