Midamerican Elevator is a harmony-driven indie-rock project formed in 2020, built around the long-standing collaboration of Paxton Long and Beni Yuzawa, who began singing together in 2013. The music is relaxed but intentional—folk-leaning indie rock that values melody, harmony, and space.

Rooted in Chicago’s vibrant music scene, The Front Desk is a six-piece band fusing funk, soul, rock, and jazz into a sound distinctly their own. Since forming in 2023, The Front Desk has built a reputation for shows that get people singing along while laying down playful, improvisational tunes.Configuration: we will have 5 people: bass, trombone, percussion, guitar, and lead vocals.

Hollow Bastion is a three-piece indie rock band from Chicago that teeters between a deep sincerity and utter unseriousness. What began as a solo project of Teagan Brey in her suburban bedroom has evolved over the years into a full band. Now part of Chicago’s vibrant DIY scene, Hollow Bastion includes fellow troublemakers Ruben Steiner (bass) and Michael Whalen (drums).  Their debut album, Waitin’ All Winter, is a fully DIY, self-recorded and self-produced release, the first from Hollow Bastion as a trio, opening the door to a fuller rock ’n’ roll sound. The band blends indie rock with folk textures and catchy hooks, drawing from a wide range of influences to create a sound entirely their own.

Kevan Eftekhari has been entertaining audiences and establishing himself as a fixture in the Chicago music community for nearly two decades. From piano bars, to weddings, and to corporate events, Kevan brings to life any occasion with his impressively massive repertoire of popular classics and hits from all ages and genres.

@kevanchicago 

http://kevaneftekhari.com/

Gayun Cannon is a 23 year old singer, self-produced artist, and multi-instrumentalist from the South Side of Chicago. Through her music, Gayun creates a space for healing  whether she’s exploring love, personal growth, or the trials and tribulations of her own life journey. Each song is crafted as an emotional experience, inviting listeners to reflect, feel deeply, and embrace every part of themselves. Her artistry blends vulnerability with intention, turning personal stories into shared moments of connection.

Tall Tall Trees is the musical id of songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Savino, a pioneer in the realm of experimental, DIY banjo music. Accompanied by his trusty Banjotron 6500, a highly customized, electrified banjo and effects pedal setup, Savino has wowed audiences since the 2009 debut of his self-titled album with his eclectic and innovative blend of psychedelic folk, rock and world music. His work seems to actively evade comfortable definition, upon first listen one will recognize the tenderness of Cat Stevens, the melancholy introspection of Elliott Smith, the anthemic psychedelia of Pink Floyd, and a deep abiding respect for Earl Scruggs. Savino often performs solo, showcasing his fleet-footed loop pedal mastery, as well as alongside long-time collaborator and fellow innovator, Kishi Bashi. He has recently collaborated with fellow psych-banjo maestro JD Pinkus of the Butthole Surfers, releasing Ponder Machine, a psychedelic banjo opus on the Shimmy Disc label. Tall Tall Trees latest release and 5th LP, Stick to the Mystical I, featuring a collaboration with Josiah Wolf of the band Why? is out now on Joyful Noise Recordings.

RSVP HERE: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/kicking-it-curbside-with-tall-tack-room-tickets/14918273?pl=thalia3

Smooth Rogers is the brainchild of Chicago-based musician, Zac Bron. Combining elements of psychedelic pop, dreamy alt-rock, and funk infused synth pop, Smooth Rogers takes you on a journey through lush soundscapes and danceable grooves.

Singer-songwriter Caleb Jefson, best known as Marble Teeth, has always made music that sounds like it could fall apart at any second – that’s exactly why it matters. there was a huge crowd of people gathered in the street reads small, uneven, and at times uncomfortable. Yet, it’s one of the clearest statements from a project that has built a world on imperfection.

Five songs, acoustic at their core – this EP extends the small central Illinois artist’s commitment to small-scale intimacy while pulling harder on collage and interruption. Memory fragments, incidental noise, disjunction; it’s a continuation of the lofi folk lineage that runs through Phil Elverum’s The Glow Pt. 2 and the early Alex G. cassettes – but also belongs to the current ecosystem of Bandcamp folk that refuses polish as a matter of principle.

credit: https://uglyhug.com/2025/09/23/marble-teeth-finds-poetry-in-the-power-bill-album-review/

Cody Palmer fronts the high-energy honky-tonk band Sparkle Carcass creating the sound he calls Dive Bar Country, while Downes leads Reilly Downes & The Acid Cowboys known for her raw storytelling and “small, but mighty” vocals. Married in real life, these two are in constant collaboration, regularly swapping side-musician duties to play in each other's full bands. Stripping away the loud electric setup for a rare acoustic duo set, they'll share the stage trading off lead vocals, and backing each other up for an intimate, unfiltered showcase of songs.

Hannah Frey plays folk rock for lovers and sweeties. She feels like the luckiest girl in Chicago and hopes to leave you with a little bit of that luck.

Laura Cai is a recording artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chicago.

As a singer, keyboardist, cellist, guitarist, and bassist, Laura has lent her range of talents to a variety of live and studio projects across diverse genres for more than a decade. She has worked as a studio musician, recording and arranging songs that have together amassed millions of streams. As a live musician, Laura has toured both domestically and internationally, playing in venues spanning from intimate coffee shops to sold-out theaters to arenas of thousands.

Laura has had songs placed with CBS and Walmart alongside Grammy-nominated producer Oh, Hush! and created viral videos with recording artist Alex Blue. She currently plays weekly at piano bars around the city as she continues to hone her skills as an up-and-coming producer, mixer, and masterer.

Pictoria Vark is getting a better handle on living. The past few years have been a whirlwind forthe Chicago-based bassist and songwriter. Her incessant time on tour in the last few years ledto epiphanies, big and small, about how fleeting life is. The title of her second album, NothingSticks, states it plainly: that everything we try to hold onto - whether it's a relationship, amoment, a career, or a way of life - will come to an end. In confronting these hard truths over thecourse of ten songs, she finds gratitude, heartbreak, acceptance, and ultimately, the strength tolive life to its fullest.Pictoria Vark has been critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Forbes, and hasbeen seen sharing stages across the U.S. with La Dispute, Tegan and Sara, and Tommy Lefroy.

Kevan Eftekhari has been entertaining audiences and establishing himself as a fixture in the Chicago music community for nearly two decades. From piano bars, to weddings, and to corporate events, Kevan brings to life any occasion with his impressively massive repertoire of popular classics and hits from all ages and genres.

@kevanchicago 

http://kevaneftekhari.com/

Join us for an evening previewing Sunflower Summit's upcoming album - "Keep On Hoping"! Enjoy this collection of politically charged music in an acoustic setting, sip on a yummy cocktail, and enjoy in the company of like minded people - people hoping and fighting to improve the world we live in today!

Sunflower Summit (she/they) is a queer Latinx Chicago based artist, writing and performing music that hits right in the feels! Blending pop, country, and folk, the group mixes each of their music tastes and experiences to tell a story of hope and community.  The band continues their mission with their upcoming album, “Keep on Hoping” - a collection of politically charged music - set to release June 26!  Made up of vocalist and writer Maria Requena, cellist Allison Hill, lap steel guitarist Jackie Walter, drummer Dan Munk, and guitarist Justin Merchan, the group creates intimate and cozy energy for every performance that any listener can connect with!

Electric americana group Holy Joke brings “vibes of a long-distance road trip” (Chicago Reader) with inventive and emotive indie rock originals grounded in an essential friendliness that asks little and gives a lot. Their EPs No Way Home and Holy Joke brim with lush, layered arrangements and new old stock hooks whose compelling simplicity makes you wonder how no one else found them before. 

When they’re on stage, what you see is what you get: four friends having a great time together, making something worth sharing. Frontman Greg Taylor’s textured voice carries party-time grooves and heartfelt highs, then turns sweet for quiet moments—because he means it. Lead guitarist Max Berg drops occasional stop-what-you’re-doing solos between twangy riffs and soaring pedal steel bends. Drummer Jonah Penningroth’s washy cymbals and bassist Mike Vendiola’s driving lines combine in a rhythm section that rewards a second listen.

Their first full-length record, First Light to Fill My Eyes, is due in July, 2026.

The Chicagoans are bringing the sounds of the 1920's and 1930's back to the city. Playing rare and hot music from the past as well as beloved classics, this jazz band has a spirit that sets it apart from the rest. Mia Elliott sings from the heart with a technique inspired by Ruth Etting, Annette Hanshaw, Ethel Waters, and other powerhouse vocalists who shaped the genre forever. With Paul Asaro on piano and Peter Ho on cornet, this group captivates the room with hot solos, sweet melodies, and authentic Chicago style.

you can join us and Whaddayaknow? Free Pub Trivia on Fridays for Music bingo! From 6:30pm-8:30pm, you can come hang out and test your music knowledge. Grab your pals, come enjoy some drinks, and win prizes! It’s free to play. See you there!

Get ready for a night of infectious grooves and sultry vibes with BIOLÓGICA Y SU COMBO, a vibrant force in Chicago's Latin Jazz scene. Known for intertwining classic rhythms like chachachá, mambo, and bossa nova; the band pushes boundaries by embracing the spirit of fusion. Led by their charming frontwoman, Biológica — the group is a powerhouse of killer jazz musicians who know how to bring the heat.

Join Wanda for her Farewell Tour to celebrate Pride and her 7 years as the resident Tack Room drag queen. She will be at the piano from 9pm-11pm doing her final performance on Friday, June 5th. Come on by to see her, sing along to queer anthems, and toast to her legacy! 

you can join us and Whaddayaknow? Free Pub Trivia on Fridays for Music bingo! From 6:30pm-8:30pm, you can come hang out and test your music knowledge. Grab your pals, come enjoy some drinks, and win prizes! It’s free to play. See you there!

Laura Cai is a recording artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based out of Chicago.

As a singer, keyboardist, cellist, guitarist, and bassist, Laura has lent her range of talents to a variety of live and studio projects across diverse genres for more than a decade. She has worked as a studio musician, recording and arranging songs that have together amassed millions of streams. As a live musician, Laura has toured both domestically and internationally, playing in venues spanning from intimate coffee shops to sold-out theaters to arenas of thousands.

Laura has had songs placed with CBS and Walmart alongside Grammy-nominated producer Oh, Hush! and created viral videos with recording artist Alex Blue. She currently plays weekly at piano bars around the city as she continues to hone her skills as an up-and-coming producer, mixer, and masterer.

you can join us and Whaddayaknow? Free Pub Trivia on Fridays for Music bingo! From 6:30pm-8:30pm, you can come hang out and test your music knowledge. Grab your pals, come enjoy some drinks, and win prizes! It’s free to play. See you there!

René Avila band leader for a traditional Cuban Charanga band.  He has two ensembles, from a trio to a 9 piece band.  We have played for Chicago's Summerdance, Navy Pier's Beer Garden, Old Town School of Folk Music and various festivals throughout the city. Our ensembles play traditional Cuban from the golden ages of the 40's 50's and 60's still keeping the "Charanga" format.Charanga is a classical chamber ensemble that came out of Haiti, featuring the unique sound of the french flute and violins.  During the Haitian revolution of 1804, this sound migrated to eastern Cuba where it reached Santiago.  In the space of 120 years, the modern Charanga was born by adding elements of Africa, Spain, Haiti and Cuba transforming it into an electric mix of cultures and one of the worlds most exciting dance genres. 

Lydia Cash writes candidly about her life, forging songs as beacons of authenticity in which she reveals the innermost workings of her heart’s loves and losses. Her delicate melodies woven with alt-rock angst showcase this native Alabamian/Chicago transplant’s dichotomy of grit and sweetness.

Cash's sophomore album “Violet” was recorded at Wilco’s Loft studio and is slated for release on June 5th. Channeling the dreamy grit of The Cranberries and the unfiltered angst of Alanis Morissette, “Violet” is vulnerable, honest, and defiant - a glittering ode to radical self-love and female empowerment.