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| Matt Alber |
Matt Alber
Matt Alber blends extraordinary, emotional nuance with impeccable
vocal range and style. Following a tenure with the San Francisco-based classical ensemble, Chanticleer, winning two Grammy
Awards,Matt turned his attention to contemporary projects. In 2004 Alber released a self-produced album of experimental songs
calledNonchalant with co-producer/writer Jeff Crerie at Utmosis in San Francisco. The duo became fast friends capturing the
sounds of neighboring wind-chimes and borrowing banjo players from the park to create their neo art-songs on Macintosh computers.
Within months Alber was signed by Tommy Boy as the first artist to their new imprint, Silver Label,and immediately
began work refining his independent release into the full-length, Hide Nothing. The album is resplendent with glitchy-orchestral
romance (End of the World, Fieldtrip Buddy) and delves deep into the mystic (Rivers & Tides, Beotia) including an intimate
re-telling of Imogen Heap'sHide & Seek. Alber's unfailing voice threads these songs together with a constant airy
nuance close to the ears (and heart.) Many fans have come to know Matt through the achingly romantic 1960s themed video of
End of the World.
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| Jen Porter |
Jen Porter
Acclaimed singer, song writer and entertainer Jen Porter's fourth album Closer to the Surface (2009),
reveals the true character of her musical artistry. With nearly a decade of playing live shows in the U.S., the Caribbean
and Europe, and 3 previous albums under her belt, Jen chose to work with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Steinmetz on her
most ambitious effort to date. Andy Downing of the Chicago Tribune says, "Porter's voice swings between striking
moments of intimacy and tornadic outbursts, while her piano . . . matches each emotional surge lockstep."
Critics
often compare her live-show energy to that of Janis Joplin, her piano stylings and voice to Natalie Merchant, and the intensity
of her song-writing to Fiona Apple. Closer to the Surface has been released to enthusiastic reviews. Indie-Music.com's
Barney Quick says, "This is real music, wide and deep. It's accessible but still invites you to take your time to
see what's really there. I don't need any comparisons to get a handle on what she's doing. She's setting a
standard by which others down the pike will be compared."
Our Regular Contributors
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| Gary Airedale |
Gary Airedale, Host Born in London and tempered on Chicago's South Side, Gary Airdale brings his special brand Rock and Roll to you
once a month at The Flesh Hungry Dog Show. Mr. Airedale knew he was destined for a career in rock and roll when at the
age of ten he was suspended from school for tossing the record player out the window in 4th grade music class exclaiming "THIS
IS BULLSHIT" when the music teacher attemped to play Neil Diamond.
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| Ms Bea Haven |
Ms.
Bea Haven of Girlie-Q Productions Ms. Bea Haven, the Titian-Haired Makeout Queen, is the hottest thing since the hottest
thing since the Chicago fire! A Chicago-based burlesque and video artist, Ms. Bea has performed her smart and edgy burlesque
acts with nearly every burlesque & performance art outfit in town, including the PAC/Edge festival, Beastwomen, the Twisted
Tassel Festival, Star and Garter, Girlie-Q Variety Hour, Girlie-Q Live, Heartless B!tch, Gurlesque Burlesque, Red Hot Dames,
Varietease Cabaret and more. As a video artist, her work has been seen throughout the country. She holds an MFA in performance
and video/new media from Columbia College Chicago. Find out what she's up to at www.girlieq.net
DJ SKY
DJ Sky cut her teeth
working as an on air personality in alternative radio and spinning vinyl in various clubs across the US
during the early 80’s. When she returned to Chicago
in 1986 she quickly rose to the top of the punk/alternative scene throwing down her eclectic mix of propulsive punk, funk,
R&B, pop, rock, electric and dance music at legendary Chicago venues: Club Dreamerz, The
Octagon, The Lizard Lounge, Lower Links, Crash Palace, Exit. More recently, she's laid down tracks at The Hide Out
and Jackhammer. DJ Sky has also served as the Mad Mix-tress behind the tables
for VIP parties for Reeling: The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, EstroJam and is one of the creative founders
behind OzBeat Music.
Our Sponsors
The Pleasure Chest When
we say we know sex, we're not just biting sound. From the beginning, the Pleasure Chest has been celebrating sexuality
and the infinite forms of its expression through a simple belief that no question is too silly, no fantasy too wild, no desire
too crazy and no instinct wrong. Our objectives are simple: to facilitate discovery, encourage exploration and to provide
products, information and an upbeat and pleasurable shopping experience that will make you feel great.
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