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Violent Femmes Unite Generations at Chicago’s Salt Shed
Photo by Ernesto Raul Aguilar (IG: @blacksheepimagery ) Review and Photos by Ernesto Raul Aguilar The Milwaukee legends turn nostalgia into a shared celebration with a timeless, crowd-sung set. Few bands can make a room full of people sing together the way Violent Femmes can. At Chicago’s Salt Shed on October 17, the Milwaukee legends delivered a night of spirited connection and timeless songs that bridged decades of fans. The band made a dramatic entrance through the crowd

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
13 hours ago


Road Soda Marks Another Honest Chapter for Franklin Jonas
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Franklin Jonas returns with Road Soda, a track that instantly cements his growing signature sound —...

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 10


EP REVIEW: Midnight Til Morning — Afterglow
Midnight Til Morning might’ve started on Netflix’s Building the Band, but they’ve quickly outgrown the “reality show project” label. The...

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 9


Calliope Wren Channels Goddess Energy on Debut EP Fade and Wither
The Long Island alt-rock siren celebrates with a ritual-themed release show at Amityville Music Hall. Press materials courtesy of Jocelyn...

Rebecca McDevitt
Oct 6


Cartel’s Chroma Turns 20: Detroit Sings Every Word
Marking the 20th anniversary of their seminal debut Chroma, Cartel took Detroit back to 2005 with a front-to-back play through that had fans hanging on every note.

LJ Portnoy
Sep 25


UNDERGROUND RADAR: Artist You Need To Know - Louis Knight
Louis Knight is a singer/songwriter that leaves you with something to carry. British-born and Philly-raised, he first caught attention on American Idol, but it’s the music that came after that’s carved out his place. His songs feel like late-night conversations, the ones you remember long after the lights go out.

Rebecca McDevitt
Sep 25


SINGLE REVIEW: Village Liquors - Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines
Franklin Jonas steps into a new chapter with "Village Liquors", an indie-country single that radiates both grit and soul. The song feels like a window into Franklin’s story of growing up, facing himself, and embracing honesty. The banjo adds a perfect country twang, grounding the track in rootsy authenticity while still keeping it fresh and modern.

Rebecca McDevitt
Sep 5


ALBUM REVIEW: Sombr "I Barely Know Her"
Article by Rebecca McDevitt Sombr’s Big Glow Up Album Artwork: Nicky Parks and Amelie Boose If you have been watching Sombr over the last...

Rebecca McDevitt
Aug 23


FLIPTURN SHOWED CLEVELAND THAT BURNOUT CAN BE BEAUTIFUL
The Burnout Days Tour lit up The Agora with emotion, energy, and unforgettable connection.
While many of the songs on Flipturn’s discography can be described as “chill-indie,” their live performance is anything but. The Agora Theater in Cleveland was a place of connection, dancing, good vibes, and burnout days on the evening of July 30th.
Madison Cozzens
Aug 8


ALBUM REVIEW: Benson Boone’s American Heart Tries to Go Big, But Doesn’t Quite Land
Benson Boone is clearly aiming for the moment . After a chart-topping breakout and viral momentum, American Heart was supposed to be his...

Rebecca McDevitt
Jul 25


Beauty and Noise: Sleigh Bells Unleash Chaos in Chicago
On June 12, 2025, Sleigh Bells brought their signature sonic chaos to Metro Chicago. Well known for their explosive fusion of noise pop,...

Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Jun 15


Milahroy Is Giving In to Let Go — Meet Our June Featured Artist
Interview by Rebecca McDevitt & Ilana Bornstein Article & Photos by Rebecca McDevitt Photo by Rebecca McDevitt Genre-defying....

SoundCheck Team
Jun 9


Joe Jonas Brings the Storm and the Soul to Miami
Article by Rebecca McDevitt with contributitons by LJ Portnoy

Rebecca McDevitt
May 27


JP Saxe’s "Articulate Excuses" Hurts in All the Places
For anyone who's felt too much and said too little—this album speaks the language.
JP Saxe doesn’t write love songs. He writes what happens after. The shame. The silence. The parts we think we’re the only ones feeling. Articulate Excuses is a tight, emotionally fraught collection of eight songs that dig deep, hit hard, and leave a mark.

LJ Portnoy
May 1


Joe Jonas Drops “Heart by Heart” and Yep, We’re in Our Feels
Joe Jonas is three-for-three with the singles off his upcoming solo album Music for People Who Believe in Love , and the latest track,...

Rebecca McDevitt
Apr 25


New Music Friday: Treat Your Playlist To Fresh Bops & Bangers
Craving a playlist update? These must-stream songs from the past two weeks are for binging, shuffling and sharing with the group chat. A...
Ilana Bornstein
Mar 22
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