NITETROTTER

Nonnie Parry on NITETROTTER TONITE

2013-04-18T12:47:00.002-07:00

Health and Beauty - NitetrotterTV Session

2013-03-22T13:12:00.002-07:00

Text and Video By Nathan Gregory, Illustration by Jorge Tapia - March 22, 2013

When I traveled down to shoot this session with Brian who is Health and Beauty, I did not really have anything in mind. We just set up in his lonely living room with him playing on a piano bench. His beautiful and loving dog Betty did the rest. As Brian played some of the most beautiful songs his dog laid softly beside him. The love of the two quickly grew into the fun video session we tracked. During one of the songs the dog completely came up and sat in my lap. It took all of my strength to not burst out last laughing until the song ended and Brian looked up and chuckled. The session then concluded with some drinking of shitty alcohol the neighbors had. We did our best to capture the emotion and talent that Health and Beauty has to offer. Always popping up around town for different shows, Health and Beauty shows are not to miss and will leave you in aww of his spectacular songwriting.

Shot on location at Health and Beauty house in Little Village in Chicago, IL.

Nitetrotter Tonite is Coming

2013-02-26T18:51:00.002-08:00

Great Valley - NitetrotterTV Session

2013-02-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - February 19, 2013

The Great Valley's goofy pop music will take the listener into a jolly dream state with beautiful colors and pop sickles. It brings you back to when you were a kid and you had no worries and everything thing was fun. Yet, here in the modern day things still seem to be fun for the venturous duo. Graduated from college and now pursuing there music to great levels, Great Valley have found a new home in Brattleboro, VT. A small town that hides a variety of amazing bands. We were lucky to hang a few days with the boys while on tour supporting there new LP "Continental Lunch." This album was released by Feeding Tube Records and is a must hear. Groove this sick session then go out and buy this album.

Shot on location at Burlington Bar in Chicago, IL.

Famous Laughs - NitetrotterTV Session

2013-02-17T22:24:00.002-08:00

Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - February 17, 2013
Art by Jorge Tapia

Snowy and sometimes rainy days come day after day to the southside neighborhood of Chicago called Pilsen. This dark weather brings everybody inside and I was lucky enough to be invited inside art gallery Roxaboxen Exhibitions to film some great stuff from local favorite Famous Laughs. The music project of local music facilitator Jake Acosta, who's genius has brought two growing locals labels Teen River and Lake Paradise, plus a variety of stellar music projects. The uniquely heavy rock tinged sound behind Famous Laughs grips your ears with much strength though calmly letting go with soft well placed melodies. Acosta's deep low reverbed out vocals cascade breezily over most tunes giving away to shredding jams. Famous Laughs is a great three piece band bringing a different sound to the Chicago rock scene. More and more great things from the band in the future we can only hope but until then enjoy this.

Shot on location at Roxaboxen Exhibitions in Chicago, IL

Buoyant Sea - NitetrotterTV Session

2013-01-25T13:11:00.003-08:00

Text and Video by Nathan Gregory - January 25, 2013

A cold nite in Chicago with one of the first snows of the new year and we decide to go to the warmest place in the city, The infamous Tropic Goth nite at the Empty Bottle with Elliott Reed, Nonnie Parry and Buoyant Sea. The show was packed very well for a cold nite and Buoyant Sea stole the show. Driven from a hard drum beat and the piercing sounds of his electric mandolin, Buoyant Sea's weird style had the floor moving. Driving pop songs with dark lyrics and chugging bass make for a danceable tune. It was most definitely a fun party for whatever Tropic Goth maybe. Excited to hear more of Buoyant Sea in 2013 or at least some cool haircuts.

Shot on location at The Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL

Gangsta Love - Nitetrotter Session

2013-01-22T14:11:00.001-08:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - January 22, 2013

Not everyone across the US has had the chance to check out Gangsta Love like that have with his alter ego Hurricanes of Love. Both the amazing works of mountain man Frank Hurricane. The holiest man on the planet. The moving live show of Hurricanes of Love that bring joy and fun to all eyes and ears who observe, can only imagine the fun that a Gangsta Love show would possess. The holy brother could rap who knew? We caught frank awhile ago while he was visiting Chicago. We recorded this secret session in Logan Square while we were also lucky enough to have 99¢ lay down some of his sick beats for Frank to rhyme over. Check out his new cassette out on Gnar Tapes. Get high for a brother and dig this sick new session of 2013, Gangsta Love featuring 99¢.

Check out how we first heard about Gangsta Love doing this commercial for the best pizza spot in Jamaica Plain, MA called Same Old Place.

Gangsta Love - Prymordial Pymp, Chillin' with Ease, "Dwag a Slyce" Same Old Place, Stay High

Recorded live in Logan Square, Chicago, IL

TROPIC GOTH WINTER BLA$T

2013-01-10T19:45:00.003-08:00

TROPIC GOTH WINTER BLA$T

Live ONE NITE ONLY!

January 23rd

Empty Bottle

Nonnie Parry

Buoyant Sea

Eliot Reed

DJ Sick Cakez

FREE WITH RSVP visit this link

"End of the World" Nitetrotter Fest 2012

2012-11-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

"End of the World"

Nitetrotter Fest 2012

Live

December 14th, 2012

@The Dustbowl

$7

Starts at 8pm

FEATURING

Mike Donovan (Sic Alps)

Mike Donovan is the front man and guitarist of San Fransisco band Sic Alps. His solo career takes a journey into acoustic based ballads that only Donovan himself can explain. Galloping melodies and expressive vocals make these songs jump in and out and back again while the listener is stuck in a groovy gaze. All we really know is Mike Donovan will bring the show.

Samantha Glass

The weird is exactly what Samantha Glass is. With long movements of psychedelic waves and arrangements to experience at the most highest moments, Samantha Glass will be exactly the mood changer of the night. Hailing from one of the chillest college towns in the midwest, Madison, Samantha Glass aka Beau D will transform the black and white to every color in the rainbow.

Ono

There is nothing as weird in Chicago as the no wave group Ono. Started way back in the early 80's by P. Michael and Travis and have now come back with a fury. On Halloween this dark mass dropped a new LP titled, "Albino" which is there first release in longer than what most there fans age is. Always the most unforgettable performance of the nite, Ono will bring a live voyage through a poetic noise opera. Don't miss this the best live show before its allover. The world that is.

Nude Sunrise

Four moon men on a mission to the local party. Suckers for good old rock n roll but on even more drugs. Repetitive rhythms of keys and drums laced with epic drones and solos that take you on intense journeys. When you think you had enough they push you one more bar. Nude Sunrise is the band behind Nitetrotter. Left to the road or Papa Johns, Nude Sunrise brings a powerful show.

The Funs

The Funs are the boy/ girl dream punk duo once from Chicago but now relocated to middle of nowhere southern Illinois funeral home. With nothing to do but create fast freak jams while switching instruments and vocals, The Funs are speeding around releasing new tapes and playing allover the US. Also while working hard at running tape label Manic Static.

Mines

The weeping guitar that floats through every Mines song is that of the projects brain child himself Mac Hines. Flamenco style strumming leads a three piece of top shelf musicians through songs of wondering the true meaning to having fun and being some what happy. Packed with a whole lot of power behind their instruments, Mines heavy vibes will move even the inattentive listener into focus.

Hastas

The only thing not normal about Normal, IL is the psychic waver Kyle Riley best known as Hastas. With a table full of 60's hearing tests and polychromatic who knows what the fuck and some pedals left at his house, Hastas creates an intense layer of multicolored hallucinations for the hear. Taking elements of harsh noise with delicate loops of delayed dreams creates the perfect lullaby. Creator of Zome Tapes will not disappoint.

Unmanned Ship

The stoned eyed stoner rockers that is Unmanned Ship. Built in front of a huge wall of amps, Unmanned Ship shreds some of the most psychedelic sludge I have ever heard. Don't be scared to take a punch from this wall of sound because it will leave your ears ringing the greatest ring ever. Locked bass and drum grooves and shredding guitar set the tone with added noise walls to thicken the most full sound around. Smoke a joint to this one.

I Love You

I Love You just returned from his tour of China. In the coming time he has transformed from afro beats and complex grooves into a smooth dance machine. Always one of the most wild performances, I Love You will have the room moving along with himself. Only the best vibes await those who watch I Love You.

The Dutchmaster - Nitetrotter Session

2012-06-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nate O'Berman / Text Nathan Gregory - June 22, 2012

The words of The Dutchmaster are quick and smooth. They spin heads and separate their minds. His words of fire spark that blunt. For The Dutchmaster his life is based around his love for the music. With a little help from some green trees he can spit a new rhyme in moments time. We originally tracked this song in his friends apartment while we shot some footage. He then had it rerecorded with some extra xing and this hot track featuring a beat by our resident dj 99centz. The Dutchmaster is an up and coming rapper out of Chicago, IL. With friends all around the city jumping on his tracks keep and ear out because this boy is blowing up. Dig this sick track in the mean time.

Here is the new hit from The Dutchmaster. Footage was all shot during recording of Nitetrotter session courtesy of Harmon Visuals.

The Dutchmaster - "Smoke Proper" (Produced by 99¢ents)

Recorded live in Chicago, IL

Females of Doubtful Reputation

2012-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Text Mr. Nitetrotter / Video Jesus Himself - May 19, 2012

Our buddy Jesus sends us these videos from god knows where in Eastern Europe. Strutting the blues in a construction site. Some of these guys have been doing experimental music since 1954.

There needs to be more bone solos in rock videos. Weirdness

Recorded live in Great Hobonia

Invisible Circle - Nitetrotter Session

2012-05-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Illustration Drew Labarre / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - May 11, 2012

Many would not think that Brooklyn would be a place for such a calm meditative man such as David Kadden. David proves that wrong with his solo project Invisible Circle. Some see the world different and realize that everything truly is beautiful. Psychedelic waves of echoed organ and blissful oboe set a raga like chant that Dave soulfully reveals with his voice. At times it almost sounds like native american chants. Sometimes the most simple music can portray a complex wall of sound and I feel Invisible Circle does that perfectly. Fall back into your seat and let the wind take you to that place that calms your soul. Let the sound of stream lull you into a state of peace. Find your meditative state and let Invisible Circle help you guide you on your path. Either way dig on some great jams by Invisible Circle. The last track features one of the most fun people in the world Frank Hurricane of Hurricanes of Love which these two put out a split LP together.

Here is some great footage of Invisible Circle live in Logan Square in Chicago, IL with our makeshift microphone stand.

Invisible Circle - Song 1, Song 2, Song 3, Song 4

Recorded live in Logan Square in Chicago, IL

Orchard Theif - Nitetrotter Session

2012-05-09T20:08:00.001-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - May 9, 2012

Meeting people through out the world is a really great thing. Especially when you meet truly genuine people like Sam Molstad, the music mind that is Orchard Theif. Sam hails from Minneapolis, MN and that is where I first met him when I played a show with them him back in 2010. We then have crossed paths all over the US. Sam was in town while Nude Sunrise was recording our new album and he jumped in as vocal coach by directing the singer and himself to perform with no shirts in our creepy bathroom in Chinatown. Sam has a fun personality that I feel like blossoms in Orchard Theif's music. This certain beauty that you hear in his music can be translated from his optimistic outlook and love for life. His new album "Sensational Living," really shows off the beauty of the way he sees life. It also has some amazing screen printed artwork. If you ever visiting the Midwest, come see Sam play along with his other project Coral Legs. This session is three terrific songs flowing nicely from one to another. Good Nite!

Also check out this live footage from Orchard Theif Nitetrotter Session courtesy of NitetrotterTV.

Orchard Theif - Cheerleaders Return, Through the Dark Away from Home, Sensational Living

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL

Scammers - Nitetrotter Session

2012-05-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Illustration Duane Jewett / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - May 7, 2012

The bearded and tattooed pop master behind solo project Scammers is Phil Diamond from Kansas City, KS. Having known Phil for awhile after partying at the old Schwag City and meeting up on the road in Nebraska, I knew I had to get him to do a session to let the world know about this hidden gem. Scammers take a unique approach to pop music. With heavy beats and dancing synths, its Diamond's vocals that really sets him apart. Singing real lyrics of being poor and just really living life to do what makes you happy and for Scammers it is playing music. Scammers live show is nothing less with Diamond bouncing allover stage and in your face while sometimes he has his wife to perform dances to each song. As another KC band impresses the world, go find Scammers and be just as impressed as we are. Plus, pick up one of his shirts because they have the coolest designs. Get down on these three tracks we got from Scammers while visiting Pilsen in Chicago.

Also here is some great live footage of Scammers during the recording of his Nitetrotter Session.

Scammers - Airliner, Legitimately Poor, Dance Killer

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL.

Bears of Blue River - Nitetrotter Session

2012-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - May 4, 2012

As the seasons change from cold to warm and our spirits grow immensely as we rejoice with our first steps out of the dark house into the beautiful sun we again realize how lucky we are to be alive. For Gavin Wilkinson the man behind Bears of Blue River, season doesn't matter. With an optimistic outlook like Wilkinson's nothing can bring you down. It was a real delight to go and track this session with complete strangers but now totally new friends. Bears of Blue River capture all the beauty of life with just a guitar and voice. Accompanied with the female love of Maggie Gard to really hold this soft sounds together. As they continue to tour the United States and lay their mark on Chicago it is easy to see why the future is endless for this pair.

Check out this great footage of Bears of Blue River live in Gavin Wilkinson's bedroom where we tracked this glorious Nitetrotter session.

Bears of Blue River - Yellow Belly, Good Spark, Feral Child, MES-44, Betty Homemaker

Recorded Live in Wicker Park in Chicago, IL

Midwest Trash Vortex - Nitetrotter Session

2012-04-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

Illustration Drew Labarre / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - April 25, 2012

Midwest Trash Vortex is the laid back noise duo composed of Cujo and Bobby of Chicago. With former projects such as Meester Magpie and Static Swamp, its easy to see the roots forming this noisey yet elegant sound. Smoke filling the air and echoes of looping tapes arises a western sounding raga full of wind instruments and more loops. This meditative jam is then flushed into jolts of thick sound rushing the ear. When you start to cringe you are then brought back to reality where things are usually ok and The Eagles can slow your heartbeat. This was an amazing piece we were lucky to track from these two while on tour with friends Scammers. Just shy of 20 minutes there isn't one minute that isn't worth hearing.

Listen along and delight your eyes with great footage of Midwest Trash Vortex live during the recording of this session.

Midwest Trash Vortex - Live in Pilsen

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL

Headless Horse Head - Nitetrotter Session

2012-04-16T13:14:00.003-07:00

Illustration Calvin Whitehurst / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - April 16, 2012

What do you take when you mix a man of psychic waves with a man of space. One sick ass noise duo. Headless Horse Head is compiled of Jake Acosta and Drew Gibson or Famous Laughs and Katrina Stoneheart. Using the same equipment as they do with their solo projects they manipulate colorful sounds into dark journeys of cavern exploration with this distinct sound that keeps following you in horror as you go deeper and deeper. We tracked twenty two mintues of powerful stuff from these two. Some how Mikey was asleep on the couch through this session which to me seems impossible that someone could sleep through a set like this. Check out their new tape on Teen River or a rare performance in the city.

Headless Horse Head - Live @Ball Hall

Recorded live at Ball Hall in Chicago, IL

Arvid Noe - Nitetrotter Session

2012-04-09T11:15:00.002-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - April 9, 2012

Arvid Noe is a three piece banger from Boston, MA. I first met them a year ago while actually playing their old house venue Problem House. So we tracked a sick session why they were here visiting while on tour. Never having heard there music until we recorded the session I was completely blown away. From the second we hit record and the fuzz kicked in it was on. Two spastic guitars perfectly timed driving and bouncing back in forth and held together by one of the sickest drummers I have seen in awhile. We are totally a fan here at Nitetrotter. Go party in Boston with these wild riders or catch them jamming from city to city.

Here is some sick video of the Arvid Noe getting wild in our basement as we recorded this dirty session. Something my pop out during this video if you watch closely.

Arvid Noe - Silverfish, What Makes a Person Break Their Phone, Superman, 3D Jesus

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL

Savage Young Taterbug - Nitetrotter Session

2012-04-04T12:37:00.002-07:00

Illustration Duane Jewett / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - April 4, 2012

Everywhere you go everybody is synonymous with the name Taterbug. Young Charles Free of Iowa City and Des Moines, IA is the Savage Taterbug. He has the uncanny ability to make the most beautiful sounds lost in the lo-fi realm. This rare session we tracked with Taterbug is a fun step out of that realm. Just Taterbug and a old piano in our friends apartment in Pilsen. The words and sounds were so radiant that numerous people passing by stopped to heart this spectacle. By then end of the performance a small audience had been drawn into his lullaby. We will cherish this day and performance forever. I sent these tracks to Taterbug to let him check them out and his response was, "Cool, it sounds like Wilco." Enjoy this beauty.

Check out this sick video of this very intimate performace live.

Savage Young Taterbug - Song 1, Song 2, Song 3, Song 4

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL

Katrina Stonehart - Nitetrotter Session

2012-04-03T09:10:00.003-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - April 3, 2012

Hunched over in a ball with a guitar held tightly inside. The speakers pulse heavily to this intense wave of reverberation. Distant words echo from Katrina Stonehart's mouth that only he knows the true meaning of. Now a prominent figure in the Chicago music scene, Katrina Stonehart aka Drew Gibson also of Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk is the musical mastermind behind this comforting creation. Gibson also point person and creator of label Solid Melts and co-founder of new tape label Teen River. Still with all the beautiful noises created by Katrina Stonehart comes and even heavier raw noise. Both sides combine in an epic journey through the sole of one Katrina Stonehart. Seriously do not miss one minute of the amazing 26 minute performance we tracked. Ride the wave into the sunset or into the black hole, either odyssey will return you to that one place really feel happy.

Check out this video made by label friend Vehicle Blues.

Katrina Stonehart - Live @Ball Hall

Recorded live at Ball Hall in Chicago, IL

Health and Beauty - Nitetrotter Session

2012-03-29T17:58:00.001-07:00

Illustration Duane Jewett / Sound Engineering Brian Sulpizio / Text Nathan Gregory - March 25, 2012

For a long time I thought that the most beautiful things in life are love and friendship. Now that list has grown to more and more things and Health and Beauty is right near the top. After playing a show with this apathetic duo at Happy Dog, I knew I had to bring them in for a session. Well instead they brought us in to do the session. The lead master behind Health and Beauty, Brian Sulpizio runs an amazing recording studio called Chateau in Humboldt Park. At Chateau, Brian has tracked other nitetrotters like Animal City, Names Divine and Mines. They invited us over and Brian did the tracking and we did the video. This session really captures the quiet hopeful sound of Health and Beauty. With just a desert delayed guitar and windy auto harp paired with Sulpizio's expressive vocals, the music gently flows happily into the listeners ears. Catch Health and Beauty all around Chicago and new upcoming releases.

Here is some beautiful footage of Health and Beauty live at Chateau during the tracking of their nite session. Both delicate and goofy.

Health and Beauty - Mary, Little Kings, Nancy, Fine Horseman

Recorded live at Chateau in Chicago, IL

Generfius - Nitetrotter Session

2012-03-25T12:23:00.002-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - March 25, 2012

I first met Generifus in 2011 at SXSW. Friends of friends and now friends for life. The solo man Generifus resides in Olympia, WA. Also a musical member on local well known label K Records. We crashed at his house in Olympia one time on tour. Woke up in the morning to everybody drinking the remaining beers from the night before watching Back Yard Wrestling movies. Besides being just a rad fun guy, Generifus also known by his real name Spencer Sult is a blossoming singer songwriter. I have had the song "I Know," stuck in my head for a year now. Blessed with an apathetically beautiful singing voice and creative ability to play the guitar. Generifus is a truly amazing songwriter. If you ever are in Olympia make it a point to meet this person and watch for upcoming releases from Generifus.

Really feel what this session was like with this sick video.

Generifus - Tunnel, Train Track, Out Loud, I Know, Gunna Come Back, I Will Comply

Recorded live in Logan Square in Chicago, IL

Mines - Nitetrotter Session

2012-03-20T07:33:00.004-07:00

Illustration Katie Shlon / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Mykee P - March 20, 2012

Diggin deeper than a fantasy, and somewhere past that one night you spent tripping alone in an attic for a few years where you stumble out of the psychedelic vortex rubbing yr guitar with a toothbrush and suddenly all your friends are there, and you haven't slept for days because yr too high. And in a weird way drugs have disposed of yr faith in any situation that lacks feeling. And that's a good thing, cuz yr feeling good. And if yr ever not feelin it, you just hum until you sing and sing until you follow that feeling deeper till the drums start thumping again, and you feel the bass ripping along the edges, mmmmmmmmelting the edges, and you feel like shaking yr edges because when yr shaking, in a funny way they go away. All the edges dissappear, and slowly so do you…
Then you wake up surrounded by a mess of beer cans, empty pizza boxes, and cassette tapes. and some clip from sickdunks.com is idly playing on the screen, begging to pull you away from the mess. But instead you gaze at the mess…
You feel the mess, because, shit, the world is a mess, and you are a part of that mess.
But its only saturday morning, and yr still allowed to feel good for one more night. So you grab a guitar pick, and with one giant sweep across the strings, the mess is swept under the psycho-sonic rug. And soon all yr friends are there again.
And you know what it feels like to vibrate.
And as long as you're there yr shitty job means nothing.
And yr happy yr broke again, because that means yr drunk and you know why you have friends. Mines are our new friends and hope you get to know them too.

Check out how psychedelic this session was during the tracking courtesy of NitetrotterTV.

Mines - Rose Marie/ Answers My Head, I See Better in the Dark When I'm High, Parting Partly Party, Hearts, Bad is the Old Better

Recorded live in Logan Square in Chicago, IL

Alaskas - Nitetrotter Session

2012-03-13T14:02:00.003-07:00

Illustration Calvin Whitehurst / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - March 13, 2012

It truly is so amazing how much one can do with there own voice. Add a delay pedal and loop pedal and ones voice can carry you through many dimensions. Alaskas, the one man machine of Brooklyn's Dillon James Rego accomplishes that. The voice of Alaska's Rego is almost every piece to the puzzle. Beat boxing drum loops start these masterpieces. Followed by some looped singing that sounds almost like a synth. These really start to build his creations before his voice comes through yet again chirping words of being up and down and wanting. Even adding a emotional scream that shows he is serious. Was lucky to meet Dillon while he was visiting Chicago and tracked this sick session.

Here is some footage "I Love Life" from Alaskas Nitetrotter session live.

Alaskas - I Love Life, Farewell to them All and Play Rough

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL

Lil Dusk - Nitetrotter Session

2012-03-11T21:23:00.003-07:00

Illustration Drew Labarre / Sound Engineering Nathan Gregory / Text Nathan Gregory - March 11, 2012

Lil Dusk is my good friend Ashely Johnson. A long time lady of Chicago decided to pack her bags and head to the big apple. We tracked these two songs only days before she left us for the even bigger city. What she left us with was these two gems made with her partner Bryan Clopton. With both a mixture of hip hop and sharp singing vocals screaming sex and drugs. What more could you want.

Want to see this live? Here you go...

Lil Dusk - First Song and Second Song

Recorded live in Pilsen in Chicago, IL