Chicago indie-rock band MidAmerican Elevator lifts dreamy vocal harmonies over a busy rhythm section, with guitars traveling between sparkly counterpoint and regenerative drive. On one level they give you Alvvays-like dream-pop vibes. On another, a bit of the Cranberries. On another, the Strokes (if Julian Casablancas was actually two women in a trench coat). Vocalist-guitarists Paxton Long and Beni Yuzawa met in an elevator in 2013. They found lead guitarist Greg Taylor in a shitty bar in River North, picked up bassist Mike Vendiola through a friend-of-a-friend, and went all the way to Reddit to recruit drummer Dean Sinclair. Together, MAE is playing at stops up and down Chicago, and recorded their debut album—scheduled for release in 2022—at RCM Studios in Logan Square.

“August Hotel’s music features a depth typically unheard in the soundscape of peers.” — Chicago Tribune   Combining fresh, modern sensibilities with the influence of ‘80s yesteryear, August Hotel has established itself as one of Chicago’s most energetic and insightful bands. Comprised of Eva Padilla (lead vocals), Landon Hegedus (keyboards/saxophone), Ryan Lammers (guitar), Dean Sinclair (drums), and Cale Singleton (bass), August Hotel has been playing together since 2017, after Padilla sent a grainy smartphone video of herself singing to the rest of the band. Within a month, the band was in the studio working on their first EP, 2017’s Charms.    After an extensive schedule of live shows, the band took a step back to record new music, embracing their evolution and new experiences. Released in 2020, August Hotel’s  second EP, Stations, presents four new songs that expand on the group’s ability to weave together each member’s specific musical background and influences. Stations examines different forms of loss—the end of a relationship, the sacrifice of a trans activist, the loss of personal control when struggling with mental health, and losing a guitar on the train—aiming to convey universal experiences via unique stories.   Lead single “Disaster & Delight” explores reconciliation after the end of a relationship through an infectious melody and cheeky–yet still sincere–lyrics. Stations’ accompanying titles strike various tones and moods: urgency, elevation, and melancholy. Produced by Drew Polovick of Friday Pilots Club, this sophomore EP exemplifies the band’s deep passion for the story telling qualities of their carefully crafted music. Constantly progressing as individuals and as a band to produce captivating and complex tunes, August Hotel is poised for a breakthrough.

Morgan Gold is a 26-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer from Chicago, IL. A songwriter since the age of ten, Gold uses her passion for storytelling and self-expression to craft a sound that stands in a lane of its own. Blending her influences over the years, she continues to create an alluring atmosphere surrounding her universe; a sound she describes as: “Imagine if you blended R&B, pop and hip-hop, then shot the results into outer space. Whatever journey & sights that thing experiences is channeled through me.” Since 2018, she’s released a catalogue of over 70 recordings of music, including 2 albums and 4 EP’s, and 30 singles. In 2024, she was inducted into the Recording Academy as a voting member. Gold is as earnest as she is dynamic; showcasing her signature falsetto, cryptic poetry and charismatic showmanship, leaving an impressionable stance on her ever-growing audience. Whether she’s backed by a wall of production or an acoustic guitar, Morgan proves to be a sheer force that is here to stay.