Ugly Lamp Series

  • VRO

    VRO

    VRO (elemental) Elemental was the third song we shot on this outing. This was a new location along the banks of the Chicago River front. The original location was going to be the bench on the lower level but upon arriving found it to be quite occupied by employees of the Chicago water taxi. Having no fear of public performance, Victoria decided to just “jump in and roll with it” from the top of the staircase leading down to the […]

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  • American Wolf

    American Wolf

    American Wolf is a five-piece indie rock band from Chicago, comprised of strong folk and jazz influences, technical melodies, haunting vocals, and an abundance of atmospheric ambiance. They seek to complement each others’ ideas to create a harmoniously unique, driving, and memorable sound. American Wolf has released two full length albums: Tales of Kamanakera and Myriad, and are currently in the studio recording another to be released this year.

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  • Angelina Lucero

    Angelina Lucero

    We had the chance to work with Angelina Lucero early in 2012. At the tip of North Avenue beach, we set up for an intimate performance for our Ugly Lamp series. She certainly didn’t disappoint playing beautiful music during the crisp Spring night.

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  • Dhaea Kang

    Dhaea Kang

    Dhaea is a singer-songwriter just getting her start in the Chicago area. Accompanied by guitar or ukulele, her catchy and upbeat tunes often contradict the somber overtones of her lyrics, which commonly reflect the emotional turmoil of letting go of things she holds dear.

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  • Briar Rabbit

    Briar Rabbit

    Commanding the stage, Briar Rabbit achieves musical complexity without pretension, combines multi-layered lyrics with infectious melody, and presents self-awareness with a strong sense of honesty. It’s smart, catchy, and something we didn’t even know we needed.

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  • Little Light

    Little Light

    Little Light is comprised of two very talented Chicago musicians Gia Margaret and Alain de Dourtenay. Alain de Courtenay writes songs rooted in sparse, unaffected, yet altogether powerful poetry.

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  • Xoe Wise

    Xoe Wise

    About Xoe Wise Chicago singer-songwriter Xoe Wise has just released her sophomore album, Archive of Illusions, which reached #41 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart, and was immediately placed in the music store’s “New and Noteworthy” section. Originally from a small town on the ocean in North Carolina, Wise moved to Chicago to pursue a music career. She burst onto the scene in 2009, collaborating with Ethan Stoller on her debut album, Echo. Stoller has contributed music to the DVD extras […]

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  • Heather Styka

    Heather Styka

    Heather Styka (Coldwater River) from ROOFTOP SESSIONS CHICAGO on Vimeo. The performance for Rooftop Sessions Chicago of Heather Styka is accompanied by Sophie Weber on cello. About Heather Styka Chicago singer-songwriter Heather Styka’s songs are as fresh as they are rooted in the folk and Americana tradition, delivered by a warm and soulful voice.  Also a poet and writer, Styka has an instinct for lyrics that are smart and unexpected but never cryptic, analyzing the importance of moments, places, and […]

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  • We Are The Willows

    We Are The Willows

    WE ARE THE WILLOWS (WEDDING SONG) from ROOFTOP SESSIONS CHICAGO on Vimeo. We Are The Willows is the project of one singer/songwriter Peter Michael Miller. He writes, arranges, and performs most all of the sounds you hear on his recordings. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota and when he’s not on the road playing tunes he can be found recording music in his basement or watching “Boy Meets World”. With his newest release, Places, Peter attempts to capture moments in time, people […]

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  • Plume Giant

    Plume Giant

    On the first snowy day of the season, we ventured out to record Plume Giant over near the Drake Hotel.  Unfortunately, due to the falling snow, we had to cancel our original plans and roll with the changes.  Fortunately, the band proved what seasoned (flexible) professionals they are and we ended up down the street in the pedestrian tunnel underneath Lake Shore Drive.  Despite the passing joggers, bikers, and other flora and fauna of the city, we were able to […]

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  • Bone & Bell

    Bone & Bell

    This was one of the most challenging shoots to date; between sneaking equipment onto the ferris wheel, the roaring wind and laughing children, overhead speakers blaring “Sweet Home Chicago”, and a tight timeframe to do the shoot, it was a bleeding miracle that we were actually able to pull it off. The entire shoot only lasted 10 minutes (or more specifically, one turn around the wheel). Without any trouble Heather, like the true pro that she is, was able to […]

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  • Ugly Lamp Series

    Ugly Lamp Series

    < In addition to working on top of roofs we are also interested in expanding the idea of capturing performances in unique environments. So, if you have access to an interesting looking backyard, courtyard, sewer or meat locker with some room for a band? Why not, we’ll come to you. Wherever it is, whatever it is, we are willing to explore the idea of shooting in unique and interesting places around Chicago. As a result the ugly lamp series was […]

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