Photo Credits: Joshua Albanese
Ashely “SLIM FREEDOM” Stevenson held her first major concert this past Saturday after a remarkable rise in social media that rocketed her to 3.6 Million views on a video that was posted of her playing “Landslide” in the Chicago subway transit back in April 2016. Relatively unknown at that time to the mass public, her amazing video hovered at around a thousand views until it was reposted by Snoop Dogg, Usher, and Vic Mensa just this past month.
Unlike many other buskers that have made their daily bread down in the warm tunnels, beneath the Chicago streets, Slim Freedom quickly found that the growing accolades would put her directly in the spotlight; as news of her rising popularity started to pop up in the mainstream media. Before 2016 was over she had already landed a spot on WGN television and was being courted by new hot Chicago artist management company Ambassador Gold Label, who set up and fully produced her first major live performance. (posted below)
The show, called “From the Subway to the Stage”, was an exclusive industry event that sold out within a few days before Slim Freedom took the stage. The venue, a new and fully developed recording/soundstage studio called Embassy Studios, made this it’s inaugural event. Just off of Western Avenue and 14th street this jaw dropping venue lives right around the corner from Cinespace and Lagunitas Brewery. Equipped with everything from professional lighting, HD cameras, a fully projection mapped room and a sound system that could blow the skirt off the Queen Mother herself it was the perfect setting to display how much of a powerhouse Slim Freedom truly is. The team Stevenson has acquired in the Ambassador GL family aren’t messing around. This is apparent in how they are able to make the kinds of moves that they are making with Slim Freedom in such a short amount of time.
In only one month this wonderful artist who was just trying to hear her mesmerizing voice in the echo of the concrete tunnels has now taken the first steps toward a major career in the music industry. Already being approach by some major artists for collaboration and being signed to independent Ambassador Gold Label, Slim Freedom has now become a team that ranges from lighting designers and camera operators to media managers and merch handlers. Slim Freedom is a fully developed act.
When asked how she felt about it:
CMF: So how has this process been for you coming into a major operation from busking on the streets?
AS: Man,…I can’t even…Man, I just feel blessed you know. Everybody here [Ambassador] has just been blowing my mind. {shakes her head in awe} I really…Man.
CMF: Are you ok?
AS: {Smiles Brightly} Definitely! Hell Yeah!
Stevenson’s voice was sweet, raspy, and full of joy. She had a kind demeanor and seemed to spend more time listening than talking. When I met her I walked in to her memorizing, not lyrics but names. Curiously I asked who, thinking it would be some industry big wig, but she responded that it was a few fans of hers that were invited.
AS: Man, Playing on the street you meet a lot of people, you know. It’s hard sometimes to remember all the names when it’s easier to recall the faces. I just want them to know I remember not just their face but who they are. It feels good when someone recalls you by name, you know. It’s small but I want them to know that I appreciate them and not just hear me say it on stage.
I kept wanting to just give her a hug in hopes that some of that good feeling would rub off. Talking with her I could see there is something special about her spirit that just exuded a remarkable urban grace similar to what we have seen in the past with the likes of Lauren Hill, Erica Badu, or Bob Marley. Stevenson is definitely a star on the rise having moved from the streets to the stage in a hard way that her momentum is undeterminable at this point.
There’s really no telling where she could go. Though we have a pretty good idea which direction she is headed. So, to Slim Freedom, I say:
We will be watching with anticipation and listening with open ears and open hearts.
Check out some of the footage from the show by clicking this link:
Slim Freedom performs at Embassy Studios Chicago
For more info contact:
Info@SlimFreedom.com
Info@Embassystudioschicago.com
-Mark Trace
Senior Writer and Editor CMF
Category: Uncategorized
In Celebration of Halloween, Bam Creates going into their 7-Year Anniversary, and Chicagomusicfestivals.com going into our 3 years we are running an amazing Trick or Treat Giveaway For the next 24 hours.
Surprise!!
If you haven’t found a party to jump in yet then here is your chance.
Its obvious that the biggest party this weekend is gonna be React’s three day Freaky Deaky festival. So, don’t miss your chance to Drop the Grave at Toyota Park.
BAM Creates is coming strong for their 7-Year Anniversary with a mix of events during Halloween weekend. Aside from finding the BAM crew & characters running experiential at Freaky Deaky Music Festival Friday-Sunday, on Friday night they head over for a good O’ pillaging’ of The Underground Chicago during “Fear the Beard”. Saving the best for last, Bam Creates “Z3Ro H3rO” at theMID Chicago on Halloween night with music by Sonny Fodera, Inphinity & Dustin Sheridan, Hexes, Xonic, and Goodsex. Overthrow begins at 10pm. Costumes encouraged for all events!
here is what you do. Go to our face book page like it. Repost this image and #BAMCMF and we may pick you plus one friend to go to Freaky Deaky.
INSTA PARTY
Second person drawn will get listed plus one to the BAM after Parties on Friday or Monday of Choice. Be Ready to Accept!! or those that go Bump in the night may find you!!!!!
Friday-Sunday Oct 28-30th
Freaky Deaky
Friday Oct 28th
Underground Tickets here
Monday Oct 31st
MID Tickets here
Envision: If you could find yourself in a euphoria of healing and love, a culture of self expression and creativity, and environment of spiritual awakening then you would probably first think of Burning Man. But, what if I were to tell you about a place south of the American border where this culture thrives in an even more lushly spiritual location. Costa Rica has long been the destination of surfers and spiritual pilgrims.
Lush with artist that incorporates local wood and earth. Envision festival provides for the land and it’s people. We find the amazing festival growing as the secret of it’s existence has now opened up to a greater portion of the world. Can you imagine the connection to our world grow as the collective intention of its people call for a place just like this? With awareness gatherings growing these past few years there are a few places to find ones self within ones self.
For any person that didn’t have the opportunity to go home to Black Rock or even if you did
Take a trek through the Jungle
Say a prayer in Central America
Meditate to the monkey’s calling
Come and Join Us and Play! You would be welcomed and loved!
Envision is running a GIFT away for a GA ticket to Envision
please Follow and Like their page then Follow their instructions here to enter:
ENVISION and WIN
If you Envision yourself in Costa Rica with other outside thinkers just like you, then
I encourage you to look here for more information:
ENVISION SITE
And WE will look for you in the sands and the sea.
PLUR
| This is the second year for Reverse Events and it is no surprise that their parties have been the talk of the Underground. Paradigm, Paragon, and REVERSE have been bring us after hours for love of the game and entertainment of the party nation. We know and love them for the artistic choices and curations of artists and musicians. The Producers of TECNO 1-13, REVERSE Events, tomorrow night to mark an annual Masquerade that we anticipate becoming an Underground tradition for years to come. REVERSE’s Masquerade Ball will be hosting some of Chicago’s most well known Dj’s including INPHINTY, one of my personal favorites since we were teens. But, what kicks this event into high gear is TONE of ARC one of Cali’s hottest DJ duos will be bringing the heat to an unknown location tomorrow night. For those of us who regular afters, tickets are more than likely already in hand, but those of you who haven’t yet broken that cherry your best bet is to make your purchase NOW! here—->Masquerade Tickets WE ARE GIVING AWAY 2 TICKETS for anyone that can give the best AFTER HOURS ONE LINER POST on our Facebook event post. Here’s some more info on the Tone of Arc and REVERSE events. Somewhere amidst the monotony of our everyday lives there exists a prototype for disruption within the status quo. A gathering of individuals where, for one night, their inner nature can crash through the gates of the long-standing consensus. Such rouges and provocateurs often come masked to conceal their identity. It is an affair so dissonant that many have fallen victim to the romance of its madness. Introducing the 2nd Annual Underground Masquerade Ball presented by Reverse Events. Tickets on sale now on the official event page or via Resident Advisor. Headlining this year’s event is San Francisco based live Deep House/Jam/Rocktronica duoTONE of ARC comprised of Derrick Boyd and Zoe Presnick. Heading to Chicago on one of their first stops off the back of their brand new album ‘Urgent Turquoise,’ the intimate setting of the medieval Masquerade is the perfect backdrop to showcase such a moving and spellbinding album. Their seamless live show consists of a DJ set which blends danceable sounds from multiple genres with live performances of their original music. The result is an absolutely mesmerizing show that will capture your heart and soul, if only for an hour or two.  “Music is the auditory manifestation and colors of your soul as it bends, blends and manipulates around you through you and by you to support our spirits growth. To enhance life is the ultimate goal and there is no better way to do so than playing and making music.” – TONE of ARCJoining the bill is an assortment of some of Chicago’s best and most innovate artists including Steve Gerard, Nick Bassett, Inphinity, Augie De Larosa, and Special E.D. While the lineup has been curated to match the dark and mysterious feel of the Masquerade, the Reverse team has spent countless hours designing the main ballroom in detail to follow suit. From the custom visual light show via the massive LED screen to the innumerable amount of hanging lanterns that float above the wooden dance floor, this will be an experience not to miss! Watch the recap video from the 1st Masquerade Ball on YouTube.  Event LinksOfficial Event Page Buy Tickets via Resident Advisor Facebook Event Artist Links TONE of ARC Facebook Page TONE of ARC Soundcloud TONE of ARC Resident Advisor TONE of ARC Beatport Pro Organizer Links Reverse Website Reverse Facebook Page Reverse Instagram (@reverseevents) Reverse Youtube Channel Reverse Twitter (@reverseevents) About The Organizer REVERSE Events is a Chicago-based independent Electronic music event organizer and promoter. Founded in 2014 as a startup company, our lively approach to music exhibition pushes us to innovate on a daily basis. Our model is to produce exceptional shows that vastly exceed expectations, every time. We design vivid live music experiences that connect fans to the artist and everyone to each other. We plan, organize, and promote shows that dazzle the senses and ignite the spirit. With an extremely talented team of in-house professionals, who handle over 90% of every show’s operations, Reverse shows are known to have a distinguishably natural feeling of synergy. |
Categories
Hoodoo that Voodoo
Magic, music and mayhem is about everything one could anticipate when planning a trip to Voodoo Fest in New Orleans on All Hallows Eve weekend. Wandering the haunted streets of a town whose liberal alcohol consumption laws almost literally allows it to flow like milk and honey is a dangerous thought for anyone looking to rage the dead. But, when it comes to what has in recent past been growing as Americas most decadent and risqué holiday, the combination of these elements posed to be one of the most attractive and wildest parties you could possibly attend throughout the year.
So, it has been a week since the 2 out of 3 days of Voodoo Fest 2015 have wrapped up (one day lost due to flooding)
and I have been taken my time with digesting the experience and the thought of festival season coming to a close. There were some conflicting factors, however, to the entire fest that it has made my job just a bit more difficult. The only way I can explain it, I feel, is to break it down by category of what makes a festival, a festival.
Location. I think it stands alone to say that you really couldn’t ask for a better place to celebrate a music festival Halloween party. So,…Boom! a winner every year.
People. Over all the crowd was chill not overly rowdy but definitely there to party. The VIP area was a great oasis if you needed a place to sit down or wanted to get mad close to the main stage. But, outside of that, barely any one stayed behind VIP lines. There was so much awesomeness happening on the stages that the intermingling of credentials was like peanut butter and jelly, everyone just melded and it felt good. Beyond that there were some pretty creative costumes. My favorite was actually pretty simple a man with a pair of Ray Bans dressed like a piece of bacon. …hehe…Bacon gets me every time.
Installations. Now, here I can’t say much. There were some interesting pieces, but overall we could tell the money didn’t go into the commissions of new art. Although, I had some high hopes we can’t really say that the “art” side of this experience was breath taking. A metal sculpture of a face, a Spider illuminated from the inside with LEDs and an inflatable Globe that was projected upon by four surrounding visualizers, but that’s it. Maybe, we were spoiled by the E. FOREST, but I couldn’t really sense the focus being on this side of our experience. Although, when you think about it, given the musical history of this great city it really was no surprise.
Logistics. Now, here I was pretty impressed. When first entering City Park you were given a long walk from the transport drop off that took you along a gorgeous lagoon out front of the NOLA Modern Art Museum or under a natural trestle of southern oaks romancing the beauty of this part of our country. Given the way that the perimeter was naturally utilized this helped side step any traffic jams and made the exodus more pleasant than feeling like herded cattle. The same goes for the entrance gate, quick and easy. Bathrooms were a plenty and clean. It didn’t seem that anyone had a problem with this in any way. The grounds themselves were stellar, literally gorgeous. As far as policing, I saw nor heard any problems with security, and if there were, they managed it well enough that no word was spread. As far as health and safety they had Med tents in all corners of the venue, but none of them were filled, so, kudos to the people for not being idiots but also to the staff for giving us a safety net just in case. Also, there were several Handi-impared specialist, volunteers that made the experience of the fest accessible, in multiple stations placed to give even the most mobily restricted individual the best possible time. The vendors were awesome. Mainly fried foods but the selection was worth the food coma. Stages were easy to get to, with minimal sound bleeding between them, but the La Plur (electronic stage) had issues all weekend. Every time we walked up to the stage the sound was low, almost intolerably low. Even during Giorgio Moroder’s set they were working to get the sound up and running. But, to no avail. The rains set in and killed the third day so even if they did figure the problem out we wouldn’t have gotten the chance to experience it. Water was aplenty, (understatement due to the weather) so no one went dehydrated. I think a testament to the organization of Voodoo was that when the weather flooded the grounds on the third day and there, literally, was no way for anyone to enjoy, the organization sent out a notice saying that they would refund one third of the fee to all ticket holders. Well done, given that mother nature was hell bent on keeping everyone out of the park that day.
Finally, music. Lets just say we know where the money went. Given the line up that they had this year, and almost every year before, the acts that Voodoo provides is nothing short of an eclectic treasure trove of sonic candy feeding every shade of your grey matter. Ozzy, Florence, Santigold, Metric, Duke Dumont, Zhu, The Joy Formidable, Lettus, Modest Mouse, Jauz, Django Django, Yelawolf, and the living legend that is Giorgio Moroder (if you don’t know who he is then come out from under that rock and consult the oracle Giorgio Moroder)
The standout performances were primarily on the ALTER stage. This would be the main event stage for the most part. All the big acts found themselves making their mark on City Park here. Friday night’s headliners brought their “A” game.
Jack Ü was limited somewhat by the faltering sound of the La Plur stage , while Modest Mouse was as odd and out there as we know and love him to be.
Earlier Metric and The Joy Formidable (check out their Cheeky interview here)ran you along the edge of rock and a soft space. But, Florence; Florence was as gracefully powerful as ever.
Then, topping it off with Odezsa’s after party at the Joy Theater.
Saturday was just as amazing with Lettuce remaining as crispy as always and Santigold inviting over a hundred audience members to take the stage with her and dance, as she had done the day before at an intimate performance for VH1 Save the Music (see “A Heart of Santigold” article here.) The pinnacle of the entire experience, however, was most anticipated performance of the weekend:
Ozzy with Geezer Butler, Slash, and Tom Morello. Holy Sh$%! And I mean Holy Sh$%! This was by far the most amazing live show that I had ever seen. The sheer star power on that stage was face melting. This display of artistry was well beyond the depths of years of practice. It was for lack of a better word transcendent and it was the only American date. Truly an honor to have experienced it. We took the chance to speak to a few key artists, over the course of our two days, that we have been keeping gently on our radar as they have been rising in the ranks. I guess overall I can say we had a killer time despite weather and some logistics that could have been smoother, given their fifteenth years. That said, I would definitely go back and re-rage the dead in NOLA.
Categories
Heart of Santigold
In an are of the country where American music and Jazz was born, a program previously non-existent within the local community of St. John the Baptist Parish, LA, was granted $30,000 by Toyota, VH1 Save the Music Foundation (c 1997) and genre bending chart topping artist Santigold on Friday, October 30th, 2015, to build a comprehensive music program in La Place Elementary.
A full assembly sat in awe as they were surprised with a poignant minimally artistic performance by Santigold, herself, along with her full act of dj’s and dancers one day before her appearance at Voodoo Fest 2015 in New Orleans, just 40 miles away. The kids didn’t sit for long, however, as the assembly of over a 100 students were invited by the generous artist to jump up and flood the stage while they performed in celebration of their newly gifted instruments and music teachers.
It’s good to know that no matter how big someone gets that there are still artists and celebrities that give back to the next generation and make themselves accessible to the belief that it doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can make a dream come true. Thank you Toyota, VH1 STM, and Santigold for giving us all a little more hope for humanity.
Categories
Keller Williams: What The Funk?
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| Photo Cred: Marie Steele |
As I walk through the web-like mass of Keller fans lingering inside the entrance of Park West, I could feel the warm vibes emitting past security. I walk into the classic theatrical style venue of Park West and scan the crowd. A little older than I’m used to but that’s a good thing. No high-school teeny boppers, tutus, glitter or lingerie substituting clothing in this venue, not saying I dislike glitter but the people at this show are actually here for the artist playing not the scene. Bubbling with excitement, I quickly make my way to a spot with the perfect view of the stage and crowd before I order myself a drink. There’s lots of reasons why I enjoy Park West but these are the main ones: Their establishment sign is something straight out of Back To The Future; Due to the older crowd their shows attract, security is really low maintenance and almost non-existent ; There’s seating with tables plus a large dance floor if you feel like doing the Bernie.
Keller William’s, What the Funk Tour has been such a hit among his followers. His new album was just released and it’s fascinating how he names all of his albums with one word, Buzz, Grass, Bass and now Funk. His first set was him solely on stage, bare foot, jamming to the sensational loops he’s crafted while on stage. I absolutely love his use of improvised looping of music while he’s singing along and playing the acoustic guitar. For his second set, he came back in a full suit, still barefoot, with two saucy soulful gospel singers and a full band to accompany his show.
For his tour and new album he was joined by a 6-piece funk band dubbed ‘More Than A Little’. Once he came back on stage I immediately floated down to the dance floor to join the funky soul party. I literally felt that I was in an episode from Soul Train. Everyone seemed to be vibe-ing off each other and smiles, ear to ear, were being exchanged among the crowd. It was like one minute he was singing to a jam band ballad then another he was beat boxing. He literally funked up the entire venue.
In all what I have gathered since an article I wrote in Fall of 2012, What the Dub, funky is the new black and everyone even DJ’s have been joining this soul train. Taken from a biography on Keller Williams, he describes the show as “a self indulgent, hour-long narrated mix of stuff I’m into. It’s rule-less except for what the FCC says we can’t do. I don’t play contemporary country music. I don’t play contemporary Christian music—however, there is possibly some old gospel. I don’t play opera. Everything else is fair game. World music from all around—African music from all the countries, jazz, funk, reggae, techno, chill, lounge, lounge singers, rub-a-dub, dancehall. I pretty much stay away from smooth jazz. It’s definitely a fun outlet for me. I’m trying to do something different.”
Those who want to do something different are innovators, push the music industry forward. There needs to be more musicians who experiment with different genres and art platforms. We need different, and that’s exactly how you could sum up a performance by Keller Williams, an improvised soulful masterpiece.
Categories
Benzi Tonight at The Mid
In many ways Derek earned a new level of credibility and respect as a musician on his Analog Future Tour. The live band took what has been adapted as “Electro Hip Hop” to the next level. A much, much higher level.
The sound waves leave the speakers and hum a melody so soothing your body naturally loosens and you can’t help but getting groovy on the dance floor. Then you feel the vibrations of the beats wash across the floor, soak into your shoes and electrify your entire body while simultaneously arousing your mind; right before transcending into your soul, leaving you with an undeniably overwhelming feeling of happiness.
I’ve been an avid Pretty Lights listener for years. I’ve seen him play over a dozen times and have always been extremely moved by his music. Every time I just close my eyes and listen. I could feel myself getting lost in the music and I swear it was speaking to my soul. As many times as I tried, I could never put into words the feeling his music gave me.
After seeing Pretty Lights in Chicago with the live band, I got that feeling yet again and it lingered for the days and even weeks that followed until it finally dawned on me. The answers I had been seeking finally surfaced and it all made sense….
It’s not about losing yourself, it’s about finding yourself.
Pretty Lights has always fostered this beautiful kind of remedy. Not just an escape, but more of a release. A release of all the tension, negativity and bullshit, that fogs our vision and holds us back from following our dreams. It’s like a full body cleanse ridding the mind and soul of the everyday pressures we so easily get lost in. It’s healing. It’s liberating. It instills in us this sense of hope and renewal. It unlocks the part of us constrained by fear and doubt, and inspires our souls to live freely.
It brings us to a state of mind that allows us to engage on a much deeper level… to connect with the world and each other in the same way the stars connect with the sky… to open our minds to new possibilities and discover our place, our purpose.
I’m not saying it happened overnight, or that Pretty Lights showed me the meaning of life. But it did inspire me to dig deeper and seek meaning, ultimately leading me toward a path of discovery; one that I explore everyday, and for that I am forever grateful.