My goal is to see one show per week. Yes, I might be that annoying friend that just has to tell you about the thing you missed, but I’m also catching every great show in the city of Chicago–with plenty more ahead of me. Welcome to the Chicago Concert Dispatch.
At the time of this show, it is 26 weeks (halfway!) into the year and I have seen 113 shows.
I was really happy to see familiar faces as Discus walked out onto the Lincoln Hall stage. The band is made up of Chicago musicians Jacob Stolz (vocals/guitar), Paul Stolz (guitar), Kevin Fairbairn (bass), and Arthur Velez (drums). The Stolz brothers play in both Varsity and Pool Holograph, while the Discus rhythm section plays in Clearance. Much like those bands, Discus is putting out jangly guitar music that feels like floating on cool water on a warm day. Relaxing. Splashing around a little on some jamming. Just plain good. Most of the songs in their set are new, from what will be their first full-length album planned for a late summer release by Balaclava Records. Get a sneak peak with the recent single, “Watch the Milk Dry”–it was particularly good live.
Other songs I look forward to are “Piss Boy” and “Something Happened.” Jacob caught my attention when he played these funny little guitar squiggles. It was surprising in the best possible way. He also gave us some vocal hitches and drawn out sounds that had a similar feel to them. Vocal “squiggles,” if you will. Not too many, just enough to set their sound apart in my mind. Paul’s guitar dug in on the jams, while Arthur seemed to be using his drum kit to work out some anger. Just because Discus’s music is laid back doesn’t mean that he stuck to chill. He pushed the music beyond and put in complicated fills all over, his face showing his tension as he grimaced and pushed himself. Kevin did that thing that is so hard to a bass player and played out, making me smile with his bass line. It is so nice when the sense of exploration in music can make you smile.
Minneapolis band, Night Moves, delivered an ultra smooth dance party to the Lincoln Hall audience. As they played, they moved to their music. Not in a performative way, but in a way that emphasized how relaxed they were, like they’d move that way if they were alone in their living rooms. Such is the power of their groove. Drummer Mark Hanson bounced, and Micky Alfano on bass got down into the rhythm and nodded. Meanwhile, lead vocalist John Pelant was all shoulders and shakes of the head. Guitarist Chuck Murlowski did box steps, romancing his guitar with swaying steps. He moved as much as his part of the stage would allow.
The audience was filled with fans that knew what song it was by the opening note. With almost every song, I heard someone say, “This is a great song.” There were so many whoops of excitement, and it was easy to see why. There were moments when they brought Fleetwood Mac to my mind: smooth edged rock all about psych exploration all wrapped up in a body moving groove and a tiny bit of that country soul thrown in to remind you of home. It’s a sound you want to return to again and again.
When they sang three part harmony on “Leave Your Light On,” I had shivers. The set really came together when Lincoln Hall switched the lights to a trippy moving rotation of colors. My best advice here: just let go and let the music move you. Trust the Night Moves to take you on this journey.
The groove in “Mexico” (lead track on their new album, “Can You Really Find Me”) was slow and deep. The slide guitar by Murlowski felt expansive. “Strands Align” had a confident strut–it got the audience hooting and dancing. Alfano’s funky bass line in “Hiding in the Melody” caught my attention. Then, the song slowed down, Pelant’s vocals got extra sweet and Murlowski had a really chewy guitar solo. Though it was over all too soon, it was the perfect way to close the night.
Discus Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Night Moves Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
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