Last Wednesday was one of those times when you stumble into a show you won’t soon forget. You usually stumble out, too.
As it were, we hit up the Tonic Room on Chicago’s north side to see little-known but soon-to-be-famous JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound. And we couldn’t have had better timing. JC and the crew are breaking out. They’ve been on the scene just a year or so but have managed to capture soul, funk, R&B and even rock in their sound. And it’s all Chicago, as it should be. But don’t expect these cats to pull up stakes and leave if they hit it big. As guitarist Billy Bungeroth told Centerstage Chicago’s Jeff Minn:
A lot of people think Chicago is the step on the road to another destination. It’s not. Chicago is the destination. We live in the greatest city on Earth. Mind it, support it. If you dig music and you like to dance and you like heart-drenched ballads and funky post-punk workouts then there’s a dude named Mr. JC Brooks in Chicago I think you ought to go and see.
JC is a student of soul music, but he started in an indie-rock band. That should give you an idea of the versatility of the sound. Need further proof? In the video below, you’ll hear King Floyd’s “Groove me Baby,” and “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” a Wilco cover that has become JC’s most popular song.
It was a good night for Chicago music – a rising star with soul, in a small venue with an eclectic crowd.
These guys can bring it.
Below is some video from the show at the Tonic Room. Watch it. Also check out this photo gallery from Wednesday night.
Hear more JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound.
Welcome to another edition of Sound Citizen Radio. This week we feature songs from three Chicago bands and they are all playing Chicago concerts this week and next. It’s a diverse group too — we have some rock, a little blues and soul and even a country tune that will get your toes tapping. As always, we feature “screw the scalper” — where we tell you when tickets go on sale for those Chicago concerts likely to sell out so you don’t get gouged to see your favorite artists.
We hope you enjoy this week’s installment and please send your suggestions, comments and opinions to soundcitizenmike@gmail.com. For all you bands and artists out there, if you would like to be featured on Sound Citizen radio, please send an email with a link to your music.
We’re trying to help spread good music through Chicago, and could use your help. If you like anything you hear, please take a moment to share this podcast with your friends — you can use the Facebook or ShareThis buttons below, or simply copy the URL and share it that way. Thank you!
This week’s lineup:
The Blacks (pictured), “I’m in Love”
Schubas, Saturday, March 6.
Listen to more.
J.C. Brooks & The Uptwon Sound, “I’m Trying to Break Your Heart”
The Tonic Room, Wednesday, March 10.
Listen to more.
The Lost Cartographers, “Goodbye Ohio”
Uncommon Ground, Saturday, March 13.
Listen to more.
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