Alphabetical Order.
For the love of Music.
Life After Her: The Artistic Timestamp of Apache Grosse
Explore the depths of Apache Grosse's artistic journey in Felton Edward Kizer's interview, "In His Own Words: Balancing Love, Loss, and Creative Fire." Grosse shares his insights on the challenges of balancing love and creativity, the sacrifices artists make, and the personal growth that fuels his art.
Read the conversation here.
Interviews
You might be tempted to expect a rebirth if you were mesmerized by his 'Slow Devotion' era—replete with ethereal soundscapes. But Drew isn't trying to reinvent himself; he's coming home to his authentic self in all its imperfect glory. Drew Elliott is back, bringing the wisdom and soulfulness accumulated during his time away. There's no script, no preconceived persona, just a man and his music. He’s simply returning to himself, but this time, he doesn’t have to change any parts of himself to fit in.
Mia Rodriguez has been on a bit of a hot streak in the last year. After seeing several recognitions and awards from publications and cultural mainstays like Triple J in the past year, her TikTok passing 2 million followers. And a handful of singles that have each kept her a name in the underground pop scene; it’s safe to say that Rodriguez is a name to watch. Like many, I’d become aware of her through TikTok, where I’d heard her single “Psycho” several times.
There’s a new class of musicians leading the charts, social media, and shifting how we consume music. They’re emotionally intelligent, outspoken, queer, and doing whatever they want. I had the pleasure of speaking with one of them, corook. I didn’t know much about corook when I watched her video for ‘bad friend,’ but after experiencing that, I wanted to consume everything. I was immediately captivated by her emotional intelligence, her willingness to problem solve, and at the same time, her desire to have fun. As a twenty-something adult, looking inward isn't always the most pleasurable, but highly recommended.
Reno Cruz is an artist circling the Chicago scene for quite some time. He tours as a guitarist for Lala Lala and has played or toured with Sen Morimoto, Wyatt Waddell, Waltzer, and more, but his talents as a songwriter cannot be ignored. A native of California, Cruz went through a myriad of past lives before arriving at his current profession of musician, as previous jobs included actor, salesman, cheesemonger, and banjo player at one point. His move to Chicago in 2017 signaled a significant shift as he began working as a backing musician for Chi mainstays like the aforementioned bands and artists.
Features
As one of the first Black women to carve a niche in the predominantly white country music scene of the late 1960s, Martell's contributions transcended melodies to challenge norms and pave pathways for future generations. Her career—a blend of country soul, poignant storytelling, and relentless pioneering spirit—mirrors a live show filled with moments of triumph, resilience, and unparalleled talent.
The singer/songwriter’s deep affection for words and masterful skill in stringing them together almost makes vulnerability look easy, but McRae is quick to reveal that her use of language and melody is a tool that has taken many years (and a lot of care) to forge. As McRae recounted her experiences with writing, love, success, and failure, I couldn’t help but feel like a student, absorbing her story and finding my own voice within it. The narratives she shared were full of charming perspective and an admirable amount of self-awareness.
The world can feel offbeat as people try to pick up the pieces of their old lives in this post-pandemic era of life. Humanity went through the wringer — and it barely managed to pull through, plagued by exhaustion, fear, and crippling existentialism. This was a period of reflection, one where humans were granted the opportunity to truly look inward and discover who they were and what their priorities are, despite the seemingly never-ending hardship. For a lot of us humans, heartbreak was real, and forced isolation was the perfect disposition that allowed for wallowing and growth.
The Canary Club in New York’s Lower East Side was one of the first restaurants to open during one of the many apexes of the pandemic in May 2020. During a time when everything was anything but sure, management insisted on continuing their Cajun food services through carry-out orders. Cars with mask-clad patrons lined up from around the block to pick up their orders safely — and also to hear the smooth jazz of the Daniel Bennett Group.
The world can feel offbeat as people try to pick up the pieces of their old lives in this post-pandemic era of life. Humanity went through the wringer — and it barely managed to pull through, plagued by exhaustion, fear, and crippling existentialism. This was a period of reflection, one where humans were granted the opportunity to truly look inward and discover who they were and what their priorities are, despite the seemingly never-ending hardship. For a lot of us humans, heartbreak was real, and forced isolation was the perfect disposition that allowed for wallowing and growth.
"In His Own Words: Balancing Love, Loss, and Creative Fire" by Felton Edward Kizer delves into the heart and soul of artist Apache Grosse. The interview explores his latest project, "Life After Her," a profound reflection on personal evolution and artistic rebirth. Apache discusses the intricate balance between love and art, the sacrifices demanded by creativity, and his relentless pursuit of artistic expression.