Chicago band Ascendant to bring its uplifting sound to City Winery Chicago

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

With the release of its latest single, "Love Saved My Life," Chicago band Ascendant continues to make music that lifts your soul.

Those who come to the band's show at 7:30 p.m. June 11 at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, will hear that for themselves. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at City Winery Chicago's website, citywinery.com/chicago.

I had the chance to talk to Ascendant frontman Kael Mboya about the band and the new single.

Q – Congratulations on the release of your new single, “Love Saved My Life.” What were your goals in sitting down to make the song and does it meet or exceed your expectations?

"Love Saved My Life" was an idea I've had since around 1999. I had the bass line, beat and chorus. 

 

Sometimes, I'd go through the unfinished songs we had and remember it was there: "Oh, man. Maybe we should finish this." We never got around to fleshing it out until about 10 years ago but still didn't get to record it until a few years later. 

 

 

With that being said, the goals were to finally lay that recording down. The idea kept coming back so it was meant to be.

 

Any time the band gets hold of my ideas they take them places I wouldn't expect. They bring so much life and musicianship to the songs.

Q – The song is from your forthcoming album, "Illuminate: RED,” which I understand will be released in the fall. What should people expect from the rest of the album?

They can expect songs about love...many aspects of love, romantic and personal. "Love Saved My Life" is both the first single from the album and the first track.

 

It sets the tone for the rest of the album. "Love Saved...(Reprise)" is also on the album (but further down in the track listing) as an echo or a whisper of what was initially stated. 

 

It will make sense when you hear the album. 

Q – As I understand, "Illuminate: RED” is the fourth chapter in the four-album “Illuminate” concept. How did you come up with the concept?

After our first release, "Where You Are Now," our lives started to go through some transitions (band mates leaving, parents passing away, children born). We wanted to shine some light on those transitions. 

 

Many of the songs from "Illuminate" are taken from our own personal life lessons. We went with "Illuminate" to present that idea. 

 

Once we landed on that concept, it became clear very quickly that we could give focus to different aspects of life we were living at the time. So as light can be fractured/separated into different colors by a prism, each color would then set a theme. 

 

BLUE represents wisdom...from mistakes; GREEN represents rebirth...for the band; YELLOW represents joy/reminiscing of life; RED represents love.  

 

Initially, I thought of "Illuminate" as being a double album. Unfortunately, I forgot that you can only fit so much music on a side (vinyl). If we come out with a vinyl record for the Illuminate series, it might have to be a quadruple LP.

 

Q – After “Illuminate: RED” is released in the fall, what’s next for the band? 

We're working on setting up a tour after the RED release. That tour will comprise most of the songs in the 'Illuminate' series and we'll take the live versions to some new places like we always do live. 

 

After that is another album for which there are already song ideas.

Q – The band is composed of some of your musical friends from over the years. I would imagine that creates a closeness that other bands might not have.

There is a trust, musically, that I have in these individuals. It happens in studio as well as on stage. All you have to do is tell them where we're going...where we want to land...then allow the water...the journey, to take you there.

 

"Brand New Me" from "Illuminate: GREEN" is a great example of that. "Love Saved...(Reprise)" is another good example. We set the groove and then allowed it to breathe. This happens when you know each other and trust that we'll all get to where we intend to be (musically) together.
 

Q – It seems like the band wants to release songs that carry a positive message, such as your song “Power” from your debut album “Where You Are Now.” What are you trying to do with your music?

Really, I'm just trying to uplift people...starting with myself. These songs are for me as much as they are for anyone else.

 

When we started, I didn't fully believe in myself. It was easier to believe in US than just myself alone. "I've got all this power in me" is a mantra.

 

I wanted to believe it. I wanted to become it but I needed to get that self-doubt out of the way. 

 

I figured if I'm getting something from these songs, there must be more people who could use it too. It has been helpful to me and to the people who have become fans over the years. 

 

The more Ascendant performs, the more I rise in myself and we hope the audience rises with us.

Q – Soul music has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity over the past few years. I personally am a fan of the Black Pumas and Thee Sacred Souls. What do you think it is about soul music that draws people in? 

When it's authentic, it takes you to some place inside yourself; your core being, for lack of a better concept. It's a place where you don't feel wrong, or right or short or tall. 

 

It's a place of BE-ing where feeling, being, and doing are one and the same. This is because, I think, that is where the music is originating from...that same place.

 

It is music that is meant to be truly listened to and not skimmed over. If you take a moment and really listen, it can transform that moment, your mood and your mind. That is an authentic purpose...soul music. 

 

Musicians Anne Harris, Joanna Connor engage in music and conversation at The Venue in Aurora

Chicago area musician Anne Harris, left, interviews Chicago-based blues musician Joanna Connor, right, on May 17 at The Venue in Aurora.

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

For me, going to a concert is not just about listening to the songs being performed on stage.

It's also about being able to connect with the musicians on stage. 

Fortunately, Chicago area musician Anne Harris is helping to do that through She Said, the music and conversation series that she hosts at The Venue in downtown Aurora.

 

The series, which features performances and conversations with female musicians, is funded in part through a grant from the Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation.

On May 17, Harris and Chicago-based blues musician Joanna Connor engaged in conversation and performed together.

 

Those attending the show had the opportunity to hear Connor's riveting guitar work as well as learn how she became the powerhouse guitarist that she is today.

Once a student of the Chicago blues scene, Connor is leading the scene today. 

 

As we learn through the conversation, Connor first saw Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy perform when she was 10 years old. After that experience, she became hooked on the blues and eventually moved to Chicago.

Connor learned what it takes to be a Chicago blues musician by performing at Guy's club, the Checkerboard Lounge. Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry were some of the notable musicians who performed at the Checkerboard Lounge.

 

She was taken by surprise after Guy challenged her to a guitar battle. Guy was mesmerized by her playing and acknowledged that Connor "has got the blues."

Guy was right. And we are blessed to be able to hear her play the blues.

More videos from the show are at youtube.com/@ericschel12/videos.

Chicago-based band The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres provide tasty songs on debut album

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

For those looking to bite into some tasty upbeat songs featuring a trio of talented local musicians, then you need to check out the newly released debut album from Chicago-based The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres.

I had the pleasure of interviewing The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres frontman Andrew Robert Palmer about the album.

Q – Now, you've probably heard this before, but your middle name is Robert and your last name is Palmer. Has anybody ever told you that your songs are simply irresistible? 

No, but I am addicted to love.

Q – Well played. Nice. 

My dad's actual name is Robert Palmer, so he gets it more than me.

Q – Well, that's interesting. A lot of pressure there.

Of course, your band The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres just released its debut record on your new acoustic-only record label, Andy! Records. Along with you on vocals and acoustic guitar, the band also features Shelly Baldridge on the violin and Charlie Ford on the stand-up bass.

Yeah, I'm trying to kind of transition. This record label is kind of my attempt to really focus what I've been doing into something that is a little bit more curated instead of me just kind of flinging spaghetti at the wall and trying to figure out what sticks.

My sister, Becca, and I had kind of an indie pop band, The Mother Z's, and then she wanted to do something else. I missed having a band and working with my sister, because she was a good editor.

And I want to collaborate with folks and be like, 'Is this a good fit? Is this good?'

Q – Having a band with your sister, that must have been pretty special.  

Oh, yeah, it really was. We both had a really great time. 

We were living in Homewood at the time and traveling to the city for shows. It was really a lot of fun.

With The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres, I've been trying to kind of recreate the magic.

Q – I don't know when you have time to sleep. I looked on Bandcamp and I saw that you have 27 solo albums.

I just write a lot of songs. My favorite thing to do is write a song. 

Q – This band's sound is kind of moving in a different direction than your solo stuff.

Yeah. My solo stuff was kind of influenced a lot by the same thing that kind of influenced The Mother Z's, I guess – that alternative indie rock/folk kind of thing.

My last solo record, "Letters to the Moon," which I released in January, kind of has straight-up power pop elements.

The Mother Z's was trying to be like Violent Femmes meets '60s pop.

Q – The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres formed about two years ago. How did The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres come together?

I wanted to do something kind of as a reaction to feeling isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  I wanted to bond with other people and I wanted to be out playing shows and not so worried about making records. 

For a long time, I was kind of obsessed with making records. As the pandemic was ending, I got heavily into Cajun music and Zydeco music.

I like the upbeat nature of being an all acoustic band and playing this really fun, danceable music. I wanted to create a band like that, understanding that I can't speak Cajun French.

I kind of set out intentionally to make a band like this.

Q – The Heavy Hors D'Oeuvres opened for Joe Pug last year. What did you like about the experience?

It's cool to watch how he pulls people in to what he's doing on stage. It was a learning experience.

For us, we were just excited to have that kind of opportunity.

It was cool and I was lucky to be able to do it.

 

 

Smoking Popes frontman Josh Caterer talks about band's longevity ahead of Bloomington show

Photo by Meredith Goldberg

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

The songs on Smoking Popes' quintessential album "Born to Quit" are so fresh sounding, it is hard to believe the album is more than 30 years old.

The album was released on Chicago indie label Johann’s Face Records in 1994 before it was picked up by Capitol Records the following year.

The Chicago area pop punk band is performing the album in its entirety as part of a tour that includes an April 25 stop at The Castle Theatre, 209 E. Washington St., Bloomington.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by going to the band's website, smokingpopesmusic.com. 

The band will also perform songs from its latest album, "Lovely Stuff," along with other songs from its catalogue.

I had the chance to talk to Smoking Popes frontman and Aurora resident Josh Caterer about the band's latest projects.

Q – Great to talk to you again. I believe the last time we talked was in 2010 and a lot has happened since then.

For one thing, back then you were living in Elgin and you were a worship leader at Harvest Bible Chapel. Now, you live in Aurora and are a worship pastor at Village Bible Church in Sugar Grove.

What do you like about being a worship pastor?

There's a lot of things. I like to worship the Lord and I like being able to help other people do that.

Having a job that involves music is right in my wheelhouse. To have a job that involves a weekly musical performance is pretty much right on the bullseye for me.

Q – And it's great that you're living in Aurora.  I know you've played at The Venue in downtown Aurora.

It's got a great vibe. I love that place.

I did a solo performance there. The Smoking Popes has never played at The Venue.

Q – Speaking about the Smoking Popes, it seems like the band is pretty busy these days. You teamed up with Scott Lucas of Local H for the song “Allegiance.” How have people been responding to the song?

It was great to record with him. We've known Scott for a long time.

 

Smoking Popes toured with Local H back in the '90s. So we've known Scott for a couple of decades now.

But I had never been in the studio with him. So it was great to have the opportunity to do that and to see how he works in the studio.

You always see a different side of a person in the studio and it was really cool and inspiring to see him at work.

The response to the song has been mostly positive so far, except for some of the pushback that I expected. 

Q – So you felt the need to write a song like that? I was reading about how you felt after the presidential election and you just felt compelled to put this out there. Are you hoping to change anybody's mind?

I don't know if that's possible. I simply felt the need to express the very strong feelings that were within me and art is a great and constructive way to do that.

Because in the immediate wake of the election, I was not only frustrated and disappointed that he was reelected, I was also very upset at the thought that there might be people out there who assumed that I voted for him because I'm a Christian.

There is a general stereotype about Christians, that all Christians in America are Trump supporters. And it's not actually true. 

Maybe a majority of them are, but not all Christians are Trump supporters. A person doesn't have to become a Trump supporter when they become a Christian.

Those are two different things. Christianity is not a right-wing political movement.

It was very important to me to let the world know that while I am a Christian, I am definitely not a Trump supporter.

Q – You and your brothers, Matt and Eli, recently performed a sold-out show at Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. I know you guys don’t always perform live together, but when you do, is it an extra special experience?

Yeah. My brothers, Matt and Eli, both have little kids, so they don't go on tour these days. They play the shows that are local.

But if we're playing out of state, we have other players to fill in for them. It is special to have the original lineup of the band at these local shows.

It's really fun. There's a certain repertoire that I have with my brothers that is pretty special.

And that show in particular was incredible. There was a lot of energy there that night.

It's always amazing to play at these alternative venues like a bowling alley or a record store or somewhere that's smaller than we usually play, somewhere that people are just packed in and it feels like a real punk show.

That show at Tivoli Bowl felt like some of the punk shows that we played when we were starting out.

Q – Do you think the fact that you are brothers is one of the reasons that Smoking Popes is still around more than 30 years after first forming?

I guess it's a little surprising that a band of brothers has stayed together this long, because usually brothers in a band will fight. Look at Oasis.

I feel like those guys can barely stand to be in a room with each other for a long time. But we've always been friends and able to work out our differences with each other.

It just depends on communication. I think we developed some good communication skills when we were younger. 

So if we have a problem, we don't just scream at each other or throw a tantrum. We'll talk it through.

Q – And of course, you will going on tour this year and performing “Born To Quit” in its entirety to mark the 30th anniversary of the release of the album. Why do you think the album has stood up so well over the years?

I think that there's something in the songwriting that has kind of a timeless quality and that probably comes from the fact that when I was writing those songs, I was listening to a lot of music from the '50s and '60s and trying to incorporate that vibe into what I was writing, those melodies and those themes.

 

If those songs were still appealing 30 or 40 years later back in the '90s, then a new version of them is still going to add that same timeless appeal, I think.

Q – As part of this tour, you also are playing songs from your new album, “Lovely Stuff,” which was released in March. I understand you started the album in 2022.

It seems like there is a meaning behind the album's name. Is there a story behind the album's name?

Yes. We did a tour of Europe and the UK last year. It was the first time we had been over there in 28 years.

And one of the shows took place at a small club in Northwich called the Salty Dog. And in between songs, the audience started chanting those words, 'Lovely Stuff! Lovely Stuff!' 

It was a wonderful, strange moment, because it was so ridiculously British. It's not something an American audience would chant.

It was really kind of beautiful. It was a moment that stuck with us.

There was so much love and positivity and celebration in that room. And it came to represent in our minds the transcendent joy there is in playing live music.

Q – What were your goals for the album and do you think you accomplished them? I understand you started the album in 2022.

We worked on it slowly. We would just record a couple of songs at a time and then go back into the studio two or three months later with two more songs.

We were taking our time with the writing and arranging process. We don't have clearly defined artistic goals.

You want to stay open to whatever creative impulses are brewing within you. You want to try to be honest and you want to try to be inspired.

I am really happy with the way these songs turned out because I feel like on our last few albums, we have started to incorporate the musical textures that we weren't capable of before, especially in the guitar work.

The way that Eli and I play off of each other in the studio has become more interesting to listen to over the years, I think. And Eli has really started to bring a lot more atmospheric layers into his playing.

Q – It seems like you guys are always looking for new challenges and new ways to approach things.

That probably helps to keep you going.

Yeah, I think that's part of life, just trying to stay engaged. You get to a certain point in life where you notice that people your age start to consider themselves old. 

I noticed this even when I was in my 30s, that people my age would start to make jokes about how they're old now and they're always making self deprecating comments about their own age.

I have always felt that even if that is intended to be light hearted, it still is not helpful and it can be really counterproductive and it should be avoided at all costs.

I have always felt, even from when I was young, that older people should be celebrated, appreciated and respected. People gain wisdom and skill along the way that young people don't have.

Willie Nelson is still touring and he is 91 years old and he's still putting out albums every year. And Buddy Guy is still going.

So it's possible to stay engaged and stay inspired and to stay active. I think the point is you just have to keep moving, you have to keep caring and just never think of yourself as old because you never actually are.

Any person who is still alive is still relevant and still has something to say about what's happening around them and something to contribute.

And I hope that I always feel that way, no matter how long I have left on this planet and that sentiment will come through in our music.