On her latest album, Chicago musician Denise La Grassa continues to expand her sound

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

With her adventurous sound and thought-provoking lyrics, Chicago musician Denise La Grassa sets herself apart from other musicians.

I had the chance to talk to La Grassa about her latest album, "A Crossroads Communion," released on June 5. Those who want to hear her perform songs from the new album will have plenty of opportunities to do so in the next few weeks.

That includes an appearance at 6:30 p.m. June 20 at Chant restaurant in Hyde Park.

Q – Great to talk to you. Of course, you and your band will be performing at Chant restaurant in Hyde Park on June 20.

We love Chant. The audience is always super supportive, and the staff is so welcoming. We’ve been performing there now for 3 and a half years.

Q – That’s going to be an exciting weekend, with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center that same weekend.

It will be! The Obama Center is three blocks away. We’ve driven by it a few times and are awestruck every time as a most beautiful building.

Q – And President Obama called Hyde Park home for many years.

Yes, Chant is just a few blocks away from the home he lived in. I don’t know where Mavis Staples lives in Hyde Park.

I have a dream that one day when they’re in town they’ll stop in for a set and enjoy some wonderful food at Chant.

Q – You have a lot going on this month. Your latest album, "A Crossroads Communion,” was released on June 5. What goals did you have for the album, and do you think you accomplished them?

My first goal was to produce a great album because I knew these were important songs and for the most part, these songs kind of fit together. 

But I should first mention that this album likely would not have been made this quickly without the support of the Illinois Arts Council Agency Creative Accelerator Fund. It has allowed me so invest funds into promoting this album in a way I have not been able to before.  

 

That goes to my second goal: Finding a publicist that could help get this album reviewed by name publications and writers.

Mark Pucci Media has done that, with hopefully more to come. I have also worked with Twin Vision out of NYC on my last two albums to get airplay on non-comm/NPR affiliates/college radio. 

We’re doing that again with "A Crossroads Communion." As a matter of fact, that campaign has just started.

Q – The album was made in collaboration with producer Jim Gifford, co-owner of Chicago’s Narwhal Music Studios. What do you think he brought to the table?

As producer, Jim brought another set of ears to these songs. Jim is an accomplished drummer who brought deep knowledge of blues/soul/gospel/rock arranging elements to the sessions.

We worked very well together as Jim is always open to what the artist is hearing, and then the collaboration is accomplished with engineer Maxwell Mendeloff offering his ideas. 

Jim understands how to knit all ideas together in a positive uplifting way.

Q – When you were in 8th grade, you set the world record for muscle grinds on a trapeze and earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. How did you feel after setting that record?

Honestly, it was life changing at the time. Before the record, I was feeling like an artsy, geeky bright curly haired middle school kid who had some athletic talents.

I had trouble fitting in and making friends. I wrote songs back then, but had no clue about how to put together a band. 

I tried breaking the world record and practiced hard, not thinking about what the consequences would be. I just knew I wanted to challenge myself. 

There was press there from all over the world, television and news stations. It was a big deal. 

It was after that, that I started to feel like I fit in.

Q – You have described your music as “blues infused soulful, rocking music.” It seems like you are influenced by many genres of music, including jazz, which you studied in school.

Like many kids at the time when I was young, I listened over and over to Top 40 music on the radio. When I got a job in high school, I would go directly to the record store in Baraboo with my paycheck and buy as many records as I could and listen to them over and over in my room.

I discovered classical music during band practice, as a matter of fact.

I would hop from chair to chair trying out different instruments. My favorite was percussion, the drums. 

When I moved to Chicago in my early 20s, I formed a blues/R&B band, then a more eclectic band called, well … Eclectic Red. 

Then jazz got a hold of me. My mother and father had much to do with introducing me to jazz. My mom is from Scotland. 

When she was growing up, she listened to all styles of music, including jazz. She loved Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, pop music, Areatha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and jazz big bands. 

My dad also loved jazz and often talked about seeing Frank Sinatra at the Chicago Theater.

Q – On your album "The Flame,” you talk about the important contributions that immigrants have made to this country. 

 

Yes. "Wide Eyes" from the album most directly addresses that. From the end of the song:

Looking At My Life / Wide Eyes Wide High

Frightened Wall Flower Now Renewed

Centuries of Souls Inside

Calling Me to Stand and Tell the Truth

I Hear Their Rhymes / Proclaiming

Chords of Courage Worth Attaining

Open Up My Wide Eyes

And Ask Why

In the Passage of a Song

How Can WE All……Get Along.

Q – I understand your mother came from Glasgow, Scotland to the United States at the age of 20 with only $50 and a suitcase.

She did. And she (and my father) eventually brought the rest of my mother’s family from Scotland to the Chicago area. 

They helped so many people. I’m blessed to have been raised by caring, kind parents.

Q – I imagine that you have some thoughts about the current immigration policies in place.

Jesus in Matthew 25:40 said, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”  

Zechariah 7:9-10 says: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.”

There are more, but the Bible is clear on this.

Q – I understand that Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy has been an influence and inspiration for you. How has he influenced you?

Buddy Guy has influenced me on many levels. Musically, his distinctive, theatrical performances are full of emotion, intensity and authenticity. 

Just as inspiring is his journey as an artist. He persevered through barriers that would have stopped many others, continuing to develop his craft and establish himself despite the limitations and discrimination of the era he came up in.

His story reminds me that great artistry is often tied to resilience. And Buddy Guy’s Legends here in Chicago is one of the best places to see how he continues to support new generations of talent.

Q – He is still performing at 89 and will soon turn 90. Do you see your career lasting as long as his has?

Remember when Mick Jagger said he would retire at 33? (laughs). Mostly right now I’m just focused on playing out this album.

I know there’s plenty more music in me, let’s see how the next year plays out! Hail Mary pass, here we go!

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago band The Claudettes to celebrate release of new album with show at Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

Chicago band The Claudettes certainly has its fair share of news these days.

Drummer Michael Caskey, who formed the band with pianist, singer and songwriter Johnny Iguana, recently left The Claudettes. The band will release its seventh album, "Garage Glamour," on Chicago independent label Pravda Records in June.

The Claudettes will celebrate the release of the album with a show at 8 p.m. May 2 at the Old Town School of Folk Music's Myron R. Szold Music & Dance Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at oldtownschool.org.

I had the chance to talk to Iguana about the band and the new album.

Q – The last time we spoke was in November 2022, when Berit Ulseth was the lead singer. Your current singer, Rachel Williams, joined The Claudettes in December 2022.

And of course the band has a lot going on these days. The band’s seventh album, “Garage Glamour,” will be released in June. You also just announced that the drummer and co-founder of The Claudettes, Michael Caskey, has left the band.

I have seen the band perform a couple of times and it seems like you and Michael had a great connection with each other on stage.

What are you going to miss about him not being in the band?

We had such a chemistry and rapport. Every group of humans that makes up a band has its own flavor.

The new drummer, Liz Ele, has been in Chicago for years playing with mostly cover bands, but with some other bands as well.

And she's a really good rock 'n' roll drummer. She's incredibly excited to be doing this and playing with me and this band.

The practice sessions have been going really great. 

Q – We were talking about Rachel earlier. She is quite the force on stage.

 

What do you think she has brought to the band?

One of the first shows that we did with her was an outdoor show in Rockford. And this woman afterwards said, 'When Rachel came out on stage, it was majestic.'

She seems to conserve all her energy for the stage. I think she's really going to turn heads with this album because she sings really heartfelt soulful stuff.

Q – It seems like she is really fitting in with the band. I've watched some of the fun videos that you've done, like when you're out shopping for a piano.

 

Q – The first track off the new album, "(You Are My) Whole World,” features Chicago blues legend John Primer in a duet with Rachel. I know you have performed with him before. 

What made you think he would be a good fit for the song and did the results exceed your expectations?

 

I heard him in my head because as much as he is known as a blues musician, he also put out an album called "The Soul of a Blues Man," where he is singing songs like "Rainy Night in Georgia" and some '60s and '70s soul songs. And he's so good at it.

 

I think he's one of the greatest soul singers alive. I asked him and he agreed to do it.

He just suddenly discovered this song while the tapes were rolling. And it was such a thing of beauty.

 

We were all just really moved by it. It really is a passionate love song.

 

 

 

Award-winning blues guitarist Colin James to perform at the City Winery Chicago

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

Award-winning Canadian blues rock guitarist Colin James had to cut his last U.S. tour short after a car crashed into his scooter in September 2024 following his performance at the Niagara Falls Blues Festival.

Fortunately, he has recovered from his injuries and has returned to the United States for a tour that also features fellow Canadian musicians Matt Andersen and Terra Lightfoot.

They will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at the City Winery Chicago, 200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. 

Tickets are available at citywinery.com/pages/locations/chicago. 

I had the chance to talk to James about the tour.

Q – Great talking to you. Your last U.S. tour was unfortunately cut short after a car crashed into your scooter in September 2024 following your performace at the Niagara Falls Blues Festival.

You spent five days in a New York hospital  and had a compound fracture to his foot/ankle and a broken left wrist that required a cast. 

It was brutal. I had no memory of getting hit.

I had complete amnesia for a few days. I got a phone call from my daughter saying I got hurt.

And I went, what? What do you mean I got hurt?

Q – But hopefully you are doing well these days.   

My left hand was a little numb for a couple of months. I had to play mandolin for a while instead of just because it had shorter frets to navigate.

It's all good now.

Q – Your 21st full-length album, “Chasing The Sun,” was released just before your accident. The second song on the album is “I’m Still Alive.”

The timing of that seems eerie.

I know. I was out for four months and the very first show we did was at the Lyric Theatre in Florida.

I was still limping a little bit. But that didn't last too long.

By the time it came to do my Canadian tour, I was right back in shape. It's a distant memory now, but breaking stuff is a bummer, man.

Q – Yeah, it is kind of weird that you wrote the song before the accident and now you can sing, "I'm Still Alive."

It added a little more importance to the song. 

Q – Your memoir, "Playing the Changes," will be released in September.  Was this just the right time to be working on your memoir?

It was as good of time as any. I've never done anything like this before.

I really enjoyed the process. And I had a really great co-writer to help me who has worked in the publishing industry.

He let me speak in my own voice. It was a really great experience.

My parents were music lovers, but they didn't play. I started going to folk festivals when I was probably 8 or 9 years old.

I got to see so many great musicians, like Elizabeth Cotten and John Hammond and James Cotton. By the time I was 16, I quit school and started playing on street corners.

And I left home when I 16. Through the book, I wanted to show people that no matter where you're from, if you're dedicated to something, you can make it happen.

 

Q – Hopefully people will be inspired after reading your memoir.

I hope so. I'm going to go on the road with my good friend Colin Linden, who produced my last record.

Colin lives in Nashville, but he's a Canadian guitar player who plays with T Bone Burnett these days. He's an old friend and we're going to do a little tour in the fall when the book comes out.

Q – You opened for John Lee Hooker when you were about 16 years old. What did that experience teach you?

When you're that age, you are so brave. I don't know if I'd be that brave now, to jump on a stage like that.

After that, I moved around from place to place. I then opened for Stevie Ray Vaughan.

He came around the next year and got me to open up a couple more shows. That started a friendship.

It was pretty mind blowing to be in your hometown – the same place where I had quit school a number of years ago – to open for him. Stevie was hotter than a pistol at the time.

Q – Do you hope that the fact your are coming back strong after this accident will inspire other people?

I hope so. It just shows that you just have to keep moving, you've got to keep going.

Things can seem pretty bad at times, but you always come out on the other side. 

Q – Despite all the awards – including 8 Juno awards and 31 Maple Blues awards – you have received over the years along with multi-platinum record sales, I understand you still view your career as a work in progress.

Absolutely. I've always considered this job, this wonderful job I have, as something I never want to quit.

I never want to be a retro act. I think there is so much to be discovered and so much to learn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hayley and the Crushers frontwoman Hayley Cain talks about band ahead of show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles

Photo credit: Cory Podielski

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

Ahead of Hayley and the Crushers upcoming show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, the band has released "Jewel Case," the first single off its new album set for release later this year on Kitten Robot Records.

 

“I was inspired by a girl I took to a show once," frontwoman Hayley Cain said in talking about the song. "I turned around for two seconds, and she had consumed enough liquor to get herself sent to the ER by ambulance. I spent the night in that hospital bed next to her while she slept it off, and what struck me was how completely unapologetic she was. She couldn't wait to do it all over again. Everyone has that moment where they say, ‘Yeah, that's the line. I'm not crossing that one again.’ That's what this song is about. That moment.”

Hayley and the Crushers will open for Screeching Weasel along with The Queers at 8 p.m. April 17 at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available at oshows.com.

I had the chance to talk to Hayley about the upcoming show:

Q – Great to talk to you. Of course, you are touring with Screeching Weasel along with The Queers. You also toured with Screeching Weasel last year. How was that experience?

 

Great. All the guys in Screeching Weasel are incredibly friendly and cool.

 

Jumping up to these bigger shows, opening for iconic pop punk bands, has taught us a lot about owning the stage and making the most of the spectacle. 

 

Sure, we have been humbled a time or two, but the way we see it is this: we've been given this opportunity to do the Crushers on steroids, and so we really do our best to rise to the occasion with even more energy and even some new ridiculous stage moves like our lead guitarist jumping over our bass player.

 

It was funny, because once our bass player (Dr. Cain) was just kneeling down to get a dropped pick, our guitarist (Ryan Deliso), thought that was the cue to jump over him. Surprised that one didn't lead to a pile up! 

 

I mean, when we're all feeding off of each other on stage, firing on all cylinders, anything can happen! There's a point in the set where I throw this big iridescent fan into the audience, and it's been cool to see later at the merch table whoever caught it.

 

It's just one more piece they can take away from the show. Being able to give that to these audiences, while opening for one of my all-time favorite bands, has been an education, a revelation and, well, very surreal at times!

 

Q – I understand that you started playing Screeching Weasel songs when you first started playing the guitar. What attracted you to their music? I know the band is originally from the Chicago suburb of Prospect Heights.

 

I loved oldies radio and 50s-60s music growing up, so I think my early slide into Bay Area Lookout-era pop punk and the Ramones was a natural evolution. When I first got into Screeching Weasel through the Lookout catalog, I had no idea they were not from California, which is funny. 

 

I always connected to artists that weren't afraid to be larger than life, and I kind of saw myself as the class clown. Screeching Weasel covered all the bases: danceable, clever, melodic, with a singular point of view, yet didn't take itself too seriously.

 

Q – I am sure you have heard your band's music described in many ways. How would you describe the music of Hayley and the Crushers? 

 

Poolside glitter trash. Just think of all the stuff you'd find at the bottom of the pool after a raging pool party. 

 

Lipstick, lighters, a piece of pizza, confetti, someone's lost shoe. We're a grab bag of everything from every era, a little punk, surf, garage, pop – it's all in the mix.

 

Q – As far as calling yourself the Crushers, is there a meaning behind the name?

 

To crush means to destroy your enemies. It also means to be charmed by someone (to have a crush or infatuation). You do the math!

 

Q – Your husband, Reid Cain, is the band's bass player. I understand after you first met, you joined his country band, Red Eye Junction. Has playing alongside each other brought the both of you even closer together?

 

Yes absolutely. We have always had an incredibly special musical relationship. 

 

I am more poetic and he is more literal. I am obsessed with song structure while he loves to break structure apart and integrate chaos into the mix.

 

We balance each other super well. You have to have both sides of the coin to create something interesting and true.

 

We've found a way to really let each other do what we do well. Plus, we really do get shit done together, averaging about one release a year for every year we've been together!

 

Q – Your husband also had owned a comic store in California as well, correct?

 

Yes, it was called Dr. Cain's Comics in San Luis Obispo, CA. It still exists, just owned by our friend Pat (hi Pat!). He sold it so we could tour more, and then the pandemic happened. 

 

But now live music seems to be coming back and the risk paid off. He's obsessed with comic books and our house is filled with long boxes.

 

Between his comic book addiction and my love of vintage clothes, we are running out of space! 

 

Q  – You also have a podcast, Crusher Talk. What made you want to start the podcast? 

 

 

Crusher Talk is a podcast I put out each Tuesday through my substack channel, Crusher Talk with Hayley. I think it's interesting for most people to witness the "behind the scenes stuff" of being in a band, and I like connecting to my listeners on a deeper level.

 

I also love verbal communication, just chatting with friends really crystalizes my ideas and feelings. I am a writer by trade, so doing a podcast feels like a big reprieve from sitting at a desk diligently writing something "perfect."

 

I can be more freewheeling and spontaneous on a podcast. It all started with my first one, Sparkle and Destroy Podcast, where I interviewed some big names like Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's and Alice Bag (also Ben Weasel!).

 

That one is still up somewhere (updated off and on), and you can find it if you snoop around.

 

Q – I understand the band is working on a new album. What goals do you have for the new album?

 

The goal for the new album was to write with precision and be ruthless about "keeping it simple, stupid." This album has all the heart, just a lot less fat. 

 

I challenged myself to write with a sense of urgency and to lean into clean power pop hooks. Our last album, "Modern Adult Kicks," was crafted meticulously over the pandemic. 

 

I absolutely love that record and am so proud of what we were able to do over that period of time, but I think the band is ready to put out something that feels of the moment and punchy.  

 

"Unsubscribe from the Underground" had that edge, but it was an EP. This new album is a continuation of our evolving "grit and glitz" ethos, recorded between Detroit and Los Angeles.

 

Q – Hayley and the Crushers is signed to Kitten Robot Records, which was co-founded by iconic musician Josie Cotton. Have you been influenced by her music?

 

I didn't discover her until my teens, and it was through Screeching Weasel's cover of "Johnny Are You Queer." So yes, she has in a roundabout way.

 

I think a lot of people have been influenced by Josie, yet might not know it or give her proper credit. When it comes to the household names of the 80s New Wave scene, Josie was a cut above.

 

And yet, she didn't really fit the mold of New Wave, punk or pop. I've heard her described as "80s Bubblegum," which feels close.

 

The intertwining of pop, '60s music, rockabilly and electronic tones in her music are just as fresh today as they were then. Her voice is absolutely singular – you know when you're listening to Josie – and I think that's a testament to why she continues to stand out.

 

While "Convertible Music" is the instant 80s-does-60s classic that everyone needs in their record collection, my favorite album of hers is "From the Hip." Being able to work with Josie's team and to feel supported by her means the world. 

 

Hayley and the Crushers are also blending together different eras in a tongue-in-cheek way. We don't fit in any one crowd.

 

So that way, we are both sort of oddballs. That's what makes the Kitten Robot family so great. A bunch of weirdos!