Christine Jaksy . Before Christine Jaksy became a Successful, Professional, Creative
Photographer in the Chicagoland area, she graced the covers of
magazines internationally as a model, and has done over thirty
television commercials. But Photographing people is her passion. She
brings out the true essence of a person in her photography, and
everyone has fun in the process of doing it!

Band name: Nyco

NYCO is a four-piece rock band whose lead singer/keyboardist is the principal percussionist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Their music has been featured on WGN TV, WXRT radio, Q101 Chicago, and on many college stations. NYCO's first full-length release, Two, is the culmination of two years of writing and recording by the band.  They are playing extensively this winter

Band name:  Harmony Of Lies

Harmony of Lies started off as a grassroots experimental internet project. Working with limited studio space and gear, singer/songwriter Brent Leitner began recording rough demos and ideas that would soon become the corner stone of HOL unique sound. "We work hard at everything we do and we believe in following our hearts. We don't want to be associated with any certain class. We would rather be known for our efforts." states Brent...

Band name: Abe Quigley

Chicago’s own Abe Quigley has been playing over 200 shows a year at bars and coffee houses throughout the Midwest and is building up a fanbase that has truly become his lifeblood. His 2005 release, acousticrockjazzfunk, has sold over four thousand copies. His sophomore release, “b,” is available online and in stores now.

Band name: After Never

Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, After Never is a culmination of several musical styles wrapped into one, while not being able to put your finger on just one. Lacking stylistic definition, the music After Never creates is an electric mixture of Rock, Metal, Punk, and Hardcore. Straight forward, honest music, that is heavy yet has melody. Ever growing musically and personally, After Never is a band not to be forgotten or overlooked. With a breath of fresh air, After Never seeks to impress anyone who hears them, and rock anyone who sees them.

Band name: Allister

The third album from Chicago melodic punk quartet, Allister, Before the Blackout, is a triumphant shout from the back of the bar, a euphoric realization that, in a world overrun with despair, mediocrity and compromise, honest, energized rock music can still electrify and invigorate the soul.

Band name: Anew

Anew, the newest and most powerful wave, crashing upon the shores of rock, emerges from the oceanless Chicago suburb of West Chicago. Anew would like for their fans to think of them as only "a rock band," NO! They are an ideal, they are the future, they are the saviors of this pitiful homeostasis of shitty rock that permeates the sound waves of current radio stations that plague the "Land of the FREE!!"

Band name: Aural Reverie

Sounds Like Beatles, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Zakk Wylde, etc. ATTENTION - Aural Reverie is looking for a DRUMMER! If you are a drummer or know someone who is, please let us know. Thanks.

Band name: Belafonte

"Sounds like the thoughts in your head right after falling back in a chair and catching yourself at the last minute" and "The sound is like Snow Patrol having cocktails with Pete Yorn while having an affair with Pavement"

Band name: Blacktop Mourning

Chicago's Blacktop Mourning features Max Steger (songwriter/guitars), Joe Levand (bass), Jon Meredith (drums) The punk-pop outfit formed in 2004. For the next two years, Blacktop Mourning honed their infectious and melodic rock sound, playing shows in and around Chicago, and writing material for their debut album. Guitarist Shawn Nystrand joined the group during this time, adding to the band's energetic live show. Blacktop Mourning's eponymous debut, produced by Doug McBride (Fall Out Boy, Veruca Salt, Rachael Yamagata), was self-released in early 2006. Songs such as "Another Day," "As Time Crawls By," and "Hardly Recognize" [among others] were also featured in 4 episodes of MTV's Meet the Barkers, a reality show following the family life of Blink-182's Travis Barker and wife Shanna Moakler. [MTV.com and ALLMUSICGUIDE at ALLMUSIC.com]

Band name: Bumpus

Based out of Chicago, Bumpus is a rock-based funk band made of 7 collective songwriters with diverse backgrounds and tastes who share a love of soulful music. Bumpus has built it's reputation largely on live performances bringing high-energy drums and bass and fluid gospel vocals to audiences all over the midwest

Band name: Courtney Crouse

Courtney Crouse, a 24 year old Missouri native, brings a new sound to the scene. His passion will catch any with its surprisingly tuneful quality and silky ease of delivery. His music reaches all ears with an eclectic magnetism you will not want to let go of... But of course, you should hear for yourself!

Band name: Curious

Curious: Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected; Eagerly interested in more.

Band name: Dawn Xiana Moon

Listening to Dawn Xiana Moon is like reading a piece of her soul; honest, searching lyrics are matched by passion in performance. The singer-songwriter shines in the Midwest folk circuit, her intuition mature beyond her 24 years, her skill the fruit of early classical training. It is her powerful vocals that first demand attention with an ease reminiscent of Over the Rhine, a flexibility uniquely hers. Underscored by poetic literacy, she synthesizes inspiration from a diversity of musical styles into melodic folk pop.

Band name: Dearborn

Dearborn, formerly Punsapaya, are gearing up for their 2006 sophomore release, The Station. Chicago's premier rock band has fans and critics on the edge of their stereos in anticipation. The band received the 2004 Chicago Music Award for Rock Album of the Year for their debut release, Prepare To Qualify, and this past year were up against rock greats Billy Corgan, Wilco, The Pony's, and Umphrey's McGee as a nominee for 2004 and 2005's Best Rock Entertainer Award. Dearborn has been featured on the WGN Morning Show, NBC 5 News, Chicago's Radio Q101, WXRT, 9FM and XM Radio. They've shared the stage with Tom Petty, The Black Crowes, The Wailers, Rachel Yamagata, Bernie Worrell, Tim Reynolds, Victor Wooten, Karl Denson, Fishbone, Phantom Planet, Virginia Coalition, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Kaki King. They've done so at famous venues such as the Tweeter Center, Park West, Metro, Double Door, and the House of Blues. Dearborn's talents have led to a rapidly growing fanbase. Dearborn's grassroots buzz is creating a tidal wave of energy that will raise Dearborn to rock stardom.

Band name: DJ MIXX

For 14 years now he has been performing under the name DJ MIXX. His music styles range from House, Progressive, Hardstyle, Trance, Euro Dance, Underground, Hip Hop and Top 40. He has spun at many clubs, venues, parties, and events over the years in Illinois. Currently he DJ's at Dakotas Bar in Schaumburg on every Friday & Saturday night. www.dakotasbar.com.

Band name: Effections Else

Hailing from the South Side of Chicago, Affections Else is a four-piece hardcore band, who does whatever it takes to get where they want to be. Formed around a year ago, in the summer of ’04, they have already put out an independently-released CD EP, whipped up a website along with merchandise, obtained a couple independent clothing sponsorships, gone on multiple tours all over the country, and established a solid presence all over the internet.

Band name: EMF

EMF is a company for vocalist & musicians to form a coalition of like souls to extend our musical influences. These individuals started this company because, to try and do it by yourself is hard and gruelling work. So one day, while speaking about elevation and deflation of egos, they decided to build a independent force of good music, regardless of any age, color, or sound. "Let's make a musical gumbo and feed it to the masses". While these artists are no strangers to the music business, they're musically related thru word of mouth from other artist and other appreciators of their unique fimiliar sound. Look out for the Debut CD Titled "iNtheDor" out: Early April Featuring the hit single Darrick: Get Up 2 Get Down.

Band name: Feature Presentation

Feature Presentation is an alternative/rock/emo-influenced band based out of Kankakee Illinois (50 miles south of Chicago). The band contains Four strongly dedicated members: Matt Monfo, Kurt Skoglund, Ivan Dunki, and Josh LaMore all with the same goal in mind: making a living creating music that people can both enjoy and relate to. With their catchy melodies and up-tempo drive, they leave memorable impressions on almost everyone who listens.

Band name: Ford's Theater

They are Ford's Theater, a progressive indie rock band from the Chicago area.

Band name: Harmony of Lies

Harmony of Lies started off as a grassroots experimental internet project. Working with limited studio space and gear, singer/songwriter Brent Leitner began recording rough demos and ideas that would soon become the corner stone of HOL unique sound. "We work hard at everything we do and we believe in following our hearts. We don't want to be associated with any certain class. We would rather be known for our efforts." states Brent...

Band name: Kristiana

Kristiana Coln, one of Chicago's Def Poets, is a student at the University of Chicago. She has competed in the 2003 and 2004 Louder Than a Bomb Chicago Teen Poetry Slam and the 2003 Brave New Voices National Teen Poetry Slam. She toured Chicago with Grammatical Era and London with the WordWide poetry slam team, which featured at Londons first inner-city youth slam. Kristiana has rocked the mic at some of the Midwest's top venues, including the Metro, the Star Plaza Theater, the Aragon, the HotHouse, Sonotheque, and the Empty Bottle. She has been featured on Power 92, WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, WGN Radio and WZRD. Kristiana has shared the stage with highly acclaimed writers Marc Smith, the creator of the worldwide 'poetry slam' phenomenon, Kevin Coval, Luis Rodriguez, Tara Betts, Triple Blak, Malik Yusef, La Bruja, Anna West, Sonia Sanchez, and has opened for Grammy-nominated band Ozomatli and Def Comedy Jam s and BET ComicView s Damon Williams. She recently released her independently produced spoken word CD entitled Who Haunts Eden and she was featured on the season finale of HBO Def Poetry Jam's latest season. She is pursuing a career in literary and performance art.

Band name: Mackenzie

New York City-born flutist Mackenzie Danner performs a myriad of concerts a year throughout the the United States. By the age of 16, she performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in its Grand Ballroom. She received her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Technology from Northwestern University. She studied with Walfrid Kujala, Donald Peck, and Richard Graef, Chicago Symphony Orchestra flutists. She has since appeared as soloist with orchestras in Chicago, Decatur, IL and Michigan.

Band name: MerPlay

First of all let me tell you that dateanddash host a dating parties at Lucille’s, where MER plays every Friday. He is a great guy, good music too.Passion, discipline, raw energy, and focused talent are what you'll encompass when you experience the music of MER. Based out of Chicago, MER began as a singer songwriter. Originally influenced by James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, and other folk music, MER found his form of honest expression through voice and guitar. Café’s and small bars allowed MER to develop his stage presence at an early age. Eventually, influences spread to funk and jazz in the stylings of James Brown, Prince, John Scofield, and Madeski, Martin, and Wood. Consistent growth has opened up MER’s influences to progressive rock bands such as Rush, Porcupine Tree, Muse, and Mars Volta. For the last seven years, MER has been creating music that transcends many musical genres. MER’s eclectic taste in music has brought forth a "melting pot" of sounds consisting of pop, rock, funk, folk, Latin, and jazz. No matter what your musical flavor may be, you’ll find something in MER’s music to groove to. MER has dedicated himself to writing diverse and honest music and playing energetic live shows. There’s no better way to receive music than witnessing a live show and MER’s sets act as testimony. MER's devotion to music has earned him the right to share stages with Marc Broussard, Michael Tolcher, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, Pat Green, Better Than Ezra, Grammy nominated Liquid Soul, Fastball, Kill Hannah, John Wesley Harding, Ekoostik Hookah, Virginia Coalition, Malik Usef, The Pat McGee Band and many other national touring acts.

Band name: Nyco

NYCO is a four-piece rock band whose lead singer/keyboardist is the principal percussionist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Their music has been featured on WGN TV, WXRT radio, Q101 Chicago, and on many college stations. NYCO's first full-length release, Two, is the culmination of two years of writing and recording by the band. They are playing extensively this winter

Band name: O'neill & Wean

O'Neill & Wean- If Simon & Garfunkel were in Van Halen, O'Neill & Wean would be the answer. They are an acoustic duo fronted by Oh My God's lead singer Billy O'Neill and Easy Tiger's guitarist Dan Wean. They will rock your socks off.

Band name: Postcard Hello

A Postcard Hello is a one-man acoustic band hailing originally from a small town in Southern Illinois. Armed with metaphors and a empathetic soul, David Waddell's lyrics are most always witty and inspirational and are overlain simple yet powerful guitar licks with no real style as his template; intertwined with vocals ranging from 'Barry White' lows to 'Amy Lee' highs. Each song written is another gathered puzzle piece... yet each collective, album-promising group only patterns a small segment of the painting of his life. His only fear is that he will not live up to his own standards. The impossible high... he'll settle for no less.

Band name: Project: Threeville

...project:threeville is a BRAND NEW band formed in August of 2005.

Band name: Rodalla Masai

"La Rondalla Masai" is a Christian band Funded in 1997.Masai has Two albums and is currently working on their third CD.They are the only band in the Chicago Area with this unique style this type of music is very Popular in Mexico and in South America and their goal is to make it popular here in GringoLand there is not many Bands in the United States that offers this classical music made only with the following instruments: Guitars, Harmonica and Electric Bass.

Band name: Sid Maudlin

Sid Maudlin is working on the new record. More news will be added as soon as it becomes available….

Band name: Silver Atlas

Get Set to Jet with Silver Atlas as you embark on this whirlwind international love affair. Layover. A concoction of low key soulful, beat infested rock, and up tempo house grooves stir you towards this intoxicating oasis. Upon arrival, you'll yearn to get caught up in the journey again. Silver Atlas Presents their new album?Layover. Best for times spent in-between ... Between Night and Day ...? ?? Between Destinations ...? ?? Between the Sheets ...

Band name: Terminal Bliss

Terminal Bliss blurs the line between electronic and rock music, in the vein of Radiohead, Depeche Mode and The Cure.

Band name: The Dog And Everything

If you have not listened to The Dog & Everything, LISTEN FIRST! It is original, honest power pop from Chicago that will leave you wanting more! Their infections songs have made them one of the midwest's biggest, and most influential unsigned bands in recent memory. With two full length albums released, and 15,000 records sold independently "it is obvious that The Dog & Everything will not be independent much longer" (James Van Osdol - 94.7 The Zone / Chicago).

Band name: The Rolls

From Chicago to Chicago via a five year stint in New York City in the mid-90s, The Rolls have left their mark in such rooms as Metro, Avalon, Brownies, Luna Lounge, Nightingales, Underground Lounge, US Beer Company, Bottom Lounge, Subterranean, Nevins Live, Lyons Den, Gunther Murphys, Beat Kitchen, Elbo Room, Schubas, Martyrs and Double Door. Airwaves crackle with Rolls music emanating from such venerated stations as WLUW, WXRT and Q101. Shows have been played in support of everyone from Shawn Mullins to The Smoking Popes. Records have been recorded with the likes of Kramer and Steve Albini. Accolades have been received from The Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald and CMJ.

Band name: Trio De La Pena

Join Trio De La Pena as we kick off our Monthly Showcase at the Darkroom!! 2210 W Chicago (@ Leavitt) Sunday 3/5 - 10pm - No Cover Mixed Flavors: Rap/House/World/Jazz Each Month they willl feature our favorite MC's, Musicians and Poets!!