“Abud: A Bard” is the tangible manifestation of composer and multi-instrumentalist James Abud’s fantastical notions and musical research. This bombastic and exciting One-Man show is founded on original acoustic works grounded in American folk, jazz, and theater music. Delicate wordplay woven into roaring melodies soars over any combination of stomping feet percussion and acoustic guitar, banjo, or ukulele. It features Abud's earthy virtuosity, chummy pathos, and fluffy beard. 

In addition to the music, “Abud: A Bard” is filled with hilarious and sentimental tales of an existence dedicated to music, family, and adventure; being on the road, in the classroom, and the glamorous life of a lifelong performer.

The project has so far yielded two albums: 2014's Fluff, and the 2016 EP Making a Friend from Scratch 
 
James Abud is a Detroit native and Chicago transplant whose life has been dedicated to composing, performing, and teaching music. 

"His tales and lyrics abound with playful zaniness and doe-eyed pathos that will make you feel like you've known this performer a thousand lifetimes."

I'll be posting my original music here, but check out the links provided for music I create with other people:

Bremen Town (gigging around Central Coast, CA)
Sugar Still with Charlie Cheney

Acoustic duo from Chicago brings you whiskey-soaked harmonies straight from the kettle and copper line. Featuring Charlie Cheney on guitar/vocals, and Sarah Blick on violin/vocals.

Percussionist. Singer/Song Writer. Producer.

Album - Otherside of the Darkest Timeline (release 2021)

LIZ AND THE LOVELIES
EP - Progress Into Simplicity (2017)
Singles - Sleep In, My Way/Your Way, The Great American Chestnut Tree (2018-2020)

Liz Chidester
EP - Otter Hill (2015)
Album - People Pumping Pedals (2014)

"FAWM" = "February Album Writing Month" (www.fawm.org). 
Username: LizChids. All FAWM songs are demos.

SuperHero Audio is helping make sounds happen, get recorded, and get out there.

Sultry Chicago-blues meets hard-hitting harmonic invasion. That’s Honey & the 45s, exclusive winner of the 2014 Chicago Independent Music Award for Best Blues/Jazz band.
 
Fusing elements of rock, blues, jazz, funk, Americana and soul with powerful vocals and pocket grooves, Honey & the 45s tosses it up in the air and what lands is an eclectic collection of soulful surprises. 
 
Formed in Chicago in October 2009 as a folk/acoustic group by core members lead singer-songwriter guitarist Kristina Cottone, and singer, violinist and saxophonist Kim Kozel, the band’s unique sound evolved by adding bassist Sean Tatum, lead guitarist Jon Gould, and drummer Jarad Kleinstein. Dubbed “The band of Chicago” Honey & the 45s pulls from jazz and blues roots but delivers a new rock sound with a retro feel.
 
The band appears at time-honored and historic venues throughout Chicago and St. Louis including House of Blues, The Metro, The Field Museum, The Wildey Theater, BBs Jazz Blues and Soups, and Blueberry Hill.  
 
Their popular debut album, The Need, was released in September 2012. 5 of the songs off The Need were remixed and mastered by Grammy award winning engineer, Fred Breitberg and released in November 2013 for a radio push. The remixed EP “Honey & the 45s” has been played on over 100 radio stations nationwide, and the band is invited regularly to perform live in-studio sessions. In April 2013, Honey & the 45s won the Championship at the battle of the bands "Battle For Catalano" in Milwaukee, WI -- securing a slot on the U.S. Cellular Stage at the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest 2013. In February 2014, Honey & the 45s provided an exclusive performance at the Chicago Kia Auto Show press event. In April 2014 Honey was named best blue/jazz act in Chicago. A much anticipated EP is set for release in late Summer 2014 with music tours planned right around the corner.

Press Reviews:

“Hot rhythmic soul and energy. This local band, known for its ...sexy...fun...in your face...original...groovy... sound, featured a whole lot of feminine hotness and a solid variety of music fusion ranging from Soul/R&B to Chicago Blues and some Country/Rockabilly...under one excitable performance that had many dancing in front of the stage. This reviewer had a fun time groovin' to the funky vibe of this multi-talented band.”

Tanya Vega, South Side On The Town (January 18, 2013)

"If there has ever been a chance to reignite the sound of the Chicago underground, the time is now. And who better to lift that veil than Honey & the 45s? Old souls in a fresh mentality, Honey & the 45s croon out funk, jazz/blues that bleeds with retro style but feels very, very new. The Windy City based five-piece is more than simply a band trying to make their sound and move ahead in the music world. Their ability to embody the essential life-force of their music, laid out by the generations before them, and play it seemingly effortlessly has me convinced these five are for real.”

Greg Shaw, Nanobot Rock Reviews (October 30, 2012)

"Wow! What a Band! Just beautiful. You guys are wonderful"

Michael Teach, Chicago Acoustic Underground podcast (November 06, 2012)

"Wow, I got chills. Beautiful band. Beautiful songs. Beautiful music."

Michael Teach, On Air podcast with Chicago Acousitc Underground episode 327 (April 01, 2011)

"Kristina Cottone and Kim Kozel, two-thirds of a folks and blues band titled Snow on Sunday, were the first to perform. The two began strumming their respective instruments, guitar and violin. With breath-taking harmonizations of both voices and instruments."

Alice Li, North by Northwestern: culture in the 312 (November 09, 2010)

“Kristina Cottone [relays] lyrics with surprisingly deep poetry, intelligence, and power. Just a touch of world-weariness suggests itself in [ her song] ‘ O What a Dark Age’.” 

 Scotty Zacher, Chicago Theatre Blog (July 15, 2010)

"Singer and guitarist Kristina Cottone gave the crowd a couple of sultry numbers, with a sound one part Taj Mahal and one part Jewel-before-she-sucked.”

J. Scott HIll, Chicago Stage Review (July 14, 2010)

Sarah Blick is following