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Algren

Rock.

About Me


NEWS 5/17/08
Algren is taking a few days to get away from the city and get some work done. We're headed out to Jason's brother's house to set up show for a couple days and write some new music. There are other things on the agenda - rewriting old songs, rehearsing acoustic versions, recording "Exposed", and making some business decisions. Is there anything you would like to see Algren do in the future? Any good ideas? Send us a MySpace message or shoot us an email.
NEWS 2/28/07
Chicago's Red Eye is featuring an article about Algren in today's paper! Check out the ChiTunes section on page 28 where you'll see Mark Thomton's write-up on everybody's favorite local band. We were interviewed about a month ago but we didn't know when it was going to appear in the paper so sorry for the late notice. The Red Eye is a commuter edition of the Chicago Tribune and can be picked up for free at hundreds of street corner bins around the city. You can also read the article online at www.redeyechicago.com/chitunes.
Algren finished a recording session at Gremlen Studios yesterday to lay down "Morning", one of our newest songs. We're excited to be recording our favorite new song to be working with producer Sam Beckley again. We'll be posting the final mix for FREE download off our MySpace page as soon as it's done so stay tuned.
NEWS 12/7/07
Algren is going to be on TV! The local show Rock Chicago came to our most recent Double Door show and taped a bunch of great concert footage. They put it all together and will be airing it on CANTV (Channel 19 on Comcast) on Wednesday, December 12 at 9:00pm and again on Thursday, December 13 at 4:00pm. Tune in to see what you missed or to relive the concert experience!
NEWS 10/25/07
Aaron Priest will be headed back into Gremlen Studios in Aurora, IL to record some new lead vocals over some old Algren tunes. Although we have tons of live recordings featuring Aaron since he joined the band seven months ago, this is the first chance we've had to get him in the studio. We'll be redoing "Bled" and "Feedback" and releasing a new demo at the Dec 15 Cubby Bear show.
NEWS 9/20/07
Algren will appear on Fearless Radio on Thursday, Sept 27 at 5:00pm for an interview and acoustic performance. Fearless is a Chicago-based internet radio station (check our Top Friends below). You can listen to it online at www.fearlessradio.com and clicking on the "Listen-AM" link. You can also call during the interview portion at 312-224-8273. Grill us!
NEWS 8/30/07
We just received an invitation to play along with Lucid Ground at the Double Door on Fri, Sept 28. We are very excited to be playing with them again after a great show together at the Elbo Room in May. Mindsight and Emily Shrine will round out the lineup. We're planning a lot for this show, including some long overdue T-shirts and stickers. Check the shows section for more info about the gig and print the ticket above to pay just $3!
NEWS 6/10/07
We've been productive during our time off! Since our last Elbo Room show, we've stayed busy with photo shoots and acoustic recordings, the results of which are now available on the page here. There are a bunch of new photos scattered throughout the site, courtesy of Andrew Engfehr, our resident photographer. We also recording an acoustic version of "On and On" and posted it up here. Look for additional acoustic recordings in the near future - we're trying to take advantage of Jason's 12-track!
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Member Since: 8/16/2006
Band Website: Youre looking at it
Band Members: Aaron Priest - Vocals
Jonathan Iseman - Guitar, Vocals
Jason Holly - Bass
Ben Brown - Drums

Algren at Double Door on 9-28

Influences: Muse, Incubus, 30 Seconds to Mars, Thursday, Radiohead, Deftones, Placebo, 10 Years. Countless others.
Sounds Like: Energetic. Raw. Powerful. Melodic. Intense. Rock.

These are words that have been used to describe Algren, a fresh rock band from Chicago that has burst onto the local music scene with their unique blend of introspective lyrics, searing guitar riffs, grooving rhythms and dynamic songwriting.

Although just formed in July 2006 the members of Algren bring with them a rich musical history that has aided their rapid development as a band. Vocalist Aaron Priest, Guitarist Jonathan Iseman and Bassist Jason Holly played together for three years in the band Amici, a group out of Valparaiso, Indiana that received numerous accolades and significant regional radio airplay for tracks on the 2003 release, “801 EP”. After a two year musical hiatus, the three friends reconnected in Chicago last year and formed Algren with new drummer Ben Brown.

Algren hit the ground running, quickly building a repertoire of songs that are difficult to label into one specific genre. Known for their inspiringly energetic sets, Algren has played gigs at numerous Chicagoland bars and clubs throughout spring 2007, including highlight performances at Double Door, Cubby Bear, Elbo Room, and Martyr’s. The band is quickly building up a devoted fan base with the help of various media outlets, such as Fearless Radio, the Red Eye, Rock Chicago on CANTV-19, The Local Tourist, and 97.9 The Loop which featured Algren’s “Bled” on Erin Carman’s Local Music Monday program.

All four members are dedicated and driven musicians, performers, and promoters looking to make a name for themselves in the regional and national market while performing the music they love. The group recorded a new demo in December and looks to record a full-length album for a summer/fall 2008 release. Please feel free to contact the band via [email protected].

Algren at The Note 3-16-07 performing "On and On"

Type of Label: None

My Blog

Acoustic Recordings

We just posted our first acoustic recording on the webpage so be sure to take a listen. "On and On" is one of our favorite tunes to play and it's a song that has received a lot of ...
Posted by Algren on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:11:00 PST

Hello from Aaron

Hey Everyone.  I can't tell you how excited I am to be joining Algren on the mic.  When the guys asked me to consider joining the band, I was honored and had to keep myself from immediately ...
Posted by Algren on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 09:45:00 PST

Lyrics Exposed

Let's talk a bit about lyrics.  Why?  Because I feel like it.  For example, a new song: exposed a nation exposedthe bare bones don't liethey tell us everythingthat was kept on the ...
Posted by Algren on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:34:00 PST

Cover Songs

Every musician plays songs written by someone else. Rock bands are no exception.Virtually every rock band I have ever followed closely has selected a handful of cover songs to perform d...
Posted by Algren on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:00:00 PST

A Drummer's Studio Experience

I was so frustrated throughout the first day. I decided to tackle the Light Heavyweight division because that is what i would really be in if I decided to take boxing up as a career. The first day was...
Posted by Algren on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:33:00 PST

Studio, Here We Come!

Well, the time has arrived for Algren to enter the studio and find out whether we sound any good coming out of a stereo. After talking about it for weeks, arguing about song selections, and visiting a...
Posted by Algren on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 03:21:00 PST

Photo Shoot

Hi, this is Ben and this is my blog.  I'm the drummer and I am also the one in the band that does all the Internet stuff*.  It is sometimes hard getting everyone on the same page with bloggi...
Posted by Algren on Sun, 05 Nov 2006 10:06:00 PST

Musings of a Cubicle Encaptured Mind

I'm at work and should not be posting, but the wonderfully lively world of real estate escrow investment can wait. Had another week off of practice here.  Jason is on one of his big trips for wor...
Posted by Algren on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:13:00 PST

Emergenza and Local Music

Jonathan and I went to the Note last night to check out one of the first round Emergenza shows taking place there throughout the fall and winter. Algren is playing one of these shows in December (chec...
Posted by Algren on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 07:01:00 PST

1st Show Under the Belt

Well, Algren survived the rite of passage that must be faced by all bands - the first show. Equally exciting and nerve-racking, the first gig is a progress report that tells you what you do well,...
Posted by Algren on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:17:00 PST