Kickstand Productions handles both the promotion and organization of shows for some of the top all ages venues in northern Illinois, as well as representing some of the most talented up and coming independent artists in the midwest.
Kickstand currently represents the following artists... The Felix Culpa , The City On Film (bob nanna of braid, hey mercedes), Colossal (asian man rec, mbr lawrence arms), Pompeii (eyeball rec), Hanalei (thick rec), Kind Of Like Spitting and Inspector Owl
UPCOMING SHOWS
all shows are all ages unless noted otherwise
BUY TICKETS FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
Thur. May 29th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
INSPECTOR OWL
w/ PICTURE BOOKS / DANGER BOY & AN AESTHETIC ANESTHETIC
Inspector Owl is a five part human, one part computer, indie-pop-dance-rock band hailing from DeKalb, IL. Violin, synth, trumpet, and programming accompany the standard guitar, bass, drums and vocals. They want you to dance. They want you to have fun. Inspector Owl certainly is.
Sat. May 31st @ Dougs Rockhouse - Aurora, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
DROPPING DAYLIGHT
w/ PLAYRADIOPLAY! / YOU ME AND EVERYONE WE KNOW
DREAMING IN STEREO & GRAND REACTION
Dropping Daylight are very much part of the post-emo era of American indie rock, with songs that favor anthemic choruses and jagged, distorted guitar parts. However, at the same time, the young Minneapolis quartet are in some ways a throwback to a time about decade prior to their early-2000s birth: leader Sebastian Davin's clever lyrics, rhythmic piano lines, and smooth '70s AM radio pop vocal style strongly recall one-time alternative rock favorites like Ben Folds Five, the Eels, the New Radicals and Fastball.
Sun. June 1st @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
A MODERN LOVE STORY
w/ BURN THE SKYLINES / DUST TO ASHES & THE FALLEN
Setting up the odds against one's self is an almost sure-fire way to disaster. This is not the case with A Modern Love Story. A group of childhood friends who have forged their way through several severe cases of mishap and misfortune to create some of the most immense songs heard in a genre full of blatant copy bands. "AMLS is the Chuck Norris of Rock. With a show that is a cant miss and their blend of pop and hardcore, they are sure to roundhouse kick their way into your heart" MP SHOWS
Fri. June 6th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
MC CHRIS
w/ THE AGE OF ROCKETS
Chris Ward IV (born 2 September 1975), otherwise known as MC Chris (correctly written as mc chris in lowercase), is a rapper, voice actor, and improvisational comedian born in Libertyville, Illinois, U.S.. He attended Art Institute of Chicago, and New York University's (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. He currently self releases with no current record label. MC Chris originally performed with The Lee Majors. He has appeared and worked behind the scenes on many of Williams Street Studios' shows on Adult Swim, most notably Aqua Teen Hunger Force (as a voice talent and a production assistant), Sealab 2021 (in some bit parts, consistently recurring as the also crude and often misguided Hesh), and was a production assistant and writer for The Brak Show (including the episodes "Brakstreet" and "Shadows of Heat"). He also made a cameo in a Space Ghost: Coast to Coast episode "Baffler Meal." - wikipedia
Sun. June 8th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 7pm l BUY TICKETS
THE SHOW IS THE RAINBOW
w/ UUVVWWZ / THE PATIENCE & HEART SHAPED HATE
The Show is the Rainbow is important. Yes, we are ALL important, obviously. Writing a bio seems like the least important part of being in this band. This band that I am being in is just Me, so a bio is actually an auto-bio, and I'm not that interesting. The Show is the Rainbow is, however, interesting.
Fri. June 13th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
GOLD
w/ LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS / GERONIMO & FREQUENCY EN MASS
Except for the lack of bass Gold's set-up is a familiar one: guitars, drums, and vocals. However, Gold's commitment to create fresh, innovative sounds within this framework serves as a lobotomy on the lackluster pop that dominates most of today's indie rock. Gold uses two guitars, each one blasted through a bass/guitar amp double stack, as the basis of their sonic attack. Add to this drums that range from gentle flurries to demonic tirades, and vocals that encompass everything from screaming, to swooning, to melodic hooks, and you might begin to get the idea. But probably not. That's because Gold lives in a world of contradictions: their music is angular but catchy, aggressive but thoughtful, unconventional but steeped in tradition. So yes, trying to imagine or even describe Gold's sound is difficult. They live somewhere between Arnold Schoenberg, and AC/DC, and frankly, that's a pretty good place to live.
Sat. June 14th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
VALENCIA
w/ TREATY OF PARIS / LAST FAST ACTION & KESLINGER
Valencia met by playing local shows together around the tri-state area in separate bands. George and JD grew up together; attending elementary school, high school, and their first year of college. They joined a band in 2001 called The Capgun Heroes with Brendan and former member Sean Mundy. Shane sang in the band Attracted to Miss and Max played drums in The Emphasis. In 2004 the group decided to come together and form what is known today as Valencia. The name comes from Valencia, Spain. In 2005 Valencia signed to I Surrender Records after the label's owner, Midtown's drummer Rob Hitt, heard their demo tape.
Fri. June 20th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
GENTLEMAN AUCTION HOUSE
w/ JOIE DE VIVRE / DRAGON FIRE PARADE & YOU
When Gentleman Auction House released its debut EP The Rules Were Handed Down, comparisons were inevitable. In 2006, any band with more than five co-ed members, at least one keyboard, and loads of percussion was sure to be compared to any number of critically adored Canadian collectives. But on the band’s first full-length release Alphabet Graveyard, it becomes immediately clear that as a songwriter, Eric Enger has no intention of following any rules handed down by the indie-rock establishment, or for his band to take up the mantle of the next poster-children for derivative indie-collectivism. Graveyard manages to retain the tender and emotive melodies and impeccably tasteful arrangements that have always been the most endearing components in the Gentleman Auction House sound, but new explorations of everything from reggae-infused rhythms to jangly Motown guitar flourishes find a home on this full-length debut.
Sat. June 21st @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
COTTON JONES BASKET RIDE [Page France]
w/ VENNA / SLEEPY SLEEPY OCTOPUS & BOREU, BOREU
Maryland man Michael Nau has a curious knack for assuming musical monikers that transcend mere non-sequiturs. First, there was Page France, a name as deeply confusing as it is seemingly simple. Now that PF is de facto defuncto for the foreseeable future because of the band members' busy lives, Nau's gone all Wooden Wand on us with his new name: the Cotton Jones Basket Ride.
Sun. June 22nd @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
EMAROSA [rise rec]
w/ TAKE THE CROWN / LOWER DEFINITION
JAMIE'S ELSEWHERE & DEAD AND DIVINE
Emarosa is a 6-piece post-hardcore band from Lexington, Kentucky. They have recently released their EP, entitled This Is Your Way Out, recorded and produced by Joey Sturgis. Emarosa was originally signed to Standby Records but due to releasing troubles with their EP they signed to Rise Records alongside bands such as Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Before Their Eyes, The Devil Wears Prada, At the Throne of Judgment, and Catherine.
Sat. June 28th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
COMPANY OF THIEVES
w/ AMERICAN TAXI / FROM HERE .. & WEAVER AT THE LOOM
Company of Thieves is proof that everything happens for a reason. When Genevieve Schatz and Marc Walloch met by chance nearly two years ago in Chicago’s bustling Union Station, they never imagined that the encounter would lead to the evolution of the band that they now call home. Schatz, a singer “since she could talk,†and Walloch, a seasoned guitarist, were introduced by mutual acquaintances. A casual discussion of their shared love of the Beatles ensued and the two forged an instant connection. It was not long before they were spending a lot of time together — writing songs in the confines of their apartments and performing at a weekly Monday night music event in the city.
Sun. July 13th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 7pm l BUY TICKETS
OLAFUR ARNALDS [iceland]
w/ EARS AND EYES & GUESTS TBA
Fragile, emotional, classical indie music would maybe be the best term to describe Ólafur Arnalds’ music. Combining classical instrumentation with an indierock aesthetic there are obvious comparisons to Sigur Ros, but Arnalds is sculpting his own epic, string-laden compositions. Only 21 years of age, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær, just a few kilometres outside ReykjavÃk. He as immersed himself completely in the world of delicate symphonic compositions in a near weightless orchestral undertaking. Mixing strings and piano with loops, ambiance, electronics and beats.
Sun. July 20th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
SHAI HULUD
w/ FULL BLOWN CHAOS / ELYSIA & WOE OF TYRANTS
Shai Hulud is a five-piece metalcore band formed in Pompano Beach, Florida. The name comes from the giant sandworms in Frank Herbert's Dune. Originally hailing from Pompano Beach, Florida, the band later moved up to Poughkeepsie, NY. The two mainstay members of Shai Hulud are considered to be Matt Fox (guitar), who writes most of the band's musical and lyrical output, and Matt Fletcher (originally guitar, but then moved on to bass), who assists in writing.
Fri. July 25th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
IMAAD WASIF [k rec - ex yeah yeah yeahs]
w/ YOURSELF & THE AIR / CARTA MARINA & GARRETH SPINN & THE SHADOW FIGURES
'Imaad Wasif has a brooding voice that compliments the hazy psychedelic rock of his backing band, Two Part Beast. His latest album, Strange Hexes, explores folk and Americana with drones and modern experimental effects. With experience with bands like Alaska!, The New Folk Implosion and Lowercase on his resume, Wasif is a veteran in the indie rock scene. He is known as a skilled guitarist, and was once toured with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The L.A. based musician will tour mainly on the West Coast this spring.' - NPR
Tue. July 29th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
MXPX
w/ AMRITA & GUESTS TBA
The Christian-themed punk-pop outfit MxPx was formed in Bremerton, WA, in 1993 by vocalist/bassist Mike Herrera, drummer Yuri Ruley, and guitarist Andy Husted. Originally dubbed Magnified Plaid, at the time of the group's formation all its members were still in high school. Their moniker was later shortened to just MxPx after Ruley abbreviated their name on some show flyers, but poor handwriting saw the periods being interpreted as x's instead; the name stuck.
Thurs. July 31st @ Doug's Rockhouse - Aurora, IL - 6pm l BUY TICKETS
A DAY TO REMEMBER [victory rec]
w/ ELI / NOTHING IS FOREVER
A Day to Remember (also known as ADTR) is a five-piece post-hardcore band from Ocala, Florida, signed to Victory Records. They are known for their musical style that combines fast, melodic pop punk with deep throated death growls and heavy breakdowns. They have released two albums; their first, And Their Name Was Treason, was released in May 2005 on Indianola Records. The second, For Those Who Have Heart, was released January 2007 on Victory Records and peaked at 17 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart and 43 on the Top Independent Albums chart. On September 24, 2007, they put a cover of Kelly Clarkson's hit single, "Since U Been Gone" on their MySpace. This was later featured on the re-release of For Those Who Have Heart, released February 2008. - wikipedia
Mon. Aug 11th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 7pm l BUY TICKETS
DANCE GAVIN DANCE
w/ A STATIC LULLABY / FOUR LETTER LIE
SECRET & WHISPER / LOWER DEFINITION
Dance Gavin Dance is a six-member Indie band from Sacramento, California. They were formed out of the dissolution of several other bands, including Farewell Unknown, Ghost Runner On Third and Atherton. Jonny Craig and Sean O'Sullivan joined in 2005 and early 2006 to complete the lineup. After signing with Rise Records in August of 2006, the band started recording immediately. They released their first EP on November 14th, 2006, titled Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean. After returning to the studio, they released their full-length CD, Downtown Battle Mountain. Dance Gavin Dance has toured alongside bands like Alesana, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, and The Devil Wears Prada.
Thur. Sept 4th @ The House Cafe - DeKalb, IL - 8pm l BUY TICKETS
XIU XIU
w/ PRURIENT & COMMON EIDER, KING EIDER
Taking their name from the 1998 Chinese film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, post-punk throwbacks Xiu Xiu were formed in San Jose, CA, by Cory McCullough, Yvonne Chen (publisher of the indie zine Zum), Lauren Andrews, and Jamie Stewart. Before forming Xiu Xiu, McCullough and Stewart played in the band Ten in the Swear Jar. Prior to the 2002 release of their first full-length album, Knife Play (released on vinyl through Absolutely Kosher and on disc through 5RC/Kill Rock Stars), the band made appearances on numerous compilations. Shortly after Knife Play's release, Springman released a 10" collaboration between Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof. Vocalist Stewart has earned comparisons to the Cure's Robert Smith, while the band itself has been likened to just about any angular guitar band from the late '70s and early '80s without any blindingly obvious sources of inspiration. In 2002, the band issued the Chapel of the Chimes EP. The following year, A Promise and the limited-edition, mostly acoustic Fag Patrol EP arrived, and early 2004 saw the release of their most accessible work to date, Fabulous Muscles. Xiu Xiu kept busy in 2005 with the full-length La Forêt and a split single with Devendra Banhart. The group's fifth album, The Air Force, which was produced by Greg Saunier, arrived in fall 2006; an EP of covers, Tu Mi Piaci, was also released that year. 2008's Women as Lovers managed to be some of Xiu Xiu's catchiest and most abrasive work, and featured Michael Gira on a cover of "Under Pressure." Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
NOW HIRING - PRODUCTION STAFF
Kickstand Productions is looking for exemplary individuals to join our production staff.
Staff members work production shifts on all Kickstand Productions events and assist with an array of tasks and responsibilities. Namely, working door, security, serving as a stage-hand and generally managing the production of a Kickstand event.
Serious inquiries only. Must be able to work weekends. Prior experience is a
plus, although not necessary. If you are interested, please send a resume to [email protected] or fax it to 208.955.5229
