Cornmeal
Formed 10 years ago in Chicago, Cornmeal has grown from humble beginnings into a nationally recognized live music institution. Heavily influenced by American roots and folk music, Cornmeal blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of John Hartford and New Grass Revival, Cornmeal continues to forge their own path, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. The release of their latest album, “Live in Chicago, IL Vol. I” showcases bluegrass as a springboard for improvisational works that touch on country, rock, psychedelic, funk and disco. With a growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of the bluegrass sound and live performance.
The Schwag featuring Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band
The Schwag is a band dedicated to carrying on the music and the vibe of the legendary Grateful Dead. Founded in 1991 as a local St. Louis-based Dead tribute, the group began touring after the 1995 death of Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, and has played more than 2,000 shows in 18 states, with an average of 150 shows a year, and a working repertoire of 200 songs. Besides bassist-vocalist Tebeau, the group's members are Stu Allen, guitar and vocals; and Brian Sigmund, drums. Several Schwag members have extensive jazz training, and the band's live performances emphasize improvisation and spontaneity. Like the Dead, The Schwag operates without set lists. Its only rules are to avoid repeating songs from recent shows and to give high-energy performances that encourage dancing and good vibes. The Schwag is an established group that has attracted some prominent members of the jam-band community to sit in on their sets, including Merl Saunders, the late Johnny Johnson, Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers, Mike Gordon of Phish, Fred Tackett of Little Feat, Vince Herman and Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon; Bill Nershi, Michael Kang, Michael Travis, and Jason Hann of String Cheese Incident; Melvin Seals of JGB, Scott Law, Pete Sears, Chuck Berry, the late Vince Welnick, and many other great players. Their set at the Universal Rhythm Assembly will feature original JGB keyboardist, Melvin Seals.
Brainchild
Hometown heros Brainchild is a band that combines the feeling of jazz and soul with the intensity of shredding guitar solos. Their growing list of original songs combined with a diverse selection of covers are a perfect blend of many styles of music. The best way to describe the sound is ‘Brainchild.’ They are an up and coming band that’s out to melt your face, touring the Mid-West with bands like 56 Hope Rd., Family Groove Co. and Jobu, and playing regularly in Chicago and Indianapolis. A favorite touring highlight? Having special guest Chris Meyers from Umphrey’s McGee sit in at the Kinetic Playground After Show during their New Year’s run. Brainchild will be attending their fifth straight Summer Camp Music Festival this year and they guarantee it will be the best one yet.
Chicago Farmer
Cody is a folk-singer’s folk-singer and a poet’s poet. He was born and bred in Delavan IL, population 25, surrounded by the endless skies of the American Midwest. Before moving to Chicago in 2003, Cody tried his hand at sessions in Nashville and carefully hewed and tested his art in college town bars and honky-tonks around the Midwest. He now plays regularly in the city and it’s not uncommon to see whole rooms full of strangers erupt and sing along to the choruses of his songs on their first listen (I’ve seen it happen). Cody’s voice is powerful and gritty, emotionally piercing while subtly imbuing additional layers of meaning and poignancy in his lyrical delivery. His song-writing is deeply rooted in the American Folk tradition and all of its grit but with a post Dylan sense of wit, perspicacity and that certain savior-faire.
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