Wed, Sep 19 - 8pm -$8

 Bryan Doherty bends the bass into something rarely heard, but entirely worth the price of admission." So says All Music Guide, and they're right: Much like Doherty's brilliant bass playing, his band Hood Smoke blends soul and pop a la Rufus, David Byrne or The Band, while managing to sound unique. Hood Smoke's line-up reads like a "who's who" of Chicago music masters, including Michael Caskey on drums, Chris Siebold on guitar, Rob Clearfield on keys and singer Sarah Marie Young (Quincy Jones, Paco de Lucia.) Young's voice will no doubt turn heads with its uncanny combination of grit and precision. Her voice and her bandmates' undeniable chops make Hood Smoke's album, Laid Up In Ordinary, a must-hear release of 2013. 

 Akasha: the best of roots reggae grooves and rich vocal harmonies. Stylistically, Akasha sounds like they stepped out of a 1972 session at Studio One. Their reggae is powerfully authentic but also is accessible to the contemporary ear. Akasha’s distinct approach is refreshing and earnest. They are courageously trailblazing a path for a new generation to receive the gifts of the Jamaican musical canon. The Akasha sound gives birth to an unmistakable variety of heavy, raw grooves reminiscent of The Skatalites, The Maytals, Desmond Dekker and The Wailers. 

Treehouse was born in 2006 as a duo between brothers Jim and Pete Tashjian. Spending time playing music together, they started writing music, slowly developing a style and sound. In 2008, they added vocalist Leslie Beukelman and bassist Martin Stonikas to the mix. The band's nucleus was formed and they began performing in various clubs in Chicago. Over the past year, Treehouse has performed alongside other chicago artists like District 97, Information Superhighway, Hood Smoke, Marbin, and the Leslie Hunt Band. Treehouse recently released their first record, "whatever they're paying you... i'll double it" in November 2011.