The Singer and The Song features three full sets of music for dancing, drinking and listening, with the exciting bonus of a new song from each band, written from a word prompt given in advance.

The artists also pay tribute to Chicago’s music roots by covering a song by another local artist, present or past.

At its heart, this series is a showcase for the incredible songwriting talent of the Chicago music scene, with an emphasis on Country, but including the broadest definitions of Americana.

The monthly event is often hosted by the show’s curators; Brandon Good, Lawrence Peters, and Matt Gandurski, each a key player in Chicago’s music community.

White Lucy

https://whitelucy.net/

https://www.instagram.com/whitelucymusic/

White Lucy — the Chicago-based duo of Chase Carson and Micah Boyce — first met in the early 2000s while playing in post-hardcore bands. They formed White Lucy in 2016 and released their debut album Can’t Feel Right in 2019. After a pandemic hiatus, the pair began writing their follow-up in 2022, recording throughout 2023.

That follow-up, The Paradise, arrived August 15, independently released with vinyl available via Shuga Records. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered, and executive produced by Brok Mende of Friends of Friends Recording (Luke Titus, Sen Morimoto, NNAMDÏ, Madison McFerrin, KAINA), with additional recording from Michael Franz Novak of Chicago Electric Piano Co. and Dark Canyon. A wide range of keys, synthesizers, and vintage organs from the Piano Co. were used to craft the record’s lush, layered soundscapes.

The Paradise features contributions from some of Chicago’s most celebrated and emerging artists. Semiratruth delivers a haunting verse on the title track, Sen Morimoto’s saxophone soars in a three-minute jazz-inspired breakdown, and TALK TALK TOUCH (formerly Jordanna) adds a smooth, soulful turn on the single “Love On Ya.” Chicago heavyweights Wyatt Waddell and Khaliyah X lend their powerful voices to the album’s rich background harmonies.

Opening track “Red Bird” sets the tone with a jolt. It’s raw, gritty, and maybe not what listeners expect from a White Lucy album—but it’s the perfect gateway into a record that thrives on keeping its audience on their toes.

Conceptually, The Paradise opens in familiar territory—songs about love, friendship, anxiety, ambition, and the quiet ache of wanting more. At first, it plays like a reflection of the everyday, steeped in the kinds of questions we all ask but rarely answer. And then, midway through, everything shifts. A voicemail breaks the narrative, and suddenly, the record steps into deeper water.

From that point on, every earlier theme is reexamined under the weight of mortality. What does love mean in the face of loss? What does purpose look like when time is running out? The album doesn’t offer answers so much as it wrestles with the absurdity of asking.

Still, in the end, The Paradise arrives somewhere tender—suggesting that maybe the mundane isn’t meaningless after all. Maybe it’s everything.

A.M. Slingers

https://amslingers.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/am_slingers/

Two electric guitars twine, rhythms kick, amps on overdrive, and the resigned hope that the formative elements of power, pop, and a high leg kick can make waking up tomorrow sound like a decent prospect. Slashing treble bites hard on bone, and the choruses of power pop and grit-infused rock make-up this quartet from Chicago. Vinyl release available now

Naomi Ashley

https://www.naomiashley.com/

https://www.instagram.com/naomilikesyou/

With her cream and Kahlua voice, Chicago singer-songwriter Naomi Ashley captivates audiences, breathing vibrant life into her diverse range of songs. Navigating seamlessly through Americana, classic country, folk, blues, and rock, Ashley's lyrically layered compositions charm with humor and a poignant understanding of the human experience.

Ashley’s prolific career boasts six albums and three singles, showcasing her versatility. The title track of her record "Trying to Fly" was featured on the Showtime Series "Work in Progress." A four-time grant recipient, she has received prestigious awards from the City of Chicago and the Illinois Arts Council for her albums “Another Year or So,” “Trying to Fly” and various other projects. Her latest endeavor, the album "Love Bug" (Feb 2024), is proudly sponsored by a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

Hailing from Northwest Iowa, Ashley's journey as a songwriter began early, but it wasn’t until she walked into an open mic at the famed Illinois music venue FitzGerald’s that she started to hone her craft. Chicago is a city of unique voices and Ashley effortlessly fell into the footsteps of the city’s greats, developing her own distinct style of songwriting and performance that deeply connects with her audience. Now with over two decades entrenched in the city's music scene, she has become a popular and sought-after performer.

Ashley's collaborative spirit extends to the literary and artistic communities of Chicago. She has collaborated with prominent figures such as writer/spoken word performer David Kodeski, poetry slam founder Marc Smith, and visual artist Zsofia Otvos. Ashley keeps busy as a member of countless musical projects. She fronts two bands of original music (Naomi Ashley Band and Naomi’s Other Band) as well as the popular Pretenders tribute band Real Pretenders. She is 1/3 of folk trio Rainy Day Women and backing vocalist for the Bob Dylan tribute The Zimmermen.

The breadth of Ashley's songwriting prowess is unparalleled, crossing genres with ease. From the drifting poetry of folk in "Niagara Falls" to the gypsy jazz influenced single “God Bless the Naïve,” to the wry burlesque charm of "Love Bug," and the George and Tammy-esque duet "Keep My Secrets," her body of work is a testament to her ability to traverse musical landscapes with authenticity and masterful delivery.

As a performer, Ashley's journey has taken her to renowned Chicagoland stages (FitzGerald’s, S.P.A.C.E, The Hideout, Hey Nonny, Green Mill, Acorn Theater, Navy Pier) and festivals (FitzGerald’s American Music Festival, Bucktown Arts Fest, Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, Sundays on State), where she has shared her music with diverse audiences. Her captivating stage presence and the soulful resonance of her voice have left an indelible mark on those who have had the privilege of experiencing her live performances.

Her latest musical collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Jon Williams, upright bass player Josh Piet and drummer Jason Batchko (Naomi’s Other Band) is her best yet. Ashley’s newest album “Love Bug” will be released on Valentine’s Day, 2024.