Fri, Feb 15 - 8:30pm - $8

 This just in... Leslie Hunt will not be performing tonight due to illness.  DjRC will be spinning in her place.

The Steak House Mints are Chicago's most refreshing orch-pop ensemble. The Mints are comprised of former and current members of Filter, Back Yard Tire Fire, Cabaret Diosa, Kick the Cat, & Maggie Speaks."Their sound is an intricate and beautiful style of orchestral pop influenced by the Zombies, Nick Drake and "Pet Sounds"-era Beach Boys as well as more global avatars such as Os Mutantes and Astrud Gilberto." -Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun TimesThe Mints are proud to have been selected by Chicago Metro Mix as one of Chicago's top ten unsigned bands in The 2009 Rock n Vote!

 Orchestral indie rockers Paper Thick Walls began on a green carpet with an acoustic guitar, piano, and a few stories crafted into melodies. The songwriting talents of Eric Michaels and Kate Schell create a truly genre defying sound that "is a sweet miss-mash of influences from Wilco to Sufjan Stevens," with "a bit of Cursive's dramatics and a dash of the boldness found in bands such as Broken Social Scene and Arcade Fire." (Loud Loop Press). The past two years have combined the talents of band members Jacques Rene, Roger Sherman, and Andrew Sabo to add lush orchestral instrumentation behind the profound lyrical imagery.Following the successful press reception of Paper Thick Walls freshman album, "A Thousand Novels", the band spent the year touring over 50 cities in the US and Canada to move more than a thousand records with their own hands, playing with touring bands such as The Lumineers, Company of Thieves, Drive by Truckers, Joe Pug, and Smoking Popes.With such an infectious live show, it's not hard to see why Paper Thick Walls have been named one of the top five emerging artists from Chicago by The Deli Chicago and Chicago Magazine. The band’s 2011 debut record "A Thousand Novels" claimed numerous “Best of 2011” lists and over 150 positive reviews. The band played key music festivals including NXNE, CMJ, Mid-Point Music Festival, and Summer Fest.This year, the band is set to release a new EP that will showcase five new songs that further utilize the many instruments in the five piece group to further explore what TimeOut Chicago calls their, "anthemic folk rock" sound.In addition to the rigorous touring schedule of 2012, lead members Eric Michaels and Kate Schell performed the principal roles in a full-length feature film premiering in 2013 entitled, "We Grew Up Here." The film, directed by Kevin Pickman and produced by 15 in the Dark Films, will also feature a soundtrack composed and performed by Eric and Kate.

 Garnering comparisons to Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, Carole King, and Cole Porter, Chicago band DIANA & THE DISHES presents a unique, high-energy recipe of pop, soul, wit, tight musicianship and contagious fun. Since forming in 2008 around singer/songwriter/pianist, Diana Lawrence, the band has taken their city by storm, playing reputable rock venues such as the Schubas, Martyrs, Double Door and Subterranean, while also becoming favorites at listening rooms and creative events, including The Paper Machete and the Uptown Poetry Slam at The Green Mill. Throughout 2015 and 2016, the Diana & the Dishes played a monthly residency at the High Hat Club, a boutique music and comedy club on Chicago’s north side. The band’s debut release, “Take A Picture,” was listed in Music Connection Magazine’s Hot 100 for 2011, and a new album is currently in production. For each member of Diana & the Dishes, the band is a part of a full and varied life of professional music-making. Drummer Bob Parlier spent many years touring with the band, Strange Arrangement, and now gigs regularly in Chicago. Bassist Dan Thatcher runs the Ears and Eyes jazz series, while also gigging regularly around town. Guitarist Dave Saenger runs his own guitar studio and plays for countless professional musical theatre productions, and cellist David Keller is active in the contemporary classical music scene while also running the bands Origin of Animal and A Light Sleeper. When not writing music for the Dishes, Diana is writing music for Chicago theatre, including Steppenwolf Theatre and The Second City, while also gigging as a singer, pianist, and music director. When their powers combine, Diana & the Dishes has an uncanny ability to create a come-as-you-are, family-affair vibe for their audiences, all while delivering stunning musicianship, boundless energy and disarming honesty. Whether they're playing plugged-in and rock-your-socks-off or acoustic and intimate, you’re always guaranteed a night of smart, soulful pop that at once get you dancing and pierce your heart.  

Chicago-based DJRC plays funk, soul, hip hop, disco, and jazz. Dance music for the listener.Kicking off 2012 by performing back-to-back New Years Eve shows with JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, he has since performed with Poi Dog Pondering, The Right Now, Céu and Curumin, the MCA/Beastie Boys Tribute, and is booked to play this year’s North Coast Music Festival at the Groupon Silent Disco Tent (8/31).In 2004, DJRC started The Funk & Soul Revue—a weekly dance party at AliveOne in Chicago. And although he’s since moved on to new endeavors, the weekly night continues to this day. He has openedfor such legendary acts as Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears,Trombone Shorty, Nikka Costa, Rebirth Brass Band, Aloe Blacc,Alice Russell, and Clyde Stubblefield.In 2011, he performed at Wicker Park Fest, a North Coast Music Fest after-party with The New Mastersounds, and Taste of Lincoln Ave. Supporting Chicago’s own music scene, DJRC shares bills with amultitude of bands at venues throughout the city, includingLincoln Hall, Schuba’s, Double Door, Martyrs, and Empty Bottle.