Closed Sessions Photographers Past + Present Share Their Favorite CS Photos
On September 29th, Closed Sessions hosted an intimate photo gallery chronicling the indie label's movement from 2012-2017. The private gallery was hosted at Soho House Chicago, and served as a soft launch before the exhibition makes its way to a public space in the coming months. Here, we highlight the 4 photographers at the center of the exhibit, Jack Olevitch, Cooper Fox, Jameel Bridgewater, and Andrew Zeiter.
Jack Olevitch:
Years Active with CS: 2015-present
First photo you took for Closed Sessions: Yes, it was an Alex Wiley single artwork called “Feast”. We went to Fatso’s last stand and got some fries and spelled out feast with them, then I wrote his name in ketchup and we took a photo. Wasn’t a good photo but it was the first for sure.
Most memorable CS photo or art: Spicy Caliente was my most memorable because I was told to “make the viewers eyes explode” or something along those lines. I gave myself no boundaries and allowed myself to really create whatever was going to burn your eyes.
What do you want people to know about you after seeing this exhibit?: I am actually more of an illustrator/artists than a graphic designer. I have my own personal art that I hope one day everyone can see and enjoy, but I am really happy to be working with CS and I am glad people get to come see this sect of work that I am equally proud of.
Cooper Fox:
Years Active with CS: 2016-present
First photo you took for Closed Sessions: The first photos I took for Closed Sessions was at Jamila Wood's sold out album release show at Double Door. I remember Nico Segal came out and I got a great shot of the both of them.
Most memorable CS photo or Art: To this day my favorite photo is still the one I did for Kwe and oC before they left for their Euro tour. It's the shot where Kweku is jumping over oC on his skateboard and from the angle I was at and lens I was using, it makes it look like he's super high in the air. We all went into that shoot knowing we wanted an epic shot and that's exactly what we did.
What do you want people to know about you after seeing this exhibit?: Closed Sessions gave me the platform and opportunities to do what I love and trusted me with ideas I wanted to execute. They've allowed me to use my camera as my ticket to travel around the country and for that I am always grateful. I have made life long friends at Closed Sessions, and because of that I've been able to make my best and most honest work to date.
Jameel Bridgewater
Chicago Represented Well in Action Bronson's Best-Seller, F*ck That's Delicious
Rapper, TV personality, Chef, Ultimate Dab-Smoker, and now, best-selling author. Action Bronson just stays out here shining. Bronson's new book, F*ck That's Delicious: An Annotated Guide To Eating Well is flying off the shelves these days. And with every copy, somebody new gets to hipped to the Chicago gem that is Margie's Candies which is featured prominently on page 60. True story, Mike and I took Bronson and his crew to Margie's way back in like 2012 and since that virgin voyage, the spot has been a staple of anytime we kick it with Bam Bam in the windy.
Beyond Margie's, Bronson also gives props to the Chicago Dog, twice. First he laments about the closing of Hot Doug's, retelling the story of how he and Mayhem Lauren ate 15 different dogs overlooking Lake Michigan. But, it is about 100 pages later when Bronson bestows the ultimate title and confirms what every Chicagoan knows: the Chicago dog is simply the best way to eat encased beef. He writes,
"But I'm telling you the Chicago dog is my favorite dog of all the hot dogs. I love sport peppers. I love that they put a pickle on it. I love the chopped onions, the relish, the poppy seed, a half a tomato. They griddle the shit out of them. I don't know the origin. I don't know why, I don't know what the fuck, but I know that shit is tremendous. It blows New York hot dogs out of the water for me."
And there ain't no ketchup on that $hit!
One last interesting note: if you pause the episode of "F*ck That's Delicious" where he visits the Weiner Circle at just the right moment, you will see me ever so slightly in the background. I'm very blurry, but as Bronson would say, It's ME!.
Cop F*ck That's Delicious now.
Knox Fortune Goes For Dolo On New LP, Paradise
Last week I wrote briefly about Knox Fortune's single "24 Hours", a jam that I really enjoyed and harkened back to late 90's indie alternative type shit (the good kind). Today, Knox has released his full LP, Paradise, and you can stream it below via Apple Music. I haven't had a chance to really dig in yet, but I plan on setting aside some time to properly give this one some attention.
And if you want to know about Knox, I highly recommend this piece written by Britt Julious for Noisey. Knox won a Grammy for his work with Chance The Rapper, and has help guide projects from Joey Purp and KAMI. It's kind of a like a secret weapon isn't such a secret anymore.
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No Frills - Stream ANXT's Watching Paint Dry LP
"Remind them/ you either marry wealth or Mary Poppins."
ANXT is an emcee from the Chicago suburbs. Little is known about him and most of what you find online uses imagery over photos of the aspiring wordsmith. There's nothing spectacular persay about his latest offering, Watching Paint Dry, in fact, that's kind of the idea. He told me via email, "Watching Paint Dry is me saying 'this might be boring to you if you're used to hyper hip-hop/trap songs.' It's slow paced and heavy on narrative. I like risks."
The project is released as one long mp3 on Soundcloud, further sticking to that theme. It's not for everyone, but I dig shit like this and I'm becoming a fan of ANXT. Since this released, he also dropped another new song entitled "Coming To America", which is some poignant social commentary, similar to what is found in WPD.
If you're a fan of low-fi raps, and Earl Sweatshirt, KA type of stuff, give ANXT a listen.
The Cool Kids Return with Special Edition Grand Master Deluxe, Celebrate That $hit!
There is so much to say about The Cool Kids, man. Without Chuck and Mikey, I really can't say what the Chicago Hip Hop scene (or much of what's been dubbed "Internet Rap") would look like. They came through and blew the roof off our city's music scene, crushing segregated rap parties and the idea that everyone simply exists to hate on each other. They ushered in a new sound, which was a lot like an old sound, and paired it up with authentically vintage clothing as well. PLUS, they showed that you can do your thing independently, using your friends and the internet to make waves.
Much like Curt Flood, who fought hard for free agency, but never got to yield that Alex Rodridguez type of contract, The Cool Kids really never got their proper due. That's what happens all too often to the pioneers and trailblazers.
With Special Edition Grand Master Deluxe though, The Cool Kids have a chance to properly execute their sound, and fans/artists/and everyone else has a chance to proper celebrate this iconic duo.
The Kids are back! Stream the new album below and fucking rejoice! And if you feel like it, revisit our 2011 interview, just after the release of When Fish Ride Bicycles.
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Knox Fortune: "24 Hours"
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Knox Fortune is preparing to release his debut LP, Paradise, on September 22nd. Ahead of that drop, he has blessed the world with the new jam, "24 Hours". This record feels like it would fit right in with the late 90's alternative scene. Not to say that it sounds dated by any means, in fact, this pretty fucking fresh. And certainly a compliment to what Knox has done within the hip hop scene, working with artists like Joey Purp, Chance The Rapper, and KAMI.
Stream the record above, and look for the full alum 9/22.
Joseph Chilliams wins with Henry Church
Pivot Gang's Joseph Chilliams released his debut mixtape, Henry Church, about a week ago and then celebrated with a sold out show at Schubas. The project, which consists of 13 songs and features homies such as MfnMelo, Saba, NoName, and others, is cohesive project chock full of pop-culture references, regular-guy observations, and a fun energy throughout. That's not to say that Henry Church is devoid of seriousness or melancholy. Many of Joseph's observations are told with an air of concern and a subdued tone, especially when remembering John Walt, who was tragically killed last spring. From the cover art, to the videos, to the music, it is clear that Chilliams is serious in not taking himself too seriously. And he's winning. Enjoy the project via Soundcloud below.
[Review] Chicago Open Air 2017 descends on Toyota Park
With a lineup that included Kiss, Rob Zombie, Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn and the mythical group Anthrax, this year’s Chicago Open Air brought together the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. On its first edition, which was celebrated last year, it was the only 2016 event that hosted a live show of Rammstein in the US, and following a triumphant first round, it was ready for a second chance. Taking place in Toyota Park, and offering gourmet food as well as craft beer, the festival’s second edition started on Friday 14 July and ended on Sunday 16 July, leaving the audience satisfied.
Once of the most celebrated concerts of the event was that of Anthrax, which took place on Friday and was welcomed by the crowd with great excitement. Formed in 1981 in New York by bassist Dan Lilker and guitarist Scott Ian, Anthrax was at the heart of the thrash scene during the 80s and included as one of the Big Four along with Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica (the first two also played at Open Air this year). Having sold close to 10 million records since the 90s, the band released a live album in 2017. Defined by Rolling Stone magazine as one the few bands that reshaped heavy metal in the 80s, the audience was eager to see Anthrax on stage one more time as it delivered an impeccable show. After saying "Thank you for having us back!", Scott Ian started playing one of their most famous tunes, "Caught in a Mosh." Born in 1963, this famous rhythm guitarist is the only founding member of Anthrax who has stayed in the band to this day and is also in charge of all the album lyrics. He has been involved in several other projects following his success with the metal group, including hosting a TV show, writing special issues for DC comics and even taking part in WSOP events, showing that one can succeed in more than one passion and be good at it. And so, living up to the expectations, multifaceted Scott Ian and Joey Belladonna delivered a great 45-minute concert.
Less than hour later, Megadeth took the stage, although perhaps their overall performance was not as memorable as that of Anthrax. In any case, fans of one of the Big Four seemed satisfied listening to tunes like "Sweating Bullets" or the classic "Hangar 18". The day closed with Rob Zombie and KISS, the latter being as fun as it always is. Included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, KISS is as emblematic as a band can be, and its members have often appeared in films — most recently in the blockbuster American comedy Why Him? — and been featured in other aspects of popular culture.
Photographer: Brett Bergen
Godsmack’s Sully Erna, Robbie Merrill, Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin played before a massive audience (perhaps the largest one of the festival at that point), and Korn closed the night on Saturday, making its second appearance at this festival, although now as the central band on the main stage. They delivered an energetic and fresh concert, paying tribute to nu metal, yet daring to introduce other rhythms. Slayer and Ozzy Osbourne — who has also been involved in other enterprises like the famous MTV reality show The Osbournes — played their parts on Sunday, at the end of the successful, and in many ways nostalgic, weekend of Open Air Chicago. We should expect to see a third edition of this festival next year, now that it has secured itself a place among the main events taking place in Chicago during the summer.