The Transistor Sessions
Video
Last fall I was hanging posters for my CD release show and walked into Transistor, the “equal parts art gallery, bookstore, CD & record shop, specialty audio electronics boutique, and more, broken into two halves: sound + vision” epicenter of Chicago. The walls were covered with photographs, clocks made from vinyl records, concert posters, and one-of-a-kind lamps. There were records, books, and vintage electronics filling every corner of the space. Andy, half of the enchanting married couple that owns the store, greeted me and mentioned that they do live shows. I told him I was most definitely interested. I bought a book about Patti Smith’s first album and as I walked the half block to my apartment I felt like I was one of the few people holding the greatest indie-hipster secret of all time.
I have since played several shows at Transistor, recorded two podcasts, and played on one of their live Sunday Session radio broadcasts. They have helped me promote shows, put on Chicago Acoustic Underground showcases, and even fund raise for my roommate’s sick cat. It has become clear to me that Andy and Rani (the other half) do much, much more than run a store. They are creating a community built around art, music, film, and learning that supports the artistic and creative life. Individually, as business owners, artists, and people, Andy and Rani are warm, super intelligent, creative and giving. I can still remember hanging out in the store, my shoes kicked off, long after close while they listened to me wail about the music industry and told me to just be myself.
A few months ago I got together with cellist Ira Ochs and violinist Sarah Wong to work on a video series after seeing the work of videographer Zack Whittington. I first learned about Zack through his work with dear friends and Chicago duo, Duck and Goose. In the true spirit of an artistic community, Rani and Andy opened their shop to us on one rainy Sunday in March and let us have at it. We filmed three songs; Red16, Let Go the Lightening, and The Women in this Family with little more than two microphones and a hand held camera.
I love the videos because there is so much to see in that shop. I love that you can hear the rain and the cars driving through it on Clark street. I love that those videos will forever remind me of my favorite apartment in my favorite neighborhood in the city.
Check out the Transistor Sessions on YouTube and then head over to Transistor - 5045 N. Clark St. Chicago . The shop itself stands on it’s own and if you are anything like me, you will be hard pressed not to find something you HAVE to have. But in addition, you can check out their Tuesday night film series and their live Friday night shows. You can listen all week long to the official Transistor radio show. You can take painting, drawing, lamp building, Adobe Workshop, Photoshop, and graphic design workshops. Everything is BYOB and all ages. Thank you, thank you to Transistor for all you do!!
More Videos of Jane
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My Chicago Living Room
My Chicago Living Room is really just my excuse to hang out and play music with my favorite musicians in Chicago. I am a transplant to this city and I am constantly amazed by how many brilliant musicians live and play out here. I have asked my favorite artists to make guest appearances on videos. Unfortunately, all you get to see are the few minutes we put the camera up (when we are on our best behavior). The musical community of Chicago has been one of the highlights of my music career. I am happy to share it with you here.
Video # 1
The first edition of My Chicago Living Room features dear friend and musician Sarah Scanlon on the Hammered Dulcimer. Sarah is one of the leading singer-songwriters in the folk-rock-pop band Left Turn at Albuquerquen along with Jeff Churchwell and Joe Nemec. Left Turn is putting out their first album with CAUdog records this month!! Their CD release show is Sunday, June 26 @ 7:00pm at the Bottom Lounge - 1375 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL.
(In addition to playing the Hammered Dulcimer Sarah plays the piano, sings, acts, does aerial work, is a personal trainer, song writes, and lives in a general state of awesomeness)
Thatcher
Jane
Video # 2
The second edition of MyChicagoLivingRoom features one of my favorite duos in Chicago, Duck and Goose. As musicians, and as friends, Emily Claire Palmer and Charles Murphy are near and dear to my heart. My very first show in Chicago was a songwriters showcase with Emily. We have since grown up together in Chicago's community of musicians and shared the triumphs and tribulations of a life in music. Nearly a year ago she combined forces with Charles and they took the city (and the entire South) by storm!! I recently played at their charming, unplugged EP release show at the Hopleaf in Chicago. Check out their very, very cool video collection here and follow them on Facebook so you can pick up a copy of their live EP when it's available online.
Video # 3
The inneffable Matt Campbell joined me for the third edition of MyChicagoLivingRoom. Matt is unlike any man I have ever met. Passionate, talented, civically engaged; he is a true artist. He writes, directs, acts, sings and spends far more time than you and I thinking about the future of our generation and it's musicians. We were fast friends and have been playing music and shows together since we both landed in Chicago. I had the pleasure of debuting his beautiful song 'Miles Apart' on a snowy winter night at the Uncommon Ground. Learn more about his production company The Chicago Talking Machine here. If you are in Chicago, be sure to catch his CD release show on July 31st at the Uncommon Ground on Clark. If you miss it, get his album off his website, I promise it will be worth it!! "The new America knows no Fear"