LimeWire Music Blog

Chicago’s music scene is filled with aspiring rock bands, but the harsh reality is that most of them will probably toil in obscurity forever. To make it in the Windy City, a band must find a way to stand out from the competition. Traits like ingenuity, an arduous work ethnic, confidence, and luck are needed to propel the trajectory forward, and it looks like local rock-pop outfit Republic of Lights has everything it needs to get to the next level. The quintet is comprised of seasoned Chicago musicians who’ve been honing their skills for years. Frontman Alan Snider exudes the presence of a true rock star when the band performs live. He shouts lyrics at the top of his lungs and rails on his guitar while wiping away the sweat. The band’s highly energetic and charismatic live shows captivate audiences, even in unfavorable venues. A few weeks ago, the band played a gig at local dive bar Ronny’s Garage (it’s the kind of dive with that unmistakable scent of urine scent). Undaunted, Republic of Lights made the best of a lack of stage, the unbearable heat, and a wall littered with Happy Birthday decorations and put on an electrifying show. Practicing together once a week in a rehearsal space has helped them acquire a tight, well-executed set. The band upgraded shortly after to a better venue, opening higher profile performer Har Mar Superstar at Bottom Lounge.

The lyrical stylings of Bob Dylan and Britt Daniel are embedded on the group’s debut EP, Evening All Afternoon (the title takes its name from a Wallace Stevens story).  “Got You Surrounded” is so good it could easily be mistaken for a Spoon song. The band describes itself as “mixing classic and contemporary sounds to make meticulously constructed songs that are at once fresh and familiar,” and that’s exactly what they’ve achieved. “I used to try and be literary, progressive, and political with my lyrics, but they were bad,” says Alan Snider. “Now I try to be simple and honest and I think it works better. When I’m not trying to impress anyone, I sometimes write better than I should be able.”  Snider and the band don’t want to be Coldplay big, but they’d ultimately like to make a collection of music that captures a feeling. They realize Chicago’s scene can be difficult to navigate, but they’re inevitably hooked on that feeling — and so are we.

Republic of Lights will release their debut album in August. Check their website for more info.

image by Raphael Gendron-Martin

Upcoming summer gigs in Chicago:

June 21 @ Beat Kitchen with Mothfight!
June 25 @ 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Art Fest in Lincoln Square
July 30 @ Beat Kitchen with the Grown Up Noise

38-and-First-Street

Got You Surrounded