#vanshouseparties

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | CONVERGE

Formed in 1990 by vocalist Jacob Bannon and guitarist Kurt BallouinMassachusetts, Converge has become one of the most iconic hardcore bands to date.  Last night the House of Vans Chicago felt their dominant energy and intensity.

Coverage has celebrated almost 30 years as a band, but it was their 2001 breakthrough album, Jane Doe that put Converge on the map. The experimental album solidified their influence on the genre and ability to create a dynamic album. Jane Doe garnered a cult following, and in 2017 a live version of the album was released.

Recently, Converge released In The Dusk With Us. The LP earned rave reviews from outlets like Pitchfork saying, “The ninth album from the metalcore architects is sharp and urgent. The band’s songwriting shines as they turn their back on interpersonal torment to face something bigger and more existential.” The album also found a place on several 2017 end-of-year lists including Rolling Stones 20 Best Metal Albums of 2017.

You can stream In The Dusk With Us here.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | DJUNAH

Djunah kicked off last night’s House of Vans Chicago set curated by legendary rock band Converge. Djunah, self-described as “noise rock with a leg for a bassist,” is made up of guitarist/vocalist Donna Diane and drummer Nick Smalkowski. The duo has just gotten their aggressive and heavy riffs off the ground with the release of two singles “Built” and “Brother." 

The noise rock duo has teased a new album coming soon produced by Kurt Ballou. Keep up with them here on Facebook for the latest.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | CLOUD NOTHINGS

Last night Cloud Nothings took to the stage for the House of Vans Chicago as part of Converge’s curated show. In 2009 Cloud Nothing was initially intended as a solo project by vocalist Dylan Baldi but later evolved into a full band. To date, Cloud Nothings has six studio albums under their belts, but their most recent record marks a return to Baldi’s heartfelt commentary on the world around him. 

Recorded in just over a week, Last Burning Building embraces indie rock elements and disorderly hardcore roots. The album was embraced for its powerful lyrics, especially the track “Leave Him Now.” Pitchfork applauded the song in a review saying, “Cloud Nothings at their best: direct, visceral, vulnerable. It hits in the gut and rings in the head, striking that golden ratio of ferocity and tunefulness that this band does best." 

This year they completed a world tour and are back on the road this fall. Grab tickets here.

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | THE RAPTURE

Last night House of Vans Chicago welcomed American indie rock icons, The Rapture. Exploring a variety of genres over the years, The Rapture are known for keeping fans guessing with punk rock, electronic and dance influences. 

The Rapture formed in 1998 in when drummer Vito Roccoforte and guitarist/vocalist Luke Jenner started playing music together. The guys toured relentlessly building a name for themselves and becoming more immersed in the indie post-punk scene. After Matt Safer joined the band, the guys released their first EP, Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks via Sub Pop records in 2001. Their first studio album, Echoes debuted in 2003, and went on to make two more full-length albums, followed by a hiatus from 2014 to 2019.

In February of 2019, Jenner announced The Rapture would begin playing shows again and hinted that new music isn’t off the table. He told indie music outlet Consequence of Sound, “I would like to do this indefinitely and make new music. I think we’re all cautiously optimistic.”

The Rapture is on tour this summer across the US, details here. 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | SEEDY FILMS

The House of Vans Chicago welcomed Seedy Films to the stage as part of Vans House Parties curated by The Rapture. Luke Jenner, the frontman for The Raptures, formed Seedy Films with artists under the names Laurie Lipps (Laurie Arbellot), Giggles (Lisa Sdrigotti), Barbie Bardot (Barbie Bertisch), and Lou Shadow (Luke Jenner). The project has a dynamic, loose, and liberating tone; leaving listeners feeling exhilarated. 

When asked about the project, Jenner explained it was a way to approach music from a mentor role. He told online blog Self-Titled, “So I had these three people I was already friends with who had really great taste, and I asked them if they wanted to play music. So I started teaching them, and we put together this band. Writing songs is the easy part for me, so I taught them how to write songs and I play drums in the band because… why not? I’ve already done everything else. So that’s really fun.”

Stay up to date with Seedy Films on Facebook here. 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | TANDEM JUMPS

The duo has been featured on The Lot Radio hosting the Manono Records show several times sharing music they love. Things are just getting started for Tandem Jump so keep an eye on what they have coming up here.

Last night duo Tandem Jumps kicked off the House of Vans Chicago lineup as part of Vans House Parties curated by The Rapture. Self-described on Twitter as “nice friends!” Tandem Jumps is The Rapture’s Luke Jenner and Tara. Luke shared his thoughts on the new project on Instagram writing, “Tara writes amazing songs, we like hanging out." 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski