New Heart for Xmas is an eight year running (with one break last year) multi-day event Kill Hannah throws every year.
Day 1: JBTV Studio filming/“Storytellers” event(VIP only)-- The Songs That Saved My Life
5/6
This was my first experience in a recording studio and I spent a lot of time staring at the walls, which were covered in rows of signed, platinum and rare albums. It was an audiophile’s dream. We filed into the small soundstage that was built for Kill Hannah a few years ago. JBTV and Kill Hannah have had a mutually helpful relationship for nearly a decade giving each other their well-deserved places in Chicago history.
Being this close to one of my favorite artists was a once in lifetime moment. It was breathtaking. Hearing their stories was wonderful, I’ve always loved listening to artists talk about their work. I learned a lot about Kill Hannah’s roots and how lyricists/vocalist Mat Devine was inspired to write some of my favorite Kill Hannah songs. There were also a few lovely moments between the members of the band, which is always a pleasure to see.
I am very proud of them and am thrilled to have been a part of the event.
The performance itself was really wonderful and it was interesting watching the band interact with the studio crew. It really felt like we were a part of something bigger.
Day 2:The Show--Welcome To Chicago.
Venue: Bottom Lounge (4/6)
I’ve been to the bottom lounge twice now and I got lost both times because there are two Ashland L stops on the green line. One is on the south side. One is a hop skip and a jump from downtown. Guess where I wound up?
I almost died before I even got to the show.
That being said it is just across the street from the L, very convenient if you don’t get lost. It’s a cozy, not cramped venue with a bar attached and surprisingly decent sound equipment. I found there was minimal distortion and the balance was nice.
And the view was great.
The Bottom Lounge is unique in that it still felt like a concert despite having an under 500 person capacity. Very cozy, yet still a good party.
The Crowd: (3/6) I am continually disappointed in the Kill Hannah crowds. Kill Hannah has an intensely loyal, hardworking street team and fan base, why they can’t give their all at a show is beyond me.
The Show:(4/6)
(Regrettably due to aforementioned getting lost I didn’t make the openers. I will review their albums at a later date)
The most striking thing about last evening was the amount of gratitude the band expressed. Due to singer Mat Devine being on Broadway New Heart for Xmas didn’t happen last year, and there was a lot of talk about how little the band was doing because of the show. There were even questions as to weather or not New Heart would happen this year. The relief in the air was palpable. Especially from bassist, Greg Corner and have course Divine. I don’t know how many times I heard “thank you” from their lips. It felt like magic.
Having met Divine multiple times now and kept up with his blog/advice column it’s hard for me not to adore his work. He wears his heart on his sleeve and even after over ten years in the industry, he has yet to lose his fearless edge. I’ve seen many artists start out fierce and defiant only to wear out after a few albums. While Kill Hannah has gotten a little less raw, Devine has yet to lose his rebellious sense of self.
Devine has an introversion about him. It is as though after all these years he’s still a bit confused by this whole stardom thing. At the end of the day he’s just Mat. This introversion can be a little detrimental on stage, as he doesn’t have the powerhouse energy some do. However, what he lacks in energy he makes up for in emotional output.
While Devine is certainly Kill Hannah's heart, the band is a family. Bassist Greg Corner has an incredible energy about him and a wonderful charm with the fans. He is the most social of the band (also being a DJ for Dark Wave Disco).
Just seeing drummer Elias Millan on stage with them again was wonderful. He was absent from two of the last shows.
I could honestly gush about each member for pages each. They are a very genuine, wonderful band that I will keep coming back to as long as they come to Chicago.
Day 1: JBTV Studio filming/“Storytellers” event(VIP only)-- The Songs That Saved My Life
5/6
This was my first experience in a recording studio and I spent a lot of time staring at the walls, which were covered in rows of signed, platinum and rare albums. It was an audiophile’s dream. We filed into the small soundstage that was built for Kill Hannah a few years ago. JBTV and Kill Hannah have had a mutually helpful relationship for nearly a decade giving each other their well-deserved places in Chicago history.
Being this close to one of my favorite artists was a once in lifetime moment. It was breathtaking. Hearing their stories was wonderful, I’ve always loved listening to artists talk about their work. I learned a lot about Kill Hannah’s roots and how lyricists/vocalist Mat Devine was inspired to write some of my favorite Kill Hannah songs. There were also a few lovely moments between the members of the band, which is always a pleasure to see.
I am very proud of them and am thrilled to have been a part of the event.
The performance itself was really wonderful and it was interesting watching the band interact with the studio crew. It really felt like we were a part of something bigger.
Day 2:The Show--Welcome To Chicago.
Venue: Bottom Lounge (4/6)
I’ve been to the bottom lounge twice now and I got lost both times because there are two Ashland L stops on the green line. One is on the south side. One is a hop skip and a jump from downtown. Guess where I wound up?
I almost died before I even got to the show.
That being said it is just across the street from the L, very convenient if you don’t get lost. It’s a cozy, not cramped venue with a bar attached and surprisingly decent sound equipment. I found there was minimal distortion and the balance was nice.
And the view was great.
The Bottom Lounge is unique in that it still felt like a concert despite having an under 500 person capacity. Very cozy, yet still a good party.
The Crowd: (3/6) I am continually disappointed in the Kill Hannah crowds. Kill Hannah has an intensely loyal, hardworking street team and fan base, why they can’t give their all at a show is beyond me.
The Show:(4/6)
(Regrettably due to aforementioned getting lost I didn’t make the openers. I will review their albums at a later date)
The most striking thing about last evening was the amount of gratitude the band expressed. Due to singer Mat Devine being on Broadway New Heart for Xmas didn’t happen last year, and there was a lot of talk about how little the band was doing because of the show. There were even questions as to weather or not New Heart would happen this year. The relief in the air was palpable. Especially from bassist, Greg Corner and have course Divine. I don’t know how many times I heard “thank you” from their lips. It felt like magic.
Having met Divine multiple times now and kept up with his blog/advice column it’s hard for me not to adore his work. He wears his heart on his sleeve and even after over ten years in the industry, he has yet to lose his fearless edge. I’ve seen many artists start out fierce and defiant only to wear out after a few albums. While Kill Hannah has gotten a little less raw, Devine has yet to lose his rebellious sense of self.
Devine has an introversion about him. It is as though after all these years he’s still a bit confused by this whole stardom thing. At the end of the day he’s just Mat. This introversion can be a little detrimental on stage, as he doesn’t have the powerhouse energy some do. However, what he lacks in energy he makes up for in emotional output.
While Devine is certainly Kill Hannah's heart, the band is a family. Bassist Greg Corner has an incredible energy about him and a wonderful charm with the fans. He is the most social of the band (also being a DJ for Dark Wave Disco).
Just seeing drummer Elias Millan on stage with them again was wonderful. He was absent from two of the last shows.
I could honestly gush about each member for pages each. They are a very genuine, wonderful band that I will keep coming back to as long as they come to Chicago.
