"Do what you love, and share it with the world" — Independent Music & Festival Journal Since 2013
Electronic
If you are headed to Serenity Gathering you really need to check out our contributor Sarah Hoffman’s curated SoundCloud playlist, featuring all of our favorite artists from this year’s lineup. On a reservation in California Serenity Gathering offers an escape from the winter blues that is taking over right now! Prepare yourselves for Serenity with […]
![[Festival Review] Finding Ourselves in The Desert | Gem and Jam Music Festival February 6th – 8th, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/unnamed-9.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Electronic
As we made our descent upon the old desert town of Tucson, Lauren and I were riddled with uncontainable excitement. Though it’d be my second year of the festival and Lauren’s first, our levels on the stoked factor were just as equally off the charts. After 12 hours of driving, the sight of a landscape […]
![[Photo Gallery] Templo + Thriftworks + Russ Liquid at Cervante’s Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, Colorado | February 11th, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/IMG_2863.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Electronic
It’d seem as though watching sets by Templo, Thriftworks and Russ Liquid just last weekend at the Gem and Jam Festival simply wasn’t enough – we couldn’t help but crave more of that unique downtempo/experimental bass sound that these three artists are known to throw down. So last Wednesday, we found ourselves exactly where everyone else in […]
Electronic
If the kick ass shenanigans that ensued at last year’s BUKU Music + Arts Project are any indication of what’s to come, we can only imagine what’s set to go down in Nawlin’s this March! The stages, the pop-up street performances, the after parties that never ended – ready yourselves for the BUKU experience of […]
![[Festie Friday Spotlight] Summer Camp Music Festival | MANIC FOCUS](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/manic-focus-wakarusa-2014.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Electronic
John McCarten, the artist known as Manic Focus produces melodic yet bass heavy tracks, completely embodying the Midwest in his sounds. Hailing from Chicago, Manic Focus has taken the music scene by storm, recently collaborating with hip-hop inspired duo Krooked Drivers. He has also been making moves working with other artists, such as GRiZ, Break Science, and SunSquabi grinding out […]
![[Show Review] Trillwave Dallas | SYSTEM (UKG SET) February 11th, 2015](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1514525253161-7a46d19cd819?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&q=80)
Electronic
Such Trill. Much Wave. Wow. In case you missed it, here is a recap of Trillwave’s Wednesday weekly at Beauty Bar last night with special guest SYSTEM, aka Ryan Black. SYSTEM played a special UK Garage set and laced in some break beat tunes and speed garage. The highlight of the night was when he dropped […]
![[Show Review] The String Cheese Incident at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago | January 29, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DSC01999.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Electronic
String Cheese Incident started their Winter Carnival Tour in Seattle, and have been preforming three nights in each city. At Compose Yourself Magazine we had a chance to catch all three nights of their Chicago run at the incredible Aragon Ballroom, where each night was a beautiful and unique experience. The band played several […]
![[Photo Gallery] Homeboy Sandman + Aesop Rock + Rob Sonic with DJ Abilities in Chicago | The Metro February 06, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/10981361_780681888685628_2580769610315473678_n.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Hip-Hop
It was a night of classic hip hop at the Metro last Friday as our contributing photog captured performances by Aesop Rock joined by DJ Abilities, Rob Sonic, as well as Homeboy Sandman. Aesop Rock is truly a legend in the hip hop scene, and whenever he performs he brings good vibes and a packed […]
![[Photo Gallery + Show Review] Saosin with Anthony Green at South Side Ballroom in Dallas, TX | January 23rd, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/unnamed-2.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Live Music Coverage
It was last week at the South Side Ballroom in Dallas, where a sparse group of 20-30somethings dressed in mostly black waited outside in anticipation of seeing one of their most adored rock bands: Saosin. Standing around and kicking the pavement with their high top black Converse, friend groups hesitantly merged, but bonded to speak about […]
![[Show Review + Photo Gallery] Funk The Cold featuring Congo Sanchez + Fort Knox Five at Cervante’s Masterpiece Ballroom | Denver, CO January 30, 2015](https://i0.wp.com/composeyourselfmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/10498427_714832675302964_5555876182498325765_o.jpg?resize=600%2C375&ssl=1)
Funk
Since settling into my new home of Denver nearly six months ago, I’ve gotten to know our city well when it comes to the musical delicacies that grace our venues night after night. But Funk the Cold was a break from the norm, a whole ‘nother animal that thrived on alcoholic sno-cones, outstanding costumes and […]