KIRV: The Legend of Kevin Irving
ALL I KNEW FOR SURE was that he was a hell of a singer - one of the best, certainly in House Music, likely of his era, probably in the world.
Kevin Irving could boast...
Victor Simonelli On His New Track with Byron Stingily: “Having You”
There's a story behind every track. Or at least the good ones. Listening Room is a regular feature devoted to discovering new House Music and learning the story behind the tracks from their creators.
It's...
Louis and Bebe Barron: Forbidden Planet at the Dawn of Electronic Music
Editor's Note: This was originally published in May 2012. In honor of Women's History Month, 5 Mag has decided to republish a substantially revised version of this piece to highlight the (far too often...
Listen To Aiby’s ‘Can’t Make You Happy’
There's a story behind every track. Or at least the good ones. Listening Room is a regular feature devoted to discovering new House Music and learning the story behind the tracks from their creators.
Aiby,...
Soviet Disco: The Tripped Out World of ’80s Communist Exercise Records
In 2010, a label called Secret Stash dropped a record called Soviet Funk Volume 1. It was a previously unheard collection of funk tracks "recorded by Pavel Sysoyev in Abakan" - the capital city...
Frique Asks: Are You Here For the Music?
"If I had to nominate just one DJ to represent everything Chicago stands for as a city," we once wrote, "that DJ would be Frique."
As of late, Chicago's Frique has been flexing his...
A Gift For You From Josh Milan and Friends
Josh Milan’s talents are unparalleled. He’s a songbird whose voice can inspire people to tears, and he’s garnered more songwriting and production hits than one could possibly imagine. His label Honeycomb Music is his...
In Residence with Country Club Disco, Detroit
The rebirth of Detroit and the metro area is a shock but not a surprise. Decades after the city was given up for dead, small pockets of creativity and resistance have thrived, grown large...
Brawther: The Underground Is Alive
Years before I knew him, I heard about him - this guy from France who made these incredibly sensual and deep records that each found their way as the "secret weapon" in the bag...
David Morales Remembers Frankie Knuckles
Top and Cover Photo: Gavin Mills
IT WAS EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO that hundreds of people were packed inside SmartBar in anticipation of Frankie Knuckles' big birthday celebration. On the bill alongside the birthday boy...
Kstarke Records & The House That Jackmaster Hater Built
FIRST, OPEN A RECORD STORE. Open it a few months before Tower becomes the first of the major record chains to liquidate, and preferably at a time when the industry in general is lying...
Psycho-Bitch is the Original Diva Powerhouse of Chicago
When you hear stories of Chicago's golden days of House Music whether it be in the late '80s through the late '90s, you learn to appreciate the multifaceted talent behind the big names. These...
Hot Since 82
Daley Padley, better known as Hot Since 82, recently graced the decks of Chicago's SpyBar launching his North and Latin American tour. The Leeds-based artist has been keeping busy both with his Knee Deep...
Mark Farina: How I Play
5 Magazine welcomes Mark Farina back to Chicago this December 27 at SmartBar (Facebook page/tix here).
To warm up the room, Mark agreed to sit for our How I Play series, in which we talk...
Kevin Irving, Legendary House Music Vocalist, Has Died
Another of the seminal artists that powered Chicago's early House Music scene has passed away.
5 Magazine has confirmed that legendary House Music vocalist Kevin Irving - whose voice was heard on tracks including "Children...
Recloose is Back in the USA
(Photo © 2014 Mike Weston - www.thearea.co.nz)
After thirteen years abroad, Matthew "Recloose" Chicoine is coming home.
Since 2001, Recloose has been living in New Zealand, limiting international gigs to brief tours a couple of times...
Get Snazzy: Meet UK Producer Stevie B.
I've noticed that those who have an amazing ear for music - especially those championing that '90s-tinged garage sound - tend to be the modest ones with little or no publicity hype. Kool...
Women Who DJ and the Men Terrified of Them
We'll call her "DJ Emily", because that's not her name and she really doesn't deserve to be slandered again like she was slandered that day.
About ten years ago, I was talking with a friend...
In Residence with Uhuru Afrika, Boston
5 Magazine's residency spotlight features Adam Gibbons and Uhuru Afrika, the incredibly unique Boston club night deeply rooted in the music of Africa and the Diaspora.
"When someone walks in the door, I want them...
Gant-Man: Born Into This
When Gant-Man says that music is his life, it's more than a cliche. Once the world's "youngest professional DJ", he's since become a cornerstone of the ghetto house and juke scene, breaking the sounds...
MUST READ!
Dedication: To Juan Atkins
There was never a moment before today that Juan Atkins was not a vital part of the American electronic music scene.
