Rock on, and on

SOUND OPINIONS At the Music Garage’s Sound Advice series, demo products and learn from the pros.

Somewhere between sheepish choir students and overstyled arena rockers are Chicago’s middle-class musicians. Thanks in part to democratic Internet tools such as CDBaby, and accessible recording software like ProTools, bands can now record, sell and market their own music—all without the help of a major label. But you’ll need more than a laptop and a music-theory class to join the ranks. We uncovered a few key players and places that help bands make it in the new do-it-yourself, band-as-business model—from studio spaces to workshops and an online resource database.

Cyber punks
Need a publicist, booking agent or entertainment lawyer? Hizzoner might know a guy, or at least his new and improved website for the arts will. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs launched the Chicago Artists Resource (CAR) website in 2005 to give artists and arts organizations a central Internet locale to search for grants, look for work, find studio space, post events and join online forums to chat with others in their fields. Content specifically focused on student needs includes sections devoted to financial aid, scholarships and educational opportunities complete with tips on applying to music school. Updated last spring, the online community gives other artists something to shout about, too, with pages dedicated to visual art, theater and dance. CAR Version 2 (chicagoartistsresource.org).

In the Zone
You might not have the cash to rehearse in the style of the Smashing Pumpkins or Wilco, but for $175 you can practice in a clean space that won’t be taken over by your roommate’s Dave Matthews–feuled benders. Taking up two floors of a Pilsen loft building, Music Zone offers 80 studio spaces that range from closet-size to small concert-theater size. The studios are bare bones, but the price (five bandmates need only shell out around $40 each per month) does include the necessities—electricity, air and heat. Bonus: Sticky-fingered roomies can’t conveniently “borrow” your amps or instruments. You can safely store them in your secure studio, which is accessible 24 hours a day. Music Zone, 244 W 16th St (312-446-4866). Studio spaces start at $175 per month.

Sound off
As rock photographer Paul Natkin says, “Musicians don’t usually like to take advice.” That’s why he was surprised to see hundreds of bandmates crowding the Chicago Cultural Center and furiously scribbling notes during Musicians at Work, a series of industry advice panels. Jointly produced by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Music Commission—a nonprofit advocacy organization Natkin heads with Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer and others—the series serves as something akin to free rock-star training seminars. Musicians on the move and indie scene makers can expect to hear from seasoned local record-label owners, performers, promoters and music media who will dole out advice on topics such as touring, booking, marketing and thriving in the biz (Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E Randolph St; 312-346-3278, cityofchicago.org; sessions start in the fall). Until the forums return, check out the Music Garage’s like-minded Sound Advice series, which has featured the sage words of entertainment lawyer Brian Rosenblatt and Q101 DJ Chris Payne. Future sessions feature software and instrument-product demos, songwriting tips and legal council. Industrial god Martin Atkins talks about his book on touring the first week in September. (Call for a schedule, 312-997-1972).