2023 Bitter Jester Music Festival Performer & Judges’ Bios

NIGHT ONE: June 2, 2023 @ 5:45pm

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Cо̄rduroy is a Textural Rock-Fusion band from Aurora with guest drummer Max Beardsley from Wisconsin. They have have undergone a remarkable transformation since their inception and are ready to present a new sound that will captivate listeners of all kinds. Their latest album is an eclectic mix of genres, making for a unique listening experience. With their unwavering passion and commitment to music, Cо̄rduroy is excited to make their mark on the music industry and is joined at Bitter Jester by guest drummer Max Beardsley.

David's House is a captivating young rock band with a powerful, highly engaging sound that infuses funk and soul with stunning vocals and superb musicianship. The band puts on an electric show, full of intensity and positive energy that leaves every audience wanting more. Their original songs often remind listeners of Steely Dan and Lake Street Dive.

Fightin' Bob is a five-piece “Frog Rock” (funk/progressive rock) band from Milwaukee whose sound combines influences in prog rock, hard rock, funk, and jazz/fusion, among others. The band has one album and one single released with a second album written and about to be recorded. Their energetic stage presence, flashy antics, and pure determination to groove will get you dancing!

Geology Club is a group of teens with a focus on making music. The group consists of Alex Bonell, lead singer, Evan Hansen, lead guitarist, Miah Miner, bassist, and Ian Dutter, drummer. The band was created in February, 2020, and has since released an EP called "Sugar High," which has an Indie Rock feel. They hope you enjoy the music!

Girl Club is a five-piece student band from Highland Park High School. They consist of Juniors Robert Oboza, Yonatan Garfinkel, Nolan Schott, Tane Walker, and Freshman Lucia Seiden. Individually, the members participate in HPHS choir, jazz band, theater, and percussion, respectively. Together, they collaborate to cover their favorite songs and create their own with influences from jazz, rock, and emo. Girl Club is the sole HP hometown band at Bitter Jester this summer!

GreenTTea and The Tempos are a seven piece RnB/Soul band that plays mostly originals from their recently-recorded album. They also like to sprinkle in covers from their greatest influences such as Erykah Badu and Steve Lacy, however. The band recorded their first album at ButcherBoy Studios and are on the verge of signing to a record label called Color Red in the near future!

KayZone is a DIY Psychedelic Rock Band from Chicago. Born from the post pandemic wasteland of 2021, the group consists of Sam Ragland (Guitar and Vocals), Gloria Mrazek (Bass and Vocals), and Doug Walden (Drums and Percussion). KayZone started in their own back yards offering an eclectic blend of garage, punk, metal, psychedelic and jazz freak-out music and are looking forward to even more public performances!

Misplaced Religion was formed in the town of Pacific. Bringing a new age sound with a classic rock feel, there are few doing it quite like Misplaced Religion. To put them into a genre, they would be best described as "Alternative-rock" ... but come to the show and find out how you define the band.

Palace Kat consists of a trumpet player, saxophonist, keyboardist, bassist, and drummer. The band enjoys performing mostly a wide range of music related to jazz. The performers are all alumni of Jefferson High School, and, with their combined love for music, have stuck together and formed a passionate, talented band aimed at expressing that passion.

NIGHT TWO: June 3, 2023 @ 5:45pm

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Claire-Mckenna is a 17 year old singer-songwriter. She has been writing and performing her own music since she was nine years old, playing the piano since she was six, and the guitar since she was 11. Claire-Mckenna feels through the music she hearas and hopes to make others feel through her music in the same way.

East of Vilas is a Madison-based band that draws from indie, rock, and R&B influences. With music that’s optimistic and innovative, warm and nostalgic, the band balances humor with sincerity, pushing boundaries while acknowledging its roots. Connection and collaboration are core to the band’s philosophy, and they owe much to the rich community of artists that surround them.

Fueled by catchy hooks and uplifting energy, Heat Above unleashes the kind of anthemic rock 'n roll music that's fit for a stadium. Based near Flint, this collective bends genres between buzzing rock numbers, blazing punk, danceable instrumentals, and unique melodies.

After their first-ever performance at last year’s Bitter Jester Music Fest (as "SPARKY"), North Grove has grown into a rocksteady group. Their sound pays homage to singer-songwriter music with plenty of funk and rock motifs thrown in. They embrace their changing influences and never back down from trying out different sounds. This Lake Street Dive/Suzanne Vega/Police/Japanese Breakfast- inspired band has got energy to spare (and to share)!

Nyx is an alternative rock band hailing from Boston. They're known for their punchy, fiery, rock-and-roll-filled sound with driving guitar riffs and powerful vocals. They released an EP and a single within the past year, and are currently working on their first full-length album! With inspiration from Heart to Paramore, their spectrum of musical inspiration is almost endless.

Rotundos is a Chicago band that plays an interesting blend of Power-Pop and Post-Punk (Power-Punk). They take pages out of the books of bands such as Title Fight, Together Pangea, The Replacements, and The Strokes. The lineup consists of Juan Arrango (Vox/Bass), Jose Israel (Vox/Gtr), Jacob Padilla-Caldero (Vox/Gtr), and Henry Speer (Drums).

Scorched Waves is an Indie Rock band based in Stevens Point. The quintet has comparable sounds to the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, The Bravery, and The Kooks, offering a unique blend of Indie/Alternative Rock, Post Punk, and Pop Punk featuring thunderous drum grooves, melodic bass lines, rhythmic guitar riffs, melancholic keyboard parts, and catchy vocal melodies.

Ur Mom is a four-piece powerhouse hailing from the fringes of the Chicago city limits. Through rock, funk, and folk, Ur Mom wrangles a range of stylistic entities with an alluring dynamism that works wonders in the way of weaving an expansive, yet synced catalogue. Dad says its okay to go, as long as you listen to Ur Mom.

Venganza pulls from a wide range of influences. This quartet fuses punk and metal into its own unique and finely-tuned sound. Hailing from Southeastern Wisconsin, Venganza is a band that demands your attention and brings an unmatched energy to every event, no matter the size of the stage.

NIGHT THREE: June 9, 2023 @ 5:45pm

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Beekman is a dynamic St. Louis-based rock band with a unique blend of styles and a contagious energy. Influenced by Alt, Pop Rock, Grunge, and Prog, each member of the band brings their own voice to give life to their songs. Their music expresses the essence of each performer and leaves the audience cheering for more.

Formed in 2021, The Dennies fuse sophisticated musicianship with the raw energy and a punk rock attitude. Its members have graced the stages of Summerfest, Reggie’s Rock Club, Navy Pier, and Lollapalooza. The band prides themselves on their theatrical, high-energy, live shows where they make lasting connections with their audiences.

Frontega is a Midwest, Emo, four-piece from Grayslake with influences from Balance and Composure, American Football, and Deftones. Formed in the summer of 2022, Frontega performs a mixed set of dynamic, powerful originals, as well as a few fan-favorite covers. They bring a hungry energy everywhere they go and make people want to grab their nearest friend (or stranger) and dance!

The John Curry Band plays the original music of John Curry along with a select few arrangements and covers. John has received special recognition from the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his music covers a wide range of genres, from Indie Pop to Metal. His main influences include Muse, Foo Fighters, and songwriters like Jacob Collier.

Liliana y Los Caballeros is a group of Columbia College friends. Their lead singer, Liliana, hails from the Southeast Side of Chicago. The ensemble's songs are a melting pot of the genres from which they draw inspiration - the most prevalent of which is the Latin influence, driven by a strong sense of cultural identity. Their lyrics are introspective, candid, and reminiscent of classic love songs.

Linda Therese is a 20-year-old Indie folk artist and singer-songwriter from Chicago, now based in Nashville. She combines articulate, emotionally-driven lyrics with harmonically complex accompaniments to create music relevant to a new generation of listeners. She is inspired by artists such as Joni Mitchell, Elliott Smith, Adrienne Lenker, Lizzy Mcalpine, and more.

Livingroom is an indie rock band based in Chicago. Inspired by Radiohead, Coldplay, and their hometown heroes Wilco, their succinct songwriting results in a catchy sound packed with flavor, which they have dubbed “Grape Pop.” Livingroom worships the art of the song; every composition and performance choice is made to bring their music to life with as much earnestness as possible.

Madeline O'Dell is a singer-songwriter from Arlington Heights who writes complex lyrics with memorable melodies that stick with her listeners long after the songs have ended. Her original music is inspired by Pop, Jazz, R&B and Folk, and can be found on all streaming platforms.

Polly On The Wall (pronounced "POLL-ee"") is an Indie rock band. This group of musicians work to deliver moving, yet energetic music to capture the heart of their listeners. Currently working on an EP, they are continuing to perform locally and want to share their music to an extended audience.

NIGHT FOUR: June 10, 2023 @ 5:45pm

Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL, 60035 (rain or shine)

Big Dune Avenue is a rock band based in Valparaiso. Formed in 2019, the band has performed at local music festivals and numerous basements around Northwest Indiana. Coming from different musical backgrounds, their sound is a unique mix of Sonic Youth and the Rolling Stones. Their dynamic sound and unique chemistry captivates audiences, leaving them wanting more.

Christine Compall’s singing career began in Childrens Theatre. After her father gave her a guitar for her 10th birthday she became enthralled with singing and playing the instrument. Her musical style is primarily Pop and Country influenced. Christine used the downtime during Covid to write her own originals and, once restrictions were lifted, she began singing them at local restaurants on the Chicago's North Shore.

Formed by four high school friends, Exit 122 is a Pop Punk band characterized by their fun and energetic sound, featuring driving rhythms, melodic lead guitar, and catchy choruses. The band combines elements of Easycore, Grunge, and Emo with Pop Punk to create a unique sound that has echoes of Blink 182, New Found Glory, and My Chemical Romance.

Flannel Folk is a contemporary a cappella group based in Cedarburg. Since 2018, the ensemble has been wowing fans in Southeast Wisconsin and Northern Illinois with their original unique arrangements of fun and energetic music of numerous genres, including Doo-wop, 80's Rock, modern hits, and originals.

Free Joel is a Rock n’ Roll band representing Valparaiso, Muncie, and New Palestine. Their songs are defined by Blues, Funk, and Classic Rock roots; a combination of nostalgic dance tunes that will get you moving. As young adults, Free Joel leaves a lasting impression on audiences by interacting with the crowd and bringing a high energy to all their shows.

Jackson Wagner is a progressive Metal guitarist and producer from Sioux City. Known for his crushing, melodic, and technical riffage, Wagner picked up a guitar at the age of 15. Now an 18-year-old, he has publicly released two tracks, "Wishful Thinking" and "Electric Shores," to major streaming platforms, with many more on the way.

Lake Drive is a New Age Hair Band from Milwaukee. They continune to reach a growing fanbase with their compelling catalog of music mixed with their vibrant stage presence. Lake Drive's reminds crowds of their favorite artists, creating an incredibly diverse, yet pinpointed sound that has been described as "Pop Rock, Alternative Emo, and Indie Rock.

Lo-Fi Killers is a Hard Rock duo from the Madison area. With Caleb's octave fuzz guitars and Jack's hard-hitting drums, the two-man band creates a unique take on the Rock genre. Borrowing from artists such as Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, and Royal Blood, the band showcases an ability to be both heavy and catchy.

Caleb Broadhurst began writing songs at the age of 12. A self-taught guitarist and producer, he has been playing around the Chicago area (where he currently resides) and throughout the Midwest for years. His debut EP, which he wrote and produced for the project "Pumpkin Milk" was released in July of 2022 and includes six self-produced tracks. His influences include Elliot Smith and The Slaps, to name just two.

GRAND FINALE: Sun, June 25, 2023 (keep checking back for updates!):

The Lot, 523 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035

Part of the Taste of Highland Park Weekend!

Night One Winner (revealed at 10:30pm on June 2)

Wild Card A (revealed the week of June 12)

Wild Card B (revealed the week of June 12)

Wild Card C (revealed the week of June 12)

Wild Card D (revealed the week of June 12)

Opening Showcase A (revealed the week of June 12)

Opening Showcase B (revealed the week of June 12)

Mid-Show Showcase C (revealed the week of June 12)

Featured Solo Performer A (revealed the week of June 12)

Featured Solo Performer B (revealed the week of June 12)

Grand Finale Scoring Judges (click to read bios):

Daniel Chávez, Tyler Clark, Elijah Delrisco, Greg Easterling, Lindsey Hayes, Tamara Jenkins, & Michael Tseitlin

Verbal Commentary Judges (click to read bios):

Hamon Kim, Kevin Ray, & Glenn Williams