Dummy / TV Buddha / Ira Glass
Date and Time
Sun, Oct 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Location
Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Artists / Performers
Event Details
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM / 21+Dummy the Los Angeles band comprised of Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan ODell, and Joe Trainor announces its new album, Free Energy, out September 6th on Trouble In Mind Records, and shares the lead single/video, Nullspace. Pop has always been a big part of Dummys sound, but it manifests differently on Free Energy. Sometimes its quite literal (and funny), such as the bubbly synth sequence made with a Korg EM1 popping all over lead single Nullspace, which features a melody written by ODell and is the song the band calls the records sonic mission statement and really influenced by Mark Van Hoen, especially the cut-up dreamy dance-pop he was making on the Locust record Morning Light.Dummys debut full-length Mandatory Enjoyment arrived in late 2021 and quickly became one of the years sleeper hits. Pitchfork, Bandcamp Daily, Stereogum, Aquarium Drunkard, and other publications praised Dummys mix of ambient and twinkly guitar pop, their deep musical references, and the intentionality with which they patchworked it all together. Fans bought copies of Mandatory so quickly that Trouble in Mind couldnt keep it in stock. Sub Pop Records also invited the band to contribute to their legendary Singles Club series. Bands loved Dummy, too, and the group were asked to open for Horsegirl, Botch, Black Country, New Road, Luna, Spirit of the Beehive, Dehd, Snooper, Sweeping Promises, Snail Mail, and more.Where Mandatory Enjoyment was cerebral and lo-fi, the product of a lot of time inside, Free Energy is all movement, presence, and physicality. A creatively restless band, Dummy felt like they had done the best version of motorik pop that they could do, and wanted to get harder, dancier, a little more psychedelic. Ewell and Trainor began experimenting with home recording, using DAW as kind of an instrument for composition rather than simply a tool. ODell dug deeper into instrumental/sample composition, in addition to contributing more guitar leads. Maatman also steps into the spotlight in a big way, her vocals noticeably foregrounded and confident, adding to the live performance feel that forms the foundation of Free Energy. The result is a record that celebrates musics ability to move the body, whether that be through a teeth-rattling wall of MBV-esque noise, a sticky pop chorus, or a joyous drum machineor, if youre Dummy, maybe all of them in the same song.
Important Event Information
This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event, and will not be eligible for a refund. Make sure to bring a valid ID
Pricing
This page contains affiliate links and we may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.