Tag Archives: #ChicagoMusic

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Femme Fatale Records, Music Video Release, New Music Release

I Ya Toyah Pulls Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” Into Her Own Dark, Industrial World

The Chicago industrial artist takes on one of Nine Inch Nails’ most provocative songs, turning “Closer” toward questions of identity, expectation, and what can disappear while trying to become what the world demands.

I Ya Toyah Takes On a Nine Inch Nails Classic

I Ya Toyah has released “Closer,” her interpretation of the iconic Nine Inch Nails track, arriving August 21, 2026 through Femme Fatale Records.

Rather than treating “Closer” as a simple exercise in nostalgia, I Ya Toyah approaches the song through her own industrial and dark electronic identity. Her accompanying statement reframes the familiar material around a pointed question: How far will we go to become what we are told we should be—and what disappears along the way?

That perspective gives the cover another layer. The original Nine Inch Nails recording has spent more than three decades embedded in industrial and alternative culture, but I Ya Toyah uses its themes of desire, self-destruction, isolation, and transformation as raw material for her own interpretation.

A New Machine Built Around “Closer”

The production team behind the release gives the cover some serious weight. “Closer” was produced by I Ya Toyah and Johnny K, with Johnny K also handling the mix. Mastering was completed by legendary mastering engineer Howie Weinberg, while the release artwork was created by Angelica Dulany.

The original song was written by Trent Reznor, with I Ya Toyah’s version officially licensed for release. That distinction matters: this is not an unofficial remix or reinterpretation floating through the underground. It is a fully produced and licensed cover that deliberately places I Ya Toyah’s artistic identity against one of industrial music’s most recognizable compositions.

The release also continues a busy period for the Chicago-based artist. I Ya Toyah operates as a fiercely independent, multidisciplinary force, writing, producing, and performing her own material while moving between industrial, darkwave, electronic rock, dark pop, and EDM. In 2026, her output has included “FEELINGS” and “Apology,” alongside continued international activity and touring.

With “Closer,” she steps directly into the shadow of a song almost everyone in the industrial world already knows—and instead of trying to erase that shadow, she uses it as part of the atmosphere. The result is less about replacing Nine Inch Nails and more about asking what the song can reveal when filtered through a different artist, a different voice, and a different moment in time.

🎶 Listen Now

“Closer” is available now through I Ya Toyah’s Bandcamp and digital release channels. For listeners already familiar with the original, the real draw is hearing how a song this deeply ingrained in industrial culture changes when another artist takes possession of its emotional machinery. For those following I Ya Toyah’s evolution, it is another glimpse into an artist increasingly willing to push directly into uncomfortable territory and make it her own.

Deep Dive into the Universe of I Ya Toyah

Official Website – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Spotify – Linktree

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Distortion Productions, New Music Release

Sapphira Vee Announces Unfvkening Pre-Orders as a Bold New Chapter Begins

The Chicago-based dark electronic artist is inviting listeners to experience her next creative evolution with the upcoming release of Unfvkening.

A New Era Takes Shape

Sapphira Vee has officially opened pre-orders for her forthcoming album, Unfvkening, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her ever-evolving musical journey. Known for blending darkwave, industrial, trip-hop, and experimental electronic influences into a style that refuses to be confined by genre, Vee continues to push her artistic boundaries with each release.

Announcing the release directly to her fans, Vee shared her enthusiasm:

“Let the Unfvkening begin!! It’s now officially in pre-order!! Hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it!! Much love, Vee.”

The heartfelt message reflects the personal investment behind the project, suggesting an album crafted with passion, experimentation, and emotional honesty.

Continuing an Artistic Evolution

Over the past several years, Sapphira Vee has established herself as one of the more distinctive voices within the underground dark electronic scene. Drawing inspiration from industrial music, darkwave, electronic rock, and cinematic sound design, she has built a catalog that consistently challenges expectations while remaining deeply personal.

Her previous releases have featured collaborations with respected artists from the industrial community, and her live performances have earned attention for their immersive atmosphere and powerful stage presence. Unfvkening appears poised to continue that creative trajectory, promising another collection of boundary-pushing material for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

🎶 Listen Now

Whether you’re already following Sapphira Vee’s journey or discovering her music for the first time, Unfvkening is shaping up to be one of the underground’s most intriguing upcoming releases. With pre-orders now live, fans can secure the album ahead of its release and prepare for another immersive dive into Vee’s dark, emotionally charged sonic universe.

Deep Dive into the Universe of Sapphira Vee

Official Website / Linktree – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Femme Fatale Records, New Music Release

I Ya Toyah Confronts Pride, Accountability, and Self-Reflection with Explosive New Single “Apology”

The Chicago-based industrial artist returns with one of her most direct and emotionally charged releases yet, pairing razor-sharp electronics with a powerful message about accountability and personal truth.

A Fearless New Chapter

Industrial powerhouse I Ya Toyah has unveiled her latest single, “Apology,” delivering another bold statement that continues the creative momentum she has built throughout 2026. Following the release of “FEELINGS,” the new track pushes even further into themes of personal responsibility, emotional honesty, and the difficult line between genuine accountability and empty self-justification.

Driven by pounding industrial rhythms, cinematic electronics, and I Ya Toyah’s unmistakable vocal intensity, “Apology” explores the complicated nature of remorse while challenging listeners to examine the difference between meaningful change and performative regret. The accompanying music video amplifies the song’s emotional impact through striking visuals that reinforce its confrontational message.

Continuing the Evolution

Over the past several years, I Ya Toyah has established herself as one of industrial music’s most compelling independent voices, blending industrial, dark pop, electronic rock, and darkwave into a sound that is both emotionally vulnerable and sonically aggressive. Her music consistently balances introspective songwriting with high-impact production, creating songs that resonate long after the final note.

“Apology” continues that tradition, showcasing an artist unafraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects while delivering another powerful addition to her growing catalog. The single is available now through Bandcamp and major streaming platforms.

🎶 Listen Now

Even after the music fades, “Apology” leaves behind difficult questions about accountability, ego, and the courage required to confront our own actions. It’s another compelling release from an artist who continues to push industrial music into emotionally honest territory while refusing to compromise her artistic vision.

Deep Dive into the Universe of I Ya Toyah

Official Website – Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Spotify

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Independant Release, New Music Release

🌃 CHICAGO’S COMASOFT Return with Triumphant New EP “Gather at the End”! 🎸

Chicago’s electro-rock quartet, Comasoft, have made a triumphant return with their brand new EP, “Gather at the End,” released on April 25th via Moth in a Flame! The EP features five fresh tracks, including the previously released singles “Numbing” and “Firebomb.”

Produced at BLVM3 Studios in Chicago, “Gather at the End” features founding member Tomasz Banach alongside Ramirez, Christopher Lee, and Chris Cambell. This marks Comasoft’s first new music since 2023’s “Finis Temporis” and 2015’s “Let’s go All the Way” EP.

This new EP is particularly significant as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut release on Moth in a Flame Records. Over two decades, the band has released two full-length albums, four EPs, and numerous singles, including their college radio hit “10volt.” While band members have evolved, Comasoft continues to deliver a sound that feels both fresh and reminiscent of iconic bands like The Cure, Placebo, and Gary Numan, all wrapped in an 80s neon aesthetic. Ramirez’s new romantic vocals blend seamlessly with powerful synthesizers and sharp guitars.

Gather at the End Tracklisting:

  1. Fire Bomb
  2. Restless Life
  3. Numbing (Perchance)
  4. Deprive
  5. Trapped in a Vial

For those who came of age in Chicago between Generation X and Millennial, Comasoft was a familiar face in the city’s dark, fog-filled clubs, sharing stages with electro-glam contemporaries and supporting major acts like Madina Lake, Hawthorne Heights, Breathe Carolina, The Presets, and Kill Hannah, as well as dark electronic artists such as IAMX, Apoptygma Berzerk, and Stabbing Westward.

Comasoft made their long-awaited return to the stage this past November, opening for a sold-out hometown show with Stabbing Westward. Riding high on the energy of that performance, Jay Ramirez and Comasoft focused on completing their new EP and booking more shows in 2025. Upcoming dates include a headlining show at Cobra Lounge in Chicago on April 25th and supporting EBM legends Leaether Strip in Columbus, Ohio on July 11th. More dates for 2025 are expected to be announced soon.

COMASOFT LIVE DATES 2025:

4/25/2025 Cobra Lounge, Chicago w/ BA Sisters and DJ Leo

7/11/2025 Black Swan Bar and Grill, Columbus w/Leaether Strip and the Stigmas

Deep Dive into the Universe of COMASOFT: 🎧

Website Facebook Twitter Spotify

#alternative, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Interviews, New Music Release

Rivalry in the Night

In the heart of Eastern North Carolina, where the neon lights glimmer like promises and the echoes of the 80s still resonate, a twisted harmony of nostalgia and darkness was brewing.

Jason, is a man with a penchant for the night.
Ttransplanted to the city in 1986, andfinding solace in the ethereal tunes of Duran Duran and the haunting beats of Oingo Boingo wove his fascination with the night, where mysteries unfolded in the shadows. The radio waves whispered secrets of the city, leading him down a path where the line between light and dark blurred. His punk roots intertwined with the pulse of electronic music, forming a new rhythm in his soul. It was the night that beckoned him, the night that rivaled the day for his attention.

Chris is the voice behind Night Rivals, han insatiable desire for creation, and found his calling in the wild rush of a live show.
A single song written while in high school revealed the exhilaration of the stage, and he embraced the power it held over his emotions. Drums and dreams became his constant companions, and the urge to make music grew stronger. When their paths converged, a new sound emerged. Their influences, wildly different yet curiously compatible, gave birth to a unique blend of synth, goth, pop, and disco. Night Rivals was born. Unafraid to explore the unknown, they became a rhythmic enigma in the city’s underground music scene. The name Night Rivals emerged from a labyrinth of ideas. The night held the power to rival the day, to stir the passions of those who longed for something more than the ordinary. The duo’s quest to bring the night to life resonated with the audience, and the name captured the essence of their music. But the road to recognition is never easy. They found themselves in a race against time, battling against other bands with the same dreams. The night was their ally, but also their rival, challenging them to stand out in a world cloaked in shadows.

In the dimly lit studio, the creative process unfolded. Jason, untrained but driven, crafted melodies from emotions. Minor scales became his voice, an outlet for his inner darkness. Chris, the restless musician, let the lyrics write themselves as he surrendered to the music’s whims. Their songwriting was not just an artistic endeavor; it was a conduit for their souls. The melodies were catharsis, a release of their deepest desires and fears. Each composition revealed a piece of their essence, haunting and mesmerizing in equal measure. Collaboration was both a gift and a curse. The studio witnessed moments of brilliance when their differences ignited sparks of creativity. But it also bore witness to clashes, where egos clashed like titans. In their pursuit of perfection, they learned that sometimes, it was the absence of a rigid plan that allowed the music to flow. Time constraints and progress markers only stifled their creative spirits. The night gave them the freedom to create without boundaries, where music became a form of therapy.

Music had the power to change the world. It held the ability to unite people, to convey messages that words alone couldn’t. The echoes of charity concerts from their youth still resonated in their memories, reminding them of the collective strength of music. As Night Rivals, they hoped to continue the tradition, to create music that touched hearts and minds. The journey was long and arduous, but they believed that the pioneers of change were out there, finding their voices through the music. Their music embodied the essence of the night, where emotions ran deep, and desires danced in the shadows. As they played their haunting melodies, their audience was transported to a realm where the night was both a friend and a foe. In the city of Chicago, where the neon lights whispered secrets and the night held its breath, Night Rivals left an indelible mark.

The story of Night Rivals was an unfinished symphony, a journey filled with haunting echoes of the night. Their melodies continued to echo through the alleys of the city, drawing in those who longed for the enigmatic embrace of the night. In the end, their music would remain a testament to the power of the night, a tribute to the shadows that hid the mysteries of life. Night Rivals, forever in pursuit of the elusive night, left their mark on the city’s music scene, echoing through time and memory. And so, the night continued to rival the day, as the music of Night Rivals played on, a haunting melody that transcended the boundaries of time and space.

10.28.2023 the album ‘Cinematic’ will be released on physical disc only, featuring various remixed hits of the last year.
The next single, ‘Love Persuasion,’ was released in August. Additionally, we are working on a western US tour for November ’23..

For staying updated and connected, you can find them on Instagram and on Facebook.

Additionally, fans can listen to their music on various streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Tidal, and more.

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