Show preview: Chicago CMJ sendoff party, 10/15 at Ultra Lounge

By Frank Krolicki

It's only a few more weeks until this year's CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival, and while it's happening in NYC, you don't have to head east to take in a bit of the action. On Saturday, October 15th at Ultra Lounge (2169 Milwaukee Ave.) Chicago acts Paper Thick Walls, Kellen & Me and The Damn Choir -- as well as Portland's Radiation City and a special guest from Denver to be announced the day of the show -- will play the Windy City before they hit the road for the Big Apple.

We love the idea of a sendoff party for Chicago bands and jumped at the chance to get involved and get the word out (check out our logo on that nice lookin' poster to the right!). Also on board are Wine From the Moon, AudioTree and The Sound Scene (locally-based music organizations who put together the event), as well as CHIRP Radio, HEAVEmedia, Old Style and Olmeca Tequila.

The show costs $8 in advance or $10 at the door, doors open at 7:30 p.m. and it's a 21 and over. Click here for tickets, and check out a bit more information and sound samples for each of the bands below.

Paper Thick Walls make reflective indie folk that pops with colorful instrumentation, well-crafted arrangements, a mix of male/female vocals and thoughtful, storytelling lyrics. Take a listen below to "Orange Tree" off the band's debut album A Thousand Novels released earlier this year, and check out the music video for the track here.

Orange Tree by paperthickwalls

The Damn Choir take a similarly folky approach, but with even more of an introspective, emotionally heavy mood marked by the world-weary vocals of frontman Gordon Robertson and the cello work of Katy Myers. Check out "Noah" off their second album You're My Secret Called Fire, which also has a video clip.

Noah by TheDamnChoir

Kellen & Me is actually just Kellen, a one-man band who somehow manages to sound like much more than that. He released his debut album this spring, showcasing what his bio describes as "electro-folk-tapeloop rock that evokes a sense of both future and past."

Space-Time Ride by kellenandme

Joining the Chicagoans are Portland's Radiation City, who offer up a dreamy, spacey take on rock with smooth female vocals; it's a sound that's both mysterious and welcoming. They recently released their first full-length, The Hands That Take You.

The Color Of Industry by Radiation City