VANS HOUSE PARTIES | CONVERGE

Formed in 1990 by vocalist Jacob Bannon and guitarist Kurt Ballou in Massachusetts, Converge has become one of the most iconic hardcore bands to date.  Last night the House of Vans Chicago felt their dominant energy and intensity.

Coverage has celebrated almost 30 years as a band, but it was their 2001 breakthrough album, Jane Doe that put Converge on the map. The experimental album solidified their influence on the genre and ability to create a dynamic album. Jane Doe garnered a cult following, and in 2017 a live version of the album was released.

Recently, Converge released In The Dusk With Us. The LP earned rave reviews from outlets like Pitchfork saying, "The ninth album from the metalcore architects is sharp and urgent. The band's songwriting shines as they turn their back on interpersonal torment to face something bigger and more existential." The album also found a place on several 2017 end-of-year lists including Rolling Stones 20 Best Metal Albums of 2017.

You can stream In The Dusk With Us here.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | DJUNAH

Djunah kicked off last night's House of Vans Chicago set curated by legendary rock band Converge. Djunah, self-described as "noise rock with a leg for a bassist," is made up of guitarist/vocalist Donna Diane and drummer Nick Smalkowski. The duo has just gotten their aggressive and heavy riffs off the ground with the release of two singles "Built" and "Brother." 

The noise rock duo has teased a new album coming soon produced by Kurt Ballou. Keep up with them here on Facebook for the latest.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | CLOUD NOTHINGS

Last night Cloud Nothings took to the stage for the House of Vans Chicago as part of Converge's curated show. In 2009 Cloud Nothing was initially intended as a solo project by vocalist Dylan Baldi but later evolved into a full band. To date, Cloud Nothings has six studio albums under their belts, but their most recent record marks a return to Baldi's heartfelt commentary on the world around him. 

Recorded in just over a week, Last Burning Building embraces indie rock elements and disorderly hardcore roots. The album was embraced for its powerful lyrics, especially the track "Leave Him Now." Pitchfork applauded the song in a review saying, "Cloud Nothings at their best: direct, visceral, vulnerable. It hits in the gut and rings in the head, striking that golden ratio of ferocity and tunefulness that this band does best." 

This year they completed a world tour and are back on the road this fall. Grab tickets here.

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

WORKSHOP SHOUT OUT | SKATEISM | VANS US OPEN

It’s the last weekend of the Vans US Open of Surfing, but we’re not ready to go just yet! 

We’ve still got some of our favorite workshops over the week to share –like the fun folks over at SKATEISM who hosted a zine making workshop at Van Doren Village. We caught up with Tobias from SKATEISM to find out what folks created, more about the zine making process, and what special gift they're giving out on this final weekend. 

WORKSHOP SHOUT OUTS | MATT WOLHRAB | VANS US OPEN

We’re featuring artist and maker Matt Wolhrab–the awesome person behind the street market booth Leon Washere at the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Known for his hand-colored animations of skateboarding and surfing, Matt hosted a flip-animation book workshop, where folks could draw and bring their own unique creations to life. We chatted with Matt about his artwork, his booth, and the inspiration behind some of his animations.

Take the Leap! 

Photographs by Celina Kenyon 

WORKSHOP SHOUT OUT | MIKE UPTON | VANS US OPEN

We’re checking out some of the various street market booths and workshops at the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Upton Home creator, Mike Upton not only offered his prints on both canvas and paper at his street market booth, but also hosted a linoleum printmaking workshop at Van Doren Village. We chatted with Mike about his printmaking, his Upton booth, and the workshop he recently hosted.

Photographs by Celina Kenyon

WORKSHOP SHOUT OUT | SEEA | VANS US OPEN

We’re stoked to share some of the fun workshops happening this week at the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. The rad people over at Seea hosted a sun printing workshop at the Van Doren Village — check out the photos to take a closer look!

Photographs by Celina Kenyon

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | THE RAPTURE

Last night House of Vans Chicago welcomed American indie rock icons, The Rapture. Exploring a variety of genres over the years, The Rapture are known for keeping fans guessing with punk rock, electronic and dance influences. 

The Rapture formed in 1998 in when drummer Vito Roccoforte and guitarist/vocalist Luke Jenner started playing music together. The guys toured relentlessly building a name for themselves and becoming more immersed in the indie post-punk scene. After Matt Safer joined the band, the guys released their first EP, Out of the Races and Onto the Tracks via Sub Pop records in 2001. Their first studio album, Echoes debuted in 2003, and went on to make two more full-length albums, followed by a hiatus from 2014 to 2019.

In February of 2019, Jenner announced The Rapture would begin playing shows again and hinted that new music isn't off the table. He told indie music outlet Consequence of Sound, "I would like to do this indefinitely and make new music. I think we're all cautiously optimistic."

The Rapture is on tour this summer across the US, details here. 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | SEEDY FILMS

The House of Vans Chicago welcomed Seedy Films to the stage as part of Vans House Parties curated by The Rapture. Luke Jenner, the frontman for The Raptures, formed Seedy Films with artists under the names Laurie Lipps (Laurie Arbellot), Giggles (Lisa Sdrigotti), Barbie Bardot (Barbie Bertisch), and Lou Shadow (Luke Jenner). The project has a dynamic, loose, and liberating tone; leaving listeners feeling exhilarated. 

When asked about the project, Jenner explained it was a way to approach music from a mentor role. He told online blog Self-Titled, "So I had these three people I was already friends with who had really great taste, and I asked them if they wanted to play music. So I started teaching them, and we put together this band. Writing songs is the easy part for me, so I taught them how to write songs and I play drums in the band because… why not? I've already done everything else. So that's really fun."

Stay up to date with Seedy Films on Facebook here. 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | TANDEM JUMPS

The duo has been featured on The Lot Radio hosting the Manono Records show several times sharing music they love. Things are just getting started for Tandem Jump so keep an eye on what they have coming up here.

Last night duo Tandem Jumps kicked off the House of Vans Chicago lineup as part of Vans House Parties curated by The Rapture. Self-described on Twitter as "nice friends!" Tandem Jumps is The Rapture's Luke Jenner and Tara. Luke shared his thoughts on the new project on Instagram writing, "Tara writes amazing songs, we like hanging out." 

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski

WORKSHOP SHOUT OUT | CAPTAIN FIN | VANS US OPEN 

We’re checking out some of the fun workshops happening this week at the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. We caught up with the friendly folks over at Captain Fin to find out more about their fin customization workshop over at Van Doren Village! 

Take the leap below!

Photographs 1-5 by Celina Kenyon

DEADBEAT CLUB PHOTO SHOW | VANS US OPEN The DeadBeat Club’s Photo Show–You Should Have Been Here Yesterday– featuring works by Tobin Yelland, Cole Barash, Cheryl Dunn, Nolan Hall, Grant Hatfield, Ed and Deanna Templeton kicked off our week at the Vans US of Opening. With tons of photographic works by some of our favorite photo folks, the Deadbeat Club show will be on view til August 25th at the Costa Mesa Conceptual Art Center! 

Missed the opening? Don’t worry the Deadbeat Club will be having a zine release at their street market booth during the Vans US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. 

Photographs by Celina Kenyon

VAN HOUSE PARTIES | TAKING FIVE WITH RICH JACOBS

We’re taking five with Vans House Parties artist Rich Jacobs who will be creating a one-of-kind art installation while folks enjoy the music of The Rapture, Seedy Films and Tandem Jump! We find out about how Rich chills when not making art, about his very first Vans, and what folks should expect tonight. Take the leap below!

RSVP at Vans House Parties events!

Photographs courtesy of the artist.

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | KADHJA BONET

Last night the House of Vans Chicago welcomed Los Angeles based songwriter, Kadhja Bonet. Bonet, who’s parents also played a role in the music industry, is known for her soulful psychedelic sound and self-production. Bonet isn’t shy about taking sonic influences from different ends of the spectrum to tell her vibrant stories. In an interview with DIY, Bonet confessed to needing full control to create, saying, “I like having control, and I like having my hands in everything. It’s hard for me to let go.”

In 2018 her most recent album, Childqueen earned rave reviews from NPR applauding Bonet for her limitless sonic approach. The renowned music outlet commented, saying, “Childqueen is loaded with such bits, and that gives it a shapeshifting quality."

Bonet is set to play the Oyafestivalen Weekend Ticket in Toyenparken, Oslo this August, tickets here.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | FREE NATIONALS

Free Nationals are a collective best know as the backup band for Anderson.Paak. Made up of Jose Rios (guitar, backing vocals), Ron Tnava Avant (keyboards, backing vocals), Kelsey Gonzalez (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Callum Connor (DJ, drums, backing vocals). In 2018 the collective released their debut single, Beauty & Essex featuring  Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

This past June Free Nationals dropped a second single, ‘Time’ featuring the late MacMiller and Kali Uchis. When releasing the track, the band shared a post on Instagram saying, "This song was so much fun to make and is exactly how we want to remember our brother Mac, we hope you guys like it."

Free Nationals are on tour with Anderson.Paak now.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

VANS HOUSE PARTIES | ANDERSON .PAAK

Brandon Paak Anderson, better known as Andreson .Paak; is a dynamic hip hop producer and songwriter. Born in Southern California, he began producing songs in his childhood bedroom sparking an interest in all aspects of music. The Grammy Award-winning singer/rapper/producer has released four full-length albums with his fifth, 'Ventura' dropping this past spring. The album landed at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 becoming his first album to reach the top 10 in the U.S.

Along with his music, Paak has collaborated with A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre and many other notable names in hip hop. This spring he embarked on "The Best Teef In the Game Tour" with his band, The Free Nationals and you can find summer dates here.

Photos: Daniel Boczarski

ART SCHOOL | INTERVIEW WITH STEINER

LA based muralist and artist Steiner explores the relationships between humans and the environment through his vibrant and bold colored murals of wild psychedelic multi-eyed beasts and skulls emanating from toxic sludge.  We’re excited to chat with Steiner about his art, his process and what he has coming up for the rest of the year. Take the Leap! 

Photographs courtesy of the artist.