Considering relocating to Chicago - advice from working musicians? (Avondale)
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Hey there,
I'm a songwriter/producer currently based in the DC area, and I'm considering relocating to Chicago this summer. Before making the decision, I wanted to reach out to working musicians to get a realistic sense of what the scene is actually like there.
I've been playing music for about 10 years with different bands at festivals and venues, but I've found it difficult to connect with musicians interested in serious collaboration on original material. I'm trying to figure out if Chicago would offer better opportunities for that kind of creative partnership, or if I'm just romanticizing a move.
I'm particularly curious about:
How musicians actually connect for original projects
Whether there are venues, rehearsal hubs, or songwriting groups that support new bands and collaboration
What the vibe is like for someone trying to build something from scratch
I work in the electro-pop/synthpop space and I'm looking to eventually start a duo or small ensemble focused on original material with backing tracks.
If you have any insights about the Chicago music community - good, bad, or realistic - I'd really appreciate hearing them. I'll probably be up there in late May or early June scoping things out.
Thanks for any perspective you can share.