Gerald Dowd
Boston-raised, Chicago-braised drummer/singer/songwriter Gerald Dowd has been described as “the hardest-working drummer in Chicago” (Richard Milne, WXRT), playing on over 100 albums, and averaging 150 live dates a year around the world. He’s spent the last 3 decades logging years and miles playing drums for Grammy-nominated artists Robbie Fulks and Justin Roberts, Nora O'Connor, Sons of The Never Wrong, and has also played and/or recorded with Eddie Vedder, Mavis Staples, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos), and A Prairie Home Companion, among many others.
In recent years, Mr. Dowd has been releasing his own solo records, consisting of original Americana/roots-based music described as "hook-heavy, cleverly crafted" (No Depression) with songs "that reflect(s) the warmer, earlier period of The Band." (Chicago Sun-Times). His most recent album, “Fathers Day,” featuring performances from Nora O'Connor (Decemberists, Iron And Wine, Neko Case), Robbie Gjersoe (The Flatlanders, Jimmy Dale Gilmore) and pedal steel legend Lloyd Maines, spent weeks after its release on the Americana Charts Top 100. A new record is in the works for 2026.
He continues to share stages with Jeff Tweedy, Ian Hunter, Nellie McKay, Delbert McClinton, Kasey Chambers and more.
Richard Bandini
Richard Bandiniis a Spanish-American musician based in Chicago, known as the frontman and guitarist of Bandini. With nearly three decades of experience, he began performing at 14 with his brothers in the band Kaplan, playing major festivals like Festimad and Benicassim. His music blends indie rock, alt-pop, blues, and sadcore, shaped by collaborations with artists such as Julio de la Rosa, Manuel Cabezalí, and Phil Yates. In 2022, he released A Hymn to the Beauty of Silhouettes, praised for its emotional depth and sonic richness. His 2025 release, Twosome, is an introspective and evocative exploration of the complexities of human connection, love, and disillusionment. The album's tone is enriched with poetic imagery, as it contemplates faith and the passing of time. A blend of indie rock and art rock, the album’s introspective lyrics are framed by lush arrangements, creating an immersive listening experience that resonates deeply with those seeking meaning in an uncertain world.