18 Unique Gifts for a Chicago Music Lover
The holidays are fast approaching people and it’s so important to shop local and support Chicago artists and venues during this holiday season! I put together a small gift guide with unique gifts ranging from $2-$500 so you can shop for all the Chicago music lovers in your life. See the list below for direct links to each gift recommendation.
1) A deck of cards with the Thalia Hall logo: $9. One of the most classic gifts you can give but elevated just a little to let someone showcase one of the best venues in the city!
2) This Kingston Mines frisbee: $4. Everyone probably has a frisbee lying around there house just for one of those amazing summertime Chi days, but very few have a Kingston Mines frisbee.
3) A Pivot Gang navy crew sweatshirt: $40. What Pivot Gang has been able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. Their music will stand the test of time and, dare I say, so will this crewneck.
4) “You’re with Stupid: kranky, Chicago, and the Reinvention of Indie Music” by Bruce Adams: $23. It’s about time someone did a deep dive on the impact Chicago has had in the indie music scene! A must read!
5) A monthly art subscription by local gig poster designer Catdroool: $6 per month or $60 per year. Your apartment will be covered in cohesive art that is sure to make anyone that enters jealous!
6) The Alphapussy thong by Pixel Grip: $30. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not worth the money.
7) Sooper Record’s Ringer T-Shirt: $25. With one of the best local artist rosters you’ll see out there, including KAINA, Sen Morimoto, and NNAMDÏ, you’ll always have a conversation to start with someone if you’re wearing this around town.
8) A custom lyrical sentence diagram from local artist Joyland Collective: $20-75. Everyone has a favorite song or a favorite lyric. Why not recreate that lyric into a perfect, minimalistic print to accompany any gallery wall.
9) This custom print from Constellation’s limited edition collection: $30. As the premiere jazz and experimental venue in Chicago, this place is the true “if you know, you know” spot in all of Chicago.
10) A headshot session with Alexa Viscius: $500. Straight off her Abbey Road Music Photography Award win for BNNY’s album cover, get a professional headshot done with one the best in the business right in your backyard at Wicker Park Studios.
11) A Chicago Show Pals membership: $8 per month or $80 per year. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. This community of Chicago music lovers enjoys monthly in-person meet ups (with the occasional free drink and +1) and a community group Slack channel + quarterly merch items and custom prints.
12) The EADI Box from Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio: $250 The late, great Steve Albini will continue to grow his legacy and you can get some gear straight from his iconic studio.
13) Beach Bunny’s ice skating mug: $18. The cutest holiday mug that will match perfectly with your collection of yearly Christkindl mugs.
14) A virtual mini tarot card reading by artist, rapper, curator, and tarot reader J Bambii: $25. Its one thing to experience a great musician perform live at a concert its another thing to have them connect you with greater spirits.
15) Metro, Smartbar, and Gman Tavern hotel keychain set: $11. One for every set of keys!
16) The “Be Nice” Bumper Sticker from Friends of Friends Recording: $3. Because who doesn’t need a reminder that everyone’s got something going on.
17) Rapbrary’s The “Ban Banned Books” tee: $35. RAPBRARY is a special library dedicated to preserving rap as a literary art form, created by Chicago artist Roy Kinsey.
18) A shot glass from California Clipper: $2. Get a set of four for $8 for a perfect addition to any bar cart.