Chicago’s DIY music scene has never had a people problem. There are bands playing in basements, photographers packed against the stage, artists making flyers, writers chasing the next story, venues holding it all together, and probably at least one person somewhere trying to book a five-band bill through an obscure online invite website and pure panic.
I’ve noticed the hardest part is finding each other. Sure there’s Instagram and Reddit, but what if we had a centralized space?
That’s why I built the Roadhouse Directory, a free, user submitted directory for Chicago musicians, bands, artists, photographers, videographers, writers, venues, promoters, designers, zine makers, labels, collectives, and other folx involved in the Chicago DIY music scene.
Ultimately, it was built to help folx in the music scene connect in a more efficient way.
Need someone to come out and cover a show? Looking for a band to book? Trying to find a writer for a release? Searching for a designer, videographer, venue, artist, or collaborator who actually understands what you’re making? Our directory is meant to bridge that gap.
The Roadhouse Directory is open to anyone connected to Chicago’s music and DIY creative communities, including:
- Musicians and bands
- Photographers and videographers
- Writers and journalists
- Artists and designers
- Venues and promoters
- Zine makers, labels, collectives, and other DIY-adjacent creatives
I’ve set up the listings so they can include your info, links, categories, genres, and a short description of what you do. It will always be 100% free.
Roadhouse has always been about documenting Chicago music, but we also want to help connect the people making it happen. The directory is one more way to make the city feel a little less scattered and a little easier to navigate.
Please go poke around. Add yourself. Find someone new. Send a message. Book the show. Start the project. Make the thing. If you have any suggestions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. This is a new and ongoing project and we are continuously trying to improve the directory and what it offers to ensure it remains as accessible as possible.
