Chicago is no baby when it comes to its music scene. From the glory days of jazz, Chicago’s scene has always been far and wide. In the Windy City, we have just about everything you’re looking for. From massive summer concerts at Soldier Field to street festivals, pride lies in the thriving music scene. Although it’s no newbie to the music scene, DIY venue shows take place all across the city—and the burbs—but you just have to seek them out. You may find a house in Pilsen chock full of raggers on a Saturday night or a small, quiet crowd at an area art gallery. Whatever your jam (pun intended) may be, you may be able to dig down into the DIY scene to find your niche.
Situated along the bustling strip of Milwaukee Avenue right off of the square, Café Mustache is home to hipsters and the like as they sip on coffee from the wee hours into the nights doodling or writing on their laptops. But once the time comes around, furniture is moved around and a PA is set up in the small room that quickly changes into a cozy venue.
“The transition from café to venue is always a strange period in the day,” Ralph Darski, co-owner of Café Mustache said. Darski along with his two partners have been in the coffee bizz for a few years, and lived in Logan Square for more than five.
“Café Mustache is owned and operated by young entrepreneurs realizing a lifelong dream. We are veterans of the cafe industry who are financing our venture privately without the assistance of banks or “silent” partners,” he says. “Beyond our commitment to serving a great cup of coffee, cocktails and local brews, we hope Café Mustache becomes a place for our community to socialize, share and engage with one another. Our mission is to be a positive force for culture and community in Logan Square and help to ensure this remains a vibrant, unique neighborhood.”
Darski has been on both sides of the DIY scene, and surprisingly most of his experience isn’t on the business end. A musician at heart, Darski is currently a member of Rabble Rabble, a heavy psych rock bad who began playing in DIY venues and basements five years ago. “We’ve now grown as a band and have toured extensively, as well as played the most notable traditional venues in Chicago like the Empty Bottle, The Metro, The Hideout etc,” he says. “I also helped my partner Kerry Couch and our mutual friend Sabrina Rush run shows at their DIY basement venue Ottoman Empire, which is no longer in existence.”
DIY venues and house parties are an outlet for local and small bands to get their music into the stratosphere.
Since most shows are donation-based or free, music lovers flock to these kinds of shows just for a way to find new music and meet new people. For Café Mustache, people already know the name so it seems fitting, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s located in the heart of artsy Logan.
However, Café Mustache is far from the only DIY venue in Logan. Known for the three-flats and houses on the market for a reasonable price—in terms of Chicago rent—musicians in the area are not shy about hosting music in their homes. But that doesn’t mean some of the more intense shows in the area don’t get shut down. From drug use to thefts, DIYs often get a bad rap for miscreant behavior.
“I’ve seen many spaces and gear get destroyed at less legitimate venues that have a no-holds-barred vibe. Although that vibe has its fun elements, it seems to defeat the purpose of having a show to me. Another difference that stems from the legit business aspect is that we can openly advertise our shows with our address in all or any publications we please, without fear of getting shut down or being put on some list.”
But at Café Mustache, “most shows tend be quieter stripped down bands or solo artists, and then some are loud rock band that get everyone dancing and grooving. We do a monthly sock hop with Animal City playing ’50s and ’60s covers all night long. We move all the tables out for that one and it become such an amazing semi-formal dance party. Great times! We even host experimental jazz and noise.”
“Our space is not extremely large but it is adaptive and the coziness aspect seems to really help draw people’s attention to the performers. It has the feeling of a DIY basement venue but takes it a step further into a legitimate public space that is clean and welcoming to all,” Darski said.
This laid-back atmosphere is what a lot of Chicagoans are looking for. Although the jam-packed venues like The Metro and Subterranean are always a ball, DIY venues like Café Mustache offer a community vibe that anyone can enjoy.
