Torn Light Records Relocates to Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood Amid Setbacks
Torn Light Records moved from Cincinnati to Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood in June 2024 and quickly established itself as one of our city’s premier record stores. However, in early October, broken plumbing in the unit above Torn Light flooded the shop four times within a 48-hour period, forcing owners Alex York and Dan Buckley to temporarily shutter the storefront.
“It was a very scary month,” York says. “Truly horrible, making zero dollars for a month. For a small business, it doesn’t work. We don’t have excess cash.”
Earlier in November, York and Buckley received some funds from their insurance company and have been diligently working to reopen the shop. York hopes to be back in business this weekend.
York estimates that Torn Light lost nearly 5,000 records due to water damage, including 3,000 seven-inch records that made up the shop’s entire online inventory. “The sections that were hit were jazz, modern classical, avant-garde,” he explains. “So kind of our hallmarks for larger sales and things that people traveling will stop in to buy from us.”
Over the past month, York and Buckley have depleted their modest savings to pay staff while waiting on their insurance claim. York says insurance is helping cover the cost of replacing the custom furniture that Buckley built for Torn Light, but even with that payout, restocking remains a challenge for a shop that mostly sells used records, CDs, and cassettes.
“A lot of the inventory we have, it’s not necessarily replaceable,” York says. “Of course, I could find a Cecil Taylor LP again, but if I have it out for $20, I probably found it for $12 somewhere—how the hell am I gonna find that again? We’re just having to do whatever we can.”
Torn Light’s staff have come to terms with the necessity to reopen the shop with a slimmer selection. “Reopening without our jazz section is crazy to me,” York admits, “but I’m just trying to let go of it and say, ‘This is just a small blip in time in a much larger lineage of the store. We will have jazz records again.’”
Avondale Venue the Fallen Log Announces Closure
Last week, word spread through Chicago’s DIY scene that Avondale venue the Fallen Log was closing. On Friday, the business made it official with a public announcement: its last day would be Sunday, November 23.
The Fallen Log shares ownership and a building with vegan pizza spot Kitchen 17, which is also closing. “We decided to close for the same reason many businesses close: Unfortunately, the bottom line just wasn’t there,” says co-owner Joe Mertz.
Mertz and co-owner Jennie Plasterer opened the Fallen Log in March 2023, shortly after moving Kitchen 17 to Avondale from Lakeview. The venue quickly became one of Chicago’s most interesting spots, hosting a range of underground bands that typically perform in DIY spaces. Most shows were all-ages, a rarity among aboveground venues in the city.
Cole Hunt of TV Buddha served as the Fallen Log’s talent buyer for about a year and a half, often bringing in emerging acts from the Hallogallo indie-rock scene. Even after he moved on, that scene maintained strong ties to the venue. For example, in August, Peter Cimbalo (live drummer for Kai Slater’s Sharp Pins project) celebrated his new psych-tinged album as Alga with a full-band set at Fallen Log.
“I hope someone comes in and continues the venue, especially the all-ages portion,” Mertz says. “It’s hard to do, but I have really come to believe that it is important for the community, and I hope that some of that legacy lives on.”
The Fallen Log will host a closing party and farewell show on Tuesday, November 25, though details had not been announced by publication time.
Public Works Launches “Fuck ICE: A Popular American Sentiment” T-Shirt
Last week, Public Works launched preorders for a T-shirt called “Fuck ICE: A Popular American Sentiment.” Public Works is a Wicker Park gallery, shop, and venue connected to design studio and music label Someoddpilot.
The new shirt features a photo of a miked-up amplifier cabinet with “Fuck ICE” spelled out in tape across its grille. The shirts cost $40, with approximately $25 from each sale going to Palenque LSNA, an immigrant-focused liberatory community organization, and other efforts supporting those harmed by ICE. The first run of shirts begins shipping Saturday, November 15.
Ira Glass to Release New EP, Celebrates with Free Empty Bottle Show
On Friday, November 14, Chicago posthardcore band Ira Glass will release their new EP, Joy Is No Knocking Nation, their second for Fire Talk imprint Angel Tapes. This release highlights more of Jill Roth’s saxophone blasts, underscoring the dread in Lise Ivanova’s half-spoken, half-screamed vocals.
To celebrate, Ira Glass will headline a free show at the Empty Bottle on Monday, November 17. Repent and Alive Girl will open, and Henry Tegethoff will spin between sets. Music starts at 9 PM.
Lia Kohl and Alta Vista Celebrate New Records at Constellation
Cellist and sound artist Lia Kohl releases her latest solo album, Various Small Whistles and a Song, on Friday, November 14. She performs the same night at Constellation alongside Chicago postrock trio Alta Vista, who are also celebrating a new record: Won’t Believe in Dust, which builds on the searching, warped Americana sound of their 2023 self-titled debut.
Tickets cost $20.72, and the show begins at 8:30 PM.
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