Dear Major Rock Music Magazine/Blog,

Allow meto reintroduce myself. My name is Chicago. I am America's second largest city. (Los Angeles is really not a city) You know me from past endeavors such as the Sears Tower, various sports teams or possibly my middle-American cuisine. Since your publication focuses on music you are familiar with the blues sound I help explode worldwide, the genre of house music which was invented in my basement or more currently artists like Kayne West, Common, R. Kelly and Wilco, all of whom call me home.

Without a doubt I respect your magazine. You have shown love to many artists that I have produced. I know that in the past few months you have said great things about my offspring - The Office, Cool Kids, Catfish Haven, Flosstradamus and many others. You even come to visit me, albeit infrequently, for festivals and New Year's Eve shows. That is why writing this letter was a decision that I struggled with for some time. But in the end I felt strongly enough that something had to be said.

When it comes to music I play second fiddle to no one. I have sat idle over the past decade as you have declared new musical hotbeds across the country. First there was Seattle, then San Francisco, followed by Brooklyn. I was not upset quite yet. I still appreciated the subtle accolades you bestowed upon me often in the early and mid-Nineties in the alternative and post-rock genres. But after Brooklyn you pointed to Portland, then Montreal and more recently I have seen such names as Philadelphia and Austin thrown around. This is where I had to draw the line.

Dear Major Rock Music Magazine/Blog,

Allow meto reintroduce myself. My name is Chicago. I am America's second largest city. (Los Angeles is really not a city) You know me from past endeavors such as the Sears Tower, various sports teams or possibly my middle-American cuisine. Since your publication focuses on music you are familiar with the blues sound I help explode worldwide, the genre of house music which was invented in my basement or more currently artists like Kayne West, Common, R. Kelly and Wilco, all of whom call me home.

Without a doubt I respect your magazine. You have shown love to many artists that I have produced. I know that in the past few months you have said great things about my offspring - The Office, Cool Kids, Catfish Haven, Flosstradamus and many others. You even come to visit me, albeit infrequently, for festivals and New Year's Eve shows. That is why writing this letter was a decision that I struggled with for some time. But in the end I felt strongly enough that something had to be said.

When it comes to music I play second fiddle to no one. I have sat idle over the past decade as you have declared new musical hotbeds across the country. First there was Seattle, then San Francisco, followed by Brooklyn. I was not upset quite yet. I still appreciated the subtle accolades you bestowed upon me often in the early and mid-Nineties in the alternative and post-rock genres. But after Brooklyn you pointed to Portland, then Montreal and more recently I have seen such names as Philadelphia and Austin thrown around. This is where I had to draw the line.

I will not mince words - Chicago is twice the hotbed of indie rock then Montreal, Philly and Austin combined. It saddens me to be overlooked when the talent and desire is busting at the seems here.

Let me quickly refresh your memory about why I am the next big spot for good music. (not that I ever went away) The community of musicians here is very tight knit. No matter the genre, people come to me for guidance. New York and Los Angeles is where musicians go in search of fame, but they come to me for the love of their craft and the network of quality musicians is a key to this. The venues also play a vital role in both the community and development of music here. With so many different clubs and theaters it gives local and touring musicians many places they can feel comfortable at. There are record labels aplenty with a stronger desire to develop and nuture musicians over making a dollar. In recent years major festivals like Lollapalooza and Pitchfork have emerged to compliment my already strong lineup of free concerts from the Taste of Chicago to dozens of neighborhood festivals that bring younger, developing musicians to the fans. And finally, and most importantly, is these fans. Both honest and dedicated I am home to some of the best music fans in the world. Their passion cloaked under Midwestern modesty and their knowledge often deeper then it is broad, the fans here continue to make the best spot for music in the country. All these reason combined equate to an amazing spot for music to grow and flourish.

I appreciate your time. I look forward to your response or better yet an article in next month's magazine offering a host of places, bands and reasons why I am the next "it" place for music.

Sincerely,

The City of Chicago

another one from the A/C archives