PravdaFest 40: What. A. Day! Huge thanks to all the friends, fans, and family who came out to celebrate- we loved seeing each and every one of you! Thank you to the incredible sponsors and partners who supported us, to FitzGerald’s for being the most gracious hosts, and to our small but mighty team who worked to make PravdaFest a success. And we can’t forget the all-star lineup of musicians who provided the soundtrack to a glorious day! This was one for the books, for sure, and we look forward to what’s coming in the next 40 years! With love, Pravda Records 💙
PravdaFest 40: What. A. Day! Huge thanks to all the friends, fans, and family who came out to celebrate- we loved seeing each and every one of you! Thank you to the incredible sponsors and partners who supported us, to FITZGERALDS for being the most gracious hosts, and to our small but mighty team who worked to make PravdaFest a success. And we can’t forget the all-star lineup of musicians who provided the soundtrack to a glorious day! This was one for the books, for sure, and we look forward to what’s coming in the next 40 years! With love, Pravda Records 💙
Today. Is. The. Day. The Pravda Records sign is up, Kenn Goodman and Scott Schaefer are out, and we’re taking over FitzGerald’s for PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS. Join us for a full day of music and memories, celebrations and shenanigans, and - most importantly- friends. With 17 bands on three stages and a party that’s four decades in the making, it’s going to be the festival of the season. Doors open at noon and we’re going all day! 🎶
We can’t go into PRAVDAFEST! this weekend without a few words from our dear friend, and favorite tuxedo fitter, Dag Juhlin. Dag is everyone’s friend, actually, and a consistent force in the Chicago music scene. He’s partnered with Pravda Records since the very early days of The Slugs, through the Sunshine Boys’ latest album in 2020, and on countless other occasions as both a musician and companion. Dag embodies indie music with his vigor, talent and creativity, and we're so grateful for his support. Sorry we can’t give you the day off on Saturday, friend, but work is work 😉 🎶
To tell you the truth, we are THRILLED to have Nathan Graham close out PRAVDAFEST! this Saturday at FitzGerald’s! Nathan’s soulful and steady sound has taken the music world by storm, with his combination of Nashville Americana and South Side blues. His debut album, Saint of Second Chances, came out on Pravda Records in 2023, and was met with rave reviews. Nathan takes the stage at 10:10p to wrap up a full day (and 40 years) of music and memories- you don’t want to miss this special performance 🎶
The early bird gets the gold! Babygold, that is. Chris Greene Quartet kicks off PRAVDAFEST! with a Jazz Brunch on the FitzGerald’s patio starting at 1:30p, mixing classic jazz with elements of funk, rock, and hip-hop. Pair it with some famous Babygold BBQ and our Pravda Records Dark Matter Coffee blend (more on that later), and you’ve got the foundation of a fabulous festival.
Doors open at NOON next Saturday, and patio seating is first come, first served. Rise, shine, and beat the line! ☕️🎶
Introducing drummer Gerald Dowd! As a longtime friend, Gerald has collaborated with countless Pravda musicians over the years. We’re excited to have him play with (at least) two bands at PRAVDAFEST!- catch him with Sunshine Boys at 4pm and Steve Dawson at 9pm. But don’t take it from us- hear it in their own words (wait for it)!
Meet the Diplomettes! This talented trio is at the center of @Diplomats of Solid Sound, with their sweet and sultry vocals providing the soundtrack to the band’s signature soul. Hear more from them at PRAVDAFEST!, August 31 at FitzGerald’s 🎶
A long, long time ago, Kenn Goodman co-founded Pravda Records- and is still talking about it 40 years later! Kenny reports live from FitzGerald’s, our gracious host for PRAVDAFEST! on August 31. Get your tickets now for more of this Good-ness! 🎶
Throwback Thursday: Behind the scenes from a 1991 recording session with The Slugs, performing "Your Hot Air" off the "Fort Fun" album on Pravda Records. Catch this timeless band of all-star rockers reunited for PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS., August 31 at FitzGerald’s 🎶
Meet Sunshine Boys! This Chicago-based trio of veteran indie rock musicians shine light and love with the world. Their music combines high energy power pop, intimate atmospherics, and string-dappled modern masterpieces. The band's 2018 debut album, Blue Music, was hailed as “A pop lover's dream...hopeful and comforting...something quite gorgeous and elegant” by Popmatters. Catch their feel-good rays at PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS. August 31 at FitzGerald’s ☀️🎶
Meet The Slugs! This collection of all-star musicians have been living the rock n’ roll dream for decades, picking up fans worldwide while touring the country in an old Ford van. Their music combines melodic songwriting with finely crafted pop that stands the test of time. As one of Pravda’s earliest signing bands, their debut release “Non-Stop Holiday” dates back to 1988 on vinyl and cassette. Catch their musical masterpieces at PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS. August 31 at FitzGerald’s!
Meet Ivan Julian! A pioneer in the punk rock movement, Julian delivers blistering, funky and reflective tunes that call on more than four decades of rock and roll experiences. As one of the industry’s most sought-after collaborators, he’s played with musical luminaries including The Clash, The Isley Brothers, and Matthew Sweet, and is a founding member of Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Julian’s latest album, “Swing Your Lanterns,” was produced last year by Pravda Records, and his newest single, “Her Lips,” debuted earlier this month. He’ll be in good company playing with Nick Tremulis at PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS. on August 31- get your tickets now https://www.ticketweb.com/event/pravdafest-celebrating-40-years-of-fitzgeralds-tickets/13529944?pl=fitz
Meet Nathan Graham! A Chicago native, Graham meshes Nashville Americana with South Side blues for a sound that’s soulful and steady. His songwriting offers a raw introspective of universal experiences, and a reminder that we are not alone. He uses his voice to connect our stories, like musical greats Smokey Robinson and Lauryn Hill. Graham’s debut album, Saint of Second Chances, came out on Pravda Records in 2023, and you can catch him at PRAVDAFEST! Celebrating 40 years of PRAVDA RECORDS. August 31 at FitzGerald’s🎶
