Indie label Closed Sessions was blessed with a fantastic look this morning as the indie outfit was profiled by the Chicago Red Eye. Their company received a nice two page spread as well as the cover — which is no small feat. Check out the in-depth piece here, and be sure to pick up a copy on newsstands today. It’s a well done profile that chronicles their inception and rise — a dope look from a dope publication.
With endorsements from industry tastemakers and a staggering output of quality material, it wouldn’t be a stretch to paint Closed Sessions as a modern equivalent of the early days of Def Jam Records, whose start included releases by future stars LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. And they aren’t slowing down: The current focus is on Wiley, the buzzworthy 20-year-old Hyde Park native whose “Village Party” tape arrives in early June. Having listened to a decent chunk of the project, including the first two singles “Vibration” and “OVA,” I expect this release will catapult the rapper to national awareness. Closed Sessions has established itself as a hub for local acts to refine their skills and expand their brand in the music community. But, more specifically, how are they doing this?
“[Fruchter] does the hard work. I just sit down here, drink espresso and make rap music,” says Uptown-raised Kolar, the technical arm of the Closed Sessions team, at the label’s Soundscape Studios.
He’s being modest. The 35-year-old whiz works on all things production from recording to mixing to mastering, and is directly responsible for making sure the Closed Sessions releases sound crisp and clean. (Quick lesson: Mixing is when you take all the instruments/beats, combine them with the vocals, add effects and make it sound balanced and appealing. Mastering is when you take the finished mix and maximize it for best listening, including sequencing the songs.)