Joe Bryl has been sited as Chicago’s most interesting DJ. He’s been working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. A true pioneer, with the aim to push international sounds as a DJ, and as the artistic director of Sonotheque he has come to present internationally renowned DJs. He also holds the monthly ‘Braziliance’ night showcasing the best Brazilain, soulful Samba and funky favela. Find out more about the man behind one of Chicago’s most diverse and forward thinking clubs. Read the interview

Name: Joe Bryl

What do you do?
I am co-owner and also co-book the talent at Sonotheque.

How did you become involved at Sonotheque?
My business partners, Donnie Madia and Terry Alexander, where looking to open up a music venue in Chicago over 7 years ago that specialized in left-field DJ driven sounds (somewhat similar to the vibe featured in Straight No Chaser magazine at the time). Donnie and myself had collaborated before in other venues but wanted to showcase our own expertise without having to answer to another persons demands.

Describe Sonothequer in one sentence.
See this link information: http://www.sonotheque.net/aboutus.html

What can we expect to hear there?
Sonotheque still promotes a mixture of left-field dance music with some live performances and art/film events. Music ranges here from minimal techno, African coupe-calle and afrobeat, mash-ups, electronic, Brazilian, jazz, funk, reggae and more. It’s sound changes daily and is very eclectic.

How would you describe Sonotheque regulars?
Regulars normally support the type of music they like. In that case a regular who likes minimal German techno will come specifically to those events and not to the African ones and vice-versa.

Whats the best thing about the city of Chicago?
Chicago is a melting pot of all races and creeds and the music here reflects that diversity.

And the worst?
Chicago still is racially divided (the current election not-standing).

If you could invite anyone (dead or alive) to come and perform, who would it be and why?
Sun-Ra. We have luckily had performers here who had worked with Sun-Ra here at Sonotheque. Plus, he had a close connection to Chicago and a great influence on its musical heritage.

Who’s set to be hot in Chicago in 2009?
More experimentation in expanding the options available for listeners.

Some advice to anyone visiting the city for the first time?
See the whole city. That means checking out the Southside with its expanding culture.

What’s the secret to behind the popularity of Sonotheque?
We are still taking chances where often musical venues play it safe. We’re willing to take a chance with emerging artists before their emergence in the popular conscious.

Most memorable experience at the club?
The last memorable experience (there have been too many in the past) was in 2008 when we screened a rare print of Mario Peixoto’s Brazilian silent masterpiece “Limite” (1931) with music composed and performed by Poi Dog Pondering. The film had only previously been screened less than 10 times and we were lucky to get a print of it through the Chicago Cinema Forum.

A moment you would rather forget?
Having to still clean up most nights after the customers have left. We still run the club like a mom & dad shop; so we are very hand’s on.

What are you listening to on repeat at the moment?
A lot of Brazilian releases both old and new.

Your hopes and fears for the music industry for 2009?
Too many DJs who have no musical knowledge outside of what they download and too much reliance on Serato while forgeting about vinyl.

What’s the most exciting thing in your life right now?
Having good friends and some free time to spend with them

Listen to Sonotheque live on Awdio

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Tags: awdio, brazilian music, Chicago, joe bryl, live, muisc, samba, sonotheque

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 6:19 pm and is filed under Awdio Sources, Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.