SŌKING IN 2021: 5 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS YEAR (AND 1 THING TO LOOK OUT FOR NEXT YEAR)
2021 wasn’t perfect, but we’d be lying if there weren't any highlights. In fact, there were lots of highlights. Check out some of our favorites below!
1. We played our first show in way too long.
We hit the stage for the first time in what felt like 900 years with an absolute banger of a show on the Subterranean mainstage. Joining us on stage for the first time was the legendary Ania Thomas, who melted dozens of faces with her guitar-shredding abilities. Seriously, we will never financially recover from all the lawsuits.
The lineup also included the bands SNOOZE, Cut Your Losses, and Disaster Kid; a combination of bands so legendary that it will be spoken of for generations to come. It was an absolute dream to share the stage with these incredible groups and we hope to do it again soon.
Feeling some FOMO? Check out a full review of the show from the lovely SouthSide on the Town here.
2. We graduated.
Alexis, Nick and Cameron graduated from Columbia College in Chicago, and Jonah graduated from wherever the fuck he went, meaning that we’re no longer a band of college students. Instead, we’re now a band of recent college-grads, which is arguably even worse.
Nick made the big move down to Nashville to attend Belmont university (we are very proud of our boy). He’s still collaborating with us remotely on a top secret project (see #4), and we’ll hopefully get together for some summer shows!
3. “Cling,” “Jawbreaker” and our Debut EP all turned one-year old.
2021 saw all of our little song babies celebrate their first birthdays. There was cake, presents and SŌK-themed party hats galore.
“Every Shade of Blue” and “Jawbreaker” hit 2,000 streams on Spotify, which is just incredible. We couldn’t be more thankful for everyone who has jammed out to our tunes this year. It really is humbling.
“Cling” celebrates her birthday December 12th, so there’s still some time to help her reach 1,000 streams before the big day!
4. We started working on our biggest project yet.
Hey look, it’s the thing I mentioned earlier (see #2)!
This year we began writing and recording our largest project yet. I can’t say much now, but we’re looking to drop it sometime early next year. Otherwise, it’s still top secret for now.
“Is it an album? What else would it be?”
Shut the fuck up, dude!
Listen to us talk about it here.
5. Our merch looks hot and you should buy some please.
We couldn’t attend the Met Gala because Jonah is allergic to valeur fabric, so we weren’t able to give our merch the red carpet debut it deserves. Frankly though, our merch looks so damn fine on its own.
Sweaters, T-shirts, pins, stickers, forklifts (sold out) - you want merch, we got merch. And we’ve got an exquisite holiday promotion on our store to help you buy said merch.
Personally I recommend the “Jawbreaker” hoodie because it’s comfy, warm and the face looks like Billy Corgan.
Visit our store!
And the one thing to look out for in the new year…
1. …is the project I just mentioned.
I didn’t think this through.
2021 had its ups and downs, but it seems like we’re ending on a high note. Here’s to an even better 2022!
Activism Resources
As a band we feel a strong responsibility to help incite positive change within our community at both the local and national level. Between the ongoing pandemic and continuing fight against racial injustice and inequality, activism has never been more important. With that said, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, which is why we’ve compiled this list of charities, nonprofits and other organizations working to make an impact on the front lines. The list also includes information on a variety of black owned music businesses, as well as a link to a larger black owned-business database. Ideally this resource should be used as a jumping-off point for further activism, which is why we’ve included links to some more amazing resources at the bottom of the page.
Stay active, stay safe and keep rockin’ \m/
- Sōk
Voter Registration Resources
REGISTER TO VOTE - https://vote.gov/
Vote.org Election Resources - https://www.vote.org/
Polling Place Locator (By State) - https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/
When We All Vote - https://www.whenweallvote.org/voting-resources/
Become a Poll Worker! - https://www.eac.gov/voters/become-poll-worker
Donate (Social Justice)
Justice for Jacob Blake - https://www.gofundme.com/f/justiceforjacobblake
Black Lives Matter - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
National Bail Out - https://www.nationalbailout.org/
Greater Chicago Food Depository - https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/
Black Women’s Health Imperative - https://bwhi.org/
NAACP - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/naacp-1
Donate (COVID-19 Relief)
COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate
Opportunity Fund - https://www.opportunityfund.org/small-business-relief-fund/
Doctors Without Borders - https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
World Central Kitchen - https://wck.org/chefsforamerica
Feeding America - https://www.feedingamerica.org/
American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund - https://agmarelief.org/
Black Owned Record Stores
Re Runz Records - https://www.rerunzrecords.com/
Moodies Records - https://www.instagram.com/moodiesrecords/
Better Days Records - https://www.facebook.com/betterdayseast/
Jampac Records - https://www.facebook.com/JampacRecords/
Serious Sounds - http://www.serioussoundsetc.com/
Fivespace - https://fivespaceshop.com/
JB’s Record Lounge - http://jbsrecordlounge.com/index.html
DBS Sounds - https://dbssounds.com/
Home Rule Records - https://homerulerecords.com/
Freshtopia - https://www.freshtopiava.com/about-us
Brittany’s Record Shop - https://brittanysrecordshop.com/
Offbeat - https://www.offbeatjxn.com/
Halsey & Lewis -https://www.halseylewisbk.com/
Black Owned Music Gear Stores
78 Records Music Stores - https://www.pinterest.com/78records/
Shadd Piano - https://shaddpianos.com/
Domain Cymbals - https://domaincymbals.com/
Dogman Devices - https://www.dogmandevices.com/
Timeless Recordings - https://www.timelessrecordingstudio.com/
Black Owned Business Directory - https://officialblackwallstreet.com/directory/
More Great Resources
“20 Ways to Support Nurses & Healthcare Workers on the Front Lines of COVID-19” https://nurse.org/articles/20-ways-to-support-healthcare-workers/
“How to Take Action in the Wake of George Floyd’s Death”
“Aide and Resource List”
“A State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals Who Need Help During Coronavirus Crisis (Updating)”
“The Nonprofits and Companies Helping to Fight the Pandemic”
https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-charities-nonprofits-companies-helping/
“How to Help During the COVID-19 Crisis”
“Ways to Help”
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
What’s SŌK Been Up to During the Quarantine?
By Jonah Nink
Artwork by Alexis Plain
This is a weird time. I think that I speak for everyone in the band when I say that we miss performing for all of you lovely people greatly. While social distancing can be a bummer, risking the health and well being of ourselves and our fans would be even more so, which is why we’ve decided to hunker down and do our part to help stop this nasty illness. That doesn’t mean that we can’t at least fill you in on how we’ve been spending our downtime! So if you got a few minutes, which you definitely do because you should also be at home right now you dummy, here’s a look at how each member of SŌK is helping to flatten the curve.
Nick
Let me preface this by saying if you’re reading this and you’re feeling well, then you’re luckier than many out there right now. I’ve been constantly reminding myself of this throughout this catastrophe of a month. We can all be negative about this and wallow in despair for as long as this goes on, or we can remind ourselves that this too, will pass. A great way to do this is to make a list of what you’re grateful for and lucky to still have. Here are a few of mine:
I’m grateful I can still go for runs outside and conquer the great outdoors.
I’m grateful I can still create music within the comfort of my own home.
I’m lucky that school, music, and work were all put on pause on a good note.
On my last day of teaching lessons, one of my bass guitar students told me I’m her “favorite teacher ever” and then her mom told me after the lesson how she always talks about how much she loves coming to the lessons and learning. Memories like that will help get me through the times to come. I didn’t talk about this enough, but I can’t stress how important it is to help others out during this time. That can be as simple as ordering take-out from your favorite Mexican restaurant a few times a week to keep giving them business.
Alexis
This quarantine season I’ve been gladly taking a moment to slow down and catch my breath. Being a full time student, part time employee, and full time band member gets to be a lot, so the extra rest has been good for me. Other than beginning Game of Thrones with my roommate and hardcore binging, I’ve been taking the time to write a lot and work on several unfinished projects. Reading some books (like my queen Patti Smith), working on DIY clothes (get ready for some patchwork denim), and creating online content for SŌK (including our first YouTube video).
Plus my cat Nala is thrilled to have me home, she’s been getting all of the scratches and kitten milk. Also I’m trying to be hip with the kids and get into TikTok? We’ll see how this goes.
Cameron
For this social distancing stuff, I’ve spent time working on new material for the band, listening to new music, and taking a lot of naps. Overall, trying to find healthy ways to adjust my time and adjust to the change.
(Editor's note: Cameron’s note is shorter because he is currently in a deep meditation to discover the art of the perfect blast beat. If this is interrupted for too long, the very fabric of reality may collapse.)
Jonah
I only just recently came to terms with the fact that my school year effectively ended a few weeks ago. Sure, I still have work and online classes but… come on. Apart from not being able to jam with my bandmates, my radio show, Household Dragons, was also cancelled for the rest of the semester.
But it’s ok though! I’m doing my best to keep busy with my writing, which I love almost as much as my jazz bass. I’ve contributed a healthy amount of work to the Hard Times, Chicago Machine, and the UIC Radio Blog, and am currently in the planning stages of a larger personal project. I’m also trying to learn how to use some recording equipment that my family got a hold of recently. I apologize in advance for any terrible acoustic David Bowie covers that might result from it.
But what would a quarantine be without some quality albums, movies, video games and TV Shows? Here’s my shortlist:
TV: True Detective, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Video Games: Doom Eternal, Borderlands 3, Civilization 5
Albums: Just as I Am by Bill Withers, John Prine by John Prine, London Calling by the Clash
Movies: Misery, Hot Fuzz, The Fly
If you’re looking for more ways to help out than just social distancing, here is a great overview of how to assist non-profits, restaurants, and those especially at risk to illness during these uncertain times.
If you’d like to help support SŌK during this hiatus, you can purchase merch from the SŌK Store here or send donations to our Venmo or Cash App: @AlexisPloen.
In the Booth: SŌK Kicks-Off New Video Series
The Chicago-based news outlet The Columbia Chronicle launches their latest video series, “In the Booth”, with SŌK! Seasoned music reporters Kendall Polidori (Managing Editor) and Steven Nunez (Photojournalist) join SŌK in a tiny college practice room to discuss the new EP, the creative process, and recording with Chuck Kawal.
Jonah Nink (bass) said the three songs on the EP, released January 31, were “born out of … certain ideas, lyrics and riffs,” which the band brought together by jamming and experimenting to see what works best with their individual styles and sound. Watch the full interview above and read the full article here.
Snake on the Lake - SŌK Live @ WSUM
On 1/31/2020, SŌK took a field trip to Madison, WI to hang out with the crew at WSUM! Listen above to SŌK’s acoustic set at the Snake on the Lake - LIVE @ WSUM. Includes performances of “Pulp”, “Every Shade of Blue”, and “Midnight Muse” off of their debut EP and a sneak peak of their unreleased song, “Cling”. Watch the full performance above!
“Fresh take on Prog Rock”
Album artwork by Lauren Martin and Alexis Plain
This week the Chicago Sound Check featured SŌK as their cover photo for this weeks “Fresh Tracks”. Check out their list of exciting new music coming out of Chicago and the suburbs here!
On Friday, The Deli featured SŌK on their blog’s front page for their article covering SŌK’s debut EP release. “'[SŌK’s debut EP is a] fresh take on Prog Rock from Alexis Plain, Nick Bilski, Jonah Nink, and Cameron Carlson. You can help SŌK celebrate the release of their EP on February 12th at Subt with Skylight Cinema.”
Come celebrate with as at our Joint EP Release Show at Subterranean THIS Wednesday, February 12th with our friends Skylight Cinema and Origami Button. Limited tickets available, buy your tickets here.
SŌK Live on WCRX FM!
Watch SŌK’s full interview with Ryan Pollock on Chicago’s Underground from 1/29/2020! Alexis, Nick, and Cameron discuss the songwriting process, recording, Paramore, college in Chicago, and much more. This broadcast also features live acoustic performances of “Midnight Muse” and “Every Shade of Blue” off of SŌK’s debut EP!
