Semaphore, the Chicago Avenue studio where scores of local punk, metal, and noise bands have cut records, singles, and demos since 2000, is closing at the end of this month. According to one of the studio’s five partners, Jeremy Lemos, expenses—mostly rent and utilities—had doubled in the last several years. But in-demand engineer/producer Sanford Parker added in an e-mail: “Just let it be known it was more of the owners being burned out on running a studio than the high overhead. If we were 10 years younger it wouldn’t be closing.” Parker will be working “almost exclusively” at Engine Studios and traveling to record in other studios, while Lemos will continue to spend most of his time as a live-sound engineer for Iron and Wine, Sonic Youth, and others. According to Lemos, Matt DeWine, who recorded and worked with Jay Bennett at Champaign’s Pieholden Studios, will be taking over the space in January.
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Rapping aldermanic candidate Che “Rhymefest” Smith launched a book drive this week. The program, Catch People Reading, or CPR, aims to encourage inner-city kids to read over the holidays. Young adult and children’s books can be dropped off at two south-side locations before December 22: Kennedy King College, 6301 S. Halsted, building W144, and Exclusively Yours Auto Spa, 5820 S. State.
