Chicago indie rock band Sybris has been resurrected and is now an even better band
The narrative of the Chicago-based indie rock band Sybris is in part about the system of independent music and the connections that sustain it. With their second album, “Into the Trees,” released in 2008 under the wing of the cherished San Francisco label Absolutely Kosher, Sybris was on the rise. Unfortunately, in 2011, the label collapsed, collecting debts in a rapidly deteriorating underground art scene. However, in 2023, as part of the label’s 25th anniversary, Cory Brown revived Absolutely Kosher, revealing a treasure trove from its archives. One of these treasures was Sybris’s unreleased third album, “Gold on Hold.” Brown reached out to the band’s frontwoman, Angela Mullenhour, about releasing the album. Despite the band having drifted apart over the years, this unexpected twist of fate brought them back together. In 2023, Sybris launched their bold single “Dead” with an accompanying music video, and in September 2024, they dropped the full album.
“Gold on Hold” is a mix of darkness and playfulness, and while it could have been a hit back in 2011, knowing its backstory adds a deeper layer of meaning, especially for long-time fans. The feral cries in “Horny” resonate like two individuals rediscovering their primal desires after years of stale romance. The haunting yet beautiful pulse of the slow-building “Stag Party” feels like an oracle awakening, leading to a psychedelic climax. For those seeking more, the darkly soulful “Rapture” is an eye-opener that makes the album a worthwhile journey. Reflecting on resurrecting Sybris in a 2024 interview with It’s Psychedelic Baby!, Mullenhour expressed, “Being able to reconnect with your old-school homies and rock out is a rare gift in this lifey-ass life. I think we’re a much better band now than we were 15 years ago—how’s that for humility? Ha.” “Gold on Hold” serves as a source of encouragement for those who want to revisit their old selves, discovering hidden treasures that can bring joy and renewal.
Opening for Sybris will be Sharilla and Temps at the Empty Bottle on Sunday, December 28th, at 9 PM. Tickets are priced at $14.11, and the event is restricted to those 21 and older. So, if you’re looking for an evening filled with energetic music and a sense of nostalgia, this is an event you won’t want to miss.