Review written by Ruby Lawson.

A Docuseries of Shorts (7 Episodes). Explore the world of Chicago independent Music (literally on a Rooftop) with Jasmine Allen Tillman. Her series features performances and interviews from the most noteworthy and critically acclaimed indie musicians based in the Chicago area. Musicians featured hail from Nigeria, Baltimore, Virginia and more – each episode showcases a different artist and genre ranging from BabyXSosa’s hip-hop to Native-American inspired folk music from Land-is-Rising to flamenco pop singer Fany de la Chica to Grammy Nominated Will Jordan.

Get ready to explore the world of independent music with Indie Rooftop! Our docuseries features intimate interviews and performances from some of the most noteworthy independent artists today. From Fana Hues to Babyxsosa, Louis King to Fany de la Chica, Land is Rising to King Quan, and Will Jordan – get ready for an unforgettable journey into the world of indie music. Don’t miss out on this exclusive experience!

Director’s Statement for Indie Rooftop – Jasmine Allen

As the director of Indie Rooftop, I am thrilled to share this exclusive experience with audiences. Indie Rooftop is an episodic series that features performances and interviews with prominent
independent musicians of various genres including Fana Hues, Louis King, Babyxsosa, Land is Rising, Will Jordan, Fany de la Chica, and King Quan.

I chose to direct Indie Rooftop because I wanted to celebrate art and entrepreneurship. I wanted to champion musicianship and the work ethic that it requires. As a new parent, I witnessed the
power music had to comfort my son and bring him joy; and that was what I wanted to share through Indie Rooftop.

I was inspired by several music documentaries including Hype, Dave Chapelle’s Block Party, Gimme Shelter, and most notably the Beatles rooftop performance. I sought a rebellious tone
and wanted to create a natural, intimate, and authentic experience. Diversity, feminism, social consciousness, and environmental awareness drove the casting process. I wanted the show to
feel raw and to evoke a sense of freedom and limitless possibility.

I directed Indie Rooftop in my third trimester with my second child. The Indie Rooftop cast is truly remarkable. It is my hope that the audience recognizes the importance of emotional
awareness, feel motivated to do what makes them happy, and connect with the music.

Review:

The one thing I noticed each of these artists have in common over the course of this docuseries is that they’re all seeking to communicate their stories as independent artists, each artist has faced
struggle, oppression, and lack of support over their careers causing them to have to work that much harder for an opportunity in the music industry. I really did enjoy expanding my music knowledge
through the idea of having these rooftop performances. It allowed the relationship between viewer and artist to feel very intimate, almost like a personal Q&A or interview.

To delve into this docuseries deeper I’ve decided to break down this review into each artist to really explore the artists that were filmed and given the opportunity to be a part of this production.

• Will JordanWill really was my favourite in this docuseries, his voice and stage presence held great experience and professionalism. I found him different from the other acts as the production value in his backing tracks were much more fruitful than others, the technology developed in his sound was really matured and well thought out providing what I really believe is the “indie sound”. Multiple effects and almost alien but intriguing sounds much like famed indie musician, Mac Demarco uses in his sounds, added to the feel of Will’s music leaving it to be on trend and unique, particularly the opening track “You say”.I really enjoyed hearing how his passion for a career in music helped him support his pregnant girlfriend when his song writing ended up being used by pop icon Rihanna on an album by Nicki Minaj. The fact that his music ascended to this level proves that independent artists bring flavour and edge and aren’t just that of hobbies but real careers.
• Land is RisingThe main thing I enjoyed about this act is the guitar influence in the sound. However, a single electric in a small amp was not enough to match the intensity of the lead singers voice, I would enjoy more band members in the future to support this. I felt this group was less about performance value and more about communicating moral opinion and heavy views on society, such as advocating for protection of young people.Honestly, I would be lying to say I felt affected by this performance, I found most songs to be spoken rather than sung, much like a Twenty-One Pilots type fashion but
  without any sense of musical value, there was something lacking in the flow of the tracks and as an independent artist I feel it is crucial to not overlook this.
• Fany De Ta ChicaFirstly, this was the best dressed act of the series, true brownie points for that. I felt this artist was very interesting as she discusses her experience of the world, she has travelled and lived in London and New York and the mix of genres in her music is something I really appreciate, and I feel reflects her life experiences.Traditional Spanish tunes implemented with Mariah style R&B and even Jazz (which Fany studied on a scholarship during her education in music) enticed me the most.

  Personally, the song “Gimmie” was not a favourite, but I believe mixing genres is a skill that can take much time and care and I really do hold out a hope for this artist and could feel her expressive and infectious passion for music through her performances. Her Spanish language singing was her strongest asset as a performer for me.

•  BabyxSosaIt was about halfway through this acts episode that I felt I remembered BabyxSosa from somewhere.From her opening song I really got an Ayesha Erotica feel from her songs and stage presence, a sense that her career could really expand on a platform like TikTok. Well, her last song clicked for me, and I realised it is a very popular sound on TikTok. This is what I really appreciate about modern day media is that it gives small voices the biggest of stages and independent artists can grow faster than ever before.

  Baby Sosa’s look for me was immediate pop star, but I would argue that as she mentioned she is trained in classical music, I would love to see a sort of cross-genre develop using that knowledge, I really feel it would add to her individuality as an artist and help with her expression. I was not so fond of her other songs, and I feel that her voice can go beyond that “Britney” style baby-pop.

• Fana HughesI loved Fana, her loving energy and SZA/ Victoria Monet inspired sound really did it for me. As an independent artist, in her interview she did not glamourise a career as a musician at all and remained exceedingly humble, she was right to speak up about the inequality of the music industry.Funding and studio time are elements of an independent artist’s career that are needed to assure success in wider society and media, with things such as race and socio-economic grouping oppressing these acts daily, how can anyone be guaranteed an equal opportunity to create? “Bad Bad” was my personal favourite as I felt it did the most for her voice, the runs and vocal technique reminded me of early Beyonce.

  I enjoyed learning of her song writing process such as taking from topical poetry and essays to really build on an idea, I feel this is so so unique and her interviews really captured the passion and sparking creativity in this energetic artist.

• King QuanThis act really wasn’t for me, I did feel enlightened through the idea of storytelling through lyrics, yet I felt sincere lacking in difference in tracks. To enjoy this act more, I would like to see more experimental music production as I feel rap as a genre can become quite repetitive today and with the plethora of online platforms used to enhance the creation of music, I feel it could provide more individuality in these performances.I do really respect the level of focus and talent required to be a rapper and I do believe King Quan has potential and the correct attitude as an independent artist in the industry, I would love the tracks to get more experimental.

3/5- A good baseline representation for modern day indie music.

For more information visit www.indierooftop.com