Did you see Janet's boob? It wasn't faked, it was planned. If you didn't see it, e-mail me, ask nicely, and I might show you...
One cold Tuesday night I traveled out with my friend DJ Stoney. Like most folks behind the decks, we are always on the lookout for new spaces and new sounds around town. One newer space that I wanted to investigate was Sonotheque.
Arriving on the 1400 block of Chicago we were surprised to find no sign or address on the building. Yet when you arrive, you clearly know where the building is. An ice-blue façade stands out against a back drop of apartment buildings without being annoying. Frosted windows conceal the entrance nicely. As soon as we opened the door, luscious house beats thumped their way into our heads.
Reminiscent of a 70's hotel, the brightly lit lobby immediately cleanses your senses in preparation for the main room. We hung our jackets in the coat check ( apparently there was no attendant that evening ) and stopped to check out the art on display. Several backlit 20x24 transparencies pictured everyday people in larger than life color.
Moving toward the main room, the music begins to get louder as you make a blind turn on your journey. Mirrors grace the wall, a perfect last minute style checkpoint before you make your entrance.
Immediately the light level drops to one quarter of the entrance and you've arrived in the main room.
At first glance the flawlessly executed psychological impact of the change in lighting makes the club appear to be nothing more than a few dark figures moving around. Slowly, a beautifully pure space comes into view.
To your right a bar lines the wall with an attentive bar staff that make their way up and down the bar from patron to patron with ease. The bar is fully stocked and the prices are right. Low couches and tables dot the walls on the left and at the back of the room. The DJ booth is perched opposite the bar, a floor to ceiling creation of frosted and clear curved glass.
Serious sound design has gone into the space. The music sounds clean everywhere you stand without any annoying echo. One of the more amazing things was the sound levels. I found it easy to talk with my friend at a perfectly conversational volume, but was never distracted by any of the other conversations around us. It's as if you never hear anything except the music unless you try.
Behind the decks various DJ's spin a myriad of tunes. We were fortunate to arrive on a night when the DJ was playing beautifully deep tech-house. It fit the space and the crowd perfectly. From club kid to urban hipster, grunge boy to little-black-dress girl, the crowd was hip and stylish without attitude. Sit back, sip, and enjoy the music when you visit Sonotheque at 1444 W. Chicago 312.226.7600.
My heart beats with you in 4/4. -Peter Mavrik
petermavrik@hotmail.com