Chicago Electronic Music Conference Makes a Triumphant Return for Its Second Year

The open decks at last year’s inaugural Chicago Electronic Music Conference Credit: Courtesy the Chicago Electronic Music Conference

<p class="has-drop-cap"><strong>The Chicago Electronic Music Conference debuted</strong> in 2025 at the Ramova Theatre, and for year number two, it’s returning to the same venue on Saturday, April 11. Like any good music conference, CEMC will have a vendor hall (in this case loaded with DJ and synth gear), a record shop pop-up, and plenty of panels, workshops, and performances. Among the workshops are an advanced sound design lesson by Dallas DJ producer Gvnnr, focusing on “Understanding LFOs, Envelopes & Modulation,” and a music business roundtable tailored for independent artists.</p>

<p>The day’s panels promise rich discussion, including a focus on the cultures nurtured by dance music featuring footwork veterans like King Charles and Prince Jron. Additionally, sessions will dive into the history and future of Chicago house music with pivotal figures such as Lori Branch, Vince Lawrence, and DJ Hyperactive, who will also be performing at the CEMC afterparty. Attendees can enjoy local DJs spinning at the Ramova's taproom throughout the day, including Shanti from techno collective Research & Development and west-side boogie and disco enthusiast Sunshine Rewind. The conference is scheduled from noon till 10 PM, with <a href="https://www.tixr.com/groups/ramovatheatre/events/chicago-electronic-music-conference-2026-167416" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickets costing $52.51 in advance</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Ensemble dal Niente flutist Emma Hospelhorn</strong> is a multifaceted musician, known for singing and playing guitar, bass, electronics, and keyboards, making her a sought-after support artist in a range of genres, from indie rock to contemporary classical. She first caught the attention of Gossip Wolf in 2022 with her solo debut as Em Spel, <em>The Carillon Towers</em>, and last month followed it up with the expansive full-length album <em>Bird or Snake</em>. This album showcases her ability to intertwine tautly picked guitars, wafting flute melodies, and lush overdubbed vocal harmonies.</p>

<p>Hospelhorn has carefully curated a stellar lineup of collaborators to enhance the experimental folk textures of <em>Bird or Snake</em>. The album features contributions from notable artists like Katie Ernst on bass, Dustin Laurenzi on saxophone, Mabel Kwan on synth, Eric Ridder on drums, and Sam Wagster on pedal steel guitar. For her release show at Constellation on Saturday, April 11, the Em Spel band will include all those musicians, plus saxophonist Sarah Clausen. Ernst and Laurenzi will kick off the event with a set from their folk duo, Edith Judith, accompanied by guitarist Matt Gold. Tickets for this creative evening are priced at <a href="https://wl.eventim.us/event/em-spel-record-release-celebration-with-edith-judith/681287?afflky=ConstellationChicago">$23.83</a>, and the show commences at 8:30 PM.</p>

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    <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:17px"><sup>Emma Hospelhorn created the detailed, inventive arrangements on <em>Bird or Snake</em> with help from seven other musicians.</sup></p>
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<p>Hospelhorn also pairs with cellist Katinka Kleijn to explore homemade circuits alongside orchestral elements. Kleijn, a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will showcase her captivating installation, <em>Bionic Synthmap</em>, at Orchestra Hall on Wednesday, April 8. Described by the CSO as “a site-specific sound sculpture that explores shared circuits between human bodies and synthesizers,” the installation involves conductive materials on the floor in a unique configuration. When performers touch two pieces simultaneously, they manipulate the sound-making circuit. Kleijn will enrich the performance with her cello and accompanying visuals, inviting audience participation at the end. Tickets can be secured for $30, with the event starting at 8 PM.</p>

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<p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:17px"><sup>Cassette label LittleHeadButt is releasing the new Menace4Hire album on tape.</sup></p>

<p><strong>Local cassette label LittleHeadButt has been doing</strong> tremendous work in highlighting underground sounds from Chicago and beyond. This year, the label has already released a raw, relentless dance-noise EP titled <em>Northwest Territories</em> by Seattle artist Baphomet Sex, along with a physical edition of the local art-punk group Bussy Kween Power Trip’s album <em>Coming With the Strap</em>. On Saturday, April 11, LittleHeadButt is set to host a release party at Cole’s for the cassette version of <em>My Ancestor’s Favorite</em>, an outstanding jazz-inflected hip-hop album that underground Chicago MC <a href="https://chicagoreader.com/music/concert-preview/menace4hire-ramova-loft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Menace4Hire</a> initially released digitally last month. The night will be headlined by Menace4Hire, with support from Gayun Cannon, Waine Ghazi, and Armanii Day. <a href="https://colesbarchicago.com/event/menace4hire-gayun-cannon-waine-ghazi-armanii-day/coles-bar/n-milwaukee-illinois/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tickets are $14.45</a>, with the show starting at 10 PM.</p>

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    <p class="has-text-align-center" style="font-size:17px"><sup>The first album in six years from local hardcore crew Through N Through.</sup></p>
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<p><strong>Hard-hitting Little Village band Through N Through</strong> has spent nearly a decade delivering metal-infused beatdown hardcore music. They hadn't released a full-length album since 2019’s <em>Our Side</em>, until last week when they unveiled their self-titled album. A celebration of this effort is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, at Cobra Lounge where they will headline the night, with Mictlan and Wrath Hammer opening. <a href="https://dice.fm/event/eornwo-through-n-through-mictlan-wrath-hammer-9th-apr-cobra-lounge-chicago-tickets?pid=5997f9b0&amp;_branch_match_id=1174566653927838170&amp;utm_medium=partners_api&amp;_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1XdPNDU1NbZISTIwSbIvyEyxNbW0NE%2BzTDJQqytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsnXOKMrPTQUAqMymQEgAAAA%3D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tickets are available for $15</a>, and the show starts at 7 PM.</p>

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