Here is this week’s dose from Chicago’s Tastemakers! Each week we check in with our 60+ Chicago movers and shakers to see what’s going on around town. Stay tuned each week to get each week’s wrap and next week’s view!

Our weekly Tastemaker Spotlight will let you get to know our Tastemakers a bit better because they’re more than a name online, they’re bringing you the hottest events Chicago has to offer!

This week you get to meet Nigel Ridgeway from Ground Lift Media! If you’ve gone to a hip-hop show in the past two years, there’s a good chance that Nigel (a.k.a. DJ Trew) had a hand in making it happen. The Baltimore native came to Chicago over a decade ago, and has turned his passion for music into one of the most lucrative party organizations in the city. Since coming to Chicago he’s DJ’d at almost every hot spot in Wicker Park, started his own blog (Ground Lift Media), and organized top-notch shows featuring some of the most cutting-edge hip-hop artists to date.

What is your dream car? 1967 Corvette Stingray.

If you could trade lives with anyone, who would it be and why? Anyone who was a teenager in NYC during the late 70s / early 80s. it was such a vital moment in music history, the fusion of high art / graf / punk / hiphop / electro. So many trends we see in music nowadays can trace their roots back to that period.

If your life were a song, what would the title be? “Whiskey is the Devil & That’s OK”

Would you rather be rich or famous? Rich. If reality TV is any indicator, I’d be famous soon after finding fortune.

What upcoming event are you excited for? Devin the Dude & Coughee Brothaz at Reggie’s. The perfect way to celebrate 4/20 weekend!

Chicago Mixtape has a new mic out this week, titled The Mysterious Production of Springtime, featuring local acts Quarter Mile Thunder, Advance Base, Chandeliers, Thin Hymns, Squat the Condos, Phantom Works, and Kerosene Stars.

Chicago Mixtape interviewed Alex from The Canoes.

JBTV has Alberta Cross and Foxy Shazam perform live at the JBTV Studios, Fun talks with JBTV, and features a classic interview with The Flaming Lips.

Pop ‘stache shares 10 Amazon mp3 Albums that are worth your $5 this month.

Pop ‘stache recaps The Magnetic Fields at The Vic.

DPLB007 – AEMMP Hip Hop 03/20/12 by DYNASTY PODCASTS
CVU162 – Stephen Paul Smoker by DYNASTY PODCASTS
Dynasty Podcasts: The SXSW 2012 Album by DYNASTY PODCASTS
Dynasty Podcasts has three new podcasts to share. The first two feature interviews with Columbia College’s AEMMP Hip Hop class and Stephen Paul Smoker. The third is Dynasty Podcasts’s SXSW Album, featuring interviews with YP, Martin Atkins, Show You Suck, Archie Powell, & The Exports, Scattered Trees, Jessica Galliart and Lenny Gilmore of RedEyeChicago.com, Shaun Barrett of The Sound Scene, and Amy Dittmeier of Heave Media!

Mia Jones shares the first episode of her new podcast, The Chicago Venue Menu, where she’ll highlight her favorite concert picks of the week.

$Free.99 from AXIS: by Lewis & Clark on Vimeo.
Lewis&Clark put out the teaser video for their new accessory line, $Free.99, featuring studded snapback hats they’ve been working on.

The Dead Hub recaps of Montreal at Metro.

The Dead Hub recaps The Pretty Reckless at Bottom Lounge.

Gapers Block recaps Bowerbirds at Lincoln Hall.

Gapers Block recaps Kimya Dawson at Old Town School of Folk Music.

Chicago Innerview interviews The Ting Tings.

Chicago Innerview interviews Neon Indian.

Chicago Innerview interviews Nada Surf.

Stic-of-the-Week recaps Gardens & Villa at Lincoln Hall.

Stic-of-the-Week recaps their SXSW Showcase at Lovely Boutique.

Stic-of-the-Week recaps Andrew W.K. at JBTV Studios.

Heave Media shares An Everyman’s Zombie Survival Guide.

Heave Media shares Pod People #6: Before and After.

Heave Media shares B*tch, I’m Miley Cyrus: The Most Earnest Music in the World.

Dani Deahl shares her official video for Diplo Hates You featuring Oh Snap!

CHROMATICS / KILL FOR LOVE (Complete Album) by JOHNNY JEWEL
The Windish Agency shares Chromatic’s new album, Kill For Love, available for stream here.

The Windish Agency shares an article about Grimes’ NY art show.

The Windish Agency‘s Dragonette won Best Dance Recording of the Year at JUNO.

Lost in Concert recaps Gomez at The Vic.

A/S/L_Media took photos of of Montreal’s afterparty at Berlin Nightclub.

A/S/L_Media took photos of Cult at Berlin Nightclub.

GlitterGuts took photos of Another 90′s Party: Royale with Cheese.

GlitterGuts took photos of Monkey Shoulder Launch Party.

GlitterGuts took photos of Red Bull Just Fkn Rage Tour with Dani Deahl.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Rehab at Debonair Social Club.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Zombies Vs. Skeletons at Cobra Lounge.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Wasted Bass at Evil Olive.

Mad laB Photography took photos of Another 90′s Party at Beauty Bar.

Lincoln Hall has The Chemical Brothers: Don’t Think at Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, April 3rd.

Double Door has The Bright Light Social Hour, Aktar Aktar, Mike Golden & Friends, Made by Man at Double Door on Wednesday, April 4th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Joe Erbentraut has Bloom and Boom: A Benefit for the Chicago Women’s Health Center‘s Trans Greater Access Project (TGAP) at The Burlington on Wednesday, April 4th.

A/S/L_Media, Jenae Williams, and Crystal Bishop have Sdust & LA Jesus Present ZOMBIE JESUS w/ Ghosthouse at Berlin Nightclub on Thursday, April 5th. RSVP for no cover ’til 11pm plus Jenae will be buying everyone beer and champagne from 10PM – 12AM (while it lasts)!

Lincoln Hall has Shabazz Palaces, Chandeliers at Lincoln Hall on Thursday, April 5th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Cubby Bear has Eve 6 at Cubby Bear on Friday, April 6th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Elbo Room has Beneath The Stares, Labirinto, Mark Hetzel, SenoritAwesome!, DJ Miss Bonnie Blue at Elbo Room on Friday, April 6th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Elbo Room has 20 Mark Helga, Fletcher Rockwell, Cletus Darby, The Unemployed Architects at Elbo Room on Saturday, April 7th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

The Congress has Nero at The Congress on Saturday, April 7th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

Beauty Bar has Champagne Retro – An 80′s Party w/ DJ Benzi at Beauty Bar on Saturday, April 7th. RSVP for hosted champagne from 9PM – 10PM!

Empty Bottle has Outer Minds (Record Release), Mannequin Men, Radar Eyes, and Summer Girlfriends at Empty Bottle on Saturday, April 7th. RSVP for no cover!

Schubas has Bahamas, Fort Frances at Schubas on Saturday, April 7th. Click “I Like It” for a chance to win tickets!

UR Chicago has Champagne Retro – An 80′s Party w/ DJ Benzi at Beauty Bar on Saturday, April 7th. RSVP for hosted champagne from 9PM – 10PM!

Front312 has Double Feature: Jojo Baby & Skunk’s Birthday GRINDHOUSE at Neo on Wednesday, April 11th.

UR Chicago has UR Chicago + Sugar Gamers Present: Shake & Pop Britney at Beauty Bar on Friday, April 13th. RSVP for no cover ’til 11PM!

The Mission of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival, CIMMfest, is to highlight the crossover of film and song through the production of an annual 4-day, multi-venue festival in the city of Chicago. Ultimately, we strive to shed light on the interconnectedness of all people, around the world, shown through the lens of music and moving image, both recorded and performed live. All of the films screened at CIMMfest have music at their center: short and long form documentaries and narrative fiction; concert films; animation; music videos, along with related performances and concerts, art exhibits and panel discussions, presented at historic and famous venues around Chicago. Operating as a non-profit organization, we mean to provide a platform for filmmakers and musicians to present their vision and a connection point for like minded artists, directors, producers, fans, and aficionados to come together for a celebration of movies, music, and great times in the greatest city on earth – Chicago! Check it out!

Stic-of-the-Week announces Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs‘ show at Berlin with Stic-of-the-Week DJs Chelsea and Lauren and Mother Hubbard.

CONTESTS

Chicago’s favorite ElectroFunk trio GHOSTHOUSE is giving DJs/Producers nationwide the chance to remix their highly anticipated upcoming single ‘Stop, Drop and Roll.’ The winning remix will be featured on the digital single package being released on April 5th AND have their track released on DJ Zebo‘s label, Hot Dog Records! If that wasn’t enough, Do312 is throwing in a pair of tickets to the Spring Awakening Music Festival! Download the single, remix, upload and vote! Check it out here!

UR Chicago is giving away tickets to various events! Check it out here to find out what tickets you can win and how to win them!