Made in Aurora is a series of collaborative album projects spotlighting the musicians and songwriters of Aurora, Illinois, and its surrounding area. By bringing area talent together and cultivating a stronger audience for local music, we hope to nourish our own communities and create an ever more fertile environment for the arts.

Made in Aurora is the brainchild of Steve Warrenfeltz, who spends a lot of time talking with area musicians in his record store, Kiss the Sky Records, in downtown Geneva, Illinois. Albums in the series are released in “dual format,” with both vinyl and CD included in one package.

Made in Aurora: Volume Two is a holiday album featuring both original music and new recordings of a number of seasonal favorites. Its 16 songs cover a wide variety of American musical styles including blues, country, pop and jazz. The album owes its genesis – and its City of Lights moniker – to songwriter Jeremy Keen, who independently produced three previous City of Lights holiday collaborations before Made in Aurora came to be. Over a cup of coffee last August, Jeremy suggested that the fourth City of Lights project should also be the second Made in Auroraproject. It just seemed right.

Volume Two was recorded, mixed and mastered in September 2011 by Kyle Schmidt at Backthird Audio in downtown Aurora. A total of 47 musicians contributed to the project, which was produced by Benjie Hughes. Lisa Gloria created our cover art from an idea by Steve Warrenfeltz and Dee Ciavarella, and Anna Hammond and Lisa Danielson both contributed to layout and design. We have an amazing team of volunteers to thank for all publicity. You’re probably reading this because of one of them.

The album will be released on November 25, 2011 – affectionately known as “Black Vinyl Friday” – exclusively at Kiss The Sky Records (301 W. State St., Geneva). A portion of the profits from this release will again be donated by Kiss The Sky to the Paul Ruby Foundation to support research on Parkinson’s disease.

Glass Hits was started in 2008 by Brian Willson, Jose Piza and Dave Beckhouse who were in a previous Denver band called Warsaw Surrenders. Greg Daniels was added to the band, they wrote and practiced for close to a full year before they found a vocalist. Eventually Keith Curts was added and Glass Hits was officially formed. They played their first show in May of 2009.

Over 300 pounds of rock shipped from the GGR shop floor to the band this week, so stay tuned to them to grab a copy as soon as they land in Denver!

Summer Sessions is Ivy League‘s second 7 incher, and first for 6131 Records. The set features two new songs, and an acoustic song from their demo. For fans of Small Brown Bike, Title Fight, and Make Do and Mend.

There are two limited vinyl colors available, which are available for pre-order from 6131 Records while they last!

Hate is the new album from Hawthorne Heights, Part 1 in a series of 3 albums to be released.

The album, co-released on vinyl by American Dream Records and Cardboard Empire, includes an exclusive alternate version of “Wasted In NYC,” both on the record and with accompanied digital download. The American Dream versions include limited edition splatter, red, and white variants; and the band will be selling its own exclusive colors.

Included with each limited edition copy is a poster autographed by the band. In addition, each purchase of the limited edition variant will include a code to be used at a later date to gain access to an online acoustic performance and webchat with the band.

We were pumped when the band stopped in to pick up their color variants themselves….thanks guys!

Hawthorne Heights in the GGR Listening Room