Company Of Thieves

Chaos week at Columbia College Chicago came just in time. With finals looming and students stretched thin, this end is near relief of school sponsored entertainment was better than expected. On Tuesday April 21st, Company of Thieves graced the Hokin Gallery at 623 S. Wabash.
With a newly released, stunning debut album entitled Ordinary Riches, this indie band had me at hello. Or maybe the song I came in the middle of. I arrived between classes (it was a lunch time show) to a room filled with smiling students and beautiful photography. People were sitting on the floor, railings, and benches as the band played an intimate show.
What caught my attention right away was the buttery voice of Genevieve Schatz, the singer of this Chicago based three-piece ensemble. She is a tiny figure with a booming voice that filled the space. She was amazing to watch as she sat in her barstool clapping her hands and waving her arms throughout the set as if any moment she would take off. She was animated and powerful. Accompanying her on guitar was Marc Walloch and Mike Ortiz on drum (a custom box drum with various drum noises hit with hands). There is a great camaraderie with the band and it was clear they worked as a cohesive unit to make a great record.
The acoustic set was fitting for the open gallery space. It is shared by the Plum Café and is a place I’ve been to many time before. Having the show here made it so accessible to students on their way to and from classes or people just walking by. It was inviting even though I don’t remember seeing any advertisements for this particular CCC event. The advertisements I did see were for the comedy events and the Crystal Castles show, which I also attended.
The show itself was fantastic. Company of Thieves let us into their lives as they shared anecdotes and song inspirations throughout. It felt as if we were apart of their day as they were apart ours. My favorite songs were still works in progress not on the album (which I bought at the end of the show), but “Pressure,” “Fire Song,” and “Oscar Wilde” were definite standouts judging by the audiences reaction and my own preferences as well. They were very humble and it truly was as if we were watching a group of our peers. At the end of the show there was a meet and greet where they were all thankful for the support and more than willing to sign posters and CDs.
I think Chaos week in its entirety gave a great insight to what Columbia College is all about. It was diverse, thought provoking, stripped down, student created/attended, raw and accessible which is something I think holds true to the values Columbia has. Company of Thieves whose ‘abstract emotion’ was all of these things and more really set the tone for the week and reminded me of why I love this school so much. Company of Thieves is playing at the Bottom Lounge May 22nd and I will definitely be there.