Music Makes You Think | Interviews with musicians

Music Makes You Think is for people who experience music a little more deeply than the average listener. All articles are written by Julie Simmons and most were previously featured in other publications.

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Zoe Garcia (lead guitarist, vocals) of Sunday Cruise

Interview with Zoe Garcia of Sunday Cruise

Zoe Garcia talks about how she created Chicago's pop punk band, Sunday Cruise.

3 days ago6 min read

In this photo from the artists, Brae is standing behind Joey. Brae is wearing a NY Yankees baseball hat and Joey is wearing a pink beanie hat. This image is most likely from when they were 22 years old (or younger).

Interview with Joey Valence & Brae: Can They Succeed Without the Music Industry?

How old are Joey Valence and Brae? What we should be asking is whether it's possible to maintain success without a label.

Feb 254 min read

Image of Josh Dun singing into a microphone. This is probably from the Clancy tour (2023) in which he sang backing vocals on "Leave the City"

Interview with Josh Dun: How twenty one pilots’ Drummer Found His Voice

Josh talks about challenging himself to do more interviews to singing to becoming a dad. This is Julie Simmons' third interview with Josh Dun.

Sep 26, 20257 min read

Neyla Pekarek is shown playing cello and singing into a mircophone. This image is meant to show her getting out on her own.

Interview with Neyla Pekarek, Cellist of The Lumineers, as She Steps Out on Her Own with "Rattlesnake"

In this rare interview, Neyla talks about the solo project that confirmed her departure from The Lumineers.

Aug 14, 20256 min read

Fuel for Thought

How do fuel prices impact musicians, fans and the industry? A look back on when oil prices surged in 2006.

Apr 255 min read

Lebanon's Mashrou' Leila Goes Dark (Part 3)

What happened to Mashrou' Leila and where are they now?

Dec 1, 20254 min read

Gilmar Gomes is sitting at the edge of a stage wearing a black leather outfit, black hat and black sunglasses. He's sitting in front of his drum kit, most likely the one he uses when playing with Enrique Iglesias.

Interview with Gilmar Gomes, Drummer for Enrique Iglesias: Life is Percussive

An incredibly moving journey about Brazilian percussionist, Gilmar Gomes.

Sep 17, 20258 min read

ABOUT
JULIE SIMMONS

Julie Simmons is a Chicago-based music journalist and creator of Music Makes You Think.

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MMYT Chicago Playlist 2026

music makes you think header_edited_edit

Eat My Heart - Sunday Cruise
I Got Swindled - Milkswarm
Dancing on Your Grave - Pixel Grip
Letting Go - Hollyy
New Shoes - Fecto Glen
Serial Baller - Crisis Actress
I Made Friends With A Turtle - Crisis Actress
Airlock - Superdime
E2E - Superdime
Final Girl - Superdime
Green Reflections - Tiwa Bleu
Much - Christ the Scientist
Uwi Ako - Mark Cabinian
Slow Down - GreenTTea & The Tempos
Keep The Music In Your Soul - GreenTTea & The Tempos
I Did Them All - PICK TOO
Reason to Stay - Pixel Grip
Stamina - Pixel Grip
Sickeningly Teeth - Melkbelly
Feel So Lonely - Hollyy
MADHOUSE - HUES
Extinct - North Coast
Surf's Up (Garfield Park) - Cel Ray
Wendy's Pisces - Scarlet Demore
Shut Me Up - Deadbeat Daycare
Nosebleed - ChinaRose
Cold Burn - Lemon Knife
I Could See It Coming - Minor Moon
I Wish - Poster Girl
Never Is - Almost There But Not Really
Gotta Love Somebody - Tanner Dane
Same Name - Worry Club
Japanese - Worry Club
Pretty Face - Worry Club
Bad Love - Dehd
Limp Wrist - Bev Rage and the Drinks
We Wever Never Alive - Brigitte Calls Me Baby
Anti-glory - Horsegirl
Ballroom Dance Scene - Horsegirl
2468 - Horsegirl

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