Thursday Turntable: Varsity

Varsity by Nick Matsas

Is anyone else succumbing to summer overwhelm? A packed social calendar and living out of suitcases has us fantasizing about a fresh breath of fall air.

Lest we surrender summer too quickly, Varsity is here to help us savor those lingering golden days. The Chicago quartet specializes in nostalgic indie pop with an edge. Over the past year the band has been releasing “digital 7″s,” a duo of two complimentary songs released at once.

Credit: Coloursong

This June, Varsity released “Smash / Still Apart.” The hooky singles are just the thing for a summer state of mind. They are peppy, yet sincere and fittingly wistful, like reading your old diary from that one standout summer. Plug in Varsity’s layered melodies and Stephanie Smith’s spirited vocals and cling to the season while you can.

Credit: Rebloggy

2016 Tour

• Saturday, August 27 – Columbia, MO (Cafe Berlin)
• Thursday, September 22 – Chicago, IL (Lincoln Hall)
• Saturday, September 24 – Madison, WI (Memorial Union Terrace)

Jessica Mlinaric

Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.