Amidst thick snowfall, Via Rosa closed out Emporium on Sunday evening after sets by Jean Deaux and Kaina & Burns Twins. Before and after her performance, she was found in the back, by the pinball machines, selling homemade vegan apple pie cheesecakes. It was a memorable night indeed. 

Following the Winter Soulstice occasion, I felt it necessary to speak with the singer / songwriter / chef / illustrator / VHS collector / daydreamer, asking her to craft her own list of five for our ongoing column.

One Book: Starbrow

"I don't finish a lot of books but right now and probably forever is a book called Star Brow. It's a little Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter status. I feel like it's about me and my friends."

One Restaurant: Upton's Breakroom

"It's a little spot called Upton's Breakroom. It's in Chicago on Grand and Hoyne. It's all vegan and everything is delicious. My friend Ellen runs the kitchen and Kyler works the line. She's an amazing painter and I love eating there and visiting with them. The owners Dan and Nicole are totally awesome!"

One Group: Majid Jordan

"I really like Majid Jordan. I see them pretty much every time they come to Chicago and one time Majid kissed me on the cheek. But I mean, I'm not being biased or anything [laughs]."

One Movie: Amelie

"I have been watching Amelie on repeat. One because it's in French and two because the shots and the soundtrack are breathtaking. Not to mention the overall plot of the film. It's amazing."

One Venue: The Dojo

"I really enjoy performing at underground events, house parties, and basement parties. My favorite show I've ever done is at a place called The Dojo but it's a secret location so I can't tell you where it is. I did however see Majid Jordan play at this nice place and was like damn, I wanna play here and I just found out I get to play there next month, So I'm really excited about that."


Check out more from Via

Door Number One: Drama Duo EP with Na'el Shehade

Door Number Two: Five Song Playlist with producer Sani

debut ep from DRAMA The name Gallows, stems from the term "Gallows Humor" which is humor about painful circumstances. We felt the term Gallows Humor really encompassed our sound since our music has been described as happy sad music; music that brings you up when you're feeling down. Heartbreak can be painful and our hope through our album Gallows is it will help you see the humor when you're going through the volatility of love. We came together to create Gallows as our last letters to the loves we thought we couldn't live without. Gallows is a DRAMAtic soundtrack for anyone and everyone who has ever felt like the only way to get through pain is to crack a joke, see the humor and keep it moving. We hope you love listening to the album as much as we loved making it.