Lacona

Formed in 2003, the Chicago-based Lacona emerged as a trio devoted to '80s-tinged pop/rock and drawing sonic cues from the Cure, the Cars, and Radiohead. Guitarist/vocalist Geoff Dolce, keyboardist/vocalist Patrick Newbery, and drummer Andrew Grill launched the project and promptly began playing the city’s nightclub circuit. Early recordings, among them the 2005 EP Come On, soon helped the group build a local following. Their blend of apathetic lyrics, vocal harmonies, post-punk guitar muscle, and chilly keyboard atmospherics caught the ear of bassist Jon Hill, who joined the band and completed its quartet lineup. Lacona then signed with Scuzzball Records and issued its 2008 debut album, Pantomime.