Ahead of their Lollapalooza debut Saturday, Chicago’s own Brigitte Calls Me Baby released their debut album “The Future Is Our Way Out” the day before via ATO Records, yet another milestone as the band’s 2024 breakout continues.
Working with famed producer Dave Cobb (Lady Gaga, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton), the group recorded at legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, home to sessions for iconic artists including Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, with whom vocalist Wes Leavins is frequently compared.
Leavins spoke with the Sun-Times about his first trip to Lollapalooza, working with Cobb on Brigitte Calls Me Baby's debut full-length studio album and the state of the Chicago music scene.
Q: Two sets already today during one of the hottest weekends I can remember at Lollapalooza. How was your first time at the fest?
A: It was great. I’m just glad it wasn’t raining. People always show up and they’re willing to brave the heat. And can’t do it without them.
Q: I know you’re actually going to get to see other acts today. Who are you looking forward to?
A: I wanted to see Chappell Roan. I am seeing TV Girl. I will be seeing The Last Dinner Party. Teezo Touchdown from my hometown in Texas. Those are the ones I plan on seeing.
Q: Well, “The Future is Our Way Out” dropped yesterday. How’s the weekend gone so far?
A: Fantastic. A week before that we were on Jimmy Kimmel. Like you said, the new album. So, it’s just been pretty much a whirlwind.
Q: Dave Cobb has had his hands in so many great records lately. What was it like working with him on “The Future Is Our Way Out?”
A: It was so good. Dave is everything you would expect out of someone that prolific. I think his gift is that he brings things out of people that they had no clue that they had. That was certainly what he did with us.
Q: Did you guys record with Dave in Nashville?
A: We recorded in Nashville and Savannah, Georgia. We did some stuff at RCA and then at his house in Savannah.
Q: There’s so much history in that studio at RCA. What was it like recording there and soaking that in a bit?
A: Yeah, obviously it’s just so much history. And a lot of the stuff that we related on was recorded there. Roy Orbison. They call it “the house that Elvis built.” And then some other stuff as well. So, it was exciting.
Q: I remember what it was like kind of watching the Chicago alternative scene blow up here in the '90s. And there wasn’t always a lot of camaraderie between artists and bands. But I noticed Friko watching your set at Toyota Music Den. And it does seem like there’s a bit more of an affinity for one another these days. What’s kind of the state of the Chicago scene right now?
A: I wasn’t around for that but I’ve heard a similar story. Now, I just feel like there’s a freedom and expression — and everybody just kind of feels like there’s a place for everyone. I’m sure there are cliques, but I haven’t experienced them yet. It’s just been a very, very welcoming music community.
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
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Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
