Vintage Blonde Chicago is Linda Martin (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Kim Swinton (lead guitar, vocals), Leslie “Rez” Gaeth (bass, keyboards) and Nina Talia (drums). After playing for many years in various bands, the all-female rock band has written and produced its first album, Afterlife, in the rock genre. Afterlife was released in May 2025, and it is a response to the current state of the world and the role of women in it. The album offers the band’s unique take on life in America.
Afterlife is one of the final projects engineered by the legendary Steve Albini. Vintage Blonde worked with Steve to capture a live, raw, authentic performance sound in a single recorded playthrough using analogue tape and limited overdubs. Steve recorded and premixed the entire album and completed the final mix for six of eight songs, when he unexpectedly passed away just prior to the final mixing session. Steve Albini was so supportive of female rockers, and Vintage Blonde Chicago is honored to be included in his body of work.
-Interview- (10/20/25)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound?
We’re all seasoned musicians, and Vintage Blonde Chicago originally came together as a rock cover band. Inspired by classic rock, blues and punk music, we created a unique sound for our originals that we call “the new old rock." The eight songs on our album AFTERLIFE are intended to be thought provoking and powerful.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
As an all-female band, we bring a woman's perspective to topics like addiction, equality, and the climate, and we explore what it means to be human. We hope our songs speak to people. “Hurricane" is about climate disasters. "In My Way" is a song meant to inspire women to stand up for the respect they deserve. "Alien Message" explores what it means to be “an outsider”. “No girls in the band" tells a story about the role of women in rock bands. And “Skull & Bone” is a song about the great equalizer, death.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Vintage Blonde Chicago has its own unique rock sound, with female vocals and driving guitar and drums. The album AFTERLIFE captures an energetic, live performance sound, with each song having a bit of a different vibe. Vintage Blonde Chicago is influenced by rock, blues and punk.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
We would love to tour with Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, and female fronted rock bands like Wet Leg and The Pretenders.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
AI may be able to replicate sound, but it lacks the emotion and human experience that gives music its soul. There is also nothing like experiencing live music. We worked on our album with the legendary producer Steve Albini, who used limited effects and recorded us to tape. The album has a very "live" quality, and it is also a one-of-a-kind experience to play the music from AFTERLIFE live for our fans and watch them react to seeing the songs performed.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
It’s coming back!
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Illinois?
We are all from Chicago, and the Windy City is a great town for music! From small intimate clubs to huge venues, there is a place for every style and form of music you can think of. While playing the music scene in the city and surrounding suburbs, the band has had the best experiences! The fans here are excellent!
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
It’s hard to make a living in the music industry, that's for sure. We think the best approach is to be in it because you love it and have something to say.
9. What’s next for Vintage Blonde Chicago?
After spending almost two years writing, recording and producing our album, we are looking to promote AFTERLIFE on radio stations, podcast, or any avenues that present themselves. We will be creating more social media content to draw attention to our songs and look to broaden our fan base. We are also looking to get on more streaming playlists so we can attract new listeners. As far as shows, we are seeking out opportunities to play the album. And we are writing music for a second album
10. Any shoutouts?
To all our fans and to the local radio stations that support us, we appreciate you more than you know. And a big shout out to Steve Albini, who unexpectedly passed away during the recording of our album AFTERLIFE.
