Why River North Musicians Trust Us

River North has been part of Chicago’s music story for over seventy years—from Andy’s Jazz Club bringing jazz and blues to Hubbard Street in the 1950s to the punk energy of O’Banion’s in the 1980s to Chicago Recording Company defining the neighborhood as a recording destination in the 1990s. Today, River North represents downtown Chicago at its most dynamic—home to galleries, design firms, tech companies, and a population of young professionals who expect quality and efficiency in everything they engage with. Musicians from River North bring that same polished professionalism to their recording projects: they’ve invested in their craft, they know what they want to accomplish, and they’re looking for an engineer who can deliver results without wasting time. Whether you’re a pop artist building sophisticated productions with layered vocals and electronic elements, a singer-songwriter recording polished acoustic and electric arrangements, or a voice actor capturing commercial and audiobook narration, you’ll find a studio environment that continues River North’s recording tradition. Artists from this neighborhood value clear communication, professional execution, and results that match their investment. As Chicago’s #1 rated recording studio on Google, Untold Stories has earned that recognition by consistently delivering work that meets the standards of artists who demand both quality and efficiency. River North musicians choose us because we deliver professional recordings without the downtown overhead and parking headaches.

Getting Here from River North

From River North, getting to our Pilsen studio at 1007 West 19th Street is remarkably quick—just 10-15 minutes by car or transit. By car, take Halsted or Damen south through the West Loop, or access I-90/94 briefly and exit at Damen, heading south into Pilsen. The routes are straightforward. Street parking in Pilsen is completely free and abundant—a significant advantage when you’re coming from a neighborhood where parking costs $30+ per garage or meters run continuously. If you prefer transit, the CTA Brown Line from Merchandise Mart connects to the Pink Line at Clark/Lake, taking you directly to 18th Street in Pilsen in about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, the Red Line from Grand or Chicago stations runs south to Roosevelt, where you can transfer west via bus or rideshare. Many River North artists appreciate the convenience—you’re close enough to schedule sessions during lunch breaks or after work, and the commute is shorter than traveling to many north side studios. By the time you arrive, you’ve left the downtown energy behind and you’re in a focused creative space. Plan to arrive right on time for your session, and you’ll find parking effortless, access simple, and the entire experience more cost-effective than downtown studio rates.

What Makes River North Artists Unique

Musicians and voice actors from River North tend to approach recording with professional focus and clear goals. These are often artists balancing creative pursuits with demanding careers—they’ve carved out dedicated time for their music, and they maximize sessions by arriving prepared and ready to execute. River North artists value efficiency, quality, and straightforward communication from an engineer who understands their timeline and creative vision. They expect professional results that justify their investment of both time and resources. We see pop artists building polished productions, indie and alternative bands recording sophisticated arrangements, singer-songwriters tracking acoustic and electric performances with electronic elements, adult contemporary projects, electronic producers developing tracks with synthesizers and programmed drums, and voice actors recording for commercial clients and audiobook publishers from River North. Many are artists who’ve achieved professional success in other fields and now have the resources to pursue their creative work seriously—they’ve studied music, invested in vocal coaching or instrumental lessons, and they approach recording with the same discipline they bring to their careers. What sets River North artists apart is their expectation of professional execution—they’ve researched their options, they know what quality sounds like, and they choose Untold Stories because we deliver that quality without charging downtown studio premiums. When you walk into our studio from River North, you’re working with an engineer who respects your time, understands your professional standards, and is committed to capturing recordings that meet your expectations and represent your sound at its best.