Microcosms

Andrew Tschiltsch could have taken the easy way out. He could have continued to go where, well, many men have gone before. A comfortable upbringing in Southern California led to business school, which then led to a job in finance in Chicago upon graduation. The stage for the next acts of Andrew’s life was set, but he decided to change the story.

Well-aware of the societal advantages of being an educated white guy, he struggled with the knowledge that the doors he walked through would remain closed to so many – especially given the constant state of disarray in the world. Having become radicalized against corporate life and societal power structures, and craving a change that would allow him to act upon his values of justice and equality, Andrew planned to quit his job a year in advance. During that time, he readied himself to take the plunge and begin what would become Microcosms.

It may have been his first time in a band, but Tschiltsch had been drumming since childhood and teaching himself guitar after he was off the clock. The time he had spent discovering new bands while living in Chicago and London alike also played a role in inspiring the direction he knew he wanted to take his own. That direction was one that highlighted society’s countless ills and everyday emotions, but filtered through the band’s own existential, sarcastic, and punchy lens.

With Tschiltsch undertaking guitar and vocals, the lineup was later rounded out by Bryan Emer on bass, Jered Piepenbrink on drums, and Ronn Richardson on guitar and keys. In their time together, they’ve performed at iconic Chicago venues Metro and Empty Bottle, organized, hosted, and performed at a Bernie Sanders fundraiser (“Berniefest”) that raised over $1k, and Tschiltsch went on become a founder of HAZ Cooperative Studios, which makes pursuing creative careers more accessible for artists – particularly artists from disenfranchised communities – by providing resources, opportunities, an absence of paywalls, and a sense of community.