Musician Tanner Dane and his childhood friends spent countless hours playing music in his Elgin attic. They started with cover songs and gradually crafted their own sound: a blend of bluesy alternative rock and soul. Eventually, they began self-producing music using GarageBand, distributing CDs with handwritten labels throughout town. Marketing was minimal, but their passion for playing drove them.
Today, Dane is a Chicago-based artist and performs both solo and with his band, Hollyy. Over the last year and a half, they have gained attention by busking at the AIDS Garden Chicago in Lakeview. Their impromptu shows, announced just days before on social media, have attracted hundreds of fans from as far away as Indianapolis and Wisconsin.
Dane’s musical journey began early. He and his sister received their first instruments, a guitar and drums, as children and grew up in a family that cherished music. His mother, Jean Bednar, shared her love of music with them, and this influence extended to their friends.
The initial neighborhood band formed in Dane’s attic, where they practiced tirelessly. Although their early records might not have been masterpieces, they were integral to their development. Dane recalls their band, The Reverends, winning a battle of the bands competition that allowed them to record a studio album.
When members of The Reverends went off to college, the band dissolved. However, Dane’s passion reignited while studying political science at the University of Illinois. During college, he reconnected with Rafael Soto-Marquez—an acquaintance from Elgin—and they started playing music together again.
Soto-Marquez, who studied physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology and had a keen interest in tech, contributed to the band’s evolution. He purchased solar-powered equipment that allowed the group to perform without traditional sound systems. They eventually began busking on the Chicago lakefront.
Dane initially pursued a corporate job, setting aside his plans for law school, to dedicate more time to music. The group Hollyy, formed by former Elgin bandmates, thrived, with Dane continuing to write both for the band and his solo career. His personal writing turned into multiple EPs, followed by a solo record deal.
Hollyy’s desire to busk materialized when their summer tour plans changed. Despite challenges, including equipment issues and an unexpected interaction with law enforcement over permit concerns, their lake shows gained momentum.
Fans of all ages gather to enjoy their lakeside performances, making memorable nights out of the concerts. Support from family and the local community has fueled the band’s journey, marking a new chapter in Dane’s career as dusk falls on Chicago’s lakefront.
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