Music & Comedy
Stephen Kohler Live July 25, 2026
For Chicago-based singer-songwriter Stephen Kohler, music represents a universal language that allows all of us to connect and express. Raised in a musical family, Kohler started on the trumpet at the age of 12 and later discovered his love for the guitar, piano, and singing which he incorporated into a lifelong passion for composing, performing and producing. Inspired by everything from the Beatles to Black Sabbath, Stephen loves to incorporate hook-laden melodies along with rhythmic punch. Having performed throughout Chicago for over 30 years in numerous original pop, rock and alternative bands, including Delusions of Grandeur, Braintree and Bed, he has played venues ranging from Metro, Double Door, and Lounge Ax to Evanston Space, Uncommon Ground, and Beat Kitchen.
In June of 2022, Kohler released the solo album Daydream, produced by Grammy-nominated musician Liam Davis (of the Power Pop band Frisbie), and followed up with the 2025 album Anthem, which was also produced by Davis and features his Frisbie band mate Gerald Dowd on drums and percussion.
Fast forward to July 2026 and Kohler has re-teamed with Davis and Dowd for a brand new single! The track “Paintbrush” was released on Friday, July 3.
Paintbrush” was inspired by Kohler’s late brother (who provided the original artwork for the single) and is a reminder to listeners that we all have an inner creator and can paint the universe with our own paintbrush.
