Virginia Franks and American Vanity

Last year, my sister Nancy, niece Laura and I saw Burn the Jukebox, a teenage band Laura and I followed for a couple years. It was our first time seeing them and we were impressed. Since then, they changed their name to American Vanity, while also adopting a slightly edgier, harder tone.

When AV announced a Chicago stop on their tour this year, Laura and I bought tickets. The show finally happened last month at Cobra Lounge on Chicago's near west side. The name and sound might be different, but the performance was as good and probably better than the previous one. The band is quite polished for being so young.

Prior to the performance, there was a meet-and-greet. Each band member chatted with all the VIP ticket holders. Although we briefly met the band last year, we got the chance to really talk to them here. Lead singer Virginia Franks was the first to approach us. Virginia has a lot of talent and takes command center stage. She has a great stage presence. In talking with irginia, she came across as very poised, engaging and professional. She has a bright future and we look forward to watching her career develop.

I wrote more about the night on Global Traveler. For more info, go to thisisamericanvanity.com.

Laura, Virginia and me in Chicago, IL-August 2026.

Burn the Jukebox Comes to Chicago

A while back I wrote about my quest to interview Burn the Jukebox, a teenage band my niece and I have been following. While I haven't achieved that goal yet, I did the next best thing.

My sister, niece and I saw BTJ perform at RocHaus in West Dundee, about an hour west of Chicago. After two opening acts performed for about 45 minutes each, BTJ took the stage for a solid two hour set. 

The band started with an original tune with Virginia singing. The rest of the show was mostly covers and mostly Virginia on lead vocals. They did a few original tunes and Luke Hoffman took the lead on a few.

Their musicianship is tight and they have a definite stage presence. I think Virginia is the leader and potential breakout star. They have been together for a few years, but who knows what might happen. As teenagers, their futures could go anywhere.

I still want to interview the band. For now, my niece and I are happy with our long quest finally being satisfied.

Laura, Nancy, me, Carter, Virginia, Luke and Luke in West Dundee, IL-June 2025.

Burn the Jukebox Coming to Chicago!

A while back, I wrote an open plea for an interview with the young band Burn the Jukebox. While I do not have that interview yet, I will be seeing the band in a few weeks.

BTJ started as a four person band, but the Ethan Cutillo (keyboard/vocals) left to concentrate on school. That left Virginia Franks (bass and lead vocals), Luke Vanchure (guitar) and Carter Dennis (drums). No offense to Ethan, but the band is now a powerhouse trio.

They play a lot of covers, but have started doing original tunes. Virginia seems destined to be the face of the band. She has rockstar written all over her. Luke and Carter are excellent musicians, especially at such a young age.

They come from Pennsylvania and have done several shows around there. Finally, after more than a year of hoping, BTJ is coming to the Chicago area June 6. Specifically, they will be playing in West Dundee, about an hour northwest of Chicago. It isn't close, but after waiting so long, I will take it. I'm also hoping for a meet-and-greet afterwards, like they usually do.

I will recap the event right here. Until then, check out burnthejukebox.com for more info on this rising young band.

Burn the Jukebox Interview Plea

Burn the Jukebox is a teenage band from Pennsylvania. Luke, Virginia, Ethan and Carter have been performing for more than two years.

You might ask, why does a guy old enough to be their grandfather follow BTJ. Oddly, at least judging by the responses from their social media posts, they have a large senior following. 

BTJ plays a wide variety of cover songs, but they also have been writing their own songs. Ethan and Virginia do most of the singing, followed by Luke. I don't think Carter ever sings lead, but he's an excellent drummer.

This post serves as a public plea for a Zoom interview with any or all of the band. I've been chasing, begging and pleading for almost as long as they ave been together. I fear that door closed though, as they have amassed quite a large following.

They have yet to play in the Chicago area, but when they do, I'll be there.Until then, I'll keep following and hoping for a grass roots movement to get me that interview. You can check out BTJ at BurnTheJukebox.com.

Burn the Jukebox Interview Plea

I have more than 1,400 interviews on YouTube. I have gotten several I never thought I could get. I have chased many and sometimes they finally agree. Right now, Burn the Jukebox is high on my want list.

BTJ is a teenage music group started a couple years back. It is comprised of Virginia on bass, Carter on drums, Luke on guitar and Ethan on keyboards. Virginia and Ethan do the main vocals.

While I am probably not in their normal; demographics for a fan, I really enjoy their music. I would guess a lot of their fans are also teenagers. I feel better seeing other older folks like me following them online.

On social media, they post a lot of short clips mostly of covers. They have done some originals and are doing more lately.

I have asked several times for a Zoom interview. I was even contacted by a rep of theirs, but ultimately that went nowhere. Not one to give up, I am still hopeful they will eventually do an interview. I think they have a great sound and interesting story and I want to share it.

This is my grasssroots effort (or my plea) to get the BTJ folks to finally do a Zoom interview. For me, it would end a long chase. I admit, sometimes it becomes the chase more than the actual accomplishment. This one would be both.

For more info on this young band, go to BurnTheJukebox.com. Also follow them on social media. Lastly, feel free to post/comment on their social media pages that they should go on Johngy's Beat.